Forrages for Beef Cattle - Texas A&M University

Pasture forages for beef Cattle can be roughly dividedinto five categories warm-season perennials, warm-sea-son annuals, cool-season perennials, cool-season annualsand legumes for pastures. Each of these forage typescan meet the nutritional requirements of beef cattlewhen they are at their peak production (Figure 1).However, none are able to satisfy the nutritional needsof a cow with calf or a growing animal, which are attheir low point in PerennialsWarm-season perennial pastures tend to be the bestgrasses for a cow-calf operation because they do nothave to be planted each year. Once established, thesepastures continue to produce for many years. The annual grasses are the most expensive grasses for foragebecause they must be planted each year, the seed iscostly, there is a limited production season and theyrequire high rates of perennial pastures, such as bermuda-grass, bahiagrass or kleingrass, generally have a longergrowing season than cool-season plants.

Warm-season perennial grasses respond well to fertil-ization and, with heavy fertilization, can produce large amounts of hay or grazing per acre.

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  Grazing, Cattle, Seasons, Beef, For beef cattle

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