Response of lambs to continuous and rotational grazing at four grazing intensities on Midmar Italian ryegrass

Abstract

Irrigated Midmar Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) was grazed either continuously or rotationally at four grazing intensities by three successive sets of weaned lambs for the winter, spring and summer periods, respectively. The “put‐and‐take” system was applied. In the case of continuous grazing, amounts of available dry matter (DM) per hectare were varied, whereas with rotational grazing different grazing intensities were established by allocating different amounts of DM per unit livemass. Amounts of DM on offer were determined in both systems to provide a basis for comparison.

There were no differences in average daily gain (ADG) at equivalent levels of available DM between grazing procedures in winter. In both spring and summer, however, ADG at given levels of available DM was greater (P ≤0,01) with continuous than with rotational grazing. Stocking rate at equivalent levels of available DM was higher (P ≤0,01) for rotational as compared with continuous grazing in winter and summer, but in summer, grazing procedure had no effect on stocking rate. There was an interaction between stocking rate and grazing method in winter (P ≤0,01). At high stocking rates, ADG were higher (P ≤0,01) under rotational than under continuous grazing. In spring and summer the ADG for continuous grazing was higher (P ≤0,01) than that for rotational grazing at equivalent stocking rates. The estimated stocking rates for maximum gains/ha ranged in the different seasons from 45 to 123 lambs/ha.     

Long-term cattle gain responses to stocking rate and grazing systems in northern mixed-grass prairie

The effects of stocking rate and grazing system on gains of yearling beef cattle grazing rangelands have largely been addressed in short-term (< 10 years) studies, and often stocking rates are confounded within grazing systems with higher stocking rates for short-duration rotational grazing systems compared to season-long grazing. A grazing system (season-long and short-duration rotational grazing) × stocking rate (light: 16 steers/80 ha, 18.0 animal unit days/ha; moderate: 4 steers/12 ha, 30.1 animal unit days/ha; and heavy: 4 steers/9 ha, 40.1 animal unit days/ha) study was initiated in 1982 on northern mixed-grass prairie. Here, we report on the final 16 years (1991–2006) for yearling beef cattle gains. Average daily gains (kg/head/day) across all years with season-long grazing decreased with increasing stocking rate and grazing pressure. Heavy stocking rates reduced average daily gain by 16% and 12% compared to light and moderate stocking rates, respectively. In contrast to average daily gain, beef production (kg/ha) increased with increasing stocking rate and grazing pressure. Cattle gains were reduced by 6% with short-duration rotation compared to season-long grazing over the study period, with differences between systems observed in years with average, but not dry or wet, spring (April + May + June) precipitation. Grazing season gains (kg/head) and beef production both exhibited significant increasing hyperbolic relationships with spring precipitation, with the percentage of variation explained by spring precipitation substantially higher (62–83%) for beef production compared to grazing season gains (32–45%). The influence of spring precipitation on cattle gains suggests that incorporation of these relationships into modeling efforts for strategic planning and risk assessment will assist land managers in better matching forage and animal resources for greater sustainability in this highly variable environment.     

Technical note: stocking equivalents and stocking rate-gain relationships for steers and cow-calf pairs grazing oversown bermuda grass.

Grazing experiments may use steers or cow-calf pairs for measuring animal performance on pasture treatments, but the validity of extrapolation between these classes of cattle has not been verified. A grazing study was conducted in the spring and summer of both 1988 and 1989 to determine stocking equivalents and stocking rate-weight gain relationships for steers and cow-calf pairs grazing Coastal bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] pers.) oversown with rye (Secale cereale L.) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). Average daily gain and stocking rate (SR; 3.2, 4.2, 6.2, and 7.4 animals per hectare for steers and 1.7, 2.5, 3.7, and 4.9 pairs per hectare for cow-calf pairs) were both adjusted so that comparisons could be made on an equal BW basis. Disk meter height readings were used as measurements of forage accessibility. Disk meter height responses to SR did not differ (P greater than .10) between steer and cow-calf paddocks. There was a linear (P less than .001) decrease in ADG as SR increased, but this decline was steeper (P less than .001) for steers than for cows or suckling calves. Steers tended to be more productive than calves at low SR but less productive at high SR. Disk meter heights for the range of SR used in the study did not differ (P greater than .10) for steers and cow-calf pairs at equivalent BW per hectare. Our study suggests that live BW is a reasonable basis for determining forage requirements of steers and cow-calf pairs under grazing conditions, but extrapolation of production between classes of livestock will not be reliable.     

