Winter pasture in the Gulf Coast region as affected by anhydrous ammonia and ammonium sulfate

The objective of this experimental study was to determine whether wheat or oats are better suited for winter pasture in the Gulf Coast area on Beaumont silty clay soil and to learn what affect anhydrous ammonia and ammonium sulfate would have on these plants. The facts brought out in this study deal with: (1) chemical analysis of wheat and oat forage as influenced by anhydrous ammonia and ammonium sulfate, (2) forage yields as influenced by the nitrogen fertilizers, (3) comparative weights of cattle on the wheat and oat plots, (4) the adaptability of these grasses to a heavy clay soil, and (5) the economic evaluation of the complete experiment. To attain these objectives, an experimental area was established at the McNeese State College Farm, three miles south of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Treatments were adequately repeated for reliable evaluation. Four clippings were taken for analytical considerations and forage yields. Steers were weighed individually every twenty-eight days; cows and calves were weighed the first and last day of grazing. Field notes, weather data, and substantiating photographs were used to determine and to evaluate yields and results. It was found that wheat, compared with oats, had a higher protein content 66 per cent of the grazing period of 100 days. In addition, wheat withstood freezes and wet weather better, and gave a higher gain in cattle weight during the grazing season. It was also found that oats produced more total pounds of green roughage per acre and contained a higher moisture content at all times. The use of nitrogen fertilizers throughout the experiment resulted in anhydrous ammonia producing more green roughage in the ungrazed plots of wheat and oats, and caused a slight increase in production in the grazed oat plots. The Angus steers showed the greatest gain in weight, with the Hereford ranking second and the Crossbreed third. The economic evaluation showed wheat and anhydrous ammonia as providing the highest return on investment. Both grasses are adapted to Beaumont silty clay soil and are recommended as profitable forage crops in the Louisiana-Texas Gulf Coast area. It is believed that additional investigation should be carried out during consecutive years for more exact evaluation of the results of this experimental study.