Mefluidide effects on smooth brome composition and grazing cow-calf performance

Area of Science:

• Agronomy
• Animal Science
• Plant Physiology

Background:

• Smooth brome (Bromus inermis) is a key forage grass in eastern Nebraska.
• Optimizing forage quality and livestock production is crucial for cow-calf operations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of mefluidide, a plant growth regulator, on smooth brome pastures.
• To assess the effects of mefluidide on cow-calf production and forage characteristics.

Main Methods:

• Two cow-calf grazing trials and one herbage trial were conducted on smooth brome pastures.
• Mefluidide treatment effects on animal production, forage composition (neutral detergent fiber, crude protein), and in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) were measured.

Main Results:

• Mefluidide-treated pastures showed increased cow and calf production during specific summer months and across grazing seasons.
• Forage analysis revealed decreased neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and increased crude protein content in treated smooth brome.
• Mefluidide also increased in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) and shifted dry matter production towards green leaves in ungrazed conditions.

Conclusions:

• Mefluidide application can enhance both livestock productivity and forage nutritional quality in smooth brome pastures.
• The plant growth regulator influences forage composition, potentially improving digestibility and animal performance.
• Mefluidide's effects on dry matter partitioning suggest a role in optimizing plant structure for grazing.