summer forages for beef cattle

Science. Service. Solutions.©

Beef Cattle Nutrition and Summer Forages

Scott Sell – Area Livestock Agent

Classes of Summer Forages

Perennials Annuals

Summer Grazing in SC• Permanent Summer Perennials

– Hybrid Bermudas• Tift 85• Coastal• Russell• Tift 44/Tift 78/Alecia – By gone – poor performers

– Bahia• Pensacola – Most common• Tifton 9• Tift Quik

Grass QualityTable 1. Typical fertilizer and lime recommendations, and the approximate forage quality, carrying capacity, and stocker gains that can be expected when recommended varieties of bahiagrass, bermudagrass, and tall fescue are used as the primary pasture species.

Fertilizer Recommendations1

Annual Lime Needed

Typical Forage

Quality2

Range in ForageQuality

Carrying Capacity

Average Daily Gains - 

Stocker Cattle

N P2O5 K2O

— (lbs/acre) — (tons/acre) — (RFQ)— (AU3/acre/yr) (lbs/head/day)

Bahiagrass 75-175 40 40 0.3-0.5 85-90 75-110 0.75-1.25 0.7-1.0

Bermudagrass 150-250 30 65 0.3-0.5 90-100 80-140 1.00-1.50 1.5-1.8

1 Assumes medium levels of phosphorus and potassium in the soil test.2 The forage quality values here are estimated based on NDF and digestibility estimates in the published literature. (RFQ = Relative Forage Quality)3 AU = Animal Unit. One animal unit is equivalent to 1,000 lbs. 4 Tall fescue is not recommended for pastures in the Coastal Plain. Approximations for animal performance for tall fescue in this table assume the use of a recommended novel-endophyte infected variety.

Tifton 9 Vs. Pensacola• 3 Year Side by Side Comparison

– Tifton 9 – 47% more Forage– Tifton 9 – 17% more days of grazing– Same inputs

Burton; Gates and Hill - 2000

Tifton 9 Vs. TifQuik• Tifton 9—This cultivar was developed and released by the

University of Georgia and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1989 by Glenn Burton. Tifton 9 is a selection from Pensacola that was found to have superior yields in early spring and late fall. Tifton 9 is estimated to occupy 10% of the bahiagrass acreage in Florida.

• TifQuik—This cultivar, recently released by the USDA and the University of Georgia, has fewer hard seeds and results in a more rapid or "quick" stand establishment. In the spring, it grows faster than Tifton 9 or Pensacola because of increased seedling emergence.

Newman et al. 2008, University of Florida

Tifton 9 And Tift Quik Establishment• Have your soil tested. • Apply 50 pounds per acre of nitrogen plus adequate phosphorous and

potassium.• Prepare a firm weed-free seed bed.• Plant seed 1/2 inch deep with a grain drill or grass seeder. • Plant in early spring to give a full summer season for establishment.• Pack the soil after planting with a very heavy roller or the tractor to keep

soil moist around the seed or use a Cultipacker – Very Important• Control weeds with mowing or limited grazing to keep them down close

to the top bahiagrass leaves.• An application of 2,4-D will control broad leaf weeds – When a minimum

of 6 inches tall.

Burton; Gates and Hill - 2000

Bahia Planting Rates

 Seeding Rates

(lb/acre)

Pensacola 20–30

Argentine 20–30

Tifton 9 15–20

UF-Riata 15–20

TifQuik 15-20

Adapted from data from Newman et al. 2008, University of Florida

 Bahiagrass Seeding Rates

Peanut/Cotton/Bahia Rotation

Rotation2003 2004

lbs/acre

Bahiagrass-Bahiagrass-Peanut-Cotton

2783 3281

Peanut-Cotton-Cotton 1958 2415

Peanut yield for two crop rotations in FL during 2003 and 2004.

Tift 9 or TifQuik?

Tift 9

• Less expensive– Approx $80/40 lb bag

• More hard seed• Slower establishment• Way to go for pasture-hay

when time is not of the essence.

TifQuik• More Expensive

– Approx $185/40 lb bag

• Less hard seed• Faster establishment• Well Suited to Runner

Peanut/Bahia Hay rotation

• Plant late summer with perennial peanuts for excellent pasture

•Same Lineage•TifQuik is a Tift 9 Cultivar•Many of the Same charateristics

AdaptationGrown in all areas except in mountains. Varieties differ in cold

hardiness. Best adapted on sandy soils but will do well on clay soils. Hybrids are higher yielding, deeper rooted, and more drought

tolerant than common bermudagrass. Tolerant of close grazing. Not tolerant of poor drainage.

