Nutrient content and phenology of cool-season grasses of Peru

Changes in crude protein (CP) concentration and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) associated with phenological development were documented for eight major cool-season grasses on the Pampa Galeras Vicuna Reserve in the central Andes of Peru. Green-up for most grasses occurred by late November and seed shatter occurred by late May for an average of 185 days from initiation of growth to maturation. CP and IVDMD levels were adequate for animal production from November to January for most grass species and until March for Muhlenbergia ligularis and Stipa brachyphylla. The data suggest domesticated ruminants should be managed so that greatest nutrient requirements (late gestation-lactation) will coincide with the period of highest nutritional quality of the native grasses (November–January).