Sward height determines animal performance on limpograss (

Abstract

Changes in grazing intensity affect forage production and performance of animal on C4 grass pastures; however, these relationships are not well defined for cattle grazing on limpograss (Hemarthria altissima (Poir) Stapf & C.E. Hubb. cv. Flórida) under continuous stocking. The objective of this study was to quantify plant and animal production from Flórida limpograss pastures, managed at different grazing intensities by beef heifers (i.e. different sward heights) in order to define pasture management outcomes that maximise plant and animal responses. For a 3-year period, the influence exerted by the sward height (10, 20, 30 and 40 cm) was assessed. Greater total herbage accumulation and herbage accumulation rate were observed for the more lenient grazing heights (30 and 40 cm). The 20-, 30- and 40-cm heights revealed similar heifer average daily gain of 0.49 kg liveweight (LW) animal–1 day–1, reducing at the rate of 0.04 kg LW animal–1 day–1, for each cm decrease below 19 cm, according to a segmented equation. LW gain per area showed a quadratic response to the sward height, with optimum values (i.e. 2.1 kg LW ha–1 day–1) achieved at a pasture height of around 21 cm. Therefore, to optimise cattle performance on continuously stocked Flórida limpograss pastures, a sward height of ~20 cm should be maintained.

Overseeding oat into limpograss: The effect of trees on animal performance and profitability

“…The effectiveness of the overseeding technique on limpograss pasture and silvopastoral systems Wallau et al (2016), comparing different limpograss hybrids with the Floralta variety, observed a maximum THA of 13,000 kg DM ha −1 , similar to the findings of Postiglioni (1997) and Pontes et al (2017). Pontes, Petkowicz, et al (2021) found a maximum THA of 11,000 kg DM ha −1 for Florida limpograss when pastures were managed at SH of 30-40 cm. These values agree with those observed in the current study in the second year (Table 4).…”

“…Pontes, Petkowicz, et al. (2021) found a maximum THA of 11,000 kg DM ha −1 for Florida limpograss when pastures were managed at SH of 30–40 cm. These values agree with those observed in the current study in the second year (Table 4).…”

“…Each experimental unit received three tester animals (permanent animals that remained throughout the experimental period) and a variable number of animals that were adjusted periodically (put‐and‐take method) (Mott & Lucas, 1952) to maintain the desired sward height (SH) of 20 cm for both oat (Kunrath et al., 2014) and limpograss (Pontes, Petkowicz, et al., 2021). Purunã (one‐fourth Aberdeen Angus, one‐fourth Canchim, one‐fourth Caracu, and one‐fourth Charolais) beef heifers with an average age of 10 months were used.…”

“…T A B L E 6 Revenue, total cost, and profit (mean ± standard error) per year (2019, 2020, and 2021, n = 8) Pontes , Petkowicz, et al (2021) reported gains of 0.49 kg LW animal −1 day −1 and 2.1 kg LW ha −1 day −1 in a study conducted in the same experimental station between 2017 and 2020. Therefore, it seems that oat overseeding does not negatively affect the subsequent production of warm-season limpograss pasture, even if P and K fertilization is anticipated (i.e., done during winter).…”