Determining Forage Availability in the Pasture
Proposed by: Dr.Cindy Sanders
Presenter: Sanders, C. , County Extension Director Ii Bs Livestock, NACAA, Gainesville, FL 32609
Determining Forage Availability in the Pasture
Sanders,* C. B.1, Wilson, T.W.2, Breman, J.W.3, Sollenberger, L. E.4
1 Extension Agent, University of Florida/IFAS Cooperative Extension, Alachua County, Gainesville, FL 32609
2 Extension Agent, University of Florida/IFAS Cooperative Extension, Bradford County, Starke, FL 32091
3 Extension Agent, University of Florida/IFAS Cooperative Extension, Union County, FL 32054
4 Professor Agronomy Department, University of Florida/IFAS Cooperative Extension, Gainesville, FL 32601
It is important to know forage dry-matter availability in pastures used for livestock production. Determining the amount of material available in the pasture can assist managers in deciding whether forages should be baled or grazed. Using a metal ring with a diameter of 2.33 feet (area = 1/10,000 ac), six forage samples were taken from a four-acre bahiagrass hay field to determine dry-matter availability. Prior to forage removal, average height was recorded at each site. All material within the ring was clipped to a 2-inch stubble. Fresh weights for each sample were recorded to determine percent moisture. Samples were dried using methods described in the EDIS publication SS-AGR-178 “Forage Moisture Testing”. Once sample weights were determined, total dry-matter availability was calculated. Forage height for each sample ranged from 7 to 8 inches and dry-matter ranged from 0.7 to 1.4 ounces. Average dry-matter availability was 635 lbs/acre and average forage height was 7.2 inches. If an average round bale is estimated at 900 lbs (including 15% moisture), this four-acre pasture would yield approximately 3.25 round bales. Under normal hay production, approximately 4 round bales per acre should be harvested. Therefore, based on data collected for this example, this pasture should either be grazed or allowed to continue growing until forage available justifies the costs associated with hay production.