Masters Theses

Date of Award

8-1983

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Animal Science

Major Professor

J. W. Holloway

Committee Members

Will T. Butts, John Hitchcock

Abstract

Eighty, first calf, two-year-old Angus, Hereford, and Angus- Hereford reciprocal cross females were allotted to fescue-legume (40% legume) or fescue pastures over a two-year period (40 each in 1981, 1982). Legume consisted of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), ladino white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and lespedeza (Lespedeza stipulacea Maxim). Females calved in January to March and calves from each dam breed were sired by Hereford and Angus bulls. Each female was fed 3.5 g Cr20c in 354 g of feed at each of two feedings (0800 hr. and 1700 hr.) per day for 214 days (March 1 to October 1). Fecal samples col lected were analyzed for chromium and acid detergent lignin (ADL). Forage ADL was estimated simultaneously from random forage samples. Digestibility of fescue-legume consumed 2.9 kg/day more (P < .01) more dry matter (DM) and 2.7 kg/day more (P < .01) digestible dry matter (DDM) than females allowed fescue (12.2 vs. 9.3 kg DM/day) and 9.05 vs. 6.35 kg DDM/day). Larger values for cows grazing fescue-legume resulted from advantages during the last part of the period. Values were similar during the first 45 days. Addition of legumes to fescue pastures resulted in a 15.8 kg increase (P < .05) in weaning weight for calves with Angus dams, a 16.3 kg increase (P < .05) for calves with Hereford dams and no difference (P > .10) for calves with cross bred dams. Angus females grazing fescue-legume produced .9 kg/day more (P < .05) more milk, Hereford females experienced a .4 kg/day increase (P < .10) and crossbred females a .4 kg/day decrease (P < .10) over the corresponding breeds grazing fescue. Angus cows allowed fescue-legume gained 5.6 kg and .07 mm more (P > .10) weight and fat respec-tively than those allowed fescue. Herefords and crossbreds tended to gain much more weight and backfat on fescue-legume than on fescue. Herefords gained 8.2 kg more weight and .84 mm more fat and crossbreds gained 14.9 kg more weight and .78 mm more fat. Angus cows responded to increased nutrients by increasing milk production and calf growth rate, whereas Herefords and especially crossbreds responded more in terms of increases in cow weight and fatness.

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