Developing a Forage Plan For Stocker Cattle
Overview
• Gain/acre vs. ADG
• Focusing on Forage Quality
Developing a forage plan for
stocker cattle
ƒ Optimizing Digestibility (TDN, IVDMD, etc.)
ƒ Maximizing Dry Matter Intake (DMI)
ƒ Maximizing Feed Efficiency (FE)
• Observations of Stocker Productivity in Major
Forage System Types
Dennis Hancock, PhD.
Extension Forage Specialist
UGA – Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences
• Ten Habits of Highly Successful Forage Production
Georgia’s Grass:
Forage Needed – Forage Provided
A Diverse Forage Base
Tall fescue (pasture)
Bermudagrass (hay)
Some annuals (pasture, hay)
Some legumes and forbs.
1)
2)
3)
4)
Bermudagrass (hay, pasture)
Bahiagrass (pasture)
More annuals (hay, pasture)
Few legumes and forbs.
Forage Productivity Differs
Throughout the Year
Piedmont
Dr. Dennis Hancock
Extension Forage Specialist
www.georgiaforages.com
Cool‐season
Cool‐season
perennial grasses
perennial grasses
Warm‐season
Warm‐season
perennial grasses
perennial grasses
Relative Forage Provided
Relative Forage Provided
1)
2)
3)
4)
Winter
Winter
annual
annual
(small grain/
(small grain/
annual ryegrass)
annual ryegrass)
Forage Productivity Differs
Throughout the Year
Coastal Plain
Developing a Forage Plan For Stocker Cattle
The Relationship between Fiber (NDF) and
Dry Matter Intake (DMI)
Quality Differences in the
Major Forage Species
Intake to
Meet Needs
Intake
Digestible DM, %
Stocker’s
Needs
Legumes
Tropical Annual
Grasses
50
Tropical Perennial
Grasses
60
Cool Season Perennial
Grasses
70
Cool Season Annual Grasses
80
Intake is
Physically
Limited
Dry Matter
Intake
(DMI)
Dig. Energy
Intake
Dry Cow
40
Fiber (NDF) Level
The Relationship between Fiber (NDF) and
Dry Matter Intake (DMI)
Intake
Intake to
Meet Needs
Intake is
Physically Limited
Dry Matter Intake (DMI)
Dig. Energy
Intake
Fiber (NDF) Level
Georgia’s Stocker Forages
High Quality Forage Systems
A.
B.
NE Tall fescue + Clover
Winter Annual Grass
ƒ Prepared Seedbed
+
+
A. Ryegrass Hay/Baleage
Supplementation
KSU Beef Stocker 2008 Field Day
Georgia’s Stocker Forages
High Quality Forage Systems
A.
B.
+
+
Dr. Dennis Hancock
Extension Forage Specialist
www.georgiaforages.com
NE Tall fescue + Clover (Upper Pied.)
ƒ
Spring Only
ƒ
Sodseeded
Winter Annual Grasses (& Legumes?)
A. Ryegrass Hay/Baleage
Supplementation
Developing a Forage Plan For Stocker Cattle
Georgia’s Stocker Forages
Productivity Per Animal vs. Per Acre
High Quality Forage Systems
Winter Annual Grasses (& Legumes?)
ƒ
B.
C.
Product
acre
Sodseeded or Prepared Ground
Tifton 85 Bermudagrass
Summer Annuals (distant 3rd)
+
+
A. Ryegrass Hay/Baleage
Supplementation
Undergrazing
Optimum
A.
Product
animal
Overgrazing
Grazing Pressure
Productivity Per Animal vs. Per Acre
Effect of Tall Fescue and the
Endophyte on Stocker Production
Gain/acre
Fall
Jesup E+
Jesup EJesup NE
GA 5 NE
ADG
Grazing
Days
Stocking
Rate
When evaluating grazing research, look at ADG,
Gain/acre, Grazing Time, and Stocking Rate
simultaneously.
