In Saskatchewan, McCartney et al. compared annual and seasonal productivity, protein concentration, and N offtake by several adapted grasses as influenced by harvest management and fertilizer application in the central Aspen Parkland. Meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius) had both high yield and relatively uniform seasonal production, making it a desirable grass for pastures in the central Parkland region. It also offered the most late-season yield. The high yield of green needlegrass (Nassella viridula) under multiple harvests suggests that this grass may also deserve consideration for use in pasture. Crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) was clearly the best of all the grasses for early season production in this study. Using fertilized crested wheatgrass for early grazing would allow farmers to take their cattle off expensive winter-feed earlier. This study showed that meadow bromegrass herbage had lower protein concentrations than other productive grasses throughout the growing season, with or without fertilizer. This is a desirable attribute for pastures to be used by grazing beef cows and steers because the protein requirement for these classes of ruminants is low. While spring-applied fertilizer boosted yield in cuts 1 to 3, effect on protein concentration was mostly confined to the first cut. Grasses removed more N under multiple cutting than under two-cut management most likely due to the fact that the herbage in the multi-cut system was vegetative while the herbage was more mature in the two-cut system.
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.