Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys juncea), Altai wildrye (Leymus angustus), creeping foxtail (Alopecurus arundinaceus), and 2 forms of a bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseuduroegneria spicata) × quackgrass (Elytrigia repens) hybrid (RS-1 and RS-2) were evaluated in 1983 and 1984 for their suitability as forage for beef cattle. Hybrid selections produced 5,554 kg/ha of forage and their yields in 1983 were significantly more than those from the 2 wildryes and creeping foxtail that averaged 2,810 and 4,292 kg/ha, respectively. In 1984, there was not a significant difference among yields for the 5 grasses, but there was a significant increase in yield from 1983 for the 2 wildryes and creeping foxtail. Percent crude protein averaged 16% in the wildryes and 12.5% in the 2 hybrids and creeping foxtail in 1983. However, percent phosphorus averaged .40% in the creeping foxtail and .30% in the hybrids. In 1984, percent crude protein and phosphorus for all 5 grasses were lower than in 1983, but trends were similar. All 5 grasses exceeded the NRC crude protein and phosphorous requirement for a 500-kg lactating cow in 1983. In 1984, only the creeping foxtail and RS-1 hybrid exceeded the phosphorous requirement. In vitro organic matter digestibility averaged 64% in the ryegrasses and 54% in the hybrids for both years. In 1983, all 5 grasses exceeded the metabolizable energy requirement of a lactating 500-kg cow. Based on calculated nutritional index, Russian wildrye and Altai wildrye ranked 1 and 2 with the creeping foxtail and RS-2 hybrid ranking 4 and 5, respectively, in 1983. In 1984, Russian wildrye and the creeping foxtail ranked 1 and 2, and the RS-1 hybrid and RS-2 hybrid ranked 4 and 5. This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information. Migrated from OJS platform August 2020
Scholarly peer-reviewed articles published by the Society for Range Management. Access articles on a rolling-window basis from vol. 1, 1948 up to 5 years from the current year. Formerly Journal of Range Management (JRM). More recent content is available by subscription from SRM.