Effect of Tall Fescue and the
Endophyte on Stocker Production
Fall
Jesup E+
Jesup EJesup NE
GA 5 NE
Spring
Jesup E+
Jesup EJesup NE
GA 5 NE
Gain
Stocking
Rate
Grazing
Time
(lbs/hd/d)
(lb/acre)
(hd/acre)
(days)
1.5
2.3
2.1
2.2
137
211
188
209
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
63
63
63
63
In the fall, tall fescue is either “Boom or Bust.”
Bottomline:
•
ADG
ADG
Gain
Stocking
Rate
Grazing
Time
(lbs/hd/d)
(lb/acre)
(hd/acre)
(days)
1.5
2.3
2.1
2.2
137
211
188
209
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
63
63
63
63
0.8
2.2
1.8
2.2
119
313
251
308
1.6
1.6
1.6
1.6
91
91
91
91
Parish, 2001. University of Georgia Ph.D. Dissertation.
Dr. Dennis Hancock
Extension Forage Specialist
www.georgiaforages.com
Parish, 2001. University of Georgia Ph.D. Dissertation.
Effect of Tall Fescue, Endophyte, and White
Clover on Stocker Production in the Spring
E+
NE
E+ & WC
NE & WC
ADG
Gain
(lbs/hd/d)
(lb/acre)
1.10
1.83
1.60
2.61
126
186
150
252
Jesup Tall Fescue and Durana White Clover. 3-yr trial. Eatonton, GA.
Hill, Andrae, and Bouton (unpublished data)
Developing a Forage Plan For Stocker Cattle
Winter Annual Forage Quality
Winter Annual Forage Systems
Species
Overseeding Winter Annuals into Bermuda
• Ryegrass (Annual)
• Arrowleaf clover
• Rye
• Crimson clover
• Oats
• Red clover*
• Wheat
• Triticale
Total
Digestible
Crude
Nutrients
Protein
------- % -------
Ryegrass
Annual
Yield*
lbs DM/acre
10-20
56-74
Oats
8-14
55-70
10,630
7,100
Wheat
8-14
52-70
7,110
Rye
8-14
50-70
4,850
Arrowleaf
14-17
56-75
3,470
Crimson
14-16
57-75
3,570
Quality ranges are approximate and are highly dependant
upon forage maturity at grazing/harvest. Yields are 3-yr
averages from GA and AL.
Cumulative growth curves for cool season
annual forages – Wrens, GA
Winter Annuals: When and How Much
5000
Rye
5000
(dry lbs/acre)
Available Forage
4000
3000
2000
1000
4500
C um ulative yield (kg/ha)
Cumulative Yield (lbs/acre)
Annual Ryegrass
4000
3500
3000
2500
Wrens abruzzi
Oregro
Marshall
USG3592
Feast 2
Hercules
Jumbo
Trical 342
2000
1500
1000
500
0
12/1/2007 12/21/2007 1/10/2008 1/30/2008 2/19/2008 3/10/2008 3/30/2008 4/19/2008 5/9/2008 5/29/2008 6/18/2008
0
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Calendar date
Jun
Growth rates for cool season annual forages –
Wrens, GA
The Effect of Clover Addition on
Productivity of Beef Steers
90
Growth Rate
Growth rate
(lbs/acre/day)
(kg/ha/d)
Feast 2
80
Hercules/Jumbo Mean
Marshall/Oregro mean
70
Trical 342 (Triticale)
Treatment
USG3592
60
Wrens abruzzi (cereal rye)
50
40
30
20
10
0
12/19/2007'
1/9/2008'
1/18/2008'
1/29/2008'
2/15/2008'
2/29/2008'
3/12/2008'
3/21/2008'
4/08/2008'
4/18/2008'
Date
Dr. Dennis Hancock
Extension Forage Specialist
www.georgiaforages.com
ADG
Gain/
acre
Gain/
animal
Stocking
Rate
lbs/hd/d
lbs
lbs
Hd/ac
Fescue (E-) +
60 lb N/ac
1.9
383
213
1.8
Fescue (E-) +
L + R clovers
2.3
356
260
1.4
Rye + Clover
+ Ryegrass
2.5
513
241
2.1
6/10/2008'
Hoveland et al., 1991. J. Prod. Ag. 4:24-28. (Avg. of 3 yrs: 1985, 87, 88.)
