Productivity of one‐ and two‐year‐old steers grazing Coastcross II (Cynodon hybrid) at four stocking rates

Abstract

Coastcross II pastures were continuously grazed with 1‐ or 2‐year‐old steers at stocking rates between 5.4 and 13.4 animals ha⁻¹ in 1985–86 and 1986–87 at the Ukulinga research farm near Pietermaritzburg. In the first season there was no difference between animals of different ages in the ADG‐stocking rate and herbage availability‐stocking rate regressions. In the second season ADG for 2‐year‐old steers was higher (P≤0.05) and herbage availability lower (P≤0.05) than for 1‐year‐olds. Maximum gain ha⁻¹ for 2‐year‐old steers in the second season (1 178 kg) was 38% higher than for 1‐year‐olds (853 kg).