scholarly journals Stocker performance and production in mixed tall fescue–bermudagrass pastures of the Southern Piedmont USA

2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan J. Franzluebbers ◽  
John A. Stuedemann ◽  
Dwight H. Seman
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Coastal Bermudagrass ◽  
Forage Utilization ◽  
Environmental Goals ◽  
Grazing Pressures

AbstractStocker performance and production from mixed cool- and warm-season perennial pastures are important determinants of agricultural sustainability that can be influenced by management. We evaluated the factorial combination of three sources of nutrient application (inorganic only, organic+inorganic combination, and organic only) and two forage utilization regimes [low grazing pressure (LGP) and high grazing pressure (HGP)] on steer stocking density and rate, performance and production during 7 years of pasture management {tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.] overseeded into existing Coastal bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] sod} on a Typic Kanhapludult in Georgia, USA. Nutrient source had few major impacts on responses, except for lower animal performance with organic fertilization (broiler litter) than with organic+inorganic and inorganic only fertilization, especially with LGP. Seasonal changes in stocking weight and rate occurred, not only as expected due to environmental conditions and dominant forage species present, but that also counteracted expected differences imposed by grazing pressure; signaling negative feedback of HGP on forage productivity. Steer performance was greatest in spring and summer under both grazing pressures, but was significantly reduced with increasing grazing pressure in the autumn and winter due to low forage availability. Across years, steer gainha−1 (863kgha−1) was not different between grazing pressures, but gainha−1 declined with time under HGP and was stable with time under LGP. Reducing grazing pressure to a moderate level can lead to equivalent steer production as HGP, and would likely contribute to a more sustainable balance among production, socio-economic and environmental goals. These multi-year results will help cattle producers in warm, moist climates design and implement more sustainable grazing systems.

scholarly journals 76 Evaluating Nitrogen Management Strategies to Improve Southern Bermudagrass Grazing Systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 26-26
Author(s):  
Justin C Burt ◽  
Jennifer J Tucker ◽  
Lisa Baxter
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
The South ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
University Of Georgia ◽  
Annual Grasses ◽  
The University

Abstract Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) is one of the most common perennial warm-season forage crops grown in the South. While prominent in the region bermudagrass management requires large amounts of fertility and forage quality is moderate at best. Incorporating a legume into bermudagrass pastures could serve as an alternative to the necessary applications of synthetic N, while also improving the nutritive value of the forage base. A two-year grazing evaluation was conducted from May-Sept. 2018 (Y1) and May-Aug. 2019 (Y2) at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus in Tifton, Georgia, to compare concurring production of alfalfa/bermudagrass mixed pastures (BGA) with bermudagrass monoculture pastures with (BGN) or without (BGZ) the application of synthetic nitrogen. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three treatments and two replications. All paddocks were evaluated pre and post grazing event for herbage availability, botanical composition, forage species competitiveness, and nutritive value. Paddocks (0.8-ha) were rotationally grazed using put and take management with stocker steers (Y1 BW=195.9±22.9 kg; Y2 BW=228.5±30.0 kg), two testers per treatment. Steers were weighed at initiation, conclusion, and on a 28–30 day interval for calculation of ADG and gain/ha. Statistical analysis was conducted using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS. Despite significant drought in Y2, year did not affect total gain/ha, however treatment did (P = 0.04), such that BGA was highest (383.6±35.1 kg/ha), and BGN and BGZ were not different (261.2±35.1 kg/ha and 239.0±35.1 kg/ha, respectively). This is likely due to the lower stocking density and inclusion of high-quality volunteer annual grasses in BGZ treatments which allowed for selective grazing. These data suggest that rotationally grazing alfalfa/bermudagrass mixtures can result in a higher gain/ha, than bermudagrass pastures that are supplemented with or without synthetic N in the South.

scholarly journals Digestibility and Retention Time of Coastal Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) Hay by Horses

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1148
Author(s):  
Tayler L. Hansen ◽  
Elisabeth L. Chizek ◽  
Olivia K. Zugay ◽  
Jessica M. Miller ◽  
Jill M. Bobel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retention Time ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Coastal Bermudagrass ◽  
Digesta Passage ◽  
Kinetics Of