Influence of stocking rate and steroidal implants on growth rate of steers grazing toxic tall fescue and subsequent physiological responses

An 84-d grazing experiment was conducted in 2 growing seasons to evaluate interactions of stocking rate and steroidal implants with BW gain and symptoms of toxicosis in yearling steers grazing endemic endophyte-infected (E+) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). A 4 x 2 factoral design was used to evaluate 4 stocking rates (3.0, 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0 steers/ ha) with or without steroidal implants (200 mg of progesterone + 20 mg of estradiol benzoate). Treatment combinations were randomly assigned to eight 1-ha pastures of E+ Kentucky-31 tall fescue (i.e., treatments were not replicated). Treatment effects were analyzed for ADG, total BW gain per hectare, forage availability, and hair coat ratings. At the conclusion of grazing in the second year (22 June), steers were placed on a bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] pasture, and rectal temperatures and serum prolactin concentrations were monitored for 10 d to assess carryover effects of stocking rate and steroidal implants on recovery from toxicosis-related heat stress. Forage availability differed (P < 0.001) between years, but there were no year x treatment interactions (P > 0.10). There was an implant x stocking rate interaction (P < 0.05) on ADG. Differences between the slopes in the regression equations indicated that ADG responded to implantation when stocking rates were low, but the response diminished as stocking rate increased. Stocking rate did not influence (P = 0.89) postgraze rectal temperature, but the regression intercept for implanted steers was 0.4 degrees C greater (P < 0.05) than for nonimplanted steers, and the difference was consistent across the entire 10-d fescue-free grazing period. Concentrations of prolactin increased during the 10-d fescue-free grazing period, but trends differed due to an implantation x stocking rate interaction (P < 0.05). Results indicate that implantation with progesterone + estradiol benzoate increases ADG with lower stocking rates, but the effect diminishes with increased grazing intensity. Implantation with steroid hormones increased rectal temperatures, but during a fescue-free grazing period rectal temperatures and serum prolactins for implanted and nonimplanted steers returned to values indicative of a stable and healthy status in a 192- to 240-h (i.e., an 8- to 10-d) period. However, because the treatments used in this study were not replicated, these observations need to be confirmed with replicated studies.     

Cattle performance and production when grazing Bermudagrass at two forage mass levels in the southern Piedmont

Performance and production of growing cattle (Bos taurus) on Coastal Bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] pasture are affected by forage allowance, but possible interactions with fertilizer nutrient source (i.e., inorganic vs. organic) and time have not been well described. We evaluated the effects of 3 nutrient sources with equivalent N rates: 1) inorganic, 2) crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) cover crop plus inorganic, and 3) chicken (Gallus gallus) broiler litter, factorially arranged with 2 residual forage mass levels [grazing to maintain high (4,528 +/- 1,803 kg/ha) and low (2,538 +/- 1,264 kg/ha) forage mass], on cattle stocking density, ADG, and BW gain during 5 consecutive summer grazing seasons. Across grazing seasons, residual forage mass and nutrient source both affected response variables, but interactions between these variables were rarely significant (P < or = 0.10). Across grazing seasons and nutrient sources, increasing grazing pressure to maintain a lower forage mass reduced ADG (0.67 vs. 0.88 kg/d; P < 0.001) but increased BW gain/ha (726 vs. 578 kg/ha; P < 0.001) due to greater stocking density (8.7 vs. 5.8 steers/ha, P < 0.001; mean BW of growing Angus steers of 212 kg). Inorganic fertilization led to greater stocking density than other nutrient sources (8.2 vs. 6.8 steers/ha, P < 0.001) because of greater forage production. Stocking density to achieve the 2 targeted forage mass levels was widely different during the initial grazing seasons of the study but nearly similar at the end of 5 yr. Cattle performance tended to decline with time during each grazing season under both residual forage mass levels, perhaps as a result of declining forage quality, because performance was positively associated with grazing season precipitation under high forage mass. Steer BW gain/ha was greater (P < 0.05) with lower forage mass early in the grazing season of all years but not necessarily later in the grazing season. Steer BW gain/ha was also greater (P < 0.05) with a lower forage mass during the early years of the study but was similar during the later years of the study. Significant variations in cattle performance and production with time confirmed the short-term seasonal effects but suggested that the long-term effects may also be of importance in maintaining productivity and environmental quality of grazed pastures.     

