In vitrodigestibility and nutrient concentration of bermudagrass under rotational stocking, continuous stocking, and clipping

Abstract

Abstract Grazing method effects on bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] nutritive value have received little attention. To examine the effects of three grazing methods and a hay system on herbage digestibility, nitrogen (N), and mineral concentration, a 2‐yr study was conducted using ‘Callie’ bermudagrass pastures growing on a Florida flatwoods soil with a seasonally high water table. Grazed pastures were stocked with Holstein heifers (Bos taurus) and grazing methods were i) rotational stocking with short grazing periods (1.5 to 2.5 d per paddock), ii) rotational stocking with long grazing periods (10 to 14 d per paddock), and iii) continuous stocking. Herbage samples (above a 15 cm height) were collected from all pastures and hay areas on four sampling dates per year (26 to 28 d of regrowth). Despite differences in leaf percentage as great as 18 units, in vitro digestible organic matter concentration averaged 565 g/kg OM and did not differ among managements by more than 32 g/kg OM in either year. G...