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) and other warm-season grasses are known for their increased fiber concentrations and reduced digestibility relative to cool-season grasses and legumes. This study investigated the digestive characteristics and passage kinetics of three maturities of Coastal bermudagrass hay. A 5 × 5 Latin square design experiment was used to compare the digestion of five hays: alfalfa (Medicago sativa, ALF), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata, ORCH), and Coastal bermudagrass harvested at 4 (CB 4), 6 (CB 6), and 8 weeks of regrowth (CB 8). Horses were fed cobalt-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Co-EDTA) and ytterbium (Yb) labeled neutral detergent fiber (NDF) before an 84-h total fecal collection to determine digesta retention time. Dry matter digestibility was greatest for ALF (62.1%) and least for CB 6 (36.0%) and CB 8 diets (36.8%, SEM = 2.1; p < 0.05). Mean retention time was longer (p < 0.05) for Coastal bermudagrass (particulate 31.3 h, liquid 25.3 h) compared with ORCH and ALF (28.0 h, SEM = 0.88 h; 20.7 h, SEM = 0.70 h). Further evaluation of digesta passage kinetics through mathematical modeling indicated ALF had distinct parameters compared to the other diets. Differences in digestive variables between forage types are likely a consequence of fiber physiochemical properties, warranting further investigation on forage fiber and digestive health.

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) Control with Topramezone and Triclopyr

2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 138-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
James T. Brosnan ◽  
Gregory K. Breeden
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Initial Treatment ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Common Bermudagrass ◽  
To Receive

Common bermudagrass is a problematic weed within tall fescue turfgrass. Field research was conducted from 2010 to 2012 in Knoxville, TN, evaluating the efficacy of sequential applications of topramezone (12.5 and 25 g ha−1), triclopyr (1,120 g ha−1), and mixtures of topramezone + triclopyr for bermudagrass control in tall fescue turf. Sequential applications of fenoxaprop + triclopyr (100 + 1,120 g ha−1) were included for comparison. Three applications of each treatment were applied at 21-d intervals during July, August, and September of 2010 and 2011. Plots were stripped to receive tall fescue interseeding at 0 or 490 kg ha−1 during September 2010 and 2011. Bermudagrass control with topramezone + triclopyr mixtures was greater than topramezone or triclopyr applied alone 14 wk after initial treatment (WAIT) each year. In the second year of this study, topramezone + triclopyr mixtures controlled bermudagrass 27 to 50% compared to 27% for fenoxaprop + triclopyr by 52 WAIT. However, bermudagrass control with topramezone + triclopyr mixtures increased to 88 to 92% by 52 WAIT when accompanied with tall fescue interseeding at 490 kg ha−1. Future research should evaluate effects of interseeding on the efficacy of different herbicides for weed control in cool- and warm-season turf.

scholarly journals 77 Evaluating Nitrogen Management Strategies to Improve Southern Bermudagrass Grazing Systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 18-18
Author(s):  
Justin C Burt ◽  
Jennifer J Tucker ◽  
Lisa Baxter
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
The South ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
University Of Georgia ◽  
Annual Grasses ◽  
The University

Abstract Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) is one of the most common perennial warm-season forage crops grown in the South. While prominent in the region bermudagrass management requires large amounts of fertility and forage quality is moderate at best. Incorporating a legume into bermudagrass pastures could serve as an alternative to the necessary applications of synthetic N, while also improving the nutritive value of the forage base. A two-year grazing evaluation was conducted from May-Sept. 2018 (Y1) and May-Aug. 2019 (Y2) at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus in Tifton, Georgia, to compare concurring production of alfalfa/bermudagrass mixed pastures (BGA) with bermudagrass monoculture pastures with (BGN) or without (BGZ) the application of synthetic nitrogen. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three treatments and two replications. All paddocks were evaluated pre and post grazing event for herbage availability, botanical composition, forage species competitiveness, and nutritive value. Paddocks (0.8-ha) were rotationally grazed using put and take management with stocker steers (Y1 BW=195.9±22.9 kg; Y2 BW=228.5±30.0 kg), two testers per treatment. Steers were weighed at initiation, conclusion, and on a 28–30 day interval for calculation of ADG and gain/ha. Statistical analysis was conducted using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS. Despite significant drought in Y2, year did not affect total gain/ha; however, treatment did (P = 0.04), such that BGA was highest (383.6±35.1 kg/ha), and BGN and BGZ were not different (261.2±35.1 kg/ha and 239.0±35.1 kg/ha, respectively). This is likely due to the lower stocking density and inclusion of high-quality volunteer annual grasses in BGZ treatments which allowed for selective grazing. These data suggest that rotationally grazing alfalfa/bermudagrass mixtures can result in a higher gain/ha, than bermudagrass pastures that are supplemented with or without synthetic N in the South.

