You may be asking yourself, what type of grass do cows eat? The answer depends on your preference, but you should try to avoid fescue grass because of its endophyte content. This compound causes negative reactions in cattle such as fever, body hair loss, and increased natural abortion rate. Another grass that does not harm cows is sorghum or Sudan grass. Interestingly enough, clover does not cause death in cows despite its high toxicity, but it can make the rumen swell and produce bloat.
Orchardgrass
In a recent study, researchers at Purdue University compared the performance of cattle fed on tall fescue and orchardgrass. The results showed that orchardgrass was superior to tall fescue during the spring and summer. The older varieties of tall fescue, however, have an endophyte problem. These researchers suggest that inclusion of NSC may increase the energy density of the forage and increase milk production.
Orchardgrass grows in clumps made up of many tillers, unlike sod-forming grass, which has underground stems. Its digestibility decreases after the boot stage and can be harvested every four to six weeks. The timing and frequency of harvest is highly dependent on soil temperature and moisture, as well as disease incidence. For best results, orchardgrass should be harvested in early spring, during its growth spurt, and then left to grow in a 3 to four-inch stubble for at least four weeks. In autumn, heavy grazing will deplete the root reserves and increase winter injury.
When used in combination with other grasses, orchardgrass is a highly versatile crop that is suitable for hay or silage. As it grows older, orchardgrass becomes coarse and can be used for a wide range of purposes, including pastures, hay, and silage. Although not as cold-hardy as smooth bromegrass, orchardgrass is a highly productive crop throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
While it is difficult to say whether orchardgrass is better for cows, a recent study by Purdue University and Round House Milling Company in Cortland, NY shows that orchardgrass yields were higher than tall fescue in a 10 year study. Additionally, orchardgrass had higher palatability, as measured by grazing preference. It is important to note that both types of forages are high in vitamins and minerals.
In addition to being rich in nutrients, orchardgrass is also high in energy and can help boost your cattle’s health. It’s the perfect diet for these animals because they have a very thorough digestive system. They can break down any food, even unnatural ones. In fact, feeding them non-native foods will only increase their weight, but not their nutrition. There are many different types of plants for cows to graze in your area.
Reed canary grass
While it may seem hard to believe, the USDA states that reed canary grass is naturally occurring in North America, Europe, and Asia. There are many varieties of reed canary grass, including wild and naturalized ones. Fortunately, there have also been many breeding programs, and several specific cultivars have been developed. Here’s a closer look at this grass and its benefits.
The primary characteristic of reed canary grass is that it is a tall plant. It has a ligule about half an inch long. It also grows in moist soils, which make it a good plant for cattle to eat. Its stems don’t stay standing all winter, so it can’t be harvested. The leaves are green and about four to eight inches long. The ligule is half an inch long, and they produce flowers in June.
However, reed canary grass is not without controversy. While it was not a sorghum species, it had an acid called prussic acid. However, it was below the level of concern, which suggests that reed canary grass is not a safe forage for livestock. Regardless, reed canary grass has many supporters and critics.
The plant’s alkaloid content causes sudden death in ruminants. The plant is also associated with neurological staggers. The alkaloid content of reed canary grass is associated with spring growth, and producers should avoid planting it if they want to avoid the problem. However, it’s still important to note that the alkaloids in reed canary grass are present in only one gene. Because of this, farmers should consider cultivars that don’t contain tryptamine.
In addition to reed canary grass, it can also be used to make sod. For this purpose, producers can embed small pieces of sod along gullies in early spring or fall. In this way, they can then let their own cows graze on it while harvesting the reed canary grass. Since reed canary grass is aggressive, it should not be planted in Illinois.
