Forage systems for beef production from conception to slaughter: II. Stocker systems

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Forage Management
• Ruminant Nutrition

Background:

• Stockpiled forages offer a cost-effective winter feeding strategy for beef cattle.
• Tall fescue is a common pasture grass, but its productivity and nutritional value can be enhanced by legumes or proper management.
• Endophyte infection in tall fescue can negatively impact animal performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the performance of fall-weaned Angus calves under different winter forage systems.
• To evaluate the efficacy of stockpiled tall fescue, with or without legumes, versus barn-fed forages.
• To assess the impact of endophyte-infected tall fescue on calf gains.

Main Methods:

• Angus calves (steers and heifers) were assigned to six winter forage systems: stockpiled tall fescue, tall fescue-red clover, tall fescue-alfalfa, barn-fed tall fescue hay, orchardgrass-alfalfa hay, or tall fescue silage.
• Forage systems were managed over five years, with stocking rates and pasture sizes standardized.
• Nitrogen fertilization was applied to monoculture tall fescue, while legume-based pastures received no nitrogen.

Main Results:

• Calves grazing stockpiled tall fescue-alfalfa achieved significantly greater daily gains (0.50 kg/d) compared to those on stockpiled tall fescue-red clover (0.33 kg/d) or N-fertilized tall fescue (0.34 kg/d).
• However, calves on the tall fescue-alfalfa system required more days of supplemental hay feeding (105 days) than the other grazing groups.
• Barn-fed tall fescue hay resulted in higher daily gains than tall fescue silage.

Conclusions:

• Incorporating alfalfa into stockpiled tall fescue pastures enhances calf daily gains during winter grazing.
• While effective, legume-based stockpiled forages may necessitate longer periods of supplemental feeding.
• Tall fescue hay is a more effective barn-fed option than tall fescue silage for maintaining stocker cattle performance.