Herbage characteristics of perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot, tall fescue and timothy pastures and their relationship with animal performance under upland conditions

1982 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Davies ◽  
T. E. H. Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Phleum Pratense ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
The Other ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Grass Species

SUMMARYHerbage characteristics of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and timothy (Phleum pratense L.) pastures were obtained whilst rotationally grazed by ewes and their single lambs at a fixed stocking rate of 25/ha on an upland site (305 m O.D.) in mid-Wales. Drymatter production of cocksfoot averaged 32·1 kg/ha/day over the 3-year duration of the trial (1975·7) and was 13·3 kg/ha/day lower than that of the other three grass species. This resulted in a 8 kg/ha/day reduction in dry-matter intake on cocksfoot; this was significantly lower (P < 0·05) than that achieved on the other grasses, which were similar to one another around 36 kg/ha/day.In vitro digestibility of the herbage ranked in the order perennial ryegrass > timothy = cocksfoot > tall fescue. Intake of digestible organic matter (DOMI) was lower on cocksfoot than on perennial ryegrass and timothy. Differences were also detected in crude protein, water-soluble carbohydrates and sodium composition between species.Dry-matter intake was positively correlated with herbage growth rates (r = 0·95, P < 0·001) but not to digestibility of herbage on offer (r = 0·18). Both ewe and lamb live-weight gains were positively related to intake of dry matter and DOMI.Reference is made to comparative yield data between the grasses obtained under cutting trials. In the 2nd and 3rd harvest years (1967–1967) growth rates in the grazing experiment were 76, 61, 81 and 80% of the 66·2, 66·7, 67·8 and 65·0 kg D.M./ha/day obtained under a cutting regime on perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot, tall fescue and timothy swards respectively. This illustrates the danger involved in assessing the potential of grasses based on such information.The results are discussed in relation to the value of the species for use under grazing in the uplands.

Performance of ewes and lambs on perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot, tall fescue and timothy pastures under upland conditions

1982 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Davies ◽  
T. E. H. Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Weight Change ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Phleum Pratense ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Upland Conditions

SUMMARYThe performance of Welsh Mountain ewes and their single Clun-cross lambs on swards of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and timothy (Phleum pratense L.) was studied over 3 years (1975–1977) at a site 305 m O.D. in mid-Wales. Under a rotational grazing regime at a fixed stocking rate of 25 ewes and lambs/ha, mean daily lamb live-weight gain over the 84 days experimental period from early May to late July was 24 g higher on timothy than on perennial ryegrass and tall fescue and 35 g higher than on cocksfoot. Averaged for the 3 years the mean daily lamb live-weight gains were 194, 170, 170 and 159 g on timothy, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue and cocksfoot respectively. There were, however, marked interactions with years.Ewe live-weight change varied considerably between grasses and years with cocksfoot poorer than timothy and perennial ryegrass. Mean ewe live-weight change ranged from an overall loss of 39 g/day in 1975 to a gain of 34 g/day in 1977.Differences detected in animal performance between the four grass species altered during the 84 days of the experiment. Timothy and to a lesser extent tall fescue produced better animal performance early in the season whereas perennial ryegrass came into prominence during July.The results are discussed in relation to the present and potential use of the grass species under upland conditions.

Further studies on the fattening value of grass silage and on the effect of the dry-matter percentage of the diet on dry-matter intake in ruminants

1954 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 383-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. L. Dodsworth
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
The Other ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Dry Matter Content ◽  
Feeding Trial ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Weight Gains

