The utilization of irrigated pastures by dairy cows. I. A comparison of rotational and strip grazing

1959 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Freer
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Grazing Season ◽  
Average Production ◽  
Strip Grazing

1. An experiment was carried out from 1 August 1953 to 31 July 1955 to compare strip grazing with rotational grazing on the basis of the total animal production obtained from dairy cattle on irrigated pasture.2. The same overall stocking rate was used for both treatments. Herbage surplus to grazing requirements at any time was conserved as hay and fed back to the appropriate group of cows at the end of the grazing season.3. The aim was to manage the area under each technique as efficiently as the technique permitted.4. The average production from the rotationally grazed group during the main pasture season of 260 days was 8740 lb. milk per acre (including 354 lb. of butterfatand 766 lb. of solids-not-fat) and from the strip-grazed group 8867 lb. milk per acre (including 358 lb. of butterfat and 766 lb. of solidsnotfat).The average weight of pasture nutrients utilized per annum by the rotationally grazed group was 5887 lb. starch equivalent per acre and by the stripgrazed group 5896 lb. starch equivalent per acre.None of the treatment differences in animal production was significant.5. The differences between the results of this experiment and those obtained by other workers are discussed.

The inter-relationships of grazing method and stocking rate in the efficiency of pasture utilization by dairy cattle

1963 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. P. McMeekan ◽  
M. J. Walshe
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Vanishing Point ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Stocking Rates

1. A large-scale grazing management study comparing rotational grazing and continuous grazing with dairy cows at two stocking rates over four complete production seasons is described.2. The four treatments were: (i) controlled grazing, light stocking rate; (ii) controlled grazing, heavy stocking rate; (iii) uncontrolled grazing, light stocking rate; (iv) uncontrolled grazing, heavy stocking rate.Each treatment involved 40 cows for a first 2-year phase and 42 cows for the following 2 years. Each herd had a normal age distribution pattern and seven 2-year-old first lactation heifers (17% of total herd) were introduced each year to maintain this pattern.3. Stocking rate was the more important factor affecting the efficiency of pasture utilization as measured by per acre output of milk and butterfat. In general, high stocking was associated with higher outputs per acre despite lower yields per animal.4. Grazing method was of less importance. In general, controlled rotational grazing was superior to uncontrolled continuous grazing, both per animal and per acre, but the average influence even of these extremes of management was only half that of stocking rate.5. Significant interactions between stocking rate and grazing method existed. Under continuous grazing a point was reached where production per acre declined to the vanishing point with increased stocking rate due to excessive depression of per cow yield: this point was not reached under rotational grazing at the same high stocking levels.6. The results suggest that optimum stocking rate under rotational grazing occurs at a level some 5–10% higher than under continuous grazing. A depression of 10–12% in per cow yield, compared with more lenient grazing, corresponds with optimum stocking level irrespective of the grazing system. This estimate is suggested as a guide line in applying the principles involved.

The effects of stocking rate and nitrogen fertilizer on the productivity of irrigated perennial pasture grazed by dairy cows. 2. Animal production

1980 ◽  
Vol 20 (106) ◽  
pp. 537 ◽  
Author(s):  
KR King ◽  
CR Stockdale
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
Protein Production ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Milk Products ◽  
Maximum Production ◽  
Total Milk ◽  
Stocking Rates

The relation between the stocking rate of dairy cows and their production from irrigated perennial pasture, with and without nitrogen (N) fertilizer, was studied over 2 years at Kyabram, Victoria. Pastures were rotationally grazed at stocking rates ranging from 4.4 to 8.6 cows ha-1. In each year, N treatments were topdressed four times at a rate of 56 kg N ha-1. For every additional cow per ha, production per ha decreased by 260 and 329 kg of milk, 12.3 and 15.5 kg of butterfat, and 10.7 and 14.5 kg of protein for years 1 and 2, respectively. In year one, the highest production of milk and butterfat (17,900 and 847 kg ha-1, respectively) was from cows stocked at 8.6 cows ha-1, and for protein (597 kg ha-1) from 7.6 cows ha-1. In year 2, production per ha of all milk products maximized and then declined. Maximum production of milk and butterfat (14,180 and 675 kg ha-1, respectively) was at 6.6 cows ha-1, and protein (508 kg ha-1) at 5.9 cows ha-1. Increasing stocking rate also reduced the liveweight of cows at all times. Topdressing with N fertilizer had no effect on total milk or butterfat production per cow, but consistently increased protein production. The range in response increased from 2 to 7 kg protein per cow at 4.4 and 8.6 cows ha-1, respectively. Application of N fertilizer increased liveweight per cow, with greater increases occurring at high stocking rates. In year 2, the efficiency of butterfat production over the whole year was 29.9, 29.3 and 37.0 kg of DM (pasture and supplements) per kg of butterfat produced for 4.4, 6.6 and 8.6 cows ha-1, respectively.

