Alison Todd1, S. Dennis Cash1, L.M.M Surber1, Brenda Robinson1, James Bauder 2, Aimee Hafla1, Kandra Cady1, and Adrienne Cash1. (1) Montana State Univ, Animal & Range Sciences Dept, Bozeman, MT 59717, (2) Montana State Univ , P.O. Box 172130, Land. Res.& Env. Sci , , Bozeman , MT 59717
Livestock producers in Montana utilize irrigated annual barley hay for winter feed. Increased production of coalbed methane (CBM) wells could potentially provide an additional water source which could be used for irrigation. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the effects of CBM water on forage yield and quality in relation to livestock requirements. Nine barley cultivars were irrigated with CBM water and well water (WW). Sample clippings were taken at the anthesis stage of maturity and analyzed for forage quality (dry matter [DM], crude protein [CP], fiber, and nitrate [NO3] concentrations). Yields were 27% lower in barley cultivars irrigated with CBM water than in cultivars irrigated with WW (P<0.10). Plant height was 26% lower in cultivars irrigated with CBM water than in cultivars irrigated with WW (P<.010). Forage accumulation of toxic levels of NO3 has been a significant problem in recent years. Interestingly, NO3-N levels were much lower in cultivars irrigated with CBM water (0.66 mg g-1) than in cultivars irrigated with WW (3.33 mg g-1) (P<0.10). Fiber concentrations (acid detergent [ADF] and neutral detergent fiber [NDF]) did not differ between treatments (P>0.10). Forage CP levels were lower in cultivars irrigated with CBM water (177.9 mg g-1) than in cultivars irrigated with WW (130.2 mg g-1), although these results were not significant (P>0.10). In this study, the use of CBM discharge water as an irrigation source had an adverse effect on forage yield and plant height and reduced nitrate concentration. Additional research is necessary to evaluate the long term effects of CBM irrigation on barley forage.
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