Forage potential of corn intercrops for beef cattle diets in northwestern Alberta

摘要

Abstract Intercropping systems involving cereals with legumes provide several advantages such as elevated forage yield and improved forage nutritive value. This study was designed to assess viability of corn (Zea mays L.) intercrops to improve the forage crude protein (CP) of corn forage for beef cattle production. A corn monocrop (C‐M) was compared with seven corn intercrops (five annual legumes, a non‐legume crop (radish (Raphanus sativus L.), C‐RA) and an annual crop mixture (ACM)). The corn forage dry matter (DM) yield was significantly improved (P  .05) by corn intercrops. Forage total digestible nutrients (TDN) was significantly (P < .05) influenced by intercrops and varied from 65.9‐71.2%. Results indicate that selected corn intercrops can improve nutritive value of forage for beef cattle production.