THE USE OF SUPPLEMENTAL FEED IN PASTURE-BASED STOCKER CATTLE SYSTEMS FOR INCREASED NUTRIENT CYCLING

Abstract

In Alabama, pasture-based beef cattle operations are prevalent, but all-time high fertilizer costs present challenges to production. The objective of this research was to evaluate nutrient cycling through supplemental feeding or addition of legumes. Stocker steers (n = 60) were used in a put-and-take grazing and supplementation study, arranged as a generalized complete block design across two locations. Treatments included 0.5 or 1.0% BW supplemental feed (SUP0.5 or SUP1.0, respectively), interseeded red clover (CLOV), or a negative control (tall fescue pasture only; CON). There was an effect of treatment (P ≤ 0.01) for ADG and gain per hectare, but not for forage mass (P = 0.84) or soil pH, OM, N, P, K, or microminerals (P ≥ 0.22). Results are interpreted to mean that the one-year scale of stocker supplementation may not offset chemical fertilizer inputs, though partial budgets indicated increased revenue.