Animal Science, Department of
Date of this Version
2018
Citation
2018 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. University of Nebraska Extension MP105. Lincoln, NE.
Abstract
Individual animal performance and animal production per acre were evaluated for steers grazing smooth bromegrass over 2 consecutive years. Treatments consisted of steers continuously grazing smooth bromegrass and initially stocked at either 4.0 animal unit months (AUM)/ac (HI) or 2.8 AUM/ac (LO) or steers rotationally grazing smooth bromegrass and initially stocked at 4.0 AUM/ac (ROT). Average calculated stocking rate for the LO, HI, and ROT treatments was greater than initial stocking rates due to the use of put and take animals. In vitro organic matter digestibility and crude protein of rotationally grazed pastures was relatively constant as the grazing season progressed, whereas continuous grazing showed a decrease in digestibility. However, there were no differences in gain between treatments. Treatment pastures grazed at a higher intensity, regardless of grazing method, had greater calculated stocking rate than pastures grazed at a lower intensity. Gain per acre, however, did not differ among treatments. Overall, although there was an increase in diet sample quality associated with rotational grazing compared to continuously grazed pastures, greater emphasis should likely be placed on managing an appropriate grazing intensity, rather than grazing method.
Included in
Large or Food Animal and Equine Medicine Commons, Meat Science Commons, Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Epidemiology, and Public Health Commons
Comments
© 2017 The Board Regents of the University of Nebraska.