Economics of Flexible Versus Conservative Stocking Strategies to Manage Climate Variability Risk

Recommended strategies for dealing with drought include maintaining a conservative stocking rate, maintaining grazing flexibility by having yearlings as one of multiple enterprises on the ranch, and leaving a significant amount of herbaceous production at the end of the grazing season. We perform an economic analysis of these grazing strategies using a bio-economic multiperiod linear programming model with variable annual forage production and beef prices. We evaluate the economics of conservative versus flexible grazing where stock numbers are adjusted to match forage conditions. The deterministic model estimates that a flexible grazing strategy could nearly double net returns relative to a conservative strategy, but realizing this substantial economic potential means higher production costs, and it depends on a quality climate forecast that is not currently available. Maintaining grazing flexibility was determined to be very important for managing variable forage conditions, and its importance increased with the level of variability. Without annual variation in forage production, over 80% of available forage would optimally be allocated to cow–calf production. As forage variability increased to levels observed on the arid rangelands of the western United States, a 50:50 forage allocation between cow–calf and yearling enterprises was found to be optimal, but optimal cow numbers decreased over time as dry conditions force herd reductions. As compared to a cow–calf ranch only, adding flexible yearling enterprises increased average annual net ranch returns by 14% with conservative stocking and by up to 66% with flexible grazing. Herd expansion beyond a conservative level should occur with yearlings because adjusting cow numbers is too expensive relative to the potential short-term gain, even if forage conditions are known with certainty.     

Forage availability x heifer phenotype interactions for Brahman-Hereford F1 yearling heifers grazing humid pasture and semiarid rangeland.

Yearling heifer growth data were obtained during 4 yr for 524 heifers allotted to either humid bermuda grass pastures (Overton) or semiarid rangeland (Uvalde). Each year, heifers were allotted on April 15 to four forage availability levels (400 to 2,800 kg of DM per 100 kg of BW at Uvalde and 80 to 260 kg of DM per 100 kg of BW at Overton) maintained by varying the stocking rate monthly until mid-October of each year. Forage availability and yearling heifer characteristics (weight, condition score, and height at hooks, taken on April 15) were treated as continuous variables in regression analyses. Final heifer weight, height, and condition responses to increased forage allowance were related to yearling phenotypes differently for the two locations. Generally, at Overton, forage availability influenced final characteristics to a greater extent than did yearling variables, whereas the trend was the opposite at Uvalde. At Uvalde, the yearling characteristic that had the largest effect on performance was height at hooks. Yearlings with large frames benefited from increased forage allowance by accumulating body fat at a faster rate than those with small frames. In contrast, at Overton, the yearling characteristic that had the largest effect on performance was condition. Fat heifers responded to increased forage availability to gain even greater advantages in fatness at the expense of potential growth in height and, thus, achieved early maturation. Yearling phenotypes were more broadly adapted to arrays of forage availability for humid, improved pastures than for semiarid rangeland.     

Effects of rate of gain during winter on subsequent grazing and finishing performance

Sixty mixed British breed yearling steers (237 kg) were used each year for 2 yr to study the effects of rate of gain during the winter on subsequent pasture and finishing performance. Winter gains of .28, .38 and .50 kg/d (P less than .05) were established for the low, medium and high gain treatments, respectively. Daily gain of steers on pasture was reduced (P less than .01) 81 g for each 100-g increase in winter daily gain. No differences in BW were observed among the treatment groups after grazing summer pasture. Wintering performance did not affect finishing performance. Daily gains during the finishing period increased slightly as pasture gain decreased due to increased feed intake, but efficiency was not altered. These data suggest that within this range of ADG during the winter and under the conditions of this study, it was not beneficial to winter cattle for an ADG more than .28 kg/d.     

