Sprigs and muscle scores were headline topics at Hubbard tour

By MINDY POEHL | Central Texas Edition

June 3, 2004 -- The 2004 Hill County Livestock and Pasture Tour took place at the Hubbard Sale Barn on Thursday, May 13.

Dr. Twain Butler, Extension agronomist and forage specialist, spoke about bermudagrass.

Bermudagrass is a deep-rooted, sod-forming grass that spreads by means of stolons (tops) and rhizomes and grows to a height of 15 to 24 inches. It is productive during the months of June, July and August because bermudagrass has long roots, which helps provide drought tolerance.

Butler recommends hybrid bermudagrass over seeded ber-mudagrass because weeds compete against the sprigs (roots) of seeded grass. The roots of seeded bermudagrass do not extend deep enough into the soil, Butler said.

Bermudagrass can be sprigged at many different rates. The faster the stand is desired, the more sprigs must be planted. Sprigs should be planted at a depth of one to two inches in 20 to 40 inch rows. Sprigs should be kept moist, but not wet; cool and in the shade to ensure survival. They should also be planted within 24 hours of digging. Protect sprigs and stolons from wind and sun when planting.

Butler compared different types of grasses. He said Coastal bermudagrass should be planted two to three and a half inches deep. Tifton 85 can be planted at one and a half inches.

Horace Heathman, a bermudagrass producer, also compared the different types of grasses growing on his farm in Hubbard.

"Tifton 85 produces more hay. It takes four inches, of water, or less to make hay," Heathman said. "World Feeder takes more water to make a ton of hay, with at least five inches of rain."

Tifton 85 is the hardest to get a stand on, Heathman said. It requires a lot of moisture and it is spread more shallow. It also needs to be cut every 20 days, rather than every 28 days.

Heathman said Jiggs has coarser skin than Coastal bermudagrass, but it is a little higher in quality. Russel is a natural occuring grass that was Heathman's worst producer last year. Sheffield was his second highest producer last year, and it is thin stemmed. Sheffield contains 13 percent protein and Tifton 85 contains 15-25 percent more protein than Coastal, Heathman concluded.

Dr. Jason Cleere, Extension beef cattle specialist, was also on hand where he addressed the qualities of beef cattle marketing.

When buyers look at feeder calves, they must assess the muscle thickness, frame score, breed composition and any other management factors to determine a sale price, Cleere said.

Muscle thickness is related to the muscle-to-bone ratio at a given degree of fatness on a carcass. The muscle scoring system is rated by 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Muscle score 1 cattle are moderately thick throughout, showing a rounded appearance through the back and a moderate width between the legs. Muscle score 2 cattle are slightly thick throughout, also showing a rounded appearance through the back and a slight width between the legs. Muscle score 3 cattle are thin and the back looks sunken in, with both sets of legs close together. Muscle score 4 cattle have less thickness than the minimum requirements specified for the number 3 grade.

Cattle are also measured on "frame score." It is determined by measuring cattle standing on a flat surface with the legs squarely under the body and the head in a normal position. The measurements should be made directly over the hips.

Cleere summarized what to do to produce the best feeder calves: increase muscle thickness; produce calves with frame scores of 5 to 6; crossbreed to improve hybrid vigor; castrate bull calves; dehorn; maintain average fill and body condition; and keep animals healthy.