Evaluation of wheat and triticale forage for stocker production in the Gulf Coast region

Abstract

ABSTRACT A 3-yr grazing experiment was conducted to quantify productivity, quality characteristics, and beef performance from wheat (Triticum aestivum) and triticale (× Triticosecale) forage compared with ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) for use in the Gulf Coast region. Six 1.42-ha pastures (2 paddocks/forage treatment) were seeded in early fall of each year and stocked continuously beginning in late fall and early winter with 3 yearling steers (322 ± 10 kg initial BW). Additional put-and-take steers were used to maintain available forage mass at 1,500 to 2,000 kg of DM/ha. Steer ADG was not different between ryegrass and wheat (1.51 and 1.36 kg, respectively) but was less (P