Comparison of Florigraze and Arbrook Rhizoma Peanut Under Continuous Grazing

Florigraze and Arbrook are the most widely used cultivars of perennial peanut in Florida, but their persistence and cattle weight gains have not been compared under continuous grazing. The objectives of this experiment were to evaluate the nutritive value and persistence of both cultivars, as well as to compare the performance (ADG) of 400-lb heifers continuously grazing the two cultivars. In the first 2 yr of grazing, ADGs were similar on Florigraze and Arbrook. However, by the third year, continuous grazing reduced stands of Arbrook and ADGs were greater on Florigraze. Percentage of Arbrook in the pasture decreased 23% from yr 1 (89%) to yr 3 (66%), while percentage of Florigraze remained relatively constant between 87 and 90%. Nutritive value (CP and IVOMD) was greater in Florigraze than Arbrook. Under continuous grazing, Florigraze is preferred over Arbrook rhizoma peanut because of its greater persistence, nutritive value, and, over time, greater animal performance.