When choosing the best grass for your cows, remember that you should consider their nutritional needs. Plant matter contains enzymes that break down protein and prepare the nutrients for their small intestine. If the grass contains these enzymes, the cow will be able to process the nutrients and produce milk.
Orchardgrass
Orchardgrass is an excellent choice for pasture, hay, and silage production. It grows quickly and responds well to good management. It is also highly palatable, especially when young. The most common varieties are fast maturing and are best used in spring and summer, while the late maturing types are best used in fall and winter.
The native range of orchard grass includes parts of Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. Because of its climatic preferences, it has been cultivated for many years in North America. Although it requires little maintenance and thrives on marginal soils, it is not a good choice for set-stock grazing because it can quickly degrade.
Orchardgrass is best planted in spring or late summer. Planting in mid to late-August is not advisable since the young plants may not be stable enough to survive a harsh winter. Orchardgrass can be grown successfully in most areas of the US and can grow all year-round.
In addition to orchard grass, cows can also eat other types of grass. Alfalfa is not a good option for pastures with poor soil or heavy deer pressure.
Perennial ryegrass
The best perennial ryegrass for cows to consume depends on several factors. Among these factors are nutrient composition, pasture productivity, and grazing preference. To determine which perennial ryegrass is best for cows, we conducted a study.
There are two major types of perennial ryegrass: diploids and monoploids. Diploid varieties are more vigorous and have narrow leaves and fewer seeds. They also have lower water content per cell and are more durable. In addition, they produce dense stands, which make them better for heavy grazing scenarios.
Perennial ryegrass should be planted after the first grazing period, in late March or early April. Fertilization should not exceed forty to fifty units of N per acre per fertilization cycle. The rate of fertilization should not exceed the amount of baleage produced in the spring.
Perennial ryegrass is very resilient and adaptable, which means it can survive in harsh climates, weeds, and traffic. Perennial ryegrass is drought-tolerant and is great for battling erosion on slopes. It also has high forage production and is suitable for mono-stands.
Perennial ryegrass varieties are also useful in pastures. The best perennial ryegrass for cows to use depends on the ploidy level of the plant, the type of endophyte fungus, and the water-soluble carbohydrates content. Traditionally, the selection of PRG cultivars was based on persistence and disease resistance and little on the nutritional value of the plant. However, in recent decades, nutritional quality has become an important consideration in the selection process.
White clover
White clover has been shown to be one of the best grasses for cows. The research was conducted from 1995 to 1997 and involved rotating plots with beef cattle from April to October. Each white clover entry was measured several times during the growing season. The data shown here represents representative samples from 1997.
The plant’s horizontal stolons respond to shade and sunlight by growing more leaves. In areas of heavy shade, white clover tends to grow in linear fashion. Conversely, in areas with ample sun, white clover grows profusely. White clover spreads naturally in pastures.
White clover is the best grass for cow diet. It is a valuable forage, especially for dairy cows, which need plenty of nutrients to grow. It’s also highly resistant to disease. In addition, it does not aggravate the digestive system, which is important for a dairy cow.
A well-managed white clover forage is highly digestible, and can be fed to cows in a variety of ways. It can be cut-and-carried, ensiled, or used in straw-based diets. The plant also contains readily fermentable carbohydrates, which improves the diet’s use and absorption.
In a recent study, white clover was found to have a positive effect on milk yields in dairy cows. It is a suitable choice for grazing mixed pastures, cut-and-carry pastures, and maize silage. Studies have shown that an ideal clover content in a pasture could be between 30 percent and 50%.