Grazed pasture parameters. III. Relationships of pasture and animal parameters in, and general discussion of a stocking rate and grazing management experiment with dairy cows

1966 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. G. Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Management System ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Production Parameters ◽  
Grazed Pasture ◽  
Stocking Rates

1. Pasture parameters have been correlated with animal production parameters from a trial in which two management systems (‘controlled’ and ‘uncontrolled’ grazing), each at two stocking rates (0.95 and 1.19 cows/acre), were compared.2. Per acre butterfat production was positively related to percentage utilization of available D.M., but negatively related to yield of available D.M.3. Per cow butterfat production was significantly and positively correlated with yield of available D.M. in the two months after calving (August and September) and in the penultimate month of lacta-tion (April), but this correlation was not significant in other months.4. It is concluded that management system was as important as stocking rate in increasing the utilization of pasture and animal production from pasture.

Grazed pasture parameters. II. Pasture dry-matter use in a stocking rate and grazing management experiment with dairy cows

1966 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. G. Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Grazed Pasture

1. Dry-matter intake, pasture utilization and grazing pressure were studied over 3 years on a small-scale replica of a dairy cow grazing management x stocking rate trial.2. The four treatments were:(i) Controlled rotational grazing, light stocking rate (0.95 cow/acre).(ii) Controlled rotational grazing, heavy stocking rate (1.19 cow/acre).(iii) Uncontrolled, set stocked grazing, light stocking rate (0.95 cow/acre).(iv) Uncontrolled, set stocked grazing, heavy stocking rate (1.19 cows/acre).3. Mean D.M. intakes were: (i) 29, (ii) 21, (iii) 28 and (iv) 21 lb./cow per day. D.M. intake was reduced on average by 7 ± 2.1 lb./cow per day at the higher level of stocking.

Studies in grazing management. VI. The influence of free- and strip-grazing and of nitrogenous fertilizers on production from dairy cows

1958 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Campling ◽  
D. S. MacLusky ◽  
W. Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Fertilizer Nitrogen ◽  
Grazing Season ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Intensive Use ◽  
Grass Sward ◽  
Supplementary Foods ◽  
Strip Grazing

1. An experiment with dairy cows is described in which the production per animal and per acre obtained in three methods of grazing management were compared during 2 years.(A) An intensive method. Strip-grazing daily on heavily fertilized grass sward.(B) A modified intensive method. Continuous, free-range grazing on a heavily fertilized grass sward.(C) An extensive method. Continuous, free-range grazing on a grass and clover sward receiving a basic application of phosphate and potash only.The intensively fertilized swards received a total of 212 lb. fertilizer nitrogen per acre, together with adequate amounts of phosphate and potash throughout the grazing season. No supplementary foods of concentrate type were fed to the cows during the experiment.2. For the comparison of production per animal 3 × 3 Latin-square experimental design, with twelve Ayrshire cows and periods of 3 weeks' duration, was used. Two separate trials were conducted during the grazing season of 1955 and a third trial during 1956.3. The different methods of grazing management and intensive use of fertilizer had little influence on the milk yield and butterfat percentage of the milk of the cows.

scholarly journals GRAZING EFFECTS ON PASTURE AND ANIMAL PRODUCTION FROM OVERSOWN TUSSOCK GRASSLAND

1985 ◽  
pp. 119-125
Author(s):  
B.E. Allan
Keyword(s):  
Strong Interaction ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Vegetative Cover ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Tussock Grassland ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Stocking Rates

