Cornell University
Grass Management Tools
Forage Species Selector Tool

Grass Management Tool Suite

Grass Management Tool #1: Grass Only NDF Estimator

This tool allows estimation of current NDF and target harvest height for several grass species. The user provides the current grass canopy height, planned stubble height, and target NDF at harvest.

Reference: Parsons, D., McRoberts, K., Cherney, J.H., Cherney, D.J.R., Bosworth, S., Jimenez-Serrano, F. 2012. Preharvest neutral detergent fiber concentration of temperate perennial grasses as influenced by stubble height. Crop Sci. (in press).

Grass Management Tool #2: Alfalfa-Grass Mixture NDF Estimator

This tool allows estimation of current NDF and target alfalfa harvest height for mixed alfalfa-grass stands. The user provides the current alfalfa maximum height (tallest stem) and percent grass in stand. The user can also modify target NDF for the stand, NDF rate of change per day, and also provide a slight adjustment for estimated weather conditions until harvest.

Reference: Parsons, D., Cherney, J. H., and Gauch, H. G., Jr. 2006. Estimation of Preharvest Fiber Content of Mixed Alfalfa-Grass Stands in New York. Agron. J. 98:1081-1089.

Grass Management Tool #3: Alfalfa Only NDF Estimator

This tool allows estimation of current NDF and target harvest height for pure alfalfa. The user provides the current maximum height (tallest stem), planned stubble height, and target NDF at harvest.

Reference: Parsons, D., Cherney, J. H., and Gauch, H. G., Jr. 2006. Estimation of spring forage quality for alfalfa in New York State. Online. Forage and Grazinglands doi:10.1094/FG-2006-0323-01-RS.

Grass Management For Dairy Cattle

This manual deals primarily with cool-season grasses for dairy cattle in the Northeastern USA.

Grass Information Sheets

A series of 2-page information sheets covering a wide range of grass management issues.

Grass-related Factsheets

Selected 2-page factsheets from the Cornell Nutrient Management Spear Program Series 'Agronomy Factsheets'.