Herbage accumulation and nutritive value of stockpiled limpograss and 'Tifton 85' bermudagrass

Stockpiling limpograss [Hemarthria altissima (Poir.) Stapf & C.E. Hubb.] may be an option to extend the grazing season and decrease the needs for conserved forage in Florida. This 2-yr study evaluated herbage accumulation (HA), in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM), and crude protein (CP) concentrations of four limpograss entries (`Floralta', 'Gibtuck', 'Kenhy', and Entry 1) and 'Tifton 85' bermudagrass [Cynodon spp.] during the growth (May-August) and stockpiling (September-January) periods. During the growth period, treatments were the five grasses. During the stockpiling period, treatments were allocated in a split-plot arrangement with five grasses (main plot) and four stockpiling periods (5, 10, 15, or 20 wk; subplot). Limpograss and Tifton 85 had similar total HA (mean = 8,150 lb dry matter [DM] acre(-1)) during the growth period, and Gibtuck had greater HA per harvest than Kenhy and Entry 1 (2,360 vs. 1,940 1b DM acre(-1), respectively). Regardless of the stockpiling period, HA was similar among treatments. At 15 wk, HA was maximized in both years, despite being similar to 10 and 20 wk in the first year. In general, limpograss had greater IVDOM and lesser CP concentration than Tifton 85 during growth and stockpiling periods. The decline in IVDOM was slower for stockpiled limpograss than Tifton 85, with greater differences occurring at 15 and 20 wk. Stockpiling limpograss may be an alternative to extend the grazing season in livestock operations, however protein supplementation might be needed to maintain or improve animal performance.