ARS | Publication request: LEUCAENA FOR WEANED CATTLE IN SOUTH FLORIDA

Submitted to: International Conference on Livestock in the Tropics Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: September 13, 1999
Publication Date: May 10, 1999
Citation: Kalmbacher, R., Pate, F., Hammond, A.C., Martin, F. 1999. Leucaena for weaned cattle in south florida. International Conference on Livestock in the Tropics Proceedings. May 10, 1999

Interpretive Summary: Two leucaena grazing experiments were conducted in south Florida: 1) June-weaned heifers grazed from June 1994 to November 1995 (same cattle), and 2) June-weaned heifers grazed from July to November 1996 and 1997 (different cattle each year). Treatments were bahiagrass plus leucaena or bahiagrass alone. In the heifer experiment, there was no difference in average daily gain (ADG) except in October 1994 and January 1995 when heifers grazing leucaena had greater ADG than heifers grazing bahiagrass alone. In August 1996, there was no difference in ADG between treatments, but steers grazing leucaena had higher ADG than steers grazing bahiagrass alone from September to November. In 1997, steers grazing leucaena had higher ADG than steers grazing bahiagrass alone throughout the trial. Total gain for steers on leucaena was 195 kg/ha vs. 31 kg/ha for steers grazing bahiagrass alone (mean over years). Leucaena has potential as a perennial legume for south Florida if agronomic problems associated with establishment can be resolved.

Technical Abstract: Two leucaena grazing experiments were conducted in south Florida: 1) June-weaned heifers grazed from June 1994 to November 1995 (same cattle), and 2) June-weaned heifers grazed from July to November 1996 and 1997 (different cattle each year). Treatments were bahiagrass plus leucaena or bahiagrass alone. In the heifer experiment, there was no difference in average daily gain (ADG) except in October 1994 and January 1995 when heifers grazing leucaena had greater ADG than heifers grazing bahiagrass alone. In August 1996, there was no difference in ADG between treatments, but steers grazing leucaena had higher ADG than steers grazing bahiagrass alone from September to November. In 1997, steers grazing leucaena had higher ADG than steers grazing bahiagrass alone throughout the trial. Total gain for steers on leucaena was 195 kg/ha vs. 31 kg/ha for steers grazing bahiagrass alone (mean over years). Leucaena has potential as a perennial legume for south Florida if agronomic problems associated with establishment can be resolved.