Yield, nutritive value and ensiling characteristics of whole-crop spring cereals

Abstract

SUMMARY The dry-matter yield, in vitro digestibility and crude protein content of four varieties of spring cereals (one barley, one wheat and two oats) were examined at weekly intervals at two levels of nitrogen fertilization during two successive years. The ensiling characteristics of crops cut at two dates were also determined. Dry-matter yields increased until the end of July. Digestibility and crude protein content declined until mid July when values of 56–60 and 6–7% for the barley and wheat, and 53–55 and 5–6% for the oats respectively were maintained. Crops of all varieties were suitable for ensiling at maximum yield. Other experiments investigating level of whole-crop cereal yields obtainable with higher levels of fertility produced yields of over 16 metric tons D.M./ha with applications of 200–250 kg N, P 2 O 5 and K 2 O per hectare.