Tifton 85 Bermudagrass Grazing Management Effects On Performance of Dairy Heifers.

Tifton 85 bermudagrass is a premium grass to rotationally stock animals with a high plane of nutrition because of the high nutritive value and yields of this grass. Superior daily gains have been reported for beef cattle under medium to long rest periods, but information is needed on dairy animals using short resting periods in combination with supplementation strategies.  Variable stocking rate through ‘Put and Take’ methodology was used to maintain a 20 to 25-cm stubble height. Two rest periods (RP; 14, and 21 d) and two supplementation level (SL; High and Low) were evaluated under rotational stocking. In year one average daily gain (ADG) was not affected by SL (0.62 vs. 0.60 kg ha^-1 for low and high, respectively) or RP. Middle of the evaluation year was unusually warm, and seasonal data shows a supplementation by date interaction effect. These data shows that animals grazing at either 14 or 21 d have daily gains comparable to supplemented treatments demonstrating the high nutritive and suitability of the grass for stocking of dairy animals.