Publication Date
1997
Description
Forage quality and steer performance were determined in a two-year grazing study using replicated .81 ha pastures of Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.), Tifton 78 and Tifton 85 bermudagrasses. Pastures received 252 kg N/ha annually in three applications. Forage quality of esophageal masticate in July and September indicated that crude protein was higher (P < .05) for all pastures in September than in July. In vitro dry matter disappearance was higher (P < .05) for Tifton 85 than Coastal at both sampling dates. Steer daily gains were similar for the three bermudagrass treatments, but steer gain/ha was higher (P < .10) for Tifton 85 than for Coastal and Tifton 78 pastures. In a dairy cattle experiment (40 cows; 20 Holstein, 20 Jerseys; average 49 days in milk; six-week treatment period), Tifton 85 and alfalfa hay were fed at 15% and 30% of dietary DM, substituted for corn silage in total mixed diets. Cows consumed more DM when offered alfalfa hay than Tifton 85 hay diets (21.2 vs 19.1 kg/day, P < .01), had higher DM intake on low than high hay diets (20.4 vs 19.9 kg/day, P <.10) and had higher DM intake on the control silage-based diet than on hay diets (21.1 vs 20.1 kg/day, P < .05). Average daily milk yield and 3.5% fat corrected milk yield followed trends similar to DM intake for forage source and hay level in diets. Tifton 85 bermudagrass produced higher gains in beef steers than two other cultivars, and Tifton 85 hay has potential for utilization in dairy diets.
Citation
Hill, G M.; Gates, R N.; West, J W.; and Burton, G W., "Forage Quality, Steer Grazing Performance and Milk Production Using Tifton 85 Bermudagrass Pastures and Conserved Forages" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 16.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session29/16
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Forage Quality, Steer Grazing Performance and Milk Production Using Tifton 85 Bermudagrass Pastures and Conserved Forages
Forage quality and steer performance were determined in a two-year grazing study using replicated .81 ha pastures of Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.), Tifton 78 and Tifton 85 bermudagrasses. Pastures received 252 kg N/ha annually in three applications. Forage quality of esophageal masticate in July and September indicated that crude protein was higher (P < .05) for all pastures in September than in July. In vitro dry matter disappearance was higher (P < .05) for Tifton 85 than Coastal at both sampling dates. Steer daily gains were similar for the three bermudagrass treatments, but steer gain/ha was higher (P < .10) for Tifton 85 than for Coastal and Tifton 78 pastures. In a dairy cattle experiment (40 cows; 20 Holstein, 20 Jerseys; average 49 days in milk; six-week treatment period), Tifton 85 and alfalfa hay were fed at 15% and 30% of dietary DM, substituted for corn silage in total mixed diets. Cows consumed more DM when offered alfalfa hay than Tifton 85 hay diets (21.2 vs 19.1 kg/day, P < .01), had higher DM intake on low than high hay diets (20.4 vs 19.9 kg/day, P <.10) and had higher DM intake on the control silage-based diet than on hay diets (21.1 vs 20.1 kg/day, P < .05). Average daily milk yield and 3.5% fat corrected milk yield followed trends similar to DM intake for forage source and hay level in diets. Tifton 85 bermudagrass produced higher gains in beef steers than two other cultivars, and Tifton 85 hay has potential for utilization in dairy diets.
