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Title: Forage systems for cow/calf production in the Appalachian region

Author
item SCAGLIA, G - VIRGINIA TECH
item SWECKER, W - VIRGINIA TECH
item FONTENOT, J - VIRGINIA TECH
item FISKE, D - VIRGINIA TECH
item FIKE, J - VIRGINIA TECH
item ABAYE, A - VIRGINIA TECH
item Clapham, William
item HALL, J - VIRGINIA TECH

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/2/2008
Publication Date: 6/30/2008
Citation: Scaglia, G., Swecker, W.S., Fontenot, J.P., Fiske, D., Fike, J.H., Abaye, A.O., Clapham, W.M., Hall, J.B. 2008. Forage systems for cow/calf production in the Appalachian region. Journal of Animal Science. 86:2032-2042.

Interpretive Summary: Small cow/calf operations are common in the Appalachian region. Hill land, characteristic of much of Appalachia, is ideally suited for grassland-based beef production. Tall fescue is the predominant perennial grass forage in grazing and stockpiling systems. Tall fescue combined with other forges and appropriate grazing management can meet the nutritional requirements of grazing livestock. A five-year study was conducted to compare six fescue-based forage systems and their effects on cattle performance. One hundred and eight Angus and Angus cross bred cows were assigned at random to one of the six treatments. The forage systems differed by the number of paddocks available for rotational grazing; the stocking rate; and the botanical composition of the paddock forage mixtures. We found that in the fescue-based systems studied that the systems did not affect cow performance although differences in calf performance and overall productivity of the systems were observed. Forage systems that permitted the calves to 'creep' graze provided a higher plan of nutrition to the calves. The improvement of the nutritive value of the forages available for creep grazing as well as the forage management of the whole system previous to it may enhance overall productivity and weaning weights in small farms of Appalachia.

Technical Abstract: Small cow/calf operations are common in the Appalachian region. Tall fescue is the dominant forage in these systems, for direct grazing as well as for stockpiling. Tall fescue combined with other forages and appropriate grazing management can supply the necessary nutrients for cow/calf production systems. The present study was conducted from 2001 to 2005 at the Shenandoah Valley Research and Extension Center, Steeles Tavern, VA. One hundred and eight Angus and Angus cross bred cows were allotted randomly to six forage systems and then to three replicates within each system. In brief, System 1 had a stocking rate of 0.91 ha/cow in a Middleburg 3-paddock system. System 2 was similar to System 1 except for a stocking rate of 0.71 ha/cow. A stocking rate of 0.71 ha/cow was also used in Systems 3 through 6. System 3 evaluated a two-paddock rotational grazing system and System 4 a three-paddock rotational grazing system with one paddock containing orchardgrass and afalfa. Systems 5 and 6 (Middleburg 3-paddock system) differed from System 2 in paddock area as well as in the forage mixture used. Calves creep grazed higher quality forages. Hay production was highly influenced by year and hay feeding was concentrated in the winter. There was no interaction or year effect on cow performance variables evaluated. However, year had a significant effect mainly due to yr 2 when exceptional high rainfall resulted in high forage production and nutritive value. System 2 was the most productive in terms of calf performance (P < 0.05). Systems evaluated did not affect cow performance although differences in calf performance and overall productivity of the systems were observed. The improvement of the nutritive value of the forages available for creep grazing as well as the forage management of the whole system previous to it may enhance overall productivity and weaning weights in small farms of the Appalachia region.