Mike Turpin¹

This observational study was initiated during the 2006 grazing season to demonstrate the feasibility of establishing Switchgrass (Panicun virgatum) for rotational grazing in the Coastal Plains soils of northern Louisiana. Traditionally, grazing systems in this area of Louisiana utilize warm season perennial forages; primarily monocultures of hybrid Bermudagrass, Bahia, or Bermuda/ Bahia mixtures.  Due to escalating fertilizer cost and a desire to increase the diversity of forage species in their grazing operations, interest in growing and grazing native forage is increasing among grazers in this area. To demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing native forage in a rotational grazing system, four three acre paddocks were established. Three paddocks consisting of ‘Alicia’ Bermudagrass and one paddock that was established to ‘Alamo’ Switchgrass were utilized for the rotational grazing of steer calves. Fecal samples were collected and analyzed by near infrared reflective spectroscopy to determine the protein and energy value of the forages consumed.  Transects and animal grazing days per species grazed during the 2007 grazing season were recorded. Data collection will continue through the 2008 grazing season. This poster documents the methodology used to establish Switchgrass, as well as, the grazing performance obtained on and the nutritional value of ‘Alicia’ Bermudagrass and ‘Alamo’ Switchgrass. 

 ¹ Corresponding Author: USDA-NRCS: Grazing Land Specialist, Ruston, LA, (318) 229-7699, john.turpin@la.usda.gov.