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Effects of veld fertilization on herbage chemical composition and beef cattle production

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

J. W. Cilliers ,
H. J. van der Merwe ,
L. M. Vermaak ,
J. J. Jaarsma  and
D. Oosthuysen
J. W. Cilliers
Affiliation:
North West Agricultural Development Institute, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
H. J. van der Merwe
Affiliation:
Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
L. M. Vermaak
Affiliation:
North West Agricultural Development Institute, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
J. J. Jaarsma
Affiliation:
North West Agricultural Development Institute, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
D. Oosthuysen
Affiliation:
North West Agricultural Development Institute, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
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Abstract

The effects of fertilization (100 kg nitrogen plus 10kg phosphorus per ha per year) of Cymbopogon-Themeda veld on certain chemical components in vitro dry-matter digestibility (IVDMD), intake by either lactating cows or steers as well as daily gain of pre-weaned calves or steers, were determined in the summer rainfall area of the Republic of South Africa.

The nutritive value of fertilized veld herbage was, in terms of crude protein and acid-detergent fibre content, IVDMD and herbage intake, superior to that of unfertilized veld. Species, classified as palatable according to the literature, were more abundant on the fertilized veld than on the unfertilized veld. In spite of the fact that the stocking rate on the fertilized veld was double that of the unfertilized veld, the average daily gain (ADG) of steers on the former was higher than that of steers on the latter. There was no significant difference in the ADG of the pre-weaned calves, whose dams grazed either fertilized or unfertilized veld. It was calculated that the fertilization of veld for growing steers can (under the conditions that prevailed) be a financially viable proposition if the beef price per kg live weight amounts to at least 0·65% of the cost of fertilization per ha.

Keywords

beef cattlechemical compositionfertilizerfood intakeveld
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Science , Volume 61 , Issue 3 , December 1995 , pp. 519 - 526
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1995

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