The Nutritive Value of Fall-Harvested Coastal Bermudagrass Hay as Affected by Rate of Nitrogen Fertilization and Stage of Maturity2

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Abstract
Hays from coastal bermudagrass fertilized with 2 levels of N, 50 and 100 lb. per acre, were harvested in the Fall at 6 (before frost) and 12 (after frost) weeks of maturity. Weight gains and hay intake were significantly lower for yearling nonpregnant heifers full-fed late-cut, low N hay plus a mineral supplement but all other hays afforded adequate winter gains thereby demonstrating the feasibility of a new agronomic approach to hay production in high-rainfall Gulf Coastal states. Differences in frequency of estrus, ovulation rate, conception rate, blood data and condition scores were non-significant between treatments. Protein content and digestibility of the hay varied directly with rate of N application, on a within-year basis; they were significantly lower (P< 0.01) in the late-cut, low-N hay. Increasing the stage of maturity from 6 to 12 weeks at the low-N level significantly lowered (P < 0.01) the digestibility of dry matter, protein, crude fiber, NFE, energy and the TDN content; however, at the 100 lb. N level only protein digestibility was lower (P < 0.05).

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