This study was conducted to determine the possibility of estimating the daily mean temperature for a specific location based on the climatic data collected from the nearby Automated Synoptic Observing System (ASOS) and Automated Weather System(AWS) to improve the accuracy of the climate data in forage yield prediction model. To perform this study, the annual mean temperature and monthly mean temperature were checked for normality, correlation with location information (Longitude, Latitude, and Altitude) and multiple regression analysis, respectively. The altitude was found to have a continuous effect on the annual mean temperature and the monthly mean temperature, while the latitude was found to have an effect on the monthly mean temperature excluding June. Longitude affected monthly mean temperature in June, July, August, September, October, and November. Based on the above results and years of experience with climate-related research, the daily mean temperature estimation was determined to be possible using longitude, latitude, and altitude. In this study, it is possible to estimate the daily mean temperature using climate data from all over the country, but in order to improve the accuracy of daily mean temperature, climatic data needs to applied to each city and province.

The objective of this study was to access the effect of climate and soil factors on alfalfa dry matter yield (DMY) by the contribution through constructing the yield prediction model in a general linear model considering climate and soil physical variables. The processes of constructing the yield prediction model for alfalfa was performed in sequence of data collection of alfalfa yield, meteorological and soil, preparation, statistical analysis, and model construction. The alfalfa yield prediction model used a multiple regression analysis to select the climate variables which are quantitative data and a general linear model considering the selected climate variables and soil physical variables which are qualitative data. As a result, the growth degree days(GDD) and growing days(GD), and the clay content(CC) were selected as the climate and soil physical variables that affect alfalfa DMY, respectively. The contributions of climate and soil factors affecting alfalfa DMY were 32% (GDD, 21%, GD 11%) and 63%, respectively. Therefore, this study indicates that the soil factor more contributes to alfalfa DMY than climate factor. However, for examming the correct contribution, the factors such as other climate and soil factors, and the cultivation technology factors which were not treated in this study should be considered as a factor in the model for future study.

Sorghum×sudangrass hybrid (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, SSH) is one of the most important summer forage crop and it is widely used for silage in Korea. Agriculture is highly dependent on the climate condition and experiencing significant loss of productivity due to climate change. This study was conducted to investigate the correlation analysis between productivity of forage SSH and climatic factors in Central Northern region of South Korea for 3 years (2017 to 2019). Plant height and dry matter yield of SSH were significantly higher in Gyeonggi-do than Ganwon-do. The productivity of SSH is more closely related with temperature than other climatic factors. Maximum temperature and Growing degree days in May and June showed a positive correlation. However, correlation between production of SSH and precipitation was not clear in this study, but rainy days showed a negative correlation (0.42). In conclusion, temperature is most important climatic factor to the maintenance of plant yield.

Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) is routinely used for the determination of nutrient components of forages. However, little is known about the impact of sample preparation and wavelength on the accuracy of the calibration to predict minerals. This study was conducted to assess the effect of sample preparation and wavelength of near infrared spectrum for the improvement of calibration and prediction accuracy of Calcium (Ca) and Phosphorus (P) in imported hay using NIRS. The samples were scanned in reflectance in a monochromator instrument (680–2,500 nm). Calibration models (n = 126) were developed using partial least squares regression (PLS) based on cross-validation. The optimum calibrations were selected based on the highest coefficients of determination in cross validation (R2) and the lowest standard error of cross-validation (SECV). The highest R2 and the lowest SECV were obtained using oven-dry grinded sample preparation and 1,100-2,500 nm wavelength. The calibration (R2) and SECV were 0.99 (SECV: 468.6) for Ca and 0.91 (SECV: 224.7) for P in mg/kg DM on a dry weight, respectively. Results of this experiment showed the possibility of NIRS method to predict mineral (Ca and P) concentration of imported hay in Korea for routine analysis method to evaluate the feed value.

We aimed to predict the Italian ryegrass (IRG) productivity change of introduced and domestic varieties based on climate factors and identify suitable areas for IRG cultivation using the RCP 8.5 scenario. The minimum mean air temperature in January showed the highest correlation with productivity. The ratio of possible and low productivity areas was high in Gangwondo, and the ratio of suitable and best suitable areas was relatively high in the central and southern regions in the past 30 years. The change in the IRG cultivation area was found to be 26.9% in the best suitable area between 1981–2010 but increased significantly to 88.9% between 2090s. In the IRG suitability comparison classes between domestic and introduced cultivars, the ratio of suitable and best suitable areas was relatively high in the domestic varieties during the past 30 years. However, there is almost no difference between the IRG domestic and introduced varieties in the IRG suitability classes after the 2050s. These results can predict changes in the IRG suitability classes between domestic and introduced cultivars according to the climate change scenario, but there are limitations in accurately predicting the productivity of IRG because the results may vary depending on other environmental factors.

