How much protein does bluestem grass have?
Recent studies conducted at the Hettinger Research Experiment Center have shown Bison big bluestem to test 13.3% crude protein and 72% dry matter digestibility in late June.
Is bluestem grass good for hay?
Big bluestem grows best on well-drained soils and is adaptable to a wide variety of soil shortcomings including shallow depth, low pH, and low fertility. This perennial seems to be more drought-tolerant than other warm-season grasses. Well-tended expanses of big bluestem can yield two to four tons of hay per acre.
Is bluestem hay good for cattle?
Beef Column: One variety of big bluestem produces cattle gains of 2.8-plus pounds per day. Alfalfa is a wonderful grazing plant. It’s easy to establish, has great tonnage and good quality, and grows well in hot, dry conditions. Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) is a dominant warm-season grass of the prairie ecosystem.
What grass has the highest protein?
Alfalfa has become one of the world’s most useful forage crops. The plant’s protein content is high and it is much more drought-tolerant than other perennial legumes.
Does native grass make good hay?
While there are many species of grasses native to the Mid-South, this publication focuses on five species important for forage production: big and little bluestem, indiangrass, switchgrass and eastern gamagrass. All five of these grasses can produce excellent- quality hay.
Is switchgrass good for cattle?
If cut for hay, switchgrass is very palatable and nutritious before or just as seedheads appear. It makes excellent hay for weaning calves or growing young stock. If cattle can’t graze it before seedheads appear, it should be cut for hay rather than used as a poor quality forage.
Can horses eat bluestem hay?
Native warm-season grasses also can provide good summer pastures for horses. But, both switchgrass and little bluestem are consumed well as hay if they are planted in mixtures with other grasses and harvested before seedheads emerge. So they can be used for horse hay even if they make poor horse pasture.
What hay is high in protein?
Alfalfa Hay
Alfalfa Hay is a high-fiber legume hay. It has the same long-strand fiber found in grass hays, only it has more protein, energy and calcium. In general alfalfa has 120% more energy than oat hay.
Can a cow get too much protein?
The answer is yes! Almost everyone has had experience with cows scouring when placed on pasture or if fed a high protein forage. Of more importance, however, is the effect that high dietary protein levels can have on reproduction.
What is native grass hay?
Native warm-season grasses (NWSG) are those that have grown here prior to human settlement and were not brought in from other parts of the world. All five of these grasses can produce excellent- quality hay.
What does improved pasture mean?
Improved pasture and proper grazing management allows producers a way to keep production costs to a minimum by efficiently producing high quality forage. When properly managed, grazed forage is higher in feed value than hay or silage because harvesting is frequent and there are little or no harvest or storage losses.
What is switchgrass good for?
Wildlife: Switchgrass provides excellent nesting and fall and winter cover for pheasants, quail, and rabbits. It holds up well in heavy snow (particularly ‘Shelter’ and ‘Kanlow’ cultivars) and is useful on shooting preserves. The seeds provide food for pheasants, quail, turkeys, doves, and songbirds.
How much protein is in Old World bluestem Hay?
Limited studies have been conducted on the value of Old World bluestem hay. These studies indicated that, when properly fertilized and harvested right before heading, high yields of good quality hay (10 percent to 16 percent crude protein) can be obtained.
When is the best time to plant bluestems?
All warm-season grasses, including Old World bluestems, are highest in forage quality (crude protein and digestibility) in early summer (May-June) when new plant growth is most available.
Why are Old World bluestems good for cattle?
Old World bluestems are warm-season bunchgrasses that possess good forage potential for the southern Great Plains. These grasses respond well to fertilization, are drought and cold tolerant for the most part, withstand close grazing and are palatable to cattle.
How much does Old World bluestem produce per acre?
Forage yields from Old World bluestems will range from 1 to 5 tons per acre on dryland sites depending on the cultivar, fertility program, soil type, and growing conditions. Generally, 2 to 3 tons per acre of forage can be expected in most years.