Final answer:
The statement about lespedeza is true. Cutting lespedeza late causes leaves to shatter and stems to become wiry and low in digestibility due to physical and chemical changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement about lespedeza is true. When lespedeza, a type of legume commonly found in forage systems, is cut late, loss of leaves can occur due to a process known as shattering, where the leaves become dry and brittle, making them prone to falling off. This loss is detrimental both because leaves are typically more nutritious than stems, and they are a significant source of dietary fiber for grazers. Consequently, the nutritional value of the forage decreases. Moreover, late-cut lespedeza stems become wiry and low in digestibility, which is a function not only of the physical characteristics of older stems but also chemical changes, such as lignification, that make them harder to break down both mechanically and enzymatically in the digestive system of animals.