The effects of increasing stocking rates on live weight gain and gain/hectare using light-weight (141 kg) and heavy-weight (265 kg) steers grazing Plains Old World bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum) was examined at the Bluestem Research Range near Stillwater, Oklahoma (36˚ 04’ N; 97˚ 13’ W). Stocking rates were calculated live weight/ha and not by number of steers. Three stocking rates (light, moderate and heavy) were examined over a 69 day grazing season beginning in May. Animal performance in terms of average daily gain (ADG) and time spent grazing by both steer weight groups was collected for this study. Diets were sampled through fecal and ruminal fistula collections. Samples were analyzed for chromium concentrations, OM digestibility, Kjeldahl nitrogen and masticate organic matter disappearance (OMD).
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