This study was carried out to compare agro-morphological traits and nutritive value of 25 tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) ecotypes grown in Tehran, Iran. The experiments were carried out in a split plot design during 2016-2018 growing seasons. The results showed that there was a significant genetic variation in existing germplasm. The highest heritability was related to dry forage yi...

Forage is one of the main products of rangeland ecosystems, which is threatened by different anthropogenic disturbances. This study was conducted to assess the impact of urbanization, rural development, agriculture extension, road construction and industry on forage production in an arid and semiarid rangeland using InVEST habitat quality model in spring 2018. In 14 rangeland types, thirty 2×1m...

Ammonia emissions and odor are being used to regulate animal produc­ tion. The objectives of this study were to observe the effects of restricted feeding dairy heifers high concentrate (HC) and low concentrate (LC) diets with different forage quality on NH3 emissions and odor. A split plot design with diet type as the whole plot and forage quality as sub­ plot was administered in a 4-period (21...

A major challenge faced by alfalfa growers during the past 30 years has been the increased emphasis on forage quality. The need to produce high-quality hay affects marketing and price, as well as yield and stand life. Demands for high-quality alfalfa by the marketplace have been relentless. Although crop yield is still the primary economic factor determining forage crop value per unit of land a...

Forages comprise 35% to 70% of the dry matter (DM) in diets for lactating dairy cows. Variation in forage quality can impact DM intake, diet energy density, dietary grain and protein supplementation amounts, feed costs, lactation performance, and cow health. Forage quality is highly variable among and within forage types (NRC, 2001). Forage species, variety or hybrid, stage of maturity at harve...

Understanding forage quality and the factors that affect its constituents will help improve livestock production by making decisions that optimize forage nutritive value and intake. This investigation was conducted in Zagros semi-arid rangeland center, Iran to determine forage quality of several grass and legume species. Samples were collected at early bloom, from 5 m long and 0.10 m wide strip...

Recent research in range ecology has emphasized the importance of forage quality as a key indicator of rangeland condition. However, we lack tools to evaluate forage quality at scales appropriate for management. Using canopy reflectance data to measure forage quality has been conducted at both laboratory and field levels separately, but little work has been conducted to evaluate these methods s...

Forage age and maturity generally have a larger influence on forage quality than environmental factors. Plant environment, however, cause deviations in forage quality even when harvested at the same maturity. Temperature usually has greater influence on forage quality than other environmental factors. Although increasing temperature normally hastens maturity, the primary effect may be through i...

Plant Species and Variety Forage quality refers to digestible nutrient content (i.e., energy, protein), palatability and digestibility of the forage plant. Legumes (alfalfa, medics, cloves, vetch) are the highest quality group of forage grown in pastures. They are high in protein, energy (digestibility), and minerals. They also “fix” nitrogen fertilizer, making them very economical to grow. Inc...

Crabgrass overview Crabgrass was introduced to the United States in 1849 for use as a forage species. The majority of its forage production in Georgia occurs between mid June and early September. Crabgrass can produce relatively large amounts of high quality forage, but is an annual and must produce seed to persist. Pure stands of crabgrass have reportedly produced three to five tons of forage ...