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.