Comparison of Forage Production and Nutritional Value of Italian ryegrass, Rye and Whole Crop Barley as Winter Forage Crops in Southern Region of Korea

This study was conducted from October 2014 to May 2015 to explore forage production and feed values of Italian ryegrass, Rye and whole crop barley as winter forage crops in the Southern region of Korea. The experimental location was over 10 points for each species and each sampling point area was $1m^2$ (Width: 1 m ${\times}$ Length: 1 m). Air mean temperature and rainfall in the Southern region of Korea during the experimental period was $6.95{\pm}5.75^{\circ}C$ and $70.45{\pm}54.68mm$, respectively. Fresh forage yield of Italian ryegrass, the most cultivated forage in the Southern region of Korea, was $44.4{\pm}7.0ton/ha$. The percentage of dry matter for whole crop barley was $28.9{\pm}7.0%$. Crude protein (CP) was higher in Italian ryegrass ($10.7{\pm}5.3%$) while total digestible nutrient (TDN) had the highest value in whole crop barley. Crude protein was not significantly different by location. However, the neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and total digestible nutrient value of forage from Jeonbuk province were higher than in forage from Gyeongnam province.