Animal and Forage Production and Economics of Three Grazing Systems for Beef Cattle1

Abstract A 3-yr study was conducted to evaluate animal performance, costs, and returns for three grazing systems: 1) or- chardgrass/bluegrass; 2) orchardgrass/ bluegrass plus annual plants including sudangrass, small grains, rape, and corn stalks; and 3) orchardgrass/bluegrass, stockpiled fescue, and alfalfa-grass combinations. Fifteen cow-calf pairs contributed to a constant stocking rate within each system at each of two locations. Pastures were subdivided to provide grazing for 3.5 d and sampled pre- and postgrazing. Ungrazed forage mass was harvested as high-moisture baleage. Harvested, fed, and grazed DM masses were measured, and costs and returns were determined. Animal performance was not different across systems or forage varieties (P>0.05); however, calves tended to have less preweaning BW gain (P