Performance of steers grazing rhizomatous and nonrhizomatous birdsfoot trefoil in pure stands and in tall fescue mixtures

This study investigated the performance of steers grazing rhizomatous birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) (RBFT) compared to nonrhizomatous birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) in pure stands or when interseeded with endophyte-free tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.; TF). Five forage treatments of RBFT, BFT, TF, RBFT+TF, and BFT+TF (four replicate paddocks per treatment) were continuously stocked in spring and fall of 1998 and spring of 1999. Grazing for individual treatments was terminated when pasture mass fell below 900 kg/ha. Average daily gain was greatest (P < 0.10) in pure stands of BFT and RBFT, but total forage production, and thus grazing days, for these treatments was low. Average daily gain for steers grazing BFT+TF and RBFT+TF treatments was not different from (spring and fall 1998) or greater (P < 0.10) (spring 1999) than that for TF. Total forage production of BFT+TF and RBFT+TF was greater (P < 0.10) than that of TF in spring 1998. In fall 1998, BFT+TF produced more (P < 0.10) total forage than either RBFT+TF or TF, and in spring 1999, RBFT+TF had less (P < 0.10) total forage than TF or BFT+TF. Total steer days on mixed pastures were greater (P < 0.10) than that for TF in spring and fall 1998 but not different from those for TF in spring 1999. In all three trials total weight gain/hectare was greater (P < 0.10) for RBFT+TF and BFT+TF than for TF. The RBFT+TF and BFT +TF had greater (P < 0.05) CP than TF in spring and fall 1998 and less (P < 0.05) NDF and ADF in fall 1998. We concluded that either RBFT or BFT could be interseeded with tall fescue to enhance ADG and total steer days.     

Grazing behavior and performance of beef cattle as a function of sward structure and herbage quality under rotational and continuous stocking on species‐rich upland pasture

An experiment to reveal functional response and heifers' performance to sward characteristics and forage chemical composition was conducted for 5 years in rotational (RSS) and continuous (CSS) stocking systems on native species‐rich upland grassland. We measured sward characteristics, forage chemical composition, heifers' grazing behavior and live‐weight gains from July to September. Mean sward surface height was lower on CSS than on RSS; grass and forb density, and white clover stolon length, were similar. Herbage on CSS had higher crude protein content and lower crude fiber content than on RSS. No difference existed in time budgets of grazing, ruminating and resting between stocking systems and season, while grazing rates were higher on CSS. Stocking rate was 1671 and 1332 kg per ha on CSS and RSS, individual daily live‐weight gain 683 and 652 g on CSS and RSS. Gain per ha was 20 kg higher on CSS. Results suggested stocking systems on native species‐rich grassland had no effect on activity time budgets or animal performance. Both RSS and CSS allow similar outputs for stocking rates in terms of individual daily live‐weight gain. Key parameters determining heifers' behavior and performance were sward height, grass and forb density in the sward, and content of crude fiber and protein in forage.     

Responses of yearling steers to different stocking rates on a subtropical grass-legume pasture

Despite potential benefits, limitations of individual tropical legumes have restricted development of sustainable grass-legume pastures in tropical and subtropical regions. Sowing mixtures of complementary legumes may overcome limitations of individual species. Responses of yearling steers grazing a mixture of three tropical legumes with bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) were evaluated at three stocking rates under continuous grazing. Carpon desmodium (Desmodium heterocarpon [L.] DC.), which is persistent under grazing but often difficult to establish, was combined with the short-lived legumes aeschynomene (Aeschynomene americana L.) and phasey bean (Macroptilium lathyroides [L.] Urb.). Diet composition, as determined by microhistological analysis of fecal samples, and animal performance were evaluated in three grazing periods: summer 1987 and spring 1988 (2.0, 3.5, and 5.0 steers/ha) and summer 1988 (3.0, 5.3, and 7.5 steers/ha). Stocking rate did not affect percentage of the selectively grazed legumes, aeschynomene and phasey bean, in the diet. Average daily gain decreased linearly (P less than .05) with increased stocking rate, as is typical for grass pastures. Aeschynomene and phasey bean contributed to diets during the first summer, and carpon desmodium contribution was greater in the second summer. These results indicate that this pasture mixture can provide legume herbage from aeschynomene and phasey bean in the year of sowing and from carpon desmodium thereafter. Over the range of grazing pressures obtained, legume responses were generally consistent; thus, optimizing stocking rate for gain per hectare or for economic returns can be targeted without additional constraints to maintain the contribution of these legumes to grazing livestock.     