Developing a Forage Plan For Stocker Cattle
Winter Annual Forage Systems
Winter Annual Forage Systems
Rye Yields: Tifton
14000
12000
Yields (dry lbs/acre)
12000
Yields (dry lbs/acre)
Ryegrass Yields: Tifton
14000
10000
8000
6000
4000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
2000
0
0
1997 1998
1999 2000
2001 2002 2003
2004 2005
Effect of Winter Annual Mixture
on Beef Production
ORG
RG
RRG
TRG
1997
2006 2007
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002 2003
2004
2005
2006
Stocker Production on Bermudagrass:
Selected Winter Annual Regimens vs. No Annuals
N Added
Added
Grazing
ADG
Gain/
acre
(lbs)
WRG
Treatment
ADG (lbs/hd/d)
Winter
1.19
0.73
1.39
1.11
1.20
(lbs/ac per yr)
(d/yr)
(lbs/hd/d)
Spring
2.45
2.60
2.39
2.07
2.37
No Annuals
100
0
1.57
293
253
239
281
219
256
Ryegrass
150
53
1.76
422
Cost of Gain
($/lb)
24
1.94
410
$0.28
$0.25
$0.39
$0.28
ArrowleafCrimson
0
$0.29
Net Return
($/acre)
81
1.92
560
$106
$144
$56
$115
Rye-ArrowleafCrimson
100
$110
Beck et al., 2007. J. Anim. Sci. 85:536-544 (SW Arkansas, Avg. of 2 yrs)
Hoveland et al., 1978. Agron. J. 70:418-420.
Effect of Ground Corn on ADG for
Steers on Midland Bermudagrass
Stockers on Warm Season
Perennial Grasses
3.30
Gain
Stocking
Rate
Grazing
Time
(lbs/hd/d)
(lb/acre)
(hd/acre)
(days)
Pensacola (bahia)
Coastal
Coastcross I
0.95
1.08
1.50
222
331
469
1.5
2.5
2.5
131
131
131
Tifton 78
Tifton 85
1.43
1.47
704
1032
3.2
4.4
169
169
(top) Utley et al., 1974. J. Anim. Sci. 38:490-495.
(bottom) Hill et al., 1993. J. Anim. Sci. 71:3219-3225.
Dr. Dennis Hancock
Extension Forage Specialist
www.georgiaforages.com
(lbs/hd/d)
ADG
Avg. Daily Gain
Gain (lb/acre)
2007
Aiken, 2002. Agron. J. 94:1387–1392
2.75
2.20
1.65
1.10
0.55
3
0
1
2
Ground Corn Supplementation
(lbs/hd/d)
Developing a Forage Plan For Stocker Cattle
Broad-Scope Assessment of
Pasture Systems for Stockers
Forage Systems with Highest ADG
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Forage System
ADG (lbs)
NE Tall Fescue w/White Clover
2.61
Alfalfa
2.16
EF Tall Fescue (≈ NE)
2.13
Sericea Lespedeza (cont.)
1.87
Orchardgrass w/Ladino
1.83
Orchardgrass
1.77
Sericea Lespedeza (rotat.)
1.65
Oats & Crimson Clover
1.60
Rye, Ryegrass & Crimson Clover
1.57
Tall Fescue w/Ladino Clover
1.53
Adapted from Ball and Prevatt (2009) and other studies
presented herein.
Forage Systems with Highest ADG
High ADG ≠
High Profitability
Forage System
ADG (lbs)
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Tall Fescue (NE + White Clover)
Alfalfa
Tall Fescue (endo. free ≈ NE)
Sericea Lespedeza (cont.)
Orchardgrass w/Ladino
Orchardgrass
Sericea Lespedeza (rotat.)
Oats & Crimson Clover
Rye, Ryegrass & Crimson Clover
Tall Fescue w/Ladino Clover
2.61
2.16
2.13
1.87
1.83
1.77
1.65
1.60
1.57
1.53
Production is vanity… Profit is sanity!
Forage Systems with Lowest Cost
Pasture Cost Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Forage System
Tall fescue w/ladino Orchardgrass w/ladino Tall fescue w/BF trefoil
Bermudagrass w/h. vetch Sericea lespedeza (cont.)
