Comparison of chicory and annual ryegrass for spring stockering of beef steers1

The perennial forage herb, 'Puna II' chicory (Cichorium intybus L.; CHY) was evaluated as an alternative to 'Marshall' annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.; ARG) for spring stocker cattle grazing. Replicated (n = 4) 0.81-ha ARG and CHY pastures were established in September 2004 in a randomized complete block design. British-Continental crossbred steers (mean BW = 215 kg; 5 testers/paddock) were rotationally stocked (14-d grazing, 14-d rest) for a 56-d period starting in mid-April, for 3 yr. Forage IVDMD and ADF concentrations were not different between ARG and CHY pastures in April or May, but were lesser (P < 0.01) or greater (P < 0.01), respectively, in ARG compared with CHY pastures in June. Forage NDF concentrations were greater (P < 0.01) in ARG than CHY pastures in all months. Forage CP concentration was greater (P < 0.05) in CHY than ARG pastures on 6 out of the 9 sampling date and year combinations. The difference of least squares means revealed a nutritive value advantage for CHY as large as 11.3% CP in June 2006. Steer ADG was not different (P = 0.73) between pastures (ARG: 1.17 ± 0.03 kg; CHY: 1.16 ± 0.03 kg). Steer BW gain/ha was also not different (P = 0.50) between pastures (ARG: 452 ± 14.8 kg/ha; CHY: 436 ± 15.5 kg/ha). Cattle growth performance on CHY is comparable with that on ARG in the spring.