补饲与不补饲条件下3种放牧率对高寒草地牧草与家畜生产的影响

通过补饲和不补饲条件下放牧率对高寒草地牧草和家畜生产影响的研究,结果表明,3种放牧率对草地牧草产量影响不大,组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。放牧率影响羯羊体重。在补饲条件下,羯羊日增长量随放牧率减小而增加,组间差异显著(P<0.05);不补饲使羯羊减重,羯羊日减重量随放牧率减小而降低。同时,放牧率影响羯羊肉用性能和肉的品质。在补饲条件下,草地生物学效率明显高于不补饲组,且中组比低、高组高,草地生产能力最大。由此得出,高寒草地以中等放牧率为最佳,即1.8只/hm~2,且补饲效果最明显。     

Productivity, utilization, and nutritive quality of dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum) as influenced by stocking density and rest period under continuous or rotational stocking

Dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum) is well adapted to the Black Belt physiographic region of the southeastern United States, and information on its productivity and nutritive quality as influenced by grazing management is needed. In a 2-yr grazing experiment, replicate 0.40-ha paddocks in established dallisgrass pasture were continuously stocked, or replicate 0.40-ha paddocks were subdivided into two 0.20-ha (RS2), three 0.13-ha (RS3), or four 0.10-ha (RS4) cells and rotationally stocked with yearling beef steers. Individual cells within the RS2, RS3, and RS4 treatments were stocked for 7 d followed by 7, 14, or 21 d of rest, respectively. In 2007, 3 Angus × Simmental crossbred steers (initial BW, 354 ± 6 kg) were assigned randomly to each paddock on July 16; in 2008, 3 Angus × Simmental crossbred steers (initial BW, 310 ± 6 kg) were assigned randomly to each paddock on July 14. In 2007, there was no effect (P = 0.25) of stocking treatment on ADG. Steers grazing RS4, RS2, and continuously stocked paddocks had 106 (P = 0.01), 86 (P = 0.03), and 83 (P = 0.03) kg greater total BW gain per ha, respectively, than steers grazing RS3 paddocks. In 2008, there were no differences among treatments in ADG (P = 0.43) or total BW gain per ha (P = 0.90). Correlation and regression analyses revealed positive associations between steer performance and forage concentration of CP, areal mass (kg/ha) of forage DM, and areal mass of forage CP. Results indicate that productivity and quality of dallisgrass for stocker cattle production were comparable between continuous and rotational-stocking methods.     

Evaluation of veld potential in east griqualand using beef cattle under two grazing management systems

Abstract

Beef production from veld, in the short term, was found to be greater under a continuous grazing system than under a rotational grazing system. Average daily gains decreased from a maximum in late‐spring and the highest three‐year mean value was 0,5 kg/animal/day. Livemass gains/ha were highest at a stocking rate of 2,2 animals/ha and were 131,4 kg/ha under continuous grazing and 88,6 kg/ha under rotational grazing. Estimated mean maximum gains/ha were 0,78 kg/ha/day at a stocking rate of 2,5 animals/ha under continuous grazing and 0,55 kg/ha/day at a stocking rate of 1,7 animals/ha under rotational grazing. However, optimum economic stocking rates were estimated to occur below those where beef production/ha was maximum.     

Grazing methods and stocking rates for direct-seeded alfalfa pastures: III. Economics of alternative stocking rates for alfalfa pastures

A framework that permits estimation of economically optimal stocking rates for alternative economic parameters and alfalfa forage allowance was developed and applied to a controlled grazing experiment conducted with Holstein steers (243 kg) placed on direct-seeded alfalfa pastures in central Michigan. Responses of ADG to alternative levels of forage allowance (FA) were summarized by a quadratic function and the associated gains/hectare were calculated. The standard stocking rate (SSR; standard livestock units/ha) that maximized gain/hectare increased with FA and was greater than that which maximized ADG. Net returns to fixed resources(NRFR)/hectare were calculated for alternative SSR and economically optimal SSR were identified under various levels of herbage mass (kg/d). The SSR that maximized NRFR were between the SSR that maximized ADG and gain/hectare. Magnitude of the sale price discount for heavier calves, the slide, influenced the optimal SSR and the sensitivity of net return to SSR. The economically optimal SSR increased as the slide increased because animals stocked under higher SSR weighed less off pasture and therefore received a lower price discount.     

