Performance by Fall-Calving Cows Grazing Tall Fescue Pastures With Different Proportions Stockpiled

摘要

Tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) S.J. Darbyshire.] is often stockpiled to reduce winter feed costs for cattle. Over two consecutive years, a total of 158 Gelbvieh ?Angus fall-calving cows (1318 ?nbsp;13.2 lb) were allocated randomly to one of eight 24-acre tall fescue pastures on 18 August 2004 and 17 August 2005. Treatments consisted of no area stockpiled (0-SP), or 33 (33-SP), or 50% of the total pasture area stockpiled (50-SP); stockpiling was initiated on 10 September of both years. Total hay offered tended (P = 0.07) to be greater for 0-SP than 33-SP and 50-SP. Calf weights at the end of the breeding season were greater (P < 0.05) from 33-SP than 50-SP. Therefore, 33% of tall fescue pasture area can be stockpiled to help meet the nutritional needs of fall-calving cows and reduce winter hay needs.