Relay Intercropping Winter Cover Crop Effects on Spring Forage Potential of Sweet Maize Stover and Yearling Cattle
Leonard M Lauriault1, Steven J Guldan2, Fernanda G Popiel-Powers2
1Rex E. Kirksey Agriculture Science Center, New Mexico State University, Tucumcari, NM 88401, USA.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|August 12, 2022
Summary
Grazing cover crops with sweet maize stover provides valuable winter forage for cattle. Relay intercropping with hairy vetch or cereal rye did not impact maize stover but improved forage quality, benefiting livestock producers.
Area of Science:
- Agronomy
- Animal Science
- Sustainable Agriculture
Background:
- Small landholders often lack sufficient winter forage for cattle.
- Sweet maize stover and cover crops offer potential nutritive value for livestock.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of relay intercropping sweet maize with cereal rye or hairy vetch on stover quality and biomass yield.
- To assess the nutritive value and biomass yield of cover crops for early spring cattle grazing.
- To determine the effect of grazing these systems on cattle performance.
Main Methods:
- A 3-year randomized complete block study with three replicates.
- Comparison of sweet maize with sweet maize relay intercropped with cereal rye or hairy vetch.
- Analysis of sweet maize stover biomass yield and nutritive value.
- Measurement of cover crop biomass yield and crude protein concentration.
- Monitoring of average daily gains in yearling cattle.
Main Results:
- Intercropping did not alter sweet maize stover biomass yield or nutritive value.
- Hairy vetch biomass yield (2.94 Mg DM ha−1) and crude protein (193 g CP kg−1) were significantly greater than cereal rye (1.46 Mg DM ha−1 and 145 g CP kg−1).
- Average daily gains for cattle were similar when grazing maize-rye or maize-vetch systems.
Conclusions:
- Relay intercropping sweet maize with cereal rye or hairy vetch can enhance winter forage availability and quality for livestock.
- Hairy vetch is a more productive cover crop option than cereal rye in this system.
- Optimizing planting and grazing timing is crucial for maximizing residue and cover crop utilization by producers.
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