Urea and(or) feather meal supplementation for yearling steers grazing limpograss (Hemarthria altissima var. 'Floralta') pasture.

The unique relationship between TDN and CP concentration (low CP relative to TDN) in the whole-plant of 'Floralta' limpograss (Hemarthria altissima) may provide an opportunity for improving cattle performance through protein supplementation. In each of three consecutive years, yearling Brahman x British crossbred steers (initial weight approximately 270 kg) grazed limpograss during the summer and fall (five steers per ha, three pasture replications per treatment) and were fed liquid cane molasses-based supplements (1.4 kg DM daily) alone, or containing urea and(or) hydrolyzed poultry feather meal. In yr 1 and 2, protein supplementation did not influence ADG. In these years, pasture availability was in excess at all times, and visual observations indicated that the upper canopy contained abundant leaf. Pasture samples collected in a manner to simulate grazing had in vitro organic matter disappearance (IVOMD):CP ratios ranging from 6.5 to 8.1, and plasma urea nitrogen concentration in the blood of steers fed no supplemental protein was high (10.6 to 15.9 mg/dL), both not suggestive of a situation where providing a protein supplement might improve animal performance. In yr 3, ADG was improved (P < 0.05) by protein supplementation. Forage availability was in excess at the beginning of the trial but declined significantly as the trial progressed. At the end of the trial, forage IVOMD:CP ratio (11.1) and plasma urea nitrogen values of steers fed no protein supplement (6.6 mg/dL) were both suggestive of a situation where providing supplemental protein might improve animal performance. Grazing management of limpograss pasture can affect canopy composition, thereby influencing cattle response to protein supplementation. In cases where limpograss is moderately grazed resulting in abundant leaf in the grazed horizon, dietary energy:protein ratio can be balanced, and positive responses to protein supplementation may not be observed. Where limpograss is grazed more intensively resulting in greater quantities of stem in the upper pasture canopy, an imbalance of dietary protein (low) relative to energy can develop, increasing the opportunity for enhancing cattle performance through protein supplementation.     

Effect of stocking rate, grazing system, and fenbendazole treatment on subclinical parasitism in dairy heifers

Average daily weight and fecal parasitic egg count were compared among sixty 7- to 15-month-old Holstein heifers randomly assigned to 8 groups. The following variables were examined: grazing system (continuous vs rotational), stocking rate (3.5 vs 5 heifers/ha), and treatment [control vs dosing with a 10% suspension of fenbendazole (5 mg/kg of body weight) given orally 21 and 49 days after heifers were placed on pasture]. Two heifers from each group were euthanatized 4 weeks after the completion of the 148-day trial to determine the number of parasitic larvae and adults in the abomasum and intestine. Heifers treated with fenbendazole had significantly (P less than 0.001) fewer fecal ova and fewer inhibited abomasal larvae (P less than 0.05) than did controls. Mean total weight gain and mean daily rate of gain of fenbendazole-dosed heifers were significantly (P less than 0.01) increased by 17.3 kg or 0.12 kg/day, respectively, compared with those of nontreated heifers. Seemingly, stocking rate and grazing systems had no marked effect on subclinical parasitism in heifers.     

