Project Number: 6227-21310-007-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Oct 01, 2002
End Date: Sep 30, 2007

Objective:
To increase the profitability of forage-based livestock production and develop "environmentally friendly" livestock production systems.

Approach:
Steer weight gain and economic feasibility of supplementing with corn will be compared to no supplementation in a field replicated studies while grazing bermudagrass or tall fescue. Replicated field experiments will evaluate the ability of various hair sheep breeds to produce meat. Real-time ultrasound measures (ribeye area, backfat, rumpfat, and intramuscular marbling), breed types, body weight, frame and muscle scores, and carcass data will be collected for stocker calves to evaluate predictors of ultimate slaughter carcass quality and yield. The reproductive physiology of cattle grazing tall fescue will be compared to that of non-infected tall fescue and newly developed varieties by assessing changes in serum hormones and by ultrasound examination of ovaries in replicated field studies. In the field, the effectiveness of a knifing technique to incorporate poultry litter and fertilizer into the soil will be compared to that of surface application with bermudagrass sod. A replicated field trial will be established to compare the quality of surface run-off of grazed pastures to hayfields.

Project Team

Burke, Joan Burner, David - Dave Pote, Daniel - Dan Brauer, David - Dave Looper, Michael

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003

Related National Programs

Food Animal Production (101)   Rangeland, Pasture, and Forages (205)

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