Forage Production and Quality

Annual Forage Production and Quality
UC Davis California Rangelands

Main Points

Forage production and species composition is largely controlled by four factors: precipitation, temperature, soil characteristics and plant residue (residual dry matter).

Precipitation and temperature control the timing and characteristics of four distinct phases of forage growth: break of season (germination and onset of growth), winter growth, rapid spring growth, and peak forage production.

Annual rangeland forage production has been measured annually at the San Joaquin Experimental Range since 1935, UC Hopland Research and Extension Center since 1951 and UC Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center since 1979.

The forage year can be divided into three seasons based on the adequacy of beef cattle weight gains: inadequate green season (fall-late winter), adequate green season (late winter – late spring) and inadequate dry season (late-spring to fall).

Protein, energy, vitamins and minerals in annual rangeland forage decline as the growing season progresses. Conversely, fiber and lignin increase as forage plants mature.

At the same stage of maturity legumes are usually higher in protein than filaree and filaree is usually higher than the grasses.

McDougald, Neil K., William E. Frost, and Ralph L. Phillips. 2001. Livestock Management During Drought. ANR Publ. 8034, Div. of Agric. and Nat. Res., Univ. of Calif., Oakland, Calif. 6 pgs.