Perennial grasses are well adapted to the Northeast and to pasture systems, but at this time we know less than one half of all we need to know to effectively manage grass as a stored feed for dairy cattle. In general, grasses are managed less intensively than alfalfa, however, profitable grass for dairy cattle requires a higher level of management than alfalfa (Fig. 1). Interest in perennial grasses for dairy cattle has intensified, due to improved flexibility in nutrient management options with grasses. Forage-Livestock Systems interdisciplinary research in New York is concentrating on methods to profitably feed grasses to dairy cows, while at the same time providing a solution to many potential environmental problems on dairy farms.
This section contains the current results from interdisciplinary forage-animal research, and includes recommendations regarding perennial grasses for dairy cattle. Since both Pennsylvania and Vermont have strong dairy pasture programs, our efforts are directed more towards forage harvest for stored feed. This section will be updated as new data is produced. The primary audience for this preliminary data is Field Crop and Dairy Specialists and Consultants in New York State. A number of individuals at Cornell are participating in these studies.
The following research (Sites map) has been, or is being conducted by the Forage-Animal Systems Program group in cooperation with the following Cornell staff: L.E. Chase, J.M. Duxbury, D.G. Fox, S.D. Klausner, R.F. Lucey, R.E. Pitt, W.S. Reid, and P.J. Van Soest.
Acknowledgments. This research is being carried out with technical support from Leon Hatch and Chris Post (Ithaca), Glenn Pierce (Canton), Dave Wilson (Chazy), and Tom Lascano (Animal Science Teaching & Research Center). Funding for the following research is from the Cornell Agric. Experiment Station, the Northern NY Agric. Development program, the NE SARE program, and the USDA Water Quality program.
Please Select from the Following Topics:
Preliminary Summary/Recommendations to-date (subject to change)
Grass vs. Alfalfa
Grass and CNCPS
Feeding Trials
Manure Management
Harvest/Nitrogen Management
Harvest/Nitrogen/Manure Management
N/Manure Management in Alfalfa vs. Grass
Species/Variety Evaluation
Variety Evaluation
Alfalfa/Grass Mixtures
Potassium in Grasses