Forage Characteristics and Grazing Preference of Cover Crops in Equine Pasture Systems.
Authors: Prigge Jessica L, Sheaffer Craig C, Jungers Jacob M, Jaqueth Aubrey L, Lochner Hannah L, Martinson Krishona L
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Cover Crops for Equine Grazing Systems Cover crops offer potential beyond their traditional soil conservation and environmental roles, yet their suitability for horse pastures remained unexplored until this 2021 study. Researchers at the University of Minnesota evaluated five cover crop species—annual ryegrass, winter rye, berseem clover, purple top turnip, and daikon radish—sown as monocultures and mixed combinations, measuring herbage and root biomass, nutritional composition, and grazing preference across two growing seasons. All crops exceeded the digestible energy (>2.17 Mcal/kg) and crude protein (>19%) thresholds for maintenance in idle horses, though berseem clover produced substantially less dry matter than its counterparts (590–1,869 kg/ha versus significantly higher yields for grains and root crops). Horses demonstrated marked preferences: berseem clover achieved over 73% removal rates, whilst turnips and radish received minimal selection (<19%), with winter rye and annual ryegrass occupying middle ground (20–68% removal depending on whether grown alone or with clover. For practitioners seeking to extend grazing seasons or utilise cover crops as supplementary forage, berseem clover emerges as the most palatable option and performs nutritionally well despite lower yields, whilst cool-season grasses offer a balanced compromise between intake and productivity.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Berseem clover, annual ryegrass, and winter rye are viable cover crop options to extend grazing season in horse pastures, with horses showing clear preference for legumes and grasses over brassicas
- •Turnips and radishes should not be relied upon as primary forage in horse grazing systems due to very low palatability (<19% consumption)
- •All tested cover crops meet nutritional requirements for maintenance horses, providing flexibility in selecting species based on grazing season timing and management preferences
Key Findings
- •Berseem clover had the lowest forage production (590-1,869 kg/ha dry matter) compared to other cover crops tested
- •All cover crops met digestible energy (>2.17 Mcal/kg) and crude protein (>19%) requirements for idle adult horses
- •Berseem clover was most preferred by horses with >73% removal, while turnip and radish were least preferred with <19% removal
- •Winter rye and annual ryegrass in monoculture or mixed with berseem clover showed moderate preference (20-68% removal) and are suitable for extending grazing season