Establishment Seeded types - 5 to 10 lb/A in spring. Hybrids - March-April with sprigs at 10 bu/A

Varieties Sprigged: Tifton 85, Russell.Seeded types/blends: Cheyenne II, Ranchero Frio, Sungrazer

Hybrid Bermuda Grasses

Varieties by AreaTable 1b. Summary of the characteristics of the primary vegetatively propagated (sprigged) bermudagrasses in Georgia.

Recommended for:

Variety MountainUpper

PiedmontMidlands

Coastal Plain

Alicia (Alecia) X X X X

Coastal X YES YES YES

Coastcross II ND* YES YES YES

Russell YES YES YES YES

Tifton 44 X X X X

Tifton 78 X X X X

Tifton 85   YES YES YES

* Insufficient data exists to accurately estimate these parameters. Coastcross II remains a relatively new variety and has not yet been evaluated as rigorously as other hybrids.

Hancock Et. Al., UGA, 2012

Bermuda Grass PerformanceTable 1a. Summary of the characteristics of the primary vegetatively propagated (sprigged) bermudagrasses in Georgia.

Variety Overall Rating Yield* Digestibility** Winter Hardiness PersistenceLeaf Spot

Resistance

Alicia (Alecia) tt3  100 P G P P

Coastal ttt3 100 F G G E

Coastcross II tttt3 135 E G ND*** ND

Russell tttt3  130 G E E G

Tifton 44 tttt  90 G E G E

Tifton 78 ttt 120 E F F E

Tifton 85 ttttt  135 E F E E

Ratings: E = Excellent, G = Good, F = Fair, P = Poor.* Yields are expressed as a percent of yields from Coastal.** Based on in vitro dry matter digestibility.*** Insufficient data exists to accurately estimate these parameters. Coastcross II remains a relatively new variety and has not yet been evaluated as rigorously as other hybrids.

Hancock Et. Al., UGA 2012

Yield Comparison – Vs. Coastal

Alicia (Alecia)Coastal Coastcross II Russell Tifton 44 Tifton 78 Tifton 850

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Yield/Ac Based on % of Coastal Yield

Hancock Et. Al., UGA, 2012

Seeded BermudasTable 3a. Summary of the characteristics of the primary seeded bermudagrasses in Georgia.

Variety Overall Rating Yield* Winter Hardiness Persistence

Giant (NK37) 3   55 P P

Cheyenne** ttt  60 G E

CD90160 ttt  60 G E

KF-194 ttt  60 G E

Wrangler t3  55 E F

Common t   50 G G

Ratings: E = Excellent, G = Good, F = Fair, P = Poor.*Yields are expressed as a percent of yields from Coastal.**The original Cheyenne is no longer being sold. Cheyenne II, a variant of Cheyenne (selected for higher seed yield), is currently being marketed. Cheyenne II is expected to have characteristics similar to Cheyenne.

Yield Comparison – Vs. CoastalSeeded Vs. Sprigged

Alicia (A

lecia)

Coastal

Coastcro

ss II

Russell

Tifton 44

Tifton 78

Tifton 85

Giant (NK37)

Cheyenne**

CD90160

KF-194

Wra

ngler

Comm

on0

20406080

100120140160

Yield/Ac Based on % of Coastal YieldSprigged Varieties Seeded Varieties

Hancock Et. Al., UGA, 2012

Establishment

• Hybrid bermudagrasses:– (a) dormant rhizomes - December to early

March– (b) Rhizomes with green tops – spring (after

last freeze) to early August– (c) Tops/Green stems - Early June to August

Establishment Cont.• 10 Bu/Acre – Approx• Weed Control

– Chemical – • Prowl H2O• Pastora

– Grazing/Mowing

2nd year after discing

2 Months After Planting

Helminth.

Screven Co., GA - August 2012

COMMON

COASTAL

COASTAL

Bermuda Grass Stem Maggot

Maggot

The larva (maggot) is about 1/8” (3 mm) long.

Damage

Figure 2. Only the top parts of the bermudagrass shootsare damaged, causing the frosted appearance

Damage

Bermuda Grass Stem Maggot• Atherigona reversura• Native to Japan, Indonesia, India, and Hawaii• First found in GA – 2010 - Pierce, Jeff Davis,

and Tift counties in Georgia• First record of this species in North America• Found in SC last two growing seasons• Hay fields most impacted• Not an issue in grazing as cattle keep grass

growth in check and consume maggot• Broader leaved varieties not as affected

Control and Management• Cut damaged crop• Apply foliar labeled pyrethroid• Apply once at 1-2 days after cutting• Apply second application 5-7 days after

first• Later in the season pressure/stress

increases

William G. Hudson, University of GeorgiaDennis Hancock, University of GeorgiaKathy Flanders, Auburn UniversityHenry Dorough, Alabama Cooperative Extension SystemMarch 2013

Pyrethroids for Hay in SC• Baythroid XL – 1.6-2.8 fl oz/ac• Mustang Max (EC) – 2.8-4.0 oz/ac• Karate – 2.6-3.8 oz/acAs always follow label precautions and instructions

Summer Grazing in SC• Summer Annuals

– Millet– Sorghum-Sudan Type– Cow Peas– Forage Soybeans

Millets/Soghums/Sudans – Planting Times and RatesPlanting dates and seeding rates for selected warm season annual grasses.

