HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Mathews, B. W. Articles by Staples, C. R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Mathews, B. W. Articles by Staples, C. R.

Dairy Heifer and Bermudagrass Pasture Responses to Rotational and Continuous Stocking

University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hilo 96720-4091
University of Florida, Gainesville 32611

During 1990 and 1991, pastures of ‘Callie’ bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] located near Gainesville, FL, (29° 60' N latitude) were used to determine the effects of three grazing methods on performance of 250-kg Holstein heifers (Bos taurus) and forage nutritive value and botanical composition. The grazing methods were rotational stocking (15 paddocks) with short grazing periods (1.5 to 2.5 d/paddock), rotational stocking (three paddocks) with long grazing periods (10 to 14 d/ paddock), and continuous stocking. Average daily gain across years did not differ among methods (.50 ± .04 kg), partially because average in vitro digestible OM concentration of herbage varied little (558 ± 12 g/kg of OM). Across years, rotational stocking with short grazing periods had a greater average stocking rate (3520 kg of liveweight/ha per d) than did rotational stocking with long grazing periods (2980 kg/ha per d), but no differences occurred in heifer gain among the three grazing methods (697 ± 30 kg/ha). Under the conditions of our 2-yr study, effect of grazing method on heifer performance was slight, but the potential for long-term differences exists because ‘Callie’ stand longevity is greater under rotational stocking.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Popp, K. Coffey, W. Coblentz, Z. Johnson, D. Scarbrough, J. Humphry, T. Smith, D. Hubbell, and J. Turner Empirical Analysis of Weaning and Pasture Rotation Frequency with Implications for Retained Ownership Agron. J., May 11, 2007; 99(3): 747 - 754. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. P. Coffey, W. K. Coblentz, D. A. Scarbrough, J. B. Humphry, B. C. McGinley, J. E. Turner, T. F. Smith, D. S. Hubbell III, Z. B. Johnson, D. H. Hellwig, et al. Effect of rotation frequency and weaning date on forage measurements and growth performance by cows and calves grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue pastures overseeded with crabgrass and legumes J Anim Sci, November 1, 2005; 83(11): 2684 - 2695. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. E. Sollenberger, J. E. Moore, V. G. Allen, and C. G. S. Pedreira Reporting Forage Allowance in Grazing Experiments Crop Sci., March 28, 2005; 45(3): 896 - 900. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. H. Garay, L. E. Sollenberger, C. R. Staples, and C. G. S. Pedreira 'Florigraze' and 'Arbrook' Rhizoma Peanut as Pasture for Growing Holstein Heifers Crop Sci., July 1, 2004; 44(4): 1355 - 1360. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. C. Newman, L. E. Sollenberger, A. M. Fox, and C. G. Chambliss Canopy Height Effects on Vaseygrass and Bermudagrass Spread in Limpograss Pastures Agron. J., March 1, 2003; 95(2): 390 - 394. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]