Forage Yield and Nutritive Value of Hard Red and Hard White Winter Wheat

Six hard red (‘2137’, ‘Jagalene’, ‘Jagger’, ‘OK101’, ‘Stanton’, and ‘Thunderbolt’) and six hard white (‘Burchett’, ‘Lakin’, ‘NuFrontier’, ‘NuHills’, ‘NuHorizon’, and ‘Trego’) winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars were evaluated for forage yield and nutritive value. Forage samples were collected in December, March, and May. Red cultivars averaged greater total season forage yield in one growing season, but yield differences among cultivars within a color group were greater than differences between color groups, indicating that color did not affect yield as much as cultivar. Total growing season forage yield was greatest among red cultivars 2137, Jagalene, Stanton, and Thunderbolt and white cultivar Trego. Color had no effect on forage nutritive value. Crude protein averaged 230 g kg–1 in December, 240 g kg–1 in March, and 140 g kg–1 in May. Acid detergent fiber averaged 190 g kg–1 in December, 240 g kg–1 in March, and 320 g kg–1 in May. Neutral detergent fiber averaged 430 g kg–1 in December, 410 g kg–1 in March, and 550 g kg–1 in May. Total digestible nutrients averaged 790 g kg–1 in December, 740 g kg–1 in March, and 670 g kg–1 in May. Nitrate-nitrogen averaged 247 mg kg–1 in December, 550 mg kg–1 in March, and 1366 mg kg–1 in May. Both red and white wheat cultivars can be used in a dual-purpose system with no adverse affects on forage yield or nutritive value. Producers should select cultivars adapted to their grazing system and environment.