Species Planting Dates*

Seeding RateDrilled Broadcast

—— lbs. of PLS/acre ——

Pearl Millet UP May 1 – July 1 10–15 25–30

MDLS April 15 – July 15

CP April 1 – August 1

Sorghum x Sudan Hybrids UP May 1 – July 15 15–20 20–25

MDLS April 15 – August 1

CP April 1 – August 15

Sudangrass UP May 1 – July 1 20–25 30–40

MDLS April 15 – July 15

CP April 1 – August 1

Forage Sorghum UP April 25 – May 15 15–20 20–25

MDLS April 15 – May 15

CP April 15 – June 1

* UP Upstate; MDLS = MidLands; CP = Coastal Plain Region.

Hancock, UGA

Variety Trials - Tifton

Tifleaf 3

Forage Sorghum

Tif-Leaf 3

Sorghum-Sudan

Cow Peas for Forage

• Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp. ssp.) unguiculata

• Once widely grown in North Florida as a hay or green manure

• Well adapted to sandy, and low fertility soils.• It is now used in mixtures with pearl millet

or sorghum-sudangrass for late summer/early fall grazing and for wildlife feed plots.

• Establishment: • Very tolerant to drought, shade, and low fertility and acid soils• Cowpea can be broadcast at rates of 100 to 120 lb/ac between April 1 and

July 31 • cover with light disking or drilled at rates of 30 to 40 lbs/ac to a depth of 1-

1.5 inches. • Fertilization:

• N is not required. • At least 27 lb P/acre and 40 lb K/acre.

• Grazing/Hay Management: • Yields ranging from 2 to 3.5 tons/ac. • Cowpea can also be used for the production of high quality hay or silage,

when mixed with crops such as corn or sorghum, or it can be used for rotational grazing.

• Forage Quality: • Protein (20 to 25%)

• Varieties/Cultivars: • Mississippi Pinkeye Purple • Colossus• Freezegreen• Alabama Giant Blackeye.

Cowpeas and Millet at EFBT-EREC

• Tiftleaf 3 @ 20 lbs./Ac• Cowpeas @ 15 lbs/Ac• Millet in small box• Cowpeas in large box• Two Plantings/Cross Planting• No inocculant really needed

Quantifiable Measures of Forage Quality

• MCAL• KCAL• NEL• NEG• NEM• TDN – Total Digestible Nutrients –

Energy/CP• CP – Crude Protein

Measures of EnergyLactation/Gain/Maintenance

CBG FESCUE RYEGRASS SORGHUM LEGUME /GRASS MIX

CLOVER0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

15 14

18

12

20

28

60 59

68

58

62

69

TDN and CP Content of Typical CSRA ForagesGrazing Pastures

CP% TDN%

Animal Performance

Plant-Animal Interaction

Potential Forage Feeding

Value

Potential Nutritive Value

Anti-Quality Factors

Potential Intake

Potential Animal

Performance

Genetic Factors

Environmental Factors

Physiological Factors

Factors Affecting Forage Quality• Genotype• Plant Part• Maturity• Climate• Soils• Pests

• Genotype• Body Size• Sex• Breed• Age• BCS• Health

• Climate• Pests• Herd Effects

Nutrient Requirements of Beef Brood Cows

Drovers – 2/6/2013

Dry Lactating Weaned0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Beef Cattle DMI per Day by Class

DMI

Lbs D

aily

DM

I

CBG FESCUE RYEGRASS MILLET LEGUME /GRASS MIX

CLOVER0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Dry Dry Dry Dry Dry Dry

Lactating Lactating Lactating Lactating Lactating Lactating

Weaned Weaned Weaned Weaned Weaned Weaned

Beef Cattle CP Req by Forage Type

CP%DryLactatingWeaned

% C

P

CBG FESCUE RYEGRASS MILLET LEGUME /GRASS MIX

CLOVER0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Dry Dry Dry Dry Dry Dry

Lactating Lactating Lactating Lactating Lactating Lactating

Weaned Weaned Weaned Weaned Weaned Weaned

Beef Cattle TDN Req by Forage Type

TDN%DryLactatingWeaned

% T

DN

Credits• UGA Extension – Dr. Dennis Hancock• UGA Crop & Soil Sciences• Mississippi State Extension• University of Florida Extension• Clemson Extension• Alabama Extension

Contact info• Scott Sell

– Area Livestock Agent – Edisto EREC– Cell 912-682-9590– Email: gsell@clemson.edu