Effect of Shifting Frequency on Liveweight Gain of Grazing Steers

Abstract

Two trials lasting approximately two months each were carried out with different groups of holstein steers each initially weighing ~150 kg. Three shifting frequency treatments with no replications were imposed: three day, once daily and twice daily. Pasture allowances (kg DM animal-1 day-1) varied throughout the trials but remained equal among treatments. No significant differences in liveweight gain were observed among treatments. Higher shifting frequency treatments showed a tendency to have higher liveweight gains when gains were ~650 gm animal-1 day-1 or lower. It is recommended that future studies monitor the effect of shifting frequencies on pasture growth. Under the conditions of this study satisfactory estimates of kikuyugrass (Pennisetum clandestinum) were not provided by use of a capacitance meter or plant height.