A Comparison of Grass‐Legume Mixtures and Grass Under Irrigation as Pastures for Yearling Steers¹

Abstract

Synopsis In irrigated pasture studies with yearling steers, grass‐legume mixtures produced greater beef yields per acre and higher average daily gains than grasses. Cattle that grazed the grass‐legume pastures attained a higher degree of finish than those on the grass pastures. The ability of alfalfa to withstand grazing was shown by the high percentage of this legume in the pastures at the end of 3 years of grazing.

Effect of Fertilizer Nitrogen on Yield and Nitrogen Uptake by Grass‐Legume Pastures1

“…N ITROGEN fertilization of grass-legume pastures may affect production per animal, production per acre, and seasonal distribution of production, and all of these factors must be considered when the effects of pasture fertilization are evaluated. Average daily gains of sheep (7) and steers (1,13) have been reported as higher with a grass-legume mixture than with grass fertilized with nitrogen, but Campling et al ( 4) noted no difference in average daily milk production of cows on grass and those on grass-legume pastures.…”

“…In grazing trials, Blaser et al (1) reported the highest carrying capacity per acre with tall fescue fertilized with nitrogen, and Compling et al ( 4) reported 55% more cow-days per acre from grass heavily fertilized with nitrogen than from a grass-legume mixture. On the other hand, Murdock et al (9) reported higher milk production from a grass-legume pasture, Heinemann and Van Keuren (7) reported higher gains with sheep on grasslegume mixtures, and Van Keuren and Heinemann ( 13) found greater beef yields per acre with grass-legume mixtures than with grass pastures fertilized with nitrogen. In the latter two experiments, however, fertilizer nitrogen was applied to the grass-legume mixtures.…”

Regression of Milk Production on Forage Production and Forage Consumption1

“…VanKeuren and Heinemann ( 11) found that orchardgrass and tall fescue fertilized with 200 pounds of nitrogen per acre annually produced less beef per acre and lower average daily gains in yearling b•:ef steers than the same grasses grown with either Ladino clover or :dfalfa. Cattle that grazed the grass-legume mixtures also graded higher after slaughter than those grazed on pure grass.…”

Some Effects of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Fertilization on Botanical Composition of a Tall Fescue‐White Clover Sward1

“…Tall fescue is considered to be somewhat low in palatability (1,8,16), and the use of legumes with the grass has been shown to result in improved animal performance (3,18,23). But tall fescue is a vigorous; aggressive plant in mos.t of the area where it is widely grown and maintenance of legumes in association may be difficult ( 6,7,25).…”