Coastcross-1 Bermudagrass, Coastal Bermudagrass and Pensacola Bahiagrass as Summer Pasture for Steers

Abstract

Three 2-acre (.81 ha) pastures of Pensacola bahiagrass, Coastal bermudagrass and Coastcross-1 bermudagrass were grazed during a 4-year period by yearling beef steers. During all 4 years, the average daily gains of steers grazing Coastcross-1 bermudagrass were superior (P<.05) to gains made by steers grazing Pensacola bahiagrass or Coastal bermudagrass. The mean average daily gains were 0.95, 1.08 and 1.50 lb. (0.43, 0.49 and 0.68 kg) per day for Pensacola bahiagrass, Coastal bermudagrass and Coastcross-1 bermudagrass and resulted in calculated average beef production per acre (hectare) values of 222, 331 and 469 lb. (249, 372 and 527 kg) per year for the three grasses. The average dry matter yield from Coastal bermudagrass pastures was about 35% greater than dry matter yields from either Pensacola bahiagrass or Coastcross-1 bermudagrass pastures. Periodic average daily gain and in vitro dry matter digestibility time trends were related (P<.05).