Project Number: 6227-32630-001-23
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Apr 01, 2004
End Date: Mar 31, 2009

Objective:
The objectives of these experiments are to evaluate production performance and economics of cattle grazing fescue pastures.

Approach:
Stocker Experiment - Calves (n = 90) will be assigned to either no implant or implant (Synovex S) and two stocking rates [(low, 3 steers/paddock) and (heavy, 6 steers/ paddock)] on 2.5 acre paddocks. Cooperator-owned cattle (Neal and Todd Preston) will be utilized in this study. Stocker calves will be isolated from all other cattle for 30 d at the East End facilities of DBSFRC. Shrunk body weights, blood samples, and fecal samples will be collected at the beginning, middle, and end of the experiment. Ultrasonongraphy will be performed at beginning and end of grazing period to determine backfat and ribeye area. Stockers steers will be fed at a commercial feed yard for ~ 115 days and carcass data will be collected. Ionophore/Stocker Experiment - To determine if ionophores affect E. coli and salmonella shedding in stocker calves purchased at local sale barns, stocker calves will be assigned to either no ionophore or ionophore (June 1 thru August 31, 2004). Monthly measurements needed include body weight, blood samples and fecal samples. Market Cow Experiment - Cattle will be assigned to fescue paddocks. Treatments are: control (no supplement), soyhulls at 0.2% of BW prorated for 3 days/week (M, W, F), and corn:soybean meal (80:20) at 0.2% of BW prorated for 3 days/week (M, W, F). All pastures will be maintained at a stocking rate of 1 cow/2 acre. Measurements included body weights and body condition scores monthly. Cows will be palpated for pregnancy the termination of the trial. At termination of the trial, ARS personnel will pen the cattle and the Cooperator (Preston) will pick-up and transport cattle from DBSFRC.