Evaluation of Bermudagrass Systems in the Southern Great Plains.

Evaluation of bermudagrass systems in the southern Great Plains Grazing systems that could be utilized year-round would be cost effective for beef cattle (Bos spp.) producers in the southern Great Plains by reducing costs associated with feed and allowing more flexibility when purchasing cattle. Bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] is an important warm-season forage, however, quality and lack of cool-season growth can reduce its utility. The addition of alfalfa can increase nutritive value and seasonal distribution of bermudagrass pasture as well as contribute to the nitrogen needs of bermudagrass. The objective of this study is to evaluate forage production and nutritive value, stocking rate, forage allowance, grazing days ha-1, and animal performance (average daily gain and gain ha-1) of bermudagrass grazing systems in Ardmore, OK in 2016-2019. Main paddock treatments are 1) monoculture bermudagrass with 0 kg N ha-1, 2) monoculture bermudagrass with 0 kg N ha-1 and feed supplement 3) monoculture bermudagrass with 112 kg N ha-1, 4) monoculture bermudagrass with 112 kg N ha-1 and feed supplement, and 5) bermudagrass with Roundup Ready® 800RR alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Additionally, all treatments have a continuous (0.8 ha) and rotationally (1.6 ha) stocked component with three replications in a completely randomized design. Rotationally stocked paddocks are rotated every seven days between four paddocks, giving each sub-paddock (0.4 ha) 21 days of rest. Paddocks are grazed with Angus x Brangus heifers (304 ± 28 kg initial body weight), and stocking rate is adjusted based on forage mass with the goal of achieving similar forage allowance across all treatments. Data collection is on-going and the first year of data will be presented. At the conclusion of the final year of data collection, economic analyses will also be conducted to identify the most profitable grazing system for the southern Great Plains.