Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations


was due to growth made during intervals between initiation
of grazing on the respective pastures.
 Hay Equivalent and Feed Replacement Value of the Pasture.
-Since most of the forage consumed was alfalfa, and the qual-
ity of oats and clover forage was similar to that of alfalfa, this
hay was used as the reference roughage in evaluating the feed
obtained from the pasture. The average total digestible nutri-
ents obtained per acre from unirrigated pastures annually was
equivalent to 4.6 tons of hay. For 1955-56 and 1956-57 seasons
the annual average total digestible nutrients per acre from un-
irrigated pastures was equivalent to 3.0 tons of hay per acre
as compared to 4.6 tons for that from irrigated pastures.
 In calculating feed replacement value of the pasture, consid-
eration was given to the fact that the roughage requirements
of a herd are rather uniform under practical conditions. The
total digestible nutrient level of the base line in Figure 1 was
used to represent the amount needed from unirrigated pasture,
and that above the base line was considered as surplus, which
could be preserved as stored forage. The hay equivalent that
could be utilized as grazed forage was valued at $52 per ton,
and that as surplus valued at $26 per ton.
 The calculated annual feed replacement value of unirrigated
pasture per acre ranged from $83 to $288 and averaged $206
for the four years. During the two seasons when irrigation was
a variable, the calculated feed replacement value annually per
acre averaged $214 for the irrigated pasture and $144 for the
unirrigated.
 Calculated Production Costs and Net Returns.-Prevailing
prices for fertilizers and land rent were employed in calculating
pasture production costs. Assessments for cultural practices
were in accordance with charges for local custom work where
pastures are 10 acres or larger. Fertilizer costs per ton were:
superphosphate, 20 percent, $30; muriate of potash, 60 percent,
$58; agricultural borax, $113; and ammonium nitrate, $80. Seed
cost per hundred-weight were: alfalfa, $35; Kenland red clover,
$55; bur clover, $50; white clover or Ladino clover, $105; and
oats, $5.50. Assessments per acre for cultural practices were
breaking land, $3.25; harrowing, $1.70; spreading fertilizer.
$1.50; applying topdressing, $1.25; seeding, $1.25; and mowing,
$1.25. Calcic limestone applied on pasture was $5 per ton, and
dolomite limestone $7 per ton. Land rent was $8 per acre, and
total cost of dusting pasture with parathion was $1.90 per acre.