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Steer Performance on Birdsfoot Trefoil and Alfalfa Pasture in Central Georgia

1988; Wiley; Volume: 1; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2134/jpa1988.0343

2689-4114

C. S. Hoveland, N. S. Hill, R. S. Lowrey, S. L. Fales, M.E. McCormick, Albert E. Smith,

Pasture and Agricultural Systems

Dependable, high quality, productive, perennial legumes are not available for pasture in the southeastern USA. Previous research with grazed alfalfa (Medicago sauva L.) suggests that it has potential to fill this void, and can be used to compare other legume species. Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus comiculatus L.), selected from Mediterranean germplasm, has been promising in small plot studies. The objectives of this study were to determine forage quality, plant persistence, and steer performance of 'GA 1' birdsfoot trefoil and 'Apollo' alfalfa under a rotational grazing management system in central Georgia. Drought conditions reduced potential growth of pastures throughout the 3-yr study, resulting in an average of only 103 d of grazing annually. Birdsfoot trefoil produced 131 steer days/acre and 217 lb gain/acre, yearly, with an average daily gain (ADG) of 1.74 lb. Alfalfa produced 160 steer days/acre and 283 lb gain/acre, yearly, with an ADG of 1.82 lb. Stands of both species declined and weed encroachment in birdsfoot trefoil was a problem during the third year. Results suggest that both species will furnish good animal gains but that alfalfa is better adapted as a pasture legume in the southeastern USA.