J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1972. 34:1061-1066.
© 1972 American Society of Animal Science
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Effect of Maturity on the Nutritive Value of Coastal Bermudagrass Pellets1

W. A. Balk2, R. F. Wheeler3, R. L. Edward3, J. J. Starnes4 and S. G. Woods5

Clemson University, Edisto Experiment Station, Blackville, South Carolina 29817

Abstract

The relative feeding value of Coastal bermudagrass pellets produced from grass harvested 21, 24, 27 and 30 days after the previous cutting was investigated. Weight gains and feed conversion efficiency of yearling beef steers fed individually for 196 days were used as criteria for establishing relative values.

Nutritive quality generally decreased with maturity at a slightly faster rate than did the estimated cost of producing the pellets. For a once daily feeding regimen, the relative cost of gain was found to be the lowest for the 21-day-old grass. With twice daily feeding the optimum age appeared to lie between 24 and 27 days. Differences in daily feed intake and feeding regimens had a greater effect on rate of gain and feed efficiency than did the differences in nutritive quality of the pellets. Highly fertilized, rapidly growing Coastal bermudagrass should be harvested within 30 days after the previous cutting to obtain minimum cost of gain with yearling beef steers.

Footnotes

1 Published with the approval of the Director of the South Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station as Technical Contribution No. 931.

2 Department of Agricultural Engineering, Edisto Experiment Station.

3 Department of Animal Science, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29631.

4 Department of Agricultural Chemical Services, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29631.

5 Department of Animal Science, Edisto Experiment Station.






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Copyright © 1972 by the American Society of Animal Science.