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The Nutritive Value of Fall-Harvested Coastal Bermudagrass Hay as Affected by Rate of Nitrogen Fertilization and Stage of Maturity^{1, 2,}

Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, Gainesville

Abstract

Digestibility and feeding trials were conducted with cattle and sheep to study the effects of two rates of nitrogen fertilization, 50 and 100 lb. per acre, and two dates of harvest during the Fall, mid-October and early December, on the nutrient composition, digestibility and feeding value of coastal bermuda-grass hay.

Hay consumption decreased and weight losses occurred with the late-cut, low-nitrogen treatment hay while the other hays when fed free choice with a mineral supplement were adequate for wintering open yearling replacement heifers. There were no significant differences between treatments in frequency of estrus, ovulation rate, conception rate, blood data and condition scores.

The content and digestibility of protein of the hay varied directly with rate of nitrogen application, on a within-year basis; they were significantly lower (P<0.01) in the late-cut, low-nitrogen hay. The protein content of the hay was increased up to 30% by increasing the rate of nitrogen fertilization from 50 to 100 lb. per acre and was decreased by harvesting in December at a late stage of maturity and after a killing frost.

These data demonstrate a method of making high quality grass hay in the high rainfall area of the Gulf Coast States. Coastal bermudagrass to be cut for hay or reserved for winter grazing in the Gulf Coast States should receive at least 50 lb. of nitrogen per acre if the forage is to be used within 6 to 8 weeks after the nitrogen application. If the stage of maturity at time of harvesting or grazing exceeds 8 weeks, at least 100 lb. of nitrogen per acre should be applied.

¹ Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, Journal Series, No. 1105.

² Data reported were taken from a thesis presented by R. A. Alexander to the Graduate School, University of Florida, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Science in Agriculture degree.

³ Graduate Research Assistant, Associate Professor of Animal Husbandry and Nutrition, Assistant Chemist, Associate Agronomist, Soils Chemist and Associate Soils Biochemist, respectively.

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