This study was conducted to investigate the possibility of replacing imported Timothy hay (TH) with domestic Italian ryegrass silage (IRGS) as a horse feed considering feed quality, nutrient digestibility and feed price. Two experimental diets (TH and IRGS) were fed to six-headed Thoroughbred (body weight, 475.7±33.3kg) of the Korea Racing Authority of Wondang Stud Farm. The 3 head animals were assigned to Control group (TH) and Treatment group (IRGS), respectively. The nutrient digestibility was determined by the total collection method. IRGS is enough for using as a horse feed because its Relative feed value(RFV) was higher than TH and its fermentation quality is suitable for horses. Although no difference was observed in nutrient digestibility, Total digestible nutrients(TDN), and Digestible energy(DE) between Control and Treatment group (p>0.05), the fact that price of IRGS was much lower (53.7~62.4%) than that of TH indicates IRGS has competitive advantage over TH as a horse forage feed. The present study indicates that IRGS can be fully replaced with TH due to its superior economic value even though the similarity of its nutrient digestibility, TDN, and DE to TH.

This study was conducted to suggest the new grassland grade system on evaluating the grassland status. The grassland status has been evaluated based on the forage yield (good, fair and poor) by municipal authorities. The grassland grades by current system were 19 good, 11 fair and 11 poor among the 41 grassland farms from 6 provinces. This evaluation result differed greatly from the result of actual measurement of forage yields which showed all poor. The big difference was resulted from failing the reflection of the various characteristics, such as different seasonal growth and harvest frequency. Furthermore, the lack of consistent examining date and method added the inaccuracy of current grassland grade system. The new grassland grade system based on the grassland vegetation ratio (grass, weed and bare soil) was initially designed into 6-grade system (1st; 100~80%, 2nd; 79~60%, 3rd; 59~40%, 4th; 39~20%; 5th; 19~1% and 6th; 0% on the basis of grasses proportion), but later was changed into 4-grade system (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades are 70% or more, 50% or more, 50% or less, and 0% of forage proportion, respectively) after reflecting the opinion of grassland farms and municipal authorities. Re-evaluation on the grassland status using the 4-grade system resulted in the total 80% consisted of 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade which means most grasslands needs the partial reseeding or the rehabilitation of entire grassland. Pictures and schematic diagrams depicting the 4-grade system were presented to improve the objectivity of evaluation. The optimal time for assessing grassland status is fall when plant height 20~30 cm. Conclusively, the 4-grade system is an efficient method for all non-professionals including grassland farms or municipal authorities in assessing the grassland status. To apply this system to the field, the institutional arrangements such as amendment of grassland act should take place in advance.

This study was conducted to evaluate feed value of imported hays and examine current situation of species and hay grade. To evaluate the quality of the imported hay, 133 pieces including 9 species of roughage types were collected at the national hay importers, the TMR companies and livestock farms from 2016 to 2018. The quality grades of imported hay were 3~4 and most imported hay were considered to had low. The ADF, Ash, TDN and DDM in feed composition of alfalfa by quality grades presented significant differences(p<0.05). The quality grade on alfalfa was not similar to the actual quality grades calculated through feed composition. The feed composition of grasses by quality degrees presented significant differences in all contents except DM and CP (p<0.05). As the distributed grasses of the unmarked quality grade was low quality and accounted for 49%, it is urgent to present quality standards based on feed composition. As these results, the grades of imported hays were lower than the marked quality grades. Therefore, the imported roughage’s(hay) price that considered to only quality grades on the marked imported roughages(hay) package can cause a loss to the livestock farms as economic damage. An institutional arrangement should be established to review the quality grades of imported hay.

Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) has become increasingly used as a rapid and accurate method of evaluating some chemical compositions in forages. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of NIRS, applied to imported forage, to estimate the moisture and chemical parameters for imported hays. A population of 392 imported hay representing a wide range in chemical parameters was used in this study. Samples of forage were scanned at 1 nm intervals over the wavelength range 680-2500nm and the optical data was recorded as log 1/Reflectance(log 1/R), which scanned in intact fresh condition. The spectral data were regressed against a range of chemical parameters using partial least squares(PLS) multivariate analysis in conjunction with spectral math treatments to reduced the effect of extraneous noise. The optimum calibrations were selected based on the highest coefficients of determination in cross validation(R2) and the lowest standard error of cross-validation(SECV). The results of this study showed that NIRS predicted the chemical parameters with very high degree of accuracy. The R2 and SECV for imported hay calibration were 0.92(SECV 0.61%) for moisture, 0.98(SECV 0.65%) for acid detergent fiber, 0.97(SECV 0.40%) for neutral detergent fiber, 0.99(SECV 0.06%) for crude protein and 0.97(SECV 3.04%) for relative feed value on a dry matter(%), respectively. Results of this experiment showed the possibility of NIRS method to predict the moisture and chemical composition of imported hay in Korea for routine analysis method to evaluate the feed value.

This study was conducted to investigate 106 grassland farms in six provinces including Chungcheongbuk-do, Gangwon-do, Gyeonggi-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongsangnam-do, Jeju-do, and Jeollanam-do to present their problems and causes by surveying the actual state of grassland farms during three years(2014~2016). The grassland survey was divided into three categories; used as the perennial grasses and annual forage crops (Complied with Grassland Act), not used as the perennial grasses and annual forage crops (Not complied with Grassland Act) and failed to meet the farmer and some items are missing or inaccurate (Insufficient contents). Among the surveyed grassland farm, 68 farms (64.2 %) were complied with Grassland Act but 30 farms (28.3 %) were not complied with Grassland Act. Especially, the 8 farms (26.7 %) not complied with Grassland Act used the grassland as other purposes such as tree growing, golf club and swine farm etc.. Therefore, strict on-site investigation by local governments is required to prevent the grassland from being used by illegal purposes. And there’s a strong likelihood that 5 farms (62.5 %) avoided the survey violate the positive law. Grassland grades used by the local administrative agencies were not influenced by the factors affecting the yield (existence and non-existence of overseeding and fertilization by grassland grade, soil pH and organic matter content). This results suggest that there is a fundamental problem on the current grassland grade system based on the yield and the irregular time of investigation and lack of on-site investigation are another causes for inaccurate grassland grade. Therefore, the new method evaluating grassland grades which is not based on yield and the thorough on-site investigation by local administrative agencies are necessary when the grassland grade is evaluated.

This study was conducted to perform the suitability analysis of whole-crop rye (Secale cereale L.) based on the climatic information in the Republic of Korea to present useful information for producers and policy makers to determine the site-selection for the cultivation of the whole-crop rye. The criteria to analyze the climatic suitability of whole-crop rye was developed firstly. Then, the climatic suitability map for spatial analysis was developed through weighted overlaying the raster layers of climatic items in the evaluation criteria. Meanwhile, 16 geographically representative weather stations were selected to show examples of the calculation process of the climatic suitability score of a specific cultivation area. The results of the climatic suitability mapping indicated that the climatic conditions in most arable lands of the Republic of Korea such as the coastal, southern, western areas in the southern region of the Korean Peninsula and central areas in Jeju Island are suitable for the cultivation of whole-crop rye. The climatic suitability scores of the 16 weather stations were all in line with the results of the climatic suitability map.

