An Assessment of Annual Forages to Extend Grazing for Beef Cattle in South Central North Dakota
This study was designed to test 3 grazing treatments using 2 cropping systems during 2012 to 2014. Angus crossbred beef heifers in mid-gestation were assigned to treatments from mid-October to late November or early December. Single- and dual-crop systems were subjected to the following grazing trea...
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| Format: | Others |
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North Dakota State University
2018
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| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10365/27917 |
| Summary: | This study was designed to test 3 grazing treatments using 2 cropping systems during
2012 to 2014. Angus crossbred beef heifers in mid-gestation were assigned to treatments from
mid-October to late November or early December. Single- and dual-crop systems were
subjected to the following grazing treatments: 1) full use, 2) 50 percent degree of disappearance
and 3) no use. A drylot served as the control. Herbage production, livestock performance,
economic efficiency and soil health were monitored. Costs associated with the cocktail mixture
ranged from $37.56 to $44.50/hectare. Average daily gain was highest in the drylot and was the
only treatment to provide a positive return per head per day for all years. Returns of the full use
grazing treatment were positive 2 of the 3 years and losses were limited compared to other
grazing treatments. Grazing provided either neutral or positive soil health characteristics
compared to no use. |
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