Diet composition and daily gain of growing cattle grazing dryland and irrigated cornstalks at several stocking rates

Diet composition and the relationships between daily gain of calves grazing cornstalks and certain characteristics of the available residue and diets selected by esophageally fistulated cattle were studied in two trials during November and December of 1984 (Trial 1) and of 1986 (Trial 2). Eight adult steers and four esophageally fistulated calves were used in Trials 1 and 2, respectively, to collect extrusa samples from dryland and irrigated fields grazed at several stocking rates. Steers grazing irrigated cornstalks selected a diet with more (P less than .05) starch and less (P less than .05) CP than those grazing dryland fields. As grazing continued, extrusa starch content decreased (P less than .05). In vitro DM disappearance (IVDMD) of both diet and the roughage fraction of the diet decreased (P less than .05) with days of grazing; this decrease was greater (P less than .05) at higher stocking rates. Calves grazing dryland fields gained faster (P less than .05) than calves grazing irrigated fields. With a low level of protein supplementation (213 g CP/d, Trial 1), daily gain was positively correlated with CP of both diet (extrusa) or available leaf plus husk but not with grain available per animal or with extrusa IVDMD, suggesting that protein was first limiting. With a higher level of protein supplementation (458 g CP/d, Trial 2), daily gain was correlated positively with residue available per animal and IVDMD of extrusa at the end of the grazing season. The energy value of feed consumed by cattle grazing cornstalks decreases with time, and complex interactions between protein needs and energy intake may occur.     

Performance of light vs heavy steers grazing Plains Old World bluestem at three stocking rates

Live weight gains of light and heavy calves grazing Plains Old World bluestem at three stocking rates were evaluated during the summers of 1997 and 1998. Initial weights of mixed-breed light-weight steers (LHT) were 141 SD = 17 kg (n = 214) in 1997 and 160 SD = 23 kg (n = 193) in 1998. Initial weights of mixed-breed heavy steers (HWT) were 265 SD = 17 kg (n = 115) in 1997 and 248 SD = 13 kg (n = 126) in 1998. Initial stocking rates for both sizes of steers were as follows: light, 392 kg of live weight/ha; moderate, 504 kg of live weight/ha (increased to 616 kg live weight/ha in 1998); and heavy, 840 kg of live weight/ ha. Averaged gain and gain/hectare are reported as stocking rate by steer type within year. Heavy steers had greater ADG than LHT steers during both years. Forage intake, expressed as a percentage of BW, was greater (P = 0.05) for LHT (3.1%) than for HWT (2.8%) calves. Grazing time (min/d; 1998 only) was greater (P = 0.05) for LHT (665) than for HWT (624) steers. Forage CP and in vivo digestible organic matter (DOM) were slightly greater (P < 0.05) in pastures grazed by HWT vs LHT cattle. Gain/hectare was greater (P < 0.05) for LHT than for HWT calves at all three stocking rates during both years. A linear decline in ADG was observed (P < 0.07) as stocking rates increased for HWT steers in 1997 and LHT steers in 1998. However, ADG did not decline with increasing stocking rate for LHT calves during 1997 or HWT calves during 1998. Forage intake was not different among stocking rates in either 1997 or 1998. Grazing time was greatest (P < 0.05) for steers in the moderate and heavy stocking rates. Forage in vivo DOM decreased (P < 0.05) as stocking rate increased. Both LHT and HWT steers had lower (P < 0.05) ADG at all three stocking rates during 1998 compared with 1997. Despite lower ADG, LHT steers had greater gain/hectare than HWT steers during both 1997 and 1998.     

Reducing phosphorus inputs for grazing Holstein steers

A 2-yr study was conducted to confirm that managed pastures can provide Holstein steers adequate P to meet their daily requirement. Treatments offered were trace mineralized salt with or without additional P. In the first year, 80 Holstein steers (248 kg of BW) were assigned to 4 grazing groups. Treatments were trace mineralized salt only or a 67:33 mixture of trace mineralized salt and dicalcium phosphate. Steers rotationally grazed a cool-season grass/legume mixture for 137 d. Fecal bags were placed on 3 steers from each grazing group (n = 12) over a 4-d period for estimation of forage DMI and forage contribution to daily P intake twice during the grazing season. Analyzed pasture samples contained 3.28 mg of P/g of DM. During the second year, 72 Holstein steers (297 kg of BW) were blocked into 2 BW groups and subsequently assigned to 1 of 4 pasture groups. Steers rotationally grazed the same forage base as the first year for 126 d. Pasture samples contained 3.27 mg of P/g of DM. No significant differences (P > 0.10) were detected for BW, ADG, or free-choice supplemental mineral intake. Forage provided 126% of the recommended NRC P requirement. Thus, supplemental phosphorous was not required for Holstein steers grazing mixed, cool-season, grass/legume pastures.