{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.025423728813559324, 'fraction_numerical': 0.017395182872435324, 'mean_word_length': 4.457420924574209, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 1, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 1, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Forages and Pastures : Forage Quality

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) varieties available has increased dramatically in the past few years, and comparisons of varieties for yield and quality are needed. Our objective was to evaluate a method to compare yield and digestibility of entries cut on the same spring day by adjusting yield and digestibility to the same NDF level. Bias occurs if varieties are harvested either on the same day or at the same maturity stage on different days. A system is needed to compare relative yield and forage quality of a group of varieties at the optimum harvest date for each variety, based on total fiber content. This was accomplished by determining the linear rate of change of yield and quality over time. Five separate environments from 2003 to 2009, each with from 3 to 18 tall fescue varieties and 2 to 6 replicates, were sampled for yield and quality using a quadrat (0.06 m or larger) and clippers. Experimental design was an RCBD with a split plot feature, with varieties as the main plot and sampling dates as the sub plots. Sites were located in Chazy, Freeville, and Ithaca, NY. Each trial had at least 5 different spring sampling dates separated by 2 to 4 d between mid-May to early June. Rates of daily change were determined using regression analysis, and analysis of covariance was used to determine if slopes were equal. Rates of change per day of yield and quality were different (P < 0.05) across environments, but varieties within a given environment did not differ (P > 0.05) in NDF, in vitro NDFD, or yield rate of change per day. Across environments NDF concentration increased from 8 to 12 g/kg/day, while digestible fiber decreased from 7 to 12 g/kg/day. Rate of change in CP was very consistent, decreasing an average of 5.6 g/ kg/day over all environments. Rate of change in DM yield was relatively consistent within each environment, but varied from 115 to 275 kg/ha/day across environments. Based on our results, it is possible to sample representative varieties during a period of linear change starting in mid-May and use this information to adjust yield and quality of all entries in a variety trial to their individual optimum harvest dates based on NDF content.