FERTILIZER SOURCES ON BERMUDAGRASS PASTURES FOR STOCKER GRAZING
FERTILIZER SOURCES ON BERMUDAGRASS PASTURES FOR STOCKER GRAZING S. M. De. Rouen, J. M. Gillespie, and J. D. Ward Hill Farm Research Station, Department of Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness, and Southeast Research Station 10/25/2021
Objective of the Study Determine effects of broiler litter and commercial fertilizer applied to bermudagrass pastures on: 2 1) animal performance 2 2) economic implications 10/25/2021
Experimental Procedures 2 Two-year study - conducted in 1999 and 2000 2 156 Angus-sired fall-born weaned crossbred calves were used: – 84 head in 1999; 72 head in 2000 2 Stocking rate: 3. 5 hd/acre in 1999; 3. 0 hd/acre in 2000 10/25/2021
Experimental Procedures (Continued) 2 121 -day trial in 1999; 112 -day trial in 2000 2 Eight pastures were used; pasture was experimental unit 2 Monthly rising plate meter readings and forage clippings obtained 10/25/2021
Fertilizer Sources (Treatments) Evaluated BL-2+2 - 2 tons/acre applied in early April & late June 2 BL-4 - 4 tons/acre applied in early April & 50 lb/acre N applied in early July 2 CF-30 -250 lb/acre of 17 -17 -17 (N-P-K) applied in mid-April, mid-May, & mid-June, & 50 lb/acre of N applied in early July 2 CF-45 -250 lb/acre of 17 -17 -17 (N-P-K) applied in mid-April, late May, & early July 2 10/25/2021
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ACTUAL AMOUNT OF N-P-K BY FERTILIZER SOURCE 10/25/2021
ACTUAL AMOUNT OF N-P-K BY FERTILIZER SOURCE 10/25/2021
RELATIVE FORAGE AVAILABILITY-YR 1999 10/25/2021
RELATIVE FORAGE AVAILABILITY-YR 2000 10/25/2021
WEIGHT GAIN PERFORMANCE 6 10/25/2021
FERTILIZER COSTS 6 10/25/2021
NET RETURN/LOSS 6 10/25/2021
CONCLUSIONS 2 2 2 Similar weight gains for stockers were observed among pastures fertilized with either broiler litter or commercial fertilizer. Fertilizer costs were reduced by 37 to 41 % with the use of broiler litter compared to commercial fertilizer. At net economic loss resulted in 1999 by retaining calves and stockering over the summer, whereas, in 2000, a net economic return resulted except for one commercial 10/25/2021 fertilizer source.
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