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Alfalfa as an Alternative to Bermudagrass for Pastured Stocker Cattle Systems in the Southern USA

^a USDA-ARS, Appalachian Farming Systems Research Center, 1224 Airport Rd., Beaver, WV, 25813
^b Southwest Res. and Ext. Center, Division of Agric., Univ. of Arkansas, 362 Hwy. 174 North, Hope, AR 71801
^c Texas Agric. Exp. Stn., Texas A&M Univ. System, P.O. Box 200, Overton, TX 75684

View larger version (37K): [in a new window]   Fig. 1. Actual and normal precipitation and average and normal daily air temperature in Hope, AR, from 1999 to 2001.

View larger version (19K): [in a new window]   Fig. 2. Crown and stem density decline in alfalfa stands established in October 1999 and grazed during 2000 and 20001 in Hope, AR. Vertical lines are standard errors.

View larger version (30K): [in a new window]   Fig. 3. Total forage mass and forage allowance per calf per day during the growing season for alfalfa and bermudagrass pastures in 2000 and 2001. Bars represent alfalfa hay yields in the spring 2000 and fall 2001. Vertical lines are standard errors.

View larger version (35K): [in a new window]   Fig. 4. Neutral and acid detergent fiber (NDF, ADF) and crude protein (CP) concentrations of alfalfa and bermudagrass pasture during the 2000 and 2001 grazing seasons in Hope, AR. The value of x in regressions was the number of weeks after 20 March. Each tick mark on the x axis represents 1 wk. Regressions for 2000 were nonsignificant. Regressions for 2001 were calculated using only data from the rotational stocking management period (30 June–18 September) and were all significant at P < 0.001. Vertical lines are standard errors.

View larger version (31K): [in a new window]   Fig. 5. Full body weight, average daily gain (ADG), and cumulative gain per hectare of yearling heifers grazing alfalfa and bermudagrass pastures during the 2000 and 2001 grazing seasons in Hope, AR. Vertical lines are standard errors. (*,**, *** P < 0.05, 0.01, 0.001, respectively for treatment comparison on a particular date.)