Yield prediction model for mixed pasture was developed with a shortage that the relationship between dry matter yield (DMY) and days of summer depression (DSD) was not properly reflected in the model in the previous research. Therefore, this study was designed to eliminate the data of the regions with distinctly different climatic conditions and then investigate their relationships DMY and DSD using the data in each region separately of regions with distinct climatic characteristics and classify the data based on regions for further analysis based on the previous mixed pasture prediction model. The data set used in the research kept 582 data points from 11 regions and 41 mixed pasture types. The relationship between DMY and DSD in each region were analyzed through scatter plot, correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis in each region separately. In the statistical analysis, DMY was taken as the response variable and 5 climatic variables including DSD were taken as explanatory variables. The results of scatter plot showed that negative correlations between DMY and DSD were observed in 7 out of 9 regions. Therefore, it was confirmed that analyzing the relationship between DMY and DSD based on each region is necessary and 5 regions were selected (Hwaseong, Suwon, Daejeon, Siheung and Gwangju) since the data size in these regions is large enough to perform the further statistical analysis based on large sample approximation theory. Correlation analysis showed that negative correlations were found between DMY and DSD in 3 (Hwaseong, Suwon and Siheung) out of the 5 regions, meanwhile the negative relationship in Hwaseong was confirmed through multiple regression analysis. Therefore, it was concluded that the interpretability of the yield prediction model for mixed pasture could be improved based on constructing the models using the data from each region separately instead of using the pooled data from different regions.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of equation being used to estimate the total digestible nutrients (TDN) of whole crop rice silage (WCRS) in sheep. To compare the observed and estimated TDN contents [estimated TDN content=87.57-(0.737×ADF)], two varieties of WCRS from Nokyang (NS) and Samgwang (SS) as forage and food source, respectively, were used as a treatment. Nine female Corriedale sheep (average body weight: 49.2±6.3 kg) were used as the experimental animals. The ewes were fed according to their nutrient requirements at the maintenance level. To check the difference between the observed and estimated TDN contents, one sample non-parametric t-test was applied. The CP, NFE and CF contents of the NS were 43.6, 74.2 and 64.2%, respectively, and that of the SS were 46.2, 58.1 and 44.9%, respectively. The observed and estimated TDN contents of the NS were 63.5 and 61.5%, where there was no significant difference. The observed and estimated TDN contents of the SS were 48.9 and 59.0%, where there was significant difference (p<0.05) This research confirmed the validity of TDN estimation equation being used for estimation of TDN of WCRS as forage source, but further research is recommended on the equation for estimating TDN contents of WCRS as food source.

This study was designed to investigate the carryover effects of high-forage to concentrate (F: C) diet in bred heifers on feed intake, feed efficiency (FE) and milk production of primiparous lactating Holstein cows. The experiment was conducted for 589 days (d) from onset of pregnancy through to the end of first lactation. Twenty-four bred heifers (Body weight: BW= 345.8 ± 45.4 kg and 15 ± 1.2 mon of age) randomly assigned to two groups of 3 pens containing 4 heifers each and fed high forage (HF) diet with F: C ratio of 91.7: 8.3% and low forage (LF) diet with F: C ratio of 77.8: 22.2% throughout the pregnancy period. After calving, lactating cows were fed total mixed ration (TMR) based diet. No differences (p > 0.05) were observed in dry matter intake (DMI) of bred heifers and primiparous lactating cows in both HF and LF groups. The FE of mid-to-late lactation period was higher (p< 0.05) in HF than LF group. However, the HF group showed higher (p < 0.05) milk yield, 4 % fat corrected milk (FCM) and energy corrected milk (ECM) than LF group during the 305 d lactation. The LF group showed higher (p < 0.05) milk fat, crude protein (CP), milk urea nitrogen (MUN), solid not fat (SNF) and somatic cell count (SCC) than HF group. It is concluded that restriction of F: C ratio to 91.7: 8.3% to bred heifers has the potential carryover effects to maintain higher milk yield and FE with no adverse effect on feed intake and milk composition of primiparous lactating Holstein cows.

This study was aimed to find yield prediction model of Italian ryegrass using climate big data and geographic information. After that, mapping the predicted yield results using Geographic Information System (GIS) as follows; First, forage data were collected; second, the climate information, which was matched with forage data according to year and location, was gathered from the Korean Metrology Administration (KMA) as big data; third, the climate layers used for GIS were constructed; fourth, the yield prediction equation was estimated for the climate layers. Finally, the prediction model was evaluated in aspect of fitness and accuracy. As a result, the fitness of the model (R2) was between 27% to 95% in relation to cultivated locations. In Suwon (n=321), the model was; DMY = 158.63AGD –8.82AAT +169.09SGD - 8.03SAT +184.59SRD -13,352.24 (DMY: Dry Matter Yield, AGD: Autumnal Growing Days, SGD: Spring Growing Days, SAT: Spring Accumulated Temperature, SRD: Spring Rainfall Days). Furthermore, DMY was predicted as 9,790±120 (kg/ha) for the mean DMY(9,790 kg/ha). During mapping, the yield of inland areas were relatively greater than that of coastal areas except of Jeju Island, furthermore, northeastern areas, which was mountainous, had lain no cultivations due to weak cold tolerance. In this study, even though the yield prediction modeling and mapping were only performed in several particular locations limited to the data situation as a startup research in the Republic of Korea.