Continuous stocking was compared with intermittent (two paddock) and rotational (six paddock) grazing at low, medium and high stocking rates equivalent to 1.0x, 1.5x and 2.0x conventional rates for oversown tussock country (500 mm annual rainfall). 'By the sixth year liveweight gain/ha from Merino wether hoggets was improved 26% by intermittent and rotational grazing at medium stocking rates from that at conventional stocking rates. A strong interaction was demonstrated, with advantage in liveweight gain from intermittent and rotational grazing strengthening with increasing stocking rate. Total vegetative cover (75.8%) remained unchanged. Cocksfoot increased under low stocking while ryegrass increased under high stocking. A 60% overall loss in ryegrass during 1982 was attributed to unusually low winter soil temperatures. White clover cover was affected more b y climate than by grazing. A!!hough ?here *were interim differences, herbage production by the sixth year was similar for all treatments. Keywords: Tussock country, oversown, grazing, stocking rate, subdivision, pasture development, utilisation, Merino, liveweight.

scholarly journals BEEF PRODUCTION FROM LUCERNE AND LUCERNE/PRAIRIE GRASS SWARDS ON THE PUMICE SOILS OF THE TAUPO REGION

1977 ◽  
pp. 53-60
Author(s):  
K. Marsh ◽  
L.F.C. Brunswick
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Significant Interaction ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Prairie Grass ◽  
Grazing Period ◽  
Stocking Rates

Lucerne and lucerne/prairie grass swards were compared at three stocking rates using yearling beef cattle. A 35 day rotational grazing system was used and the experiment ran for 130 days from early October, 1976. Pasture DM yields were higher on the mixed sward but animal production was greater on the lucerne only sward, particularly from December onwards. Increasing stocking rate tended to reduce herbage DM yield and per-animal production. There was no significant interaction between sward type and stocking rate on either sward or animal yield. Lucerne and lucerne/ prairie grass swards on pumice soil compared favourably with fertile Waikato permanent pastures in terms of carcass gain per hectare over the grazing period.

Simplified rotational grazing management of dairy cows: effects of rates of stocking and concentrate

1991 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Hoden ◽  
J. L. Peyraud ◽  
A. Muller ◽  
L. Delaby ◽  
P. Faverdin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Yield Improvement ◽  
Concentrate Supplementation ◽  
Stocking Rates

SUMMARYAn experiment was carried out in Normandy between 1986 and 1988 over c. 6 months in each year, using a simplified rotational grazing technique (two paddocks in spring, four in autumn) with a total of 162 high-yielding cows (mean milk yield of 30·0 kg/day at turn-out). Three stocking rates, designated control (C: 2·3 cows/ha over the total area of the system), moderate (M: 2·6 cows/ha = 115% of C) and high (H: 3·0 cows/ha = 130% of C), were compared at two rates of concentrate supplement, 3·7 kg/cow per day and 0·5 kg/cow per day. Individual milk yield differed by a non-significant 5% between the extreme stocking rates (21·3 v. 20·3 kg fat-corrected milk (FCM) for treatments C and H, respectively). Milk production/ha was 23% greater in the H treatment (9816 v. 7970 kg FCM for H and C, respectively). Concentrate supplementation led, on average, to a 9% milk yield improvement (21·8 v. 20·0 kg FCM for high and low rates, respectively), i.e. a mean efficiency of 0·6 kg FCM/kg supplement. This response tended to be greater in the higher-yielding cows and for the high stocking rate. The sward measurements contributed to a better understanding of herbage utilization by the cows.

Effect of three day-time stocking rates for dairy cows offered silage overnight

1984 ◽  
Vol 1984 ◽  
pp. 19-19
Author(s):  
D J Roberts ◽  
J D Leaver
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Design Experiment ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Grazing Season ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Reverse Trend ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Stocking Rates

In a previous study (Phillips and Leaver, 1983) grass silage was offered indoors overnight to dairy cows which were set-stocked during the day. The intakes of herbage DM were high in spring and declined thereafter, with silage DM intakes showing the reverse trend. This suggested that a single daytime stocking rate could be practised throughout the grazing season if silage was available ad libitum as a buffer feed. In this experiment, three daytime stocking rates were compared.In a continuous design experiment lasting 24 weeks (17 April to 5 October 1983) 36 late winter calving Friesian dairy cows and heifers were housed and offered grass silage ad libitum overnight in a feeding passage. During the daytime the cows were set-stocked at 8, 10 or 12 cows/ha. Concentrates were fed at a level of 3 kg/day for weeks 1-16 and 22-24; 5 kg/day were fed for weeks 17-21.

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