Trade-Offs Between Forage Quality and Yield of Winter Cereals Grown As Forage in Double-Cropping Systems.

In response to the increased frequency of extreme weather events, dairy farmers have become interested in harvesting winter cereal cover crops for forage in the spring and then double-cropping with corn silage. This approach can increase farm resilience to extreme weather, as well as increase overall forage production and reduce feed imports. However, detailed information on management timing to optimize forage quality and yield across different winter cereals is currently lacking.

We conducted an experiment in 2014 in New York to quantify the effects of harvest timing on forage quality and yield for multiple cultivars of four winter cereal species (triticale, cereal rye, wheat, and barley) grown as forage in double-cropping systems. Forage samples were collected at five growth stages (Feekes 7, 8, 9, 10, and 10.5) from experiment plots at two research stations and three on-farm sites. We tested three hypotheses: (1) barley matures faster and optimum forage quality is reached earlier than other winter cereals, (2) cereal rye produces the greatest yield, and (3) triticale produces the greatest forage quality.

Unusually low winter temperatures injured the barley, resulting in stunted spring growth and delayed maturity. All other species showed an increase in yield with an increase in growth stage from Feekes 7 through Feekes 10.5. Cereal rye did not consistently yield more than triticale and wheat across all sites. Forage quality analyses, including crude protein content, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and digestible NDF, are ongoing. Preliminary results show potential for optimizing species selection and harvest timing for achieving specific management goals, such as producing the highest quality forage for lactating cows, or obtaining higher yields of lower quality forage for heifers, dry cows, and other livestock.