ANSC 221 Study Guide Questions with
100% Correct Answers Latest Update
2025 Already Graded A+
Characteristics of Forages
➹➹➹: -Variable in protein
-Low in energy compared to grain
-Some are higher in Ca and trace minerals than most grains
-Better source of fat soluble vitamins than grains
-Adds bulk
-Necessary to maintain rumen function, prevents upsets
Value of a forage
➹➹➹: -Depends on palatability, composition, and digestibility
What are the differences between grasses and legumes? advantages and
disadvantages of each.
➹➹➹: Grasses
-Provide bulk
-Grow under a wider range of conditions
-Generally not as much nutritive value as legumes except at extreme maturity
1 | Page
,-Palatable when immature
-Main source of energy
-Have the ability to grow in most environments, stand being trampled on more, tolerant
of grazing, prevent erosion, better root structure.
Legumes
-Has the ability to associate microbes in nodules on it roots which can fix atmospheric
nitrogen
-Often problem with bloat
-Improve soil fertility
-Have a stem with leaves on them vs a blade
-Normally richer in CP, MIN, & VIT than grasses
-Not much difference in TDN, CF, fat, protein
-May be more digestible when young and less when mature
-Protein source
What are the common grass forages? legume forages? You should be able to name 6
or more of each.
➹➹➹:
GRASSES
➹➹➹: 1. Range Grasses/prairie grasses
-Big bluestem, little bluestem, sand bluestem
-Indian Grass
2 | Page
,-Switch grass
-Side-oats gramma
-Buffalograss
Big bluestem
➹➹➹: -Perennial
-Palatable
-Winter hardy
-Warm season
-High yielding pasture and hay
-Great plains and midwest
Indian Grass
➹➹➹: -Perennial
-Palatable, winter hardy, drought resistant, warm season, high yield
-Same things as big bluestem
Switch Grass
➹➹➹: -Medium palatability
Side-oats Gramma
➹➹➹: -Grows well with big bluestem
3 | Page
, WARM SEASON GRASSES ^^
➹➹➹:
COOL SEASON GRASSES
➹➹➹: -Kentucky Bluegrass
-Smooth bromegrass
-Orchardgrass
-Timothy
-Reed canarygrass
-Fescue
-Perennial ryegrass
-Sorghum sudangrass
-Sudangrass
Kentucky bluegrass
➹➹➹: -Lawns, permanent pastures
-Cool season, excellent palatability, low yield
-Greens early, dormant in drought
Smooth bromegrass
➹➹➹: -Palatable
-Pasture, hay, silage, erosion control
Orchardgrass
4 | Page
100% Correct Answers Latest Update
2025 Already Graded A+
Characteristics of Forages
➹➹➹: -Variable in protein
-Low in energy compared to grain
-Some are higher in Ca and trace minerals than most grains
-Better source of fat soluble vitamins than grains
-Adds bulk
-Necessary to maintain rumen function, prevents upsets
Value of a forage
➹➹➹: -Depends on palatability, composition, and digestibility
What are the differences between grasses and legumes? advantages and
disadvantages of each.
➹➹➹: Grasses
-Provide bulk
-Grow under a wider range of conditions
-Generally not as much nutritive value as legumes except at extreme maturity
1 | Page
,-Palatable when immature
-Main source of energy
-Have the ability to grow in most environments, stand being trampled on more, tolerant
of grazing, prevent erosion, better root structure.
Legumes
-Has the ability to associate microbes in nodules on it roots which can fix atmospheric
nitrogen
-Often problem with bloat
-Improve soil fertility
-Have a stem with leaves on them vs a blade
-Normally richer in CP, MIN, & VIT than grasses
-Not much difference in TDN, CF, fat, protein
-May be more digestible when young and less when mature
-Protein source
What are the common grass forages? legume forages? You should be able to name 6
or more of each.
➹➹➹:
GRASSES
➹➹➹: 1. Range Grasses/prairie grasses
-Big bluestem, little bluestem, sand bluestem
-Indian Grass
2 | Page
,-Switch grass
-Side-oats gramma
-Buffalograss
Big bluestem
➹➹➹: -Perennial
-Palatable
-Winter hardy
-Warm season
-High yielding pasture and hay
-Great plains and midwest
Indian Grass
➹➹➹: -Perennial
-Palatable, winter hardy, drought resistant, warm season, high yield
-Same things as big bluestem
Switch Grass
➹➹➹: -Medium palatability
Side-oats Gramma
➹➹➹: -Grows well with big bluestem
3 | Page
, WARM SEASON GRASSES ^^
➹➹➹:
COOL SEASON GRASSES
➹➹➹: -Kentucky Bluegrass
-Smooth bromegrass
-Orchardgrass
-Timothy
-Reed canarygrass
-Fescue
-Perennial ryegrass
-Sorghum sudangrass
-Sudangrass
Kentucky bluegrass
➹➹➹: -Lawns, permanent pastures
-Cool season, excellent palatability, low yield
-Greens early, dormant in drought
Smooth bromegrass
➹➹➹: -Palatable
-Pasture, hay, silage, erosion control
Orchardgrass
4 | Page
