Evaluation of 3 bermudagrass cultivars for stocker programs with beef steers1

Three bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) cultivars were evaluated for nutritive value and calf growth performance for 84 d in 2 yr each. Replicated (n = 3) 1.62-ha common (CMN), Sumrall 007 (SMRL), and Tifton 44 (T44) bermudagrass pastures in a randomized complete block design were rotationally stocked (14-d grazing, 14-d rest) with 6 to 12 British-Continental steers (initial BW = 255 ± 26 kg) using put-and-take management based on herbage mass. Steers were supplemented with soybean hulls at 1% of BW (as fed). Forage ADF concentration was greater (P = 0.01) for SMRL (31.7 ± 0.4%) than for CMN (29.7 ± 0.4%). Forage IVDMD (P = 0.13), NDF (P = 0.07), and CP (P = 0.15) concentrations were comparable among cultivars. Forage CP concentration differed (P < 0.01) by grazing period. Least squares means for CP concentrations were 11.1 ± 0.5%, 12.4 ± 0.6%, 9.7 ± 0.5%, and 8.1 ± 0.5% for d 0, 28, 56, and 84, respectively. Neither ADG (P = 0.56) nor steer BW gain per hectare (P = 0.77) was different among cultivars. Steer BW gain per hectare was greater (P < 0.01) in 2006 (372 ± 23.9 kg/ha) than in 2007 (295 ± 23.9 kg/ha). Steer ADG was unchanged (P = 0.39) among 28-d periods in 2006 but decreased progressively (P < 0.01) in 2007. Forage nutritive value and calf performance grazing CMN was comparable to that on SMRL or T44 bermudagrass. Steer BW gains on bermudagrass monocultures supplemented with soybean hulls at 1% of BW did not differ among cultivars.