|
|
|
 |
Title: MORNING AND EVENING HARVEST EFFECTS ON ANIMAL PERFORMANCE - A REVIEW
Authors
Submitted to: California Alfalfa Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: December 3, 1998
Publication Date: N/A
Interpretive Summary: Plants vary diurnally in concentrations of nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC). Delaying forage harvest until mid to late afternoon could result in increased TNC in forage. Ruminants can differentiate between PM- harvested and AM-harvested grass and alfalfa hays and will eat more PM- harvested versus AM-harvested hay. In a related study, dairy cows ate about 10% more total mixed ration containing 40% PM-harvested alfalfa hay versus the same ration containing AM-harvested hay, produced more milk, and gained rather than lost body weight. Afternoon harvesting could add 15% to the feed value of forage compared with morning harvesting.
Technical Abstract:
Plants vary diurnally in concentrations of nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC). Delaying forage harvest until mid to late afternoon could result in increased TNC in forage. Ruminants can differentiate between PM- harvested and AM-harvested grass and alfalfa hays and will eat more PM- harvested versus AM-harvested hay. In a related study, dairy cows ate about 10% more total mixed ration containing 40% PM-harvested alfalfa hay versus the same ration containing AM-harvested hay, produced more milk, and gained rather than lost body weight. Afternoon harvesting could add 15% to the feed value of forage compared with morning harvesting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last Modified: 05/19/2013
|
|
Printable Version
E-mail this page
