• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.792-803
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• 2023

This study aimed to assess the impact of weather events on the sorghum-sudangrass hybrid (Sorghum bicolor L.) cultivar production trend in the central inland region of Korea during the monsoon season, using time series analysis. The sorghum-sudangrass production data collected between 1988 and 2013 were compiled along with the production year's weather data. The growing degree days (GDD), accumulated rainfall, and sunshine duration were used to assess their impacts on forage production (kg/ha) trend. Conversely, GDD and accumulated rainfall had positive and negative effects on the trend of forage production, respectively. Meanwhile, weather events such as heavy rainfall and typhoon were also collected based on weather warnings as weather events in the Korean monsoon season. The impact of weather events did not affect forage production, even with the increasing frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall. Therefore, the trend of forage production for the sorghum-sudangrass hybrid was forecasted to slightly increase until 2045. The predicted forage production in 2045 will be 14,926 ± 6,657 kg/ha. It is likely that the damage by heavy rainfall and typhoons can be reduced through more frequent harvest against short-term single damage and a deeper extension of the root system against soil erosion and lodging. Therefore, in an environment that is rapidly changing due to climate change and extreme/abnormal weather, the cultivation of the sorghum-sudangrass hybrid would be advantageous in securing stable and robust forage production. Through this study, we propose the cultivation of sorghum-sudangrass hybrid as one of the alternative summer forage options to achieve stable forage production during the dynamically changing monsoon, in spite of rather lower nutrient value than that of maize (Zea mays L.).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.665-674
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• 2019

Objective: In tropical regions, as in temperate regions where seasonality of forage production occurs, well-preserved forage is necessary for animal production during periods of forage shortage. However, the unique climate conditions (hot and humid) and forage characteristics (high moisture content and low soluble carbohydrate) in the tropics make forage preservation more difficult. The current study used natural ensiling of tropical forage as a model to evaluate silage characteristics under different temperatures ($28^{\circ}C$ and $40^{\circ}C$). Methods: Four tropical forages (king grass, paspalum, white popinac, and stylo) were ensiled under different temperatures ($28^{\circ}C$ and $40^{\circ}C$). After ensiling for 30 and 60 days, samples were collected to examine the fermentation quality, chemical composition and microbial community. Results: High concentrations of acetic acid (ranging from 7.8 to 38.5 g/kg dry matter [DM]) were detected in silages of king grass, paspalum and stylo with relatively low DM (ranging from 23.9% to 30.8% fresh material [FM]) content, acetic acid production was promoted with increased temperature and prolonged ensiling. Small concentrations of organic acid (ranging from 0.3 to 3.1 g/kg DM) were detected in silage of white popinac with high DM content (50.8% FM). The microbial diversity analysis indicated that Cyanobacteria originally dominated the bacterial community for these four tropical forages and was replaced by Lactobacillus and Enterobacter after ensiling. Conclusion: The results suggested that forage silages under tropical climate conditions showed enhanced acetate fermentation, while high DM materials showed limited fermentation. Lactobacillus and Enterobacter were the most probable genera responsible for tropical silage fermentation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.245-250
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• 2015

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.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.168-175
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• 2021

The optimal determination of seeding rate is critical to minimizing uncertainties about the large variations observed in forage quality and productivity when alfalfa is cultivated under different geographical areas and growing conditions. The objective of this investigation was to provide information about the proper seeding rate according to harvest timing for alfalfa cultivation in the Northern regions of Korea. Alfalfa was sown in September 2018 at a seeding rate of 20, 30 or 40 kg/ha and harvested four times in 2019: May 3, July 2, September 11, and October 13. Regardless of seeding rate, alfalfa plant height was longest at the third harvest (113 cm) and the shortest in the last annual harvest (43.8 cm). However, seeding rate had no effect on alfalfa plant height at any harvest. Forage relative feed value was increased in the first cutting but decreased in the third cuttings as seeding rate increased. However, seeding rate had slight effect on alfalfa forage quality components at the second and fourth cuttings. Total annual DM and crude protein production (in 4 harvests) was greater at higher seeding rates. Plots seeded at a rate of 40 kg/ha produced on average 1,257 and 2,620 kg/ha more forage (DM basis) than those seeded at a rate of 30 or 20 kg/ha, respectively. Forage DM production at the first, second, third, and fourth harvests accounted for 36.1, 24.0, 27.1, and 12.8 % of total annual DM production, respectively. Overall, small differences were seen when alfalfa seeding rate was different but maximum forage DM production (in four harvests) was detected when seeding rate was 40 kg/ha. These data could be useful to the alfalfa growers by allowing them to make more accurate trade-offs between seed price and the expected magnitude of forage yield gains in order to select the best seeding rate.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.970-977
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• 2006

