Nutritive Value of Clipped and Grazed Forage Samples

Abstract

Esophageal-fistulated yearling steers were grazed on shortgrass range units under a rotation and a seasonlong system. The digestibility and protein values of clipped grasses and sedges were compared to fistula samples from the two units. In a dry year clipped forages contained protein levels comparable to those found in fistula samples. In a year with abundant early moisture, annual forbs were produced in abundance. These forbs were grazed readily and brought about higher protein levels and dry matter digestibilities in fistula samples than in clipped samples, especially during the early part of the grazing season.