Cow-Calf Production with Alternative Grazing Systems

Abstract

Beef cattle producers need management guidelines to select grazing system, stocking rate, and supplementation practices. A case study was conducted in Southern Great Plains to monitor cow (Bos taurus) and calf weights and percent calf crops for 5 yr. Grazing systems (continuous, 2-pasture 1-herd, 3-pasture 2-herd, and 4-pasture 3-herd deferred-rotation), stocking rates (heavy and moderate), and winter supplement (with and without) were compared in an incomplete factorial design. Winter supplementation was 135 lb/head of 41% crude protein cottonseed cubes. Grazing system, with or without supplement, had little effect on calf production. The primary source of variation in animal performance was among years. Stocking rate had the second greatest influence on calf production. Heavily stocked systems produced more pounds of calf per acre, but had greater annual fluctuations in production. Moderately stocked systems had greater and more stable production per cow. Supplementation increased weaned calf crop following heavy broomweed infestation, but had little effect in other years. Analysis of reproduction data, for Hereford cows used in this study, revealed a critical minimum body weight of 760 lb at initiation of the spring breeding season. In poor years, moderate stocking and winter supplement were required to maintain cow condition above the critical minimum body weight.