Can We Predict Forage Nutritive Value With Weather Parameters?

Abstract

On the Ground • The use of easily accessible information to forecast when standing forage may lack nutrients to sustain cattle production could be valuable to the ranching community. • Our study was designed to determine if forage crude protein and acid detergent fiber could be reasonably predicted using precipitation, season, and temperature. • In south Texas, monthly precipitation in the fall accounted for 63% of the variation in crude protein and 73% of the variation in acid detergent fiber. • A better understanding of how forage nutritive value changes over the year can improve strategic supplementation efforts.