Forage oat (Avena sativa L.) is grown extensively in a double-cropping system on dairy farms. Four oat varieties ('Swan', 'Targa', 'Foothill', and 'Nugene') were evaluated for forage production and forage quality during two growing seasons (spring and autumn) at two locations (central and southern region) in South Korea. The heading stage of four oat varieties was observed during spring, but the autumn season did not produce heading until harvest time except for the 'Swan' variety (early-maturing variety). The heading stage of 'Swan' in both locations was earlier compared to other varieties. The four varieties were resistant to both foliar disease and insects. Lodging resistance was higher during autumn except in 2002 at the central region, and late-maturing varieties ('Foothill' and 'Nugene') have lower lodging resistance. Dry matter (DM) content was significantly different between varieties (p<0.001). Comparing different varieties, 'Swan', an early-maturing variety, was highest in DM content. In DM, total digestible nutrients (TDN) and crude protein (CP) yield, the yield of oat varieties in the southern region was higher than in the central region, and forage yield of the oat varieties in the spring season was higher than during the autumn season. The DM and TDN yield showed significant differences between oat varieties. The CP content of oats grown in the central region (Cheonan) was lower than oats grown in the southern region (Daegu), and the spring season produced oats with lower CP compared to the autumn season. Among the four oat varieties, the CP content of late-maturing varieties was higher than the Swan variety (early-maturing variety). The acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents were higher for the varieties grown in Cheonan and during the spring season. The ADF and NDF contents of late-maturing varieties were lower than the early-maturing variety. TDN and relative feed value (RFV) were higher for the varieties grown in Daegu and during the autumn season. Late-maturing variety had higher TDN and RFV than early-maturing variety. Our study showed differences in forage production and forage quality of oats grown in different locations, seasons and varieties. Forage quality as well as forage production was better in the southern region than in the central region. Forage quality was better during autumn, but forage production was better during spring. Late-maturing variety had better forage quality than the early-maturing variety. Therefore, late-maturing varieties are more suitable for use in the southern region.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.214-225
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• 2018

Rice straw is the principal forage for Korean cattle. Limited supply of domestic forage forces Korea to depend on imported forage. Utilizing locally available domestic feed as an alternative would lead to self-sufficiency and stability in cattle farm management. Locally available feed can be utilized as forage. The challenge of collecting local feed has been overcome by machines that have been developed to harvest feed. Local feed can be completely consumed in the production regions, thus reducing transportation costs and increasing price competitiveness. Hitherto, studies have focused on feed technologies and price competitiveness, among other factors, while the substitution of forage has not been examined. This study conducts a quantitative analysis to estimate the extent to which local feed can replace existing forage. We find that local feed is cheaper, and abundantly available, and can thus replace high-quality forage.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Grassland Science Conference
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• 2006.02a
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• pp.59-85
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• 2006

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.262-273
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• 2022

