Tropical Grasslands (1997) Volume 31, 58–66

Performance of cattle grazing pastures based on Paspalum atratum cv. Suerte

R.S. KALMBACHER1, F.G. MARTIN2 and A.E. KRETSCHMER, Jr3

1University of Florida, Range Cattle Research and Education Centre, Ona,
2Gainesville, and
3Ft Pierce Research and Education Centre, Ft Pierce, USA

Abstract

Paspalum atratum cv. Suerte, a leafy, perennial bunchgrass rapidly established from seed and adapted to moist soils, was grazed during 2 years by 3.3, 6.6 and 10 yearling steers/ha at Ona, Florida in a replicated trial. In an unreplicated ranch trial, 80 heifers grazed 16.3 ha of Suerte. Steers grazed for 140 d (each year) at 10 steers/ha; 168 d (each year) at 6.6 steers/ha; and 168 (1993) and 224 d (1994) at 3.3 steers/ha. There was an interaction between year, month and stocking rate for average daily gain (ADG) over common 140-d grazing seasons. Variation in rainfall between years and changes in rainfall and nutritive value of Suerte within year influenced ADG. Over both years, ADG averaged 0.71, 0.55 and 0.49 kg/d for 3.3, 6.6 and 10 steers/ha, respectively. On the ranch, heifer ADG was 0.60 kg/d over 119 d with 4.9 heifers/ha. Two-year average liveweight gains were 460, 610 and 680 kg/ha at 3.3, 6.6 and 10 steers/ha, respectively. Suerte presentation yields declined linearly from 2870 kg/ha in April to 670 kg/ha in August with 10 steers/ha. Presentation yields with 3.3 steers/ha increased linearly from 2050 kg/ha in April to 6940 kg/ha in August. There was no difference in presentation yield over months with 6.6 steers/ha (2720 kg/ha). Crude protein (CP) and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) of Suerte were not affected by stocking rate, but CP concentration (range 76–142 g/kg) changed quadratically over months, while IVOMD (range 58–68%) declined linearly. Suerte plant density (13.5 plants/ m2) was not affected by stocking rate or year. Under Florida conditions, Suerte should be stocked at 6 yearlings/ha, which will result in about 0.6 kg/d ADG over a 168-d season. Suerte may have potential as a valuable grass for growing young cattle in the humid tropics.

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