Supplemental Feeding of Steers on Festuca arundinacea Schreb. Pastures Fertilized at Three Levels of Nitrogen1

Abstract

The production of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) in terms of gain of yearling steers, carrying capacity, liveweight gain per hectare and estimated total digestible nutrients per hectare (ETDN) was measured during four successive years. Tall fescue was fertilized with ammonium nitrate at the rates of 0, 84, and 168 kg/ha of elemental nitrogen. Crimped corn was fed daily at the rate of 1 kg per 100 kg of body weight on one‐half the pasture. Corn greatly increased average daily gain, carrying capacities of the pastures and total amount of liveweight increase per hectare. N fertilizer slightly depressed average daily gain, nearly doubled carrying capacities of the pastures and greatly increased liveweight increase per hectare. The seasonal pattern of liveweight gain was altered by feeding grain, indicating that a low level of energy intake is one of the factors limiting rate of production of steers on tall fescue pasture. N fertilizer prevented development of volunteer legumes in the fescue pastures.