Under the four-cut system, low-lignin alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) may extend harvesting intervals improving harvest management flexibility and producing forage products with higher nutritive values. The objective of this study was to compare forage yield and nutritive values of low-lignin and conventional alfalfa varieties when applied to six different harvest schedules in the first (2016) and second (2017) production years. There were 12 treatments of two alfalfa varieties as whole plots and six harvest schedules as subplots. Across harvest schedules, there were four cuttings in two production years. Three harvest intervals including "Standard" (high quality, HQ), "Standard+5-day" (medium quality, MQ), and "Standard+10-day" (high yield, HY) were chosen for the first cutting, and 30-day (HQ) and 35-day (HY) for the second cuttings. The third and fourth cuttings in 2016 were timed near final harvest date and in 2017 occurred at 35-day (MQ) and 40-day (HY). Variety by harvest schedule interaction was not significant, but the whole plot and sub-plot effects were significant. Hi-Gest 360 was consistently higher in nutritive value and with a similar yield as Gunner. Harvest schedules did not consistently differ in forage yield and nutritive values. HS-1 ("Standard" + 35-day + Medium Quality + High Yield) with shorter first two cutting intervals provided lower acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), higher relative feed value (RFV), and similar forage yield compared to other schedules. HS-1 had the highest economic incomes when considering RFV and yield among the six different harvest schedules.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.147-154
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• 2021

Cutting management has been identified as a critical factor in the alfalfa production systems because it has a significant impact on maximizing yield and maintaining the forage quality. The objective of this experiment was to determine the proper cutting height according to harvesting time for optimizing nutrient yield and forage nutritive quality of alfalfa grown in alpine regions of Korea. Alfalfa was sown at a seeding rate of 30 kg/ha in August 2018 and harvested at four cuttings in 2019 (3 May, 2 July, 11 September, and 13 October). Cutting heights were adjusted at 5, 15, and 25 cm above the soil surface. Alfalfa plant was tallest at the third cutting (109 cm), which was on average 35 cm taller than the first or second cutting. Relative feed value (RFV) remained unaffected by cutting height at the first harvest, but increased consistently in subsequent harvests as cutting height increased. Alfalfa collected at the first and fourth cuttings had the highest RFV (mean 152), which was on average 8 and 67 units higher than the second and third harvests, respectively. At each harvest, in vitro dry matter digestibility was highest in alfalfa cut at a 25-cm height. Dry matter (DM) production at each cutting height was highest in the first cutting, accounting for on average 36-37% of total annual DM production, and lowest in the fourth harvest, accounting for about 11-13% of the total DM yield. The total dry matter production (in four harvests) was 4,218 kg/ha higher when alfalfa was subjected to a cutting height of 5 cm rather than 25 cm. Cutting height had no effect on total crude protein yield, but from the first to fourth cutting, the protein yield followed a decreasing trend. Finally, there were visible declines in forage nutritive quality when alfalfa was cut at a shorter height. However, the magnitude of difference in total forage yield may outweigh the slight decline in forage quality when alfalfa is cut at a lower height. The findings of this study could help the alfalfa growers make better harvest management decisions.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.96-112
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• 2023

Rye (Secale cereale L.) is a valuable annual forage crop in Korea but there is limited information about the impact of chemical and biological additives on fermentation characteristics of the crop. This experiment was conducted to investigate fermentation dynamics of wilted forage rye treated with the following six additives; control (no additive), sodium diacetate applied at 3 g/kg wilted forage weight (SDA3), 6 g/kg wilted forage weight (SDA6), inoculations (10⁶ CFU/g wilted forage) of Lactobacillus plantarum (LP), L. buchneri (LB), or LP+LB. The ensiled rye sampled at 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 45 days indicated that the acidification occurred fast within five days of storage than the rest of the storage period. The microbial inoculants decline the pH of ensiled forage, more rapidly than the control or SDA treated, which accompanied by the decrease of water-soluble carbohydrates and increase of lactic acid. Compared with the control silage, all treatments suppressed ammonia-nitrogen formation below to 35 g/kg DM throughout the sampling period. Suppression of total microbial counting occurred in SDA6, LP, and LP + LB. The lactic acid production rates were generally higher in microbial inoculation treatments. Acetic acid concentration was lowest in the LP-treated silage and highest in the SDA- and LB-treated silages. The in vitro dry matter (DM) digestibility and total digestible nutrients were the highest in the silage treated with SDA (6 g/kg) at day 45 of ensiling. Based on lower ammonia-nitrogen concentrations and higher feed value, ensiling forage rye treated with SDA at 6 g/kg is promising through enhanced silage quality.