Summer Forages for Beef Cattle

1. Science. Service. Solutions.©
Beef Cattle Nutrition and
Summer Forages
Scott Sell – Area Livestock Agent

2. Classes of Summer Forages
Perennials Annuals

3. Summer Grazing in SC
• Permanent Summer Perennials
– Hybrid Bermudas
• Tift 85
• Coastal
• Russell
• Tift 44/Tift 78/Alecia – By gone – poor performers
– Bahia
• Pensacola – Most common
• Tifton 9
• Tift Quik

4. Grass Quality
Table 1. Typical fertilizer and lime recommendations, and the approximate forage quality, carrying capacity, and stocker gains that can be expected when recommended
varieties of bahiagrass, bermudagrass, and tall fescue are used as the primary pasture species.
Fertilizer Recommendations1
Annual Lime
Needed
Typical
Forage
Quality2
Range in
Forage
Quality
Carrying
Capacity
Average
Daily Gains -
Stocker Cattle
N P2O5 K2O
— (lbs/acre) — (tons/acre) — (RFQ)— (AU3/acre/yr) (lbs/head/day)
Bahiagrass 75-175 40 40 0.3-0.5 85-90 75-110 0.75-1.25 0.7-1.0
Bermudagrass 150-250 30 65 0.3-0.5 90-100 80-140 1.00-1.50 1.5-1.8
1 Assumes medium levels of phosphorus and potassium in the soil test.
2 The forage quality values here are estimated based on NDF and digestibility estimates in the published literature. (RFQ = Relative Forage Quality)
3 AU = Animal Unit. One animal unit is equivalent to 1,000 lbs.
4 Tall fescue is not recommended for pastures in the Coastal Plain. Approximations for animal performance for tall fescue in this table assume the use of a recommended novel-endophyte infected variety.

6. Tifton 9 Vs. Pensacola
• 3 Year Side by Side Comparison
– Tifton 9 – 47% more Forage
– Tifton 9 – 17% more days of grazing
– Same inputs
Burton; Gates and Hill -
2000

7. Tifton 9 Vs. TifQuik
• Tifton 9—This cultivar was developed and released by the
University of Georgia and the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) in 1989 by Glenn Burton. Tifton 9 is a selection from
Pensacola that was found to have superior yields in early
spring and late fall. Tifton 9 is estimated to occupy 10% of the
bahiagrass acreage in Florida.
• TifQuik—This cultivar, recently released by the USDA and the
University of Georgia, has fewer hard seeds and results in a
more rapid or "quick" stand establishment. In the spring, it
grows faster than Tifton 9 or Pensacola because of increased
seedling emergence.
Newman et al. 2008, University of Florida

8. Tifton 9 And Tift Quik Establishment
• Have your soil tested.
• Apply 50 pounds per acre of nitrogen plus adequate phosphorous and
potassium.
• Prepare a firm weed-free seed bed.
• Plant seed 1/2 inch deep with a grain drill or grass seeder.
• Plant in early spring to give a full summer season for establishment.
• Pack the soil after planting with a very heavy roller or the tractor to keep
soil moist around the seed or use a Cultipacker – Very Important
• Control weeds with mowing or limited grazing to keep them down close
to the top bahiagrass leaves.
• An application of 2,4-D will control broad leaf weeds – When a minimum
of 6 inches tall.
Burton; Gates and Hill - 2000

9. Bahia Planting Rates
Seeding Rates
(lb/acre)
Pensacola 20–30
Argentine 20–30
Tifton 9 15–20
UF-Riata 15–20
TifQuik 15-20
Adapted from data from Newman et al. 2008, University of Florida
Bahiagrass Seeding Rates

10. Peanut/Cotton/Bahia Rotation
Rotation
2003 2004
lbs/acre
Bahiagrass-Bahiagrass-
Peanut-Cotton
2783 3281
Peanut-Cotton-Cotton 1958 2415
Peanut yield for two crop rotations in FL during 2003 and 2004.

11. Tift 9 or TifQuik?
Tift 9
• Less expensive
– Approx $80/40 lb bag
• More hard seed
• Slower establishment
• Way to go for pasture-hay
when time is not of the
essence.
TifQuik
• More Expensive
– Approx $185/40 lb bag
• Less hard seed
• Faster establishment
• Well Suited to Runner
Peanut/Bahia Hay
rotation
• Plant late summer with
perennial peanuts for
excellent pasture
•Same Lineage
•TifQuik is a Tift 9 Cultivar
•Many of the Same charateristics

13. Adaptation
Grown in all areas except in mountains. Varieties differ in cold
hardiness. Best adapted on sandy soils but will do well on clay soils.
Hybrids are higher yielding, deeper rooted, and more drought
tolerant than common bermudagrass. Tolerant of close grazing. Not
tolerant of poor drainage.
Establishment
Seeded types - 5 to 10 lb/A in spring.
Hybrids - March-April with sprigs at 10 bu/A
Varieties
Sprigged: Tifton 85, Russell.
Seeded types/blends: Cheyenne II, Ranchero Frio, Sungrazer
Hybrid Bermuda Grasses

