YIELD AND MINERAL CONCENTRATIONS OF SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES OAT CULTIVARS USED FOR FORAGE

Abstract

A shift in oat (Avena sativa L.) production from grain to forage (hay and grazing) is occurring in the southeastern USA. However, most available cultivars were developed for improved grain production, rather than forage yield. We field tested several standard and new oat releases over 2 years, using repeated clippings to determine forage yield, nutrient uptake, and the potential to match plant nutrients with cattle mineral dietary needs. There were no differences in total annual forage yield among the tested cultivars within years but there was a difference between years. Forage tissue phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca) were sufficient, potassium (K), sulfur (S), and manganese (Mn) were excessive, and iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) were occasionally or frequently deficient to meet daily cattle dietary mineral needs. Sulfur, Cu, Fe, Zn, and Mn may be the most challenging to regulate in U.S. Coastal Plain soils at concentrations that satisfy both, oat and cattle nutritional requirements.

Keywords :

• Avena sativa
• cattle
• cool-season forage
• mineral
• nutrient
• oat

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was supported by the UF-IFAS Dairy Advisory/Milk Check-off Committee, Gandin, FL, USA. Mention of a trademark, proprietary product, or vendor does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by University of Florida.