The objective of this study was to select a model showing high-levels of interpretability which is high in R-squared value in terms of predicting the yield in the mixed pasture using the factors of fertilization, seeding rate and years after pasture establishment in steps, as well as the climate as a basic factor. The processes of constructing the yield prediction model for the mixed pasture were performed in the sequence of data collection (forage and climatic data), preparation, analysis, and model construction. Through this process, six models were constructed after considering climatic variables, fertilization management, seeding rates, and periods after pasture establishment years in steps, thereafter the optimum model was selected through considering the coincidence of the models to the forage production theories. As a result, Model VI (R squared = 53.8%) including climatic variables, fertilization amount, seeding rates, and periods after pasture establishment was considered as the optimum yield prediction model for mixed pastures in South Korea. The interpretability of independent variables in the model were decreased in the sequence of climatic variables(24.5%), fertilization amount(17.8%), seeding rates(10.7%), and periods after pasture establishment(0.8%). However, it is necessary to investigate the reasons of positive correlation between dry matter yield and days of summer depression (DSD) by considering cultivated locations and using other cumulative temperature related variables instead of DSD. Meanwhile the another research about the optimum levels of fertilization amounts and seeding rates is required using the quadratic term due to the certain value-centered distribution of these two variables

This research was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding high and low forage diets with different forage sources on rumen fermentation characteristics and blood parameters of Holstein cows during the dry period. Eight Holstein cows were completely randomized assigned to two groups and repeated measurement was utilized in the analysis. Cows in two treatments were fed with diets with high (F:C = 70:30, 70F; forage source: mixed-sowing whole crop barley and Italian ryegrass silage, BIRG) and low (F:C = 55:45, 55F; forage source: tall fescue hay, TF) forage level. Rumen fluid pH was higher in 70F group. Levels of acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid showed a similar pattern: from the lowest value at 07:30 h to the highest at 10:30 h and then decreased in both groups. The ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in 55F group at 09:30 and 10:30 h. Rumen fluid NH3-N concentrations were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in 70F group at 09:30 and 10:30 h. Blood urea nitrogen was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in 70F group. It was concluded that BIRG based diet with a high forage level had no adverse effects on rumen fermentation, some blood chemical parameters, and immune system in dry Holstein cows and could be used as a forage source instead of imported TF.

The objective of this research was to determine the effects of harvesting frequency and fertilization levels on botanical composition, dry matter yield, and forage feed compositions of Alpine grassland at 800 m altitude. This research lasted for three years at National Alpine Agricultural Research Institute in Pyeongchang with two harvesting frequency schedules (two and three times annually) and two levels of fertilizer application (conventional level of fertilizer at 280-200-240 kg/ha and a lower level of fertilizer at 200-200-200 kg/ha for N, P2O5, and K2O). Mixture combinations with seeding rate (kg/ha) were as follows: Orchardgrass 18, Tall fescue 9, Timothy 8, Kentucky bluegrass 3, and Ladino Clover 2. The gramineae ratio ranged from 93.2 to 95.3%. Therefore, gramineae forage was considered as the dominant plant in this experiment. No significant (p>0.05) difference was observed in forage dry matter yield between the two harvesting frequency treatments (two times at 9.8 ton/ha and three times at 8.6 ton/ha). However, forage dry matter yield in the two times of harvesting frequency tended to be greater than that in the three times of harvesting frequency. Significantly (p<0.05) higher forage dry matter yield in the standard fertilization level group than the lower fertilization level group (9.8 ton/ha vs. 8.7 ton/ha) was observed. However, there was no significant (p>0.05) difference in forage crude protein concentration between the two harvesting frequency treatment groups, although the concentration in the group with three times of harvesting frequency tended to be higher. In contrast, crude fiber concentration in the group with two times of harvesting frequency tended to be higher, although the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Crude protein, ether extract, crude fiber, and organic matter concentrations were not significantly (p>0.05) different between the two groups with different fertilization levels. Based on these results, it was concluded that the group with two times of harvesting frequency with conventional fertilization level might be proper for obtaining better forage productivity for Alpine grassland at 800 m altitude.