STRATEGIC SUPPLEMENTATION WITH CORN FOR STEERS GRAZING BERMUDAGRASS

摘要

Bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] is the most widely grown warm-season perennial grass in the southeast U.S.A., but cattle weight gain on the grass typically declines in the middle to late summer. This summer slump could be associated with areduction in the digestible energy of bermudagrass that can occur as the growing season progresses. A grazing experiment was conducted with bermudagrass to compare steer ADG between supplementation with ground corn (consumption rate = 2 lb/steer/d) in the late grazing season, supplementation for the entire grazing season, and no supplementation. A second aspect of the study was to determine if time interval between supplement feedings (24 versus 48 h) affects steer ADG. Supplementation for the entire grazing season provided the highest ADG, but steer ADG with supplementation in the late grazing season was 24% higher than with no supplementation. No differences in ADG were detected between 24- and 48-h intervals between supplement feeding. Results of the experiment indicate that supplementation with ground corn in the grazing season is most effective in boosting ADG if fed for the entire grazing season, but supplementation that is restricted to the late season can also increase ADG.