UTILIZING STOCKPILED TALL FESCUE TO REDUCE WINTER FEED COST FOR BEEF PRODUCERS
Applied Research
Brian See
CEA-AGRI
UACES
YELLVILLE
Abstract
\r\n Tall fescue is the primary cool-season grass grown for pasture in north-central Arkansas. A Demonstration in Marion County utilizing stockpiled Tall Fescue for late fall or early winter grazing was conducted and shown to be a money saving practice for beef cattle producers. Beef producers in north-central Arkansas have not given this practice much attention due to the perception of the practice as being ineffective. The hay feeding season in north-central Arkansas usually extends from November 15 to April 1. This period of time for beef producers can be expensive due to cost of hay and concentrate feed. Grazing stockpiled forages with cattle will reduce the winter feed cost for beef producers. Laboratory analyses of fall-grown stockpiled Tall Fescue have shown it to meet nutritional requirements of growing cattle but in order to reach a goal of 2lbs average daily gain animals must be supplemented with a total mixed ration(TMR). The demonstration was conducted on a cattle back grounding operation with 145 calves averaging 475 pounds. The producer was able to graze a 24 acre field of stockpiled fescue for 33 days and feed a TMR at half ration for a total saving of $1,555.89 as compared to full feeding the cattle the TMR.
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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
A poster file has not been provided
Authors: B.S. See, J Jennings, K Simon
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See, B. Agriculture Agent, Univeristy of Arkansas, Arkansas, 72687
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Jennings, J. Forage Specialist, University of Arkansas, Arkansas, 72203
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Simon, K. Forage Program Assistant, University of Arkansas, Arkansas, 72203