14. Varieties by Area
Table 1b. Summary of the characteristics of the primary vegetatively
propagated (sprigged) bermudagrasses in Georgia.
Recommended for:
Variety Mountain
Upper
Piedmont
Midlands
Coastal
Plain
Alicia (Alecia) X X X X
Coastal X YES YES YES
Coastcross II ND* YES YES YES
Russell YES YES YES YES
Tifton 44 X X X X
Tifton 78 X X X X
Tifton 85 YES YES YES
* Insufficient data exists to accurately estimate these parameters. Coastcross
II remains a relatively new variety and has not yet been evaluated as
rigorously as other hybrids.
Hancock Et. Al., UGA, 2012

15. Bermuda Grass Performance
Table 1a. Summary of the characteristics of the primary vegetatively propagated (sprigged) bermudagrasses in Georgia.
Variety Overall Rating Yield* Digestibility** Winter Hardiness Persistence
Leaf Spot
Resistance
Alicia (Alecia) tt3 100 P G P P
Coastal ttt3 100 F G G E
Coastcross II tttt3 135 E G ND*** ND
Russell tttt3 130 G E E G
Tifton 44 tttt 90 G E G E
Tifton 78 ttt 120 E F F E
Tifton 85 ttttt 135 E F E E
Ratings: E = Excellent, G = Good, F = Fair, P = Poor.
* Yields are expressed as a percent of yields from Coastal.
** Based on in vitro dry matter digestibility.
*** Insufficient data exists to accurately estimate these parameters. Coastcross II remains a relatively new variety and has not yet been
evaluated as rigorously as other hybrids.
Hancock Et. Al., UGA 2012

16. Yield Comparison – Vs. Coastal
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Alicia
(Alecia)
Coastal Coastcross
II
Russell Tifton 44 Tifton 78 Tifton 85
Yield/Ac Based on % of Coastal Yield
Hancock Et. Al., UGA, 2012

17. Seeded Bermudas
Table 3a. Summary of the characteristics of the primary seeded bermudagrasses in Georgia.
Variety Overall Rating Yield* Winter Hardiness Persistence
Giant (NK37) 3 55 P P
Cheyenne** ttt 60 G E
CD90160 ttt 60 G E
KF-194 ttt 60 G E
Wrangler t3 55 E F
Common t 50 G G
Ratings: E = Excellent, G = Good, F = Fair, P = Poor.
*Yields are expressed as a percent of yields from Coastal.
**The original Cheyenne is no longer being sold. Cheyenne II, a variant of Cheyenne (selected
for higher seed yield), is currently being marketed. Cheyenne II is expected to have
characteristics similar to Cheyenne.

18. Yield Comparison – Vs. Coastal
Seeded Vs. Sprigged
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Yield/Ac Based on % of Coastal Yield
Sprigged Varieties
Seeded Varieties
Hancock Et. Al., UGA, 2012

19. Establishment
• Hybrid bermudagrasses:
– (a) dormant rhizomes - December to early
March
– (b) Rhizomes with green tops – spring (after
last freeze) to early August
– (c) Tops/Green stems - Early June to August

20. Establishment Cont.
• 10 Bu/Acre – Approx
• Weed Control
– Chemical –
• Prowl H2O
• Pastora
– Grazing/Mowing

21. 2nd year after discing
2 Months After
Planting

25. Helminth.
Screven Co., GA - August 2012
COMMON
COASTAL
COASTAL

26. Bermuda Grass Stem Maggot

27. Maggot
The larva (maggot) is about 1/8” (3 mm) long.

28. Damage
Figure 2. Only the top parts of the bermudagrass shoots
are damaged, causing the frosted appearance

29. Damage

30. Bermuda Grass Stem Maggot
• Atherigona reversura
• Native to Japan, Indonesia, India, and Hawaii
• First found in GA – 2010 - Pierce, Jeff Davis,
and Tift counties in Georgia
• First record of this species in North America
• Found in SC last two growing seasons
• Hay fields most impacted
• Not an issue in grazing as cattle keep grass
growth in check and consume maggot
• Broader leaved varieties not as affected

31. Control and Management
• Cut damaged crop
• Apply foliar labeled pyrethroid
• Apply once at 1-2 days after cutting
• Apply second application 5-7 days after
first
• Later in the season pressure/stress
increases
William G. Hudson, University of Georgia
Dennis Hancock, University of Georgia
Kathy Flanders, Auburn University
Henry Dorough, Alabama Cooperative Extension System
March 2013

32. Pyrethroids for Hay in SC
• Baythroid XL – 1.6-2.8 fl oz/ac
• Mustang Max (EC) – 2.8-4.0 oz/ac
• Karate – 2.6-3.8 oz/ac
As always follow label precautions and
instructions

