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Cattle Grazing Experiments with Sericea Lespedeza¹ at Beltsville, Maryland

Abstract

The results of four years' gracing of sericea lespedeza with beef steers show that this forage by itself is not a satisfactory grazing crop.

Yearling steers in 1939 spot grazed small areas in the 10-acre field of sericea and in 1942 graced the field more generally but not closely at any time during the season. The yearling steers failed to graze the sericea satisfactorily, or make reasonable gains at any time. In contrast, however, the two- and three- year old steers in 1940 and 1941 ate the forage readily, particularly the first three months of the grazing seasons. Good gains, however, were secured with these more mature animals only during July and early August.

Steers on sericea consistently consumed more salt than those on permanent pasture. Chemical analyses of herbage samples from the pastures revealed a low content of total ash and phosphorus in the sericea lespedeza herbage. The feeding of mineral supplements in 1942 did not contribute to increased steer gains.

¹ Presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Animal Production, at Chicago, Illinois, December 2, 1942.

² Agronomist and Senior Agronomist of the Division of Forage Crops and Diseases, Bureau of Plant Industry, Soils, and Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Research Administration, and Assistant Animal Husbandman and Senior Animal Husbandman of the Division of Animal Husbandry, Bureau of Animal Industry, Agricultural Research Administration, respectively. The authors are deeply indebted to A. C. Cook, and Earl W. McComas of the Division of Animal Husbandry for assistance in planning and conducting these experiments.

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