scholarly journals Water Relations and Drought Tolerance of Four Turfgrasses

1997 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaling Qian ◽  
Jack D. Fry
Keyword(s):  
Drought Tolerance ◽  
Water Relations ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Pressure Potential ◽  
Volumetric Soil Water Content ◽  
Warm Season Grasses

Greenhouse studies were conducted on three warm-season turfgrasses, `Midlawn' bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy], `Prairie' buffalograss [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.], and `Meyer' zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.), and a cool-season turfgrass, `Mustang' tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) to determine 1) water relations and drought tolerance characteristics by subjecting container-grown grasses to drought and 2) potential relationships between osmotic adjustment (OA) and turf recovery after severe drought. Tall fescue was clipped at 6.3 cm once weekly, whereas warm-season grasses were clipped at 4.5 cm twice weekly. The threshold volumetric soil water content (SWC) at which a sharp decline in leaf water potential (ψL) occurred was higher for tall fescue than for warm-season grasses. Buffalograss exhibited the lowest and tall fescue exhibited the highest reduction in leaf pressure potential (ψP) per unit decline in ψL during dry down. Ranking of grasses for magnitude of OA was buffalograss (0.84 MPa) = zoysiagrass (0.77 MPa) > bermudagrass (0.60 MPa) > tall fescue (0.34 MPa). Grass coverage 2 weeks after irrigation was resumed was correlated positively with magnitude of OA (r = 0.66, P < 0.05).

Evaluating the statistical variation in estimating forage dry matter intake of grazing Brahman bulls using n-alkanes

2012 ◽  
Vol 151 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. DE-STEFANI AGUIAR ◽  
T. D. A. FORBES ◽  
F. M. ROUQUETTE ◽  
L. O. TEDESCHI ◽  
R. D. RANDEL
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Information Criterion ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Average Concentration ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Variance Matrix ◽  
Coastal Bermudagrass ◽  
Statistical Variation ◽  
Faecal Samples

SUMMARYThe objectives of the current study were to determine the variation structure within a day and across days when determining dry matter intake (DMI) of Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) pasture using dotriacontane (C32) as an external marker, to determine the optimal times for faecal collection for forage DMI estimation and to compare C31 and C33 as internal markers in estimating forage DMI in Brahman bulls. Sixteen Brahman bulls were allocated by weight to four pastures, and stocked at a moderate to low grazing pressure for 63 days from late June to the end of August. Three intake measurement periods (P1, P2, P3) were used; each period consisting of 10 days of twice daily C32 (400 mg/day) administration. Faecal collections were taken during the last 5 days (07.00, 11.00, 15.00 and 19.00 h). The C32 was individually hand fed using Calan gates, with maize gluten as a carrier for the alkane. Gas chromatography was used to determine n-alkanes in the forage and faecal samples. The concentration of C31 was less than C33 in the bermudagrass for all periods (P < 0·001), but the concentration of C31 and C33 in faeces was not significantly different (P > 0·05). The average concentration of C32 in the forage was 5·1, 7·6 and 9·6 mg/kg dry matter (DM), for P1, P2 and P3, respectively, with an average of 7·5 mg/kg DM for all periods. During P1 and P2, the estimation of forage DMI using C33 had a better fit (smaller –2 × log and Akaike's information criterion (AIC)) than using C31 either with or without adjustments for C32. The variation in estimated forage DMI decreased when forage C32 was not included. The variances of forage DMI were similar using C31 across days, but the Pearson correlations between days were low, which suggested that several days of collection were needed to estimate forage DMI accurately. Correlations between collection times within days were medium to high for all periods and varied from 0·65 to 0.97 for C31 and from 0·26 to 0·96 for C33. When all periods were analysed together, estimates of forage DMI either using C31 or C33 had low correlations between days of collection. Adjustment for C32 did not improve the variance and (co)variance matrix. In summary, C33/C32 had the lowest variation in estimating forage DMI, and at least 5 days of faecal collection were needed to decrease the variability of estimating forage DMI. The optimum times for faecal collection were 07.00 and 19.00 h, and it was important to adjust for C32 alkane concentration in estimating forage DMI in Brahman bulls grazing Coastal bermudagrass.

scholarly journals THE INTERDEPENDENCE OF ANIMAL INTAKE, PRE-AND POST-GRAZING PASTURE MASS AND STOCKING DENSITY

1986 ◽  
pp. 255-261
Author(s):  
D.G. Mccall ◽  
R.J. Townsley ◽  
J.S. Bircham ◽  
G.W. Sheath
Keyword(s):  
Control Animal ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Density Model ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Simple Version ◽  
Average Daily Intake ◽  
Grazing Pressures