33. Summer Grazing in SC
• Summer Annuals
– Millet
– Sorghum-Sudan Type
– Cow Peas
– Forage Soybeans

34. Millets/Soghums/Sudans – Planting Times and Rates
Planting dates and seeding rates for selected warm season annual grasses.
Species Planting Dates*
Seeding Rate
Drilled Broadcast
—— lbs. of PLS/acre ——
Pearl Millet UP May 1 – July 1 10–15 25–30
MDLS April 15 – July 15
CP April 1 – August 1
Sorghum x Sudan Hybrids UP May 1 – July 15 15–20 20–25
MDLS April 15 – August 1
CP April 1 – August 15
Sudangrass UP May 1 – July 1 20–25 30–40
MDLS April 15 – July 15
CP April 1 – August 1
Forage Sorghum UP April 25 – May 15 15–20 20–25
MDLS April 15 – May 15
CP April 15 – June 1
* UP Upstate; MDLS = MidLands; CP = Coastal Plain Region.
Hancock, UGA

35. Variety Trials -
Tifton
Tifleaf 3

36. Forage Sorghum
Tif-Leaf 3
Sorghum-Sudan

37. Cow Peas for Forage

38. • Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.
ssp.) unguiculata
• Once widely grown in North Florida as a hay
or green manure
• Well adapted to sandy, and low fertility soils.
• It is now used in mixtures with pearl millet
or sorghum-sudangrass for late
summer/early fall grazing and for wildlife
feed plots.

39. • Establishment:
• Very tolerant to drought, shade, and low fertility and acid soils
• Cowpea can be broadcast at rates of 100 to 120 lb/ac between April 1 and
July 31
• cover with light disking or drilled at rates of 30 to 40 lbs/ac to a depth of 1-
1.5 inches.
• Fertilization:
• N is not required.
• At least 27 lb P/acre and 40 lb K/acre.
• Grazing/Hay Management:
• Yields ranging from 2 to 3.5 tons/ac.
• Cowpea can also be used for the production of high quality hay or silage,
when mixed with crops such as corn or sorghum, or it can be used for
rotational grazing.
• Forage Quality:
• Protein (20 to 25%)
• Varieties/Cultivars:
• Mississippi Pinkeye Purple
• Colossus
• Freezegreen
• Alabama Giant Blackeye.

40. Cowpeas and Millet at EFBT-EREC
• Tiftleaf 3 @ 20 lbs./Ac
• Cowpeas @ 15 lbs/Ac
• Millet in small box
• Cowpeas in large box
• Two Plantings/Cross Planting
• No inocculant really needed

41. Quantifiable Measures of Forage Quality
• MCAL
• KCAL
• NEL
• NEG
• NEM
• TDN – Total Digestible Nutrients –
Energy/CP
• CP – Crude Protein
Measures of Energy
Lactation/Gain/Maintenance

42. 15 14
18
12
20
28
60 59
68
58
62
69
CBG FESCUE RYEGRASS SORGHUM LEGUME /GRASS
MIX
CLOVER
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
TDN and CP Content of Typical CSRA Forages
Grazing Pastures
CP% TDN%

43. Animal
Performance
Plant-Animal
Interaction
Potential
Forage Feeding
Value
Potential
Nutritive Value
Anti-Quality
Factors
Potential Intake
Potential
Animal
Performance
Genetic Factors
Environmental
Factors
Physiological
Factors
Factors Affecting Forage Quality
• Genotype
• Plant Part
• Maturity
• Climate
• Soils
• Pests
• Genotype
• Body Size
• Sex
• Breed• Age
• BCS
• Health
• Climate
• Pests
• Herd Effects

44. Nutrient Requirements of
Beef Brood Cows
Drovers – 2/6/2013

45. 0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Dry Lactating Weaned
LbsDailyDMI Beef Cattle DMI per Day by Class
DMI

46. Dry Dry Dry Dry Dry Dry
Lactating Lactating Lactating Lactating Lactating Lactating
Weaned Weaned Weaned Weaned Weaned Weaned
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
CBG FESCUE RYEGRASS MILLET LEGUME /GRASS
MIX
CLOVER
%CP Beef Cattle CP Req by Forage Type
CP%
Dry
Lactating
Weaned

47. Dry Dry Dry Dry Dry Dry
Lactating Lactating Lactating Lactating Lactating Lactating
Weaned Weaned Weaned Weaned Weaned Weaned
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
CBG FESCUE RYEGRASS MILLET LEGUME /GRASS
MIX
CLOVER
%TDN
Beef Cattle TDN Req by Forage Type
TDN%
Dry
Lactating
Weaned

48. Credits
• UGA Extension – Dr. Dennis Hancock
• UGA Crop & Soil Sciences
• Mississippi State Extension
• University of Florida Extension
• Clemson Extension
• Alabama Extension

49. Contact info
• Scott Sell
– Area Livestock Agent – Edisto EREC
– Cell 912-682-9590
– Email: gsell@clemson.edu