Rhizoma perennial peanut (RPP), Arachis glabrata Benth., has high nutritive value, drought tolerance, and persistence; however, inconsistent establishment success and slow rate of coverage has limited the use of RPP in production systems. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of planting date (February, April, June, August, and December), location (Brooksville, Gainesville, and Quincy, FL), and cultivar (Florigraze and Arbrook) on emergence (sprouts per square meter at 2 to 12 wk post planting) and rate of RPP cover (percent ground cover at 26, 52, 78, and 104 wk post planting). We also determined the relationship of sprout counts during the emergence period with rate of cover. Number of sprouts per square meter at 12 wk post planting ranged from 0 to >200 and, in most cases, the sprout counts obtained for April, June, August, and December planting dates were lower or equal to those from the February planting date, regardless of location or cultivar. Generally, Arbrook had higher numbers of sprouts per square meter at 12 wk post planting than Florigraze, but this did not translate into higher ground cover ratings at 26 wk. Number of sprouts per square meter was positively correlated with percent ground cover. The highest correlation coefficient (0.69) occurred for the relationship of sprouts per square meter at 12 wk post planting and ground cover at 26 wk post planting; correlations of responses declined from that point as stands aged. Rate of cover was also variable, taking between 26 and >104 wk post planting to reach >60% RPP ground cover. On average, February plantings achieved >60% RPP ground cover 26 wk earlier than any of the other planting dates. This study indicates that establishment times for RPP can be more variable than has been thought. The first criterion for deciding when to plant is the need for reliable soil moisture (from rainfall or irrigation) for 60 to 90 d post planting. Secondly, if there is more than one time of the year that meets this moisture requirement, then the planting date with the longest frostfree period after planting should be chosen.

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The cow‐calf operation is the primary beef cattle enterprise in the Southeastern USA. Cool‐season annuals can be used to improve forage production and quality with the long growing season that the Gulf Coast offers. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of supplemental grazing of cool‐season annuals, sodseeded on perennial Argentine bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) pasture, had on cow‐calf productivity. Five hundred forty‐seven reproductive and calving records obtained over 8 yr from ISO purebred Angus cows (Bos taurus) were used to evaluate two pasture systems (PS). Stocking rates of 1 cow/2 acres were maintained for each PS. The two PS consisted of: (1) bahiagrass and (2) bahiagrass and bahiagrass sodseeded with cool‐season annuals [rye (Secale cereale L.) or wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) and arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi)]. The amount of winter feeding of hay and supplemental protein were lower (P < 0.01) for cows in PS 2 than those in PS 1. Calving rate, weaning rate, survival rate, culling rate, calving date, and calving interval were not affected (P > 0.05) by PS. A greater (P < 0.08) percentage of cows in PS 2, however, calved in the first month of the calving season than cows in PS 1 (28 vs. 14%) Weaning and 205‐d weights of calves from PS 2 were 6 to 7% heavier (P < 0.07) than those from calves in PS 1. Cows in PS 2 were 48 lb heavier (P < 0.07) at the time of weaning and produced 13 lb more (P < 0.07) calf per 1000 lb of cow weight. The primary benefits realized from the grazing of the cool‐season annual forages were reduced winter feeding of hay, protein supplement, and heavier calf and cow weights at weaning.

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