A simple version of the model validated by Bricham et of (1985) was used to illustrate the factors affecting average daily intake of animals under different grazing conditions. The model accounts for differences in pre-grazing pasture mass and grazing pressure in describing pasture disappearance through time under grazing. Analyses based on the model showed the interdependencies between intake and pre-and post-grazing pasture mass and grazing pressure. In ewes grazing to a common residual (400 kg GDM/ha) intake varied between 1.32 and 0.75 kg GDM/h/day where pre-graze mass varied between 2500 and 1000 kg GDM/ha. It was concluded that where the objective of grazing management is to control animal intake at any level, attention must be paid to pre-grazing pasture mass in setting target residuals. Appropriate residuals and grazing pressures to achieve target intakes can readily be assessed for any pre-graze mass using the model presented. Keywords: Pasture mass, animal intake, pre-graze mass, residual, grazing pressure, stocking density, model, feed budget.

scholarly journals Strategies for Converting Tall Fescue to Warm-season Turf in a Mediterranean Climate

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 442-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Schiavon ◽  
Brent D. Barnes ◽  
David A. Shaw ◽  
J. Michael Henry ◽  
James H. Baird
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Sea Spray ◽  
Seashore Paspalum ◽  
Zoysia Matrella

Replacing cool-season turf with more drought and heat tolerant warm-season turfgrass species is a viable water conservation strategy in climates where water resources and precipitation are limited. Field studies were conducted in Riverside and Irvine, CA, to investigate three methods (scalping, eradication with a nonselective herbicide, planting into existing turf) of converting an existing tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) sward to warm-season turf. Cultivars established vegetatively by plugging were ‘De Anza’ hybrid zoysiagrass [Zoysia matrella × (Z. japonica × Z. tenuifolia)], ‘Palmetto’ st. augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), ‘Tifsport’ hybrid bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon × C. transvaalensis), ‘Sea Spray’ seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum), and ‘UC Verde’ buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides). Cultivars established from seeds were ‘Princess-77’ bermudagrass (C. dactylon) and ‘Sea Spray’ seashore paspalum. Neither scalping nor planting into existing tall fescue were effective conversion strategies, as none of the warm-season turfgrasses reached 50% groundcover within 1 year of planting. All of the species except for st. augustinegrass reached a higher percentage of groundcover at the end of the study when glyphosate herbicide was applied to tall fescue before propagation compared with the other conversion strategies. Bermudagrass and seashore paspalum established from seeds and hybrid bermudagrass from plugs provided the best overall establishment with 97%, 93%, and 85% groundcover, respectively, when glyphosate was used before establishment. Quality of seeded cultivars matched or exceeded that of cultivars established vegetatively by plugging. These results suggest that eradication of tall fescue turf followed by establishment of warm-season turf from seeds is the best and easiest turf conversion strategy.

Forage utilization by sheep and kangaroos in a semi-arid woodland

1991 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 81 ◽  
Author(s):  
AD Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Management Practice ◽  
Minor Component ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Forage Species ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
Forage Utilization

The utilization of forage species by sheep and western grey kangaroos, and their contribution to the diets of those animals, were determined in a mulga (Acacia aneura) woodland in western New South Wales. Utilization was determined from measurements of forage yield, on pastures that were grazed by either sheep, sheep and kangaroos together or kangaroos, at a range of stocking rates. The sheep and kangaroos had similar preferences for the major grasses, with high utilization of species such as Monachather paradoxa and low utilization of the more fibrous species such as Eragrostis eriopoda. At times of forage abundance, annual and perennial forbs were a major component of sheep diet but a relatively minor component of kangaroo diet. Differences in species preference thus arose mainly in species that were uncommon or of seasonal occurrence. The overall diets of sheep and kangaroos were similar, with a year-round predominance of the same group of perennial grasses such as Thyridolepis mitchelliana. In the treatment where sheep and kangaroos grazed together, kangaroos had access to areas exclosed from sheep and their use of these areas increased with increase in stocking rate. Thus the exclosures received a similar grazing pressure by kangaroos alone, to that of the surrounding paddocks grazed by a mixture of sheep and kangaroos. It is concluded that there is direct competition between sheep and kangaroos for the main forage species. There are also long-term effects of high kangaroo populations on sheep production because the movement of kangaroos to rested paddocks negates any pasture management practice that requires periodic resting of pastures from grazing.

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