ANSC 221 Final Exam Questions with Verified
Correct Answer
What are the differences between grasses and legumes? advantages and disadvantages of
each.
Grasses are mainly a source of Energy and legumes a source of protein. Legumes have a
symbiotic relationship with a bacteria which allows it to utilize N from the air and turn it into
ammonia. Legumes also improve soil fertility, are high in Ca, Vit a, P and trace minerals. high
yield of palatable feed/acre possible. Often there can be a problem with bloat. Grasses have the
ability to grow in most environments, stand being trampled on more, tolerant of grazing, prevent
erosion, better root structure. low in mineral and vitamin content, might be sufficient though for
many animals. Often palatable when immature. Loose a lot of protein/digestability when they
mature.
What are the common grass forages?
Kentucky blue grass, tall fescue, timothy, perennial rye grass, Indian grass, big bluestem, little
blue stem, side oats grama, switch grass
what are the common legume forages?
Alfala, red clover, crown vetch, sweetclover, white dutch clover, birdsfoot trefoil
What are the characteristics of pastures, silages, hay? what are the principles regarding
how they are made?
,Pastures: fresh forage (grasses and legumes) eaten by grazing.
Silage: preserved wet due to fermentation
Hay: dried
What is the most important factor to making and preserving good silage?
What additives might you add to silage and why?
Acid formed to alt the microbial activity and be preserved. Most important factor is keeping it
oxygen free.
Additives might help in the fermentation process. So if the silage wont ferment well... generally
add microbial cultures
What are NDF and ADF and what do they pertain to and indicate?
NDF is neutral detergent fiber and it reflects forage intake (negative relationship) indicates
bulkiness of feed.
ADH is acid detergent fiber and it is basically cellulose and lignin. It reflects digestibility (has a
negative relationship- high ADF= low digestibility)
What factors affect the quality of forages? Which of these do we have control of and how?
Species of plant, maturity, soil fertility, processing method, storage, feeding
What animals have the lowest nutrient requirements, highest nutrient
requirements, levels in between?
Animals in maintenance have the lowest requirements, young animals levels are high and
animals that are in late pregnancy and/or lactating have the highest requirements
, CORN
(or wheat, barley, milo)- high E feed, low protein. Used to boost energy good for: Dairy cattle,
finishing cattle, starting calves...
SBM
(cottenseed, peanut, linseed...)- protein supplement but also high in E. can be used for any animal
to meet protein needs.
High Quality Forage
for animals that need good quality feeds that are palatable and high in protein- young calves and
dairy cows. Highest quality are legumes.
Low quality Forages
mature grass hays, feed to animals with low requirement (just for maintantance)
Corn Silage-
high in E low in Protien and Ca and other minterals, feed to ruminants that need high E like dairy
coes and beef cows in the winter. Often need to limit feeds.
Pastures-
grass, legume, mixed grass and legume. Good feed for beef cattle, sheep, and horses. Can be
used for forage portion of dairy ration can for growing calves. Not good for pigs or poultry and
not high in E enough for milking cows, heifers or steers for finishing
Crop residue feeds-
Correct Answer
What are the differences between grasses and legumes? advantages and disadvantages of
each.
Grasses are mainly a source of Energy and legumes a source of protein. Legumes have a
symbiotic relationship with a bacteria which allows it to utilize N from the air and turn it into
ammonia. Legumes also improve soil fertility, are high in Ca, Vit a, P and trace minerals. high
yield of palatable feed/acre possible. Often there can be a problem with bloat. Grasses have the
ability to grow in most environments, stand being trampled on more, tolerant of grazing, prevent
erosion, better root structure. low in mineral and vitamin content, might be sufficient though for
many animals. Often palatable when immature. Loose a lot of protein/digestability when they
mature.
What are the common grass forages?
Kentucky blue grass, tall fescue, timothy, perennial rye grass, Indian grass, big bluestem, little
blue stem, side oats grama, switch grass
what are the common legume forages?
Alfala, red clover, crown vetch, sweetclover, white dutch clover, birdsfoot trefoil
What are the characteristics of pastures, silages, hay? what are the principles regarding
how they are made?
,Pastures: fresh forage (grasses and legumes) eaten by grazing.
Silage: preserved wet due to fermentation
Hay: dried
What is the most important factor to making and preserving good silage?
What additives might you add to silage and why?
Acid formed to alt the microbial activity and be preserved. Most important factor is keeping it
oxygen free.
Additives might help in the fermentation process. So if the silage wont ferment well... generally
add microbial cultures
What are NDF and ADF and what do they pertain to and indicate?
NDF is neutral detergent fiber and it reflects forage intake (negative relationship) indicates
bulkiness of feed.
ADH is acid detergent fiber and it is basically cellulose and lignin. It reflects digestibility (has a
negative relationship- high ADF= low digestibility)
What factors affect the quality of forages? Which of these do we have control of and how?
Species of plant, maturity, soil fertility, processing method, storage, feeding
What animals have the lowest nutrient requirements, highest nutrient
requirements, levels in between?
Animals in maintenance have the lowest requirements, young animals levels are high and
animals that are in late pregnancy and/or lactating have the highest requirements
, CORN
(or wheat, barley, milo)- high E feed, low protein. Used to boost energy good for: Dairy cattle,
finishing cattle, starting calves...
SBM
(cottenseed, peanut, linseed...)- protein supplement but also high in E. can be used for any animal
to meet protein needs.
High Quality Forage
for animals that need good quality feeds that are palatable and high in protein- young calves and
dairy cows. Highest quality are legumes.
Low quality Forages
mature grass hays, feed to animals with low requirement (just for maintantance)
Corn Silage-
high in E low in Protien and Ca and other minterals, feed to ruminants that need high E like dairy
coes and beef cows in the winter. Often need to limit feeds.
Pastures-
grass, legume, mixed grass and legume. Good feed for beef cattle, sheep, and horses. Can be
used for forage portion of dairy ration can for growing calves. Not good for pigs or poultry and
not high in E enough for milking cows, heifers or steers for finishing
Crop residue feeds-
