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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center » Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #409639
Research Project: Improving Sustainability of Dairy and Forage Production Systems for the Upper Midwest

Location: Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management Research

Title: Animal performance and methane emissions of cattle grazing stockpiled limpograss under different supplementation strategies

Author
item BERNARDINI, MARILIA - University Of Florida
item DUBEUX, JOSE - University Of Florida
item TRUMPP, KEVIN - University Of Florida
item ANSANELLO, HELENA - University Of Florida
item ODUOR, KENNETH - University Of Florida
item Jaramillo, David
item BRETAS, IGOR - University Of Florida
item DANTAS QUEIROZ, LUANA - University Of Florida
item CRUZ, PRISCILA - University Of Florida
item DIOGENES, JOSE - University Of Florida
item GARCIA, LIZA - University Of Florida
item VENDRAMINI, JOAO - University Of Florida
item SARTURI, JHONES - Texas Tech University

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/29/2023
Publication Date: 10/29/2023
Citation: Bernardini, M., Dubeux, J., Trumpp, K., Ansanello, H., Oduor, K., Jaramillo, D.M., Bretas, I., Dantas Queiroz, L., Cruz, P., Diogenes, J., Garcia, L., Vendramini, J., Sarturi, J. 2023. Animal performance and methane emissions of cattle grazing stockpiled limpograss under different supplementation strategies. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting, St. Louis, MO, Oct. 29-Nov. 2, 2023.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Limpograss (Hemarthria altissima) is warm season grass that has been well adopted in South Florida because of its tolerance to flatwood soils that are poorly drained. Limpograss can be used for stockpiling as it exhibits superior cool season growth and maintains adequate digestibility for longer periods compared to other warm-season grasses. However, its CP concentration is limiting, and thus supplementation is needed to meet animal nutrient requirements, in situations where limpograss is used for stockpiling. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of supplementation on animal performance and enteric methane emissions in beef steers grazing stockpiled ‘Gibtuck’ limpograss in North Florida. The experiment was conducted from October 2022 to January 2023. There were 8 pastures (2 blocks) arranged in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were four supplementation strategies: Molasses 1.2 kg/hd/d; molasses 2.4 lb/hd/d; range cube 0.9 lb/hd/d; and no supplementation (control). All supplements contained 320 g CP/kg . Steers receiving range cube had a greater ADG, 0.59 kg/hd/d, than other treatments. Methane emissions (g/hd/day) and methane emissions intensity (g CH4/kg ADG) did not differ among treatments and averaged 116.5 g/hd/d and 266.8 g CH4/kg ADG among treatments, respectively. Results from this study indicate stockpiling limpograss can be a strategy to extend the grazing season in North Florida, but inclusion of energy and protein supplementation are important to sustain animal performance during the cool season.