Sericea lespedeza (rotat.)
Sericea lespedeza (cont.)
Rye & ryegrass Bermudagrass (hybrid) w/rye Rye, oats & crimson clover $/Ac 172.26 172.08 173.28 230.75 148.84 148.84 148.84 318.34 328.35 352.78 $/lb 0.30 0.30 0.44 0.47 0.49 0.54 0.60 0.60 0.62 0.65 Source: Ball and Prevatt (2009).
Adapted from Ball and Prevatt (2009) and other studies
presented herein.
Forage Systems with Lowest Cost
Forage Systems with Highest Profitability
Pasture Cost Low Cost ≠
Forage SystemHigh Profitability
$/Ac $/lb Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Tall fescue w/ladino Orchardgrass w/ladino Tall fescue w/BF trefoil
Bermudagrass w/h. vetch Sericea lespedeza (cont.)
Sericea lespedeza (rotat.)
Sericea lespedeza (cont.)
Rye & ryegrass Bermudagrass w/rye Rye, oats & crimson clover 172.26 172.08 173.28 230.75 148.84 148.84 148.84 318.34 328.35 352.78 0.30 0.30 0.44 0.47 0.49 0.54 0.60 0.60 0.62 0.65 You get what you pay for! (Usually.)
Source: Ball and Prevatt (2009).
Dr. Dennis Hancock
Extension Forage Specialist
www.georgiaforages.com
NE Tall fescue + w. clover
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Forage System
Tall fescue w/ladino
Orchardgrass w/ladino
Bermudagrass (Hybrid) + 320 lbs N
Rye, ryegrass & crimson clover
Bermudagrass w/vetch
Rye & ryegrass
EF Tall Fescue (≈ NE)
Bermudagrass w/rye Bermudagrass (Hybrid) + 160 lbs N
Oats & crimson clover
Verify by using the costs per acre and estimates of gain
per acre from Ball and Prevatt (2009) and market price
for selling calves.
NE Tall fescue
Developing a Forage Plan For Stocker Cattle
THE SEVEN LOWEST
PASTURE COSTS/LB OF
GAIN INVOLVED
LEGUMES
4 OF THE
TOP 5 MOST
FORAGE YIELD
POTENTIAL MAKES A
DIFFERENCE:
PROFITABLE FORAGE
OPTIONS USE LEGUMES
EXTENSIVELY!!!
HYBRID BERMUDA COSTS <
BAHIAGRASS < COMMON
BERMUDA
Efficiencies of Grazing and
Mechanized Harvest
Method
Winter Annual Forage: Ryegrass
Cost per ton of INTAKE
Efficiency
300
Continuous Stocking
Grazing
Moderate Rotation (6-8 paddocks)
60-70%
Strip Grazing
70-80%
Mechanical
Hay
30-70%
Silage
60-85%
Green Chop
70-95%
Cost
30-40%
50-60%
($/dry ton of intake)
Continuous Stocking
Slow Rotation (3-4 paddocks)
Rotational Stocking
Strip Grazing
250
Cost of Intake for Hay
200
($60/1000 lb roll and 70% Efficiency)
150
100
50
0
Best-Case
Average
Worst-Case
Ten Habits of Highly Successful
Grass Farmers
1. Maximize Pasture Utilization
2. Reduce Forage Waste
3. Minimize Stored Forage Requirements
4. Invest Wisely
5. Soil Test, Lime, & Fertilize
6. Know Forage Options & Animal Nutrition Needs
7. Manage for Forage Quality
8. Use Legumes
9. Use Good Establishment Practices
10. Minimize Pests and Plant-Related Disorders
Dr. Dennis Hancock
Extension Forage Specialist
www.georgiaforages.com
Grazing School 2009
September 22-23
UGA-Athens
Livestock Arena
www.georgiaforages.com
Developing a Forage Plan For Stocker Cattle
QUESTIONS?
www.georgiaforages.com
1-800-ASK-UGA1
Dr. Dennis Hancock
Extension Forage Specialist
www.georgiaforages.com