Research and Reviews 1999

Special Circular 168-99

Forage and Animal Evaluation of Heifers at the Indian Lake Hydrologic Unit CRP Stocker Grazing Demonstration

Stephen Boyles^*1, B. W. Stoll^††, and T. L. Dobbels^§§
*The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences
^††Natural Resources Conservation Service
^§§Ohio State University Extension

Abstract

The objectives of this project were to monitor the performance of cattle grazed on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land. One 40-acre parcel that had been previously grazed for three years and a 52-acre parcel that had been grazed for one year were allocated for the 1998 grazing project. A total of 50 heifers were used in the study, with 25 animals being placed in each pasture site. Cattle placed on the 40-acre parcel received four pounds of whole shelled corn per head per day during the last 60 days of the grazing period in 1998. The average daily gain was 2.2 and 2.3 pounds per day for unsupplemented and grain-supplemented heifers, respectively. This lack of difference in gain is perhaps not unexpected since there were abundant amounts of high-quality forage available.

¹ For more information, contact at: The Ohio State University, 222F Animal Science Building, 2029 Fyffe Road, Columbus, OH 43210, 614-292-7669, Fax 614-292-1515, e-mail: boyles.4@osu.edu