Productivity of one- and two-year-old steers grazing Coastcross 2 (Cynodon hybrid) at four stocking rates.

Abstract

Coastcross II pastures were continuously grazed with 1- or 2-year-old steers at stocking rates between 5.4 and 13.4 animals ha -1 in 1985-86 and 1986-87 at the Ukulinga research farm near Pietermaritzburg. In the first season there was no difference between animals of different ages in the ADG-stocking rate and herbage availability-stocking rate regressions. In the second season ADG for 2-year-old steers was higher (P < 0.05) and herbage availability lower (P < 0.05) than for 1-year-olds. Maximum gain ha -1 for 2-year-old steers in the second season (1 178 kg) was 38% higher than for 1-year-olds (853 kg).

Keywords: adg; average daily gain; bermudagrass; coastcross ii; cynodon; grazing; herbage; herbage availability; natal; pastures; pietermaritzburg; productivity; south africa; stocking rate; stocking rates