Forage Species and Stocking Rate Effects on Animal Performance and Herbage Responses of ‘Mulato’ and Bahiagrass Pastures

Abstract

Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) is the most used forage for beef cattle (Bos sp.) in Florida; however, damage to bahiagrass pastures by mole cricket (Scapteriscus spp.) stimulated a search for other adapted grasses. The objective of this study was to test the effect of different stocking rates (SRs) on animal performance and herbage characteristics of ‘Mulato’ (Brachiaria sp.) and bahiagrass pastures. The experiment was conducted in Ona, FL, from May to September, 2007 and 2008. Treatments were three SRs (4, 8, and 12 heifers ha−1) and two forage species (Mulato and ‘Pensacola’ bahiagrass). There was a linear decrease in herbage mass (from 5.9 to 3.2 Mg ha−1) and herbage allowance (from 2.8 to 0.6 kg dry matter kg−1 liveweight)with increasing SR. Mulato had greater in vitro digestible organic matter concentration than bahiagrass (675 vs. 534 g kg−1) but similar crude protein concentration (130 g kg−1). There was a linear decrease in average daily gain (from 0.49 to 0.22 kg d−1) and a quadratic response of liveweight gain ha−1 as SR increased (190, 353, and 217 kg ha−1 for SRs of 4, 8, and 12 heifers ha−1, respectively). Mulato has potential to be an alternative forage to bahiagrass for beef cattle producers in Florida.