Publication Date
1997
Description
Limpograss (Hemarthria altissima [Poir.] Stapf et C.E. Hubb.) in vitro digestion is greater than most perennial grasses adapted to Florida. Weight gain of cattle grazing limpograss has been lower than expected due in part to low herbage N concentration. Experiments were conducted on limpograss pastures to assess N fertilization, overseeding of the legume aeschynomene (Aeschynomene americana L), and feeding of N supplements to cattle as means of overcoming this limitation. Greater N fertilization, overseeding aeschynomene, and supplementation (corn-urea mixtures) increased weight gain 0.30, 0.23, and 0.24-0.35 kg d-1, respectively, over control treatments. Herbage digestible organic matter:crude protein ratio and cattle blood urea N concentration showed potential as predictors of response to N supplementation. Limpograss leaf blade crude protein (90-130 g kg-1) was two to three times greater than stem plus sheath. Stem plus sheath:leaf ratio was more than three times as great in the bottom as in the top half of the canopy, suggesting that lower stocking rates that allow greater diet selection may increase protein concentration of herbage consumed and increase gain.
Citation
Sollenberger, L E.; Lima, G F.; Holderbaum, J F.; Kunkle, W E.; Moore, J E.; and Hammond, A C., "Cattle Weight Gain and Sward-Animal Nitrogen Relationships in Grazed Hemarthria altissima Pastures" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 20.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session29/20
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Cattle Weight Gain and Sward-Animal Nitrogen Relationships in Grazed Hemarthria altissima Pastures
Limpograss (Hemarthria altissima [Poir.] Stapf et C.E. Hubb.) in vitro digestion is greater than most perennial grasses adapted to Florida. Weight gain of cattle grazing limpograss has been lower than expected due in part to low herbage N concentration. Experiments were conducted on limpograss pastures to assess N fertilization, overseeding of the legume aeschynomene (Aeschynomene americana L), and feeding of N supplements to cattle as means of overcoming this limitation. Greater N fertilization, overseeding aeschynomene, and supplementation (corn-urea mixtures) increased weight gain 0.30, 0.23, and 0.24-0.35 kg d-1, respectively, over control treatments. Herbage digestible organic matter:crude protein ratio and cattle blood urea N concentration showed potential as predictors of response to N supplementation. Limpograss leaf blade crude protein (90-130 g kg-1) was two to three times greater than stem plus sheath. Stem plus sheath:leaf ratio was more than three times as great in the bottom as in the top half of the canopy, suggesting that lower stocking rates that allow greater diet selection may increase protein concentration of herbage consumed and increase gain.
