Abstract

In the Northeast, cool season perennial grasses dominate pastures and hay meadows. Extending the grazing season later into the fall can help to reduce the amount of stored forage that needs to be fed in the fall. For farms purchasing large portions of their herd’s stored forage needs, this can be an effective strategy for increasing the operation’s profitability. Some cool season annuals can also be harvested for stored feed, increasing stored forage inventories. Incorporating legumes into a mixture with grasses can help supply nitrogen, increase protein and fiber digestibility. However, forage legumes tend to be less aggressive and productive than grasses and can be more challenging to establish in a mixture. Therefore, in 2024 we compared two varieties of oats (one for forage, one for grain) with three rates of pea inclusion or supplemental nitrogen applied. These treatments were evaluated for potential differences in forage yield and quality when harvested prior to a killing frost. While the information presented can begin to describe the yield and quality performance of these mixtures in this region, it is important to note that the data represent results from only one season and one location.

Keywords

UVM, University of Vermont, Vermont

Publication Date

4-2025

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