1. A feeding trial is described including four groups of cattle fed on silage only, two mixtures of silage and roots, and roots, straw, hay and oats.2. The live-weight gains made are recorded together with the rate of dry-matter intake.3. The efficiency of the dry matter of the diets was calculated.4. Silage fed alone produced a significantly greater rate of fattening than the other three diets.5. Cattle receiving roots in the morning and silage at night consumed 10·78% more dry matter and made greater live-weight gains than cattle fed on silage in the morning and roots at night.6. Calculation of the starch values of the roots and silage showed that these are higher when fed together than when silage is fed alone or when roots are fed with straw, hay and oats.7. An experiment is described designed to determine the effect of the dry-matter percentage of the diet on dry-matter intake in ruminants and of sudden changes in dry-matter content on digestibility.8. Sheep receiving 19·46% dry-matter silage consumed 16·7% more dry matter and 19·8% more starch equivalent than sheep eating 15·85% dry-matter silage.9. When the dry-matter percentage of the silage fell from 19·46 to 15·77 the digestibility of the dry matter fell by over 10%.10. The starch equivalent of the silage when fed alone was determined from the results of a digestibility trial and according to the performance of the cattle in the feeding trial. The values found were 65·88 and 66·15% respectively.11. The losses suffered in silage-making in twentyfive silos are recorded and discussed. The loss of dry matter and crude protein both average approximately 40% of that ensiled. The need for finding methods of reducing these losses is again stressed.

The value of faecal nitrogen and faecal crude fibre in estimating intake of four subtropical grass species

1957 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 359 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Milford
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Regression Line ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
The Other ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Panicum Maximum ◽  
Crude Fibre ◽  
Common Mean ◽  
Faecal Nitrogen

For each four subtropical grasses there is a significant correlation between daily dry matter intake and total nitrogen in faeces per day. The data have been tested for homogeneity under two hypotheses. In the first a test of the difference in slope between the four regression lines showed that they were not statistically different. It was shown that for a common mean value for total faecal nitrogen, the calculated mean daily dry matter intakes of Paspalum commersonii Lam., Urochloa pullulans Stapf, and Chloris gayana Kunth were similar and the relationship for these three could be expressed by one regression line. However, the calculated mean daily dry matter intake for Panicum maximum var. trichoglume (K. Schum.) Eyles was significantly different from those for the other three grasses and P. maximum var. trichoglume cannot be included in a general regression. In the second hypothesis it was shown that all regression lines could pass through the origin. However, as in the first hypothesis, P. commersonii, U. pullulans, and C. gayana could be represented by a common regression line whllst the regression line for P. maximum differed significantly in slope from those of the other three grasses. The results indicate that species can be grouped for this relationship, and that it could be used to measure intake of the free grazing animal on monospecific swards or on mixed swards of species with similar relationships. Lancaster's technique for determining digestibility is discussed in the light of these relationships. Neither percentage faecal nitrogen nor faecal crude fibre was found to be satisfactorily correlated with dry matter digestibility.

Beef production from formic acid-treated and wilted silages

1976 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. E. Hinks ◽  
I. E. Edwards ◽  
A. R. Henderson
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Formic Acid ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nitrogen Retention ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrates ◽  
Live Weight Gain

SUMMARY1. Herbage was ensiled, fresh at 17% DM or wilted to 32% DM, with and without the addition of formic acid (19·2 kg/tonne DM). The silages were fed individually ad libitum to 36 fifteen-month-old British Friesian steers of about 280 kg initial live weight (nine animals per treatment).2. Wilting and the application of formic acid both inhibited fermentation, resulting in silages with higher levels of water-soluble carbohydrates, lower concentrations of volatile nitrogen and lower organic acid contents.3. There were no significant dry matter × formic acid interactions in dry-matter intake or daily live-weight gain.4. Treatment with formic acid did not enhance significantly either dry-matter intake or daily live-weight gain. Furthermore, it had little effect on digestibility, nitrogen retention or metabolizable energy (ME) concentration.5. Wilting before ensiling increased dry-matter intake from 5·0 to 8·3 kg/head per day with consequent marked increases in ME intake, nitrogen retention and live-weight gain. Wilting, however, had little effect on digestibility, ME concentration, or the efficiency with which dietary nitrogen intake was retained.

Regrowth of prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii Kunth) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) in response to temperature and defoliation

2000 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 555 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Slack ◽  
W. J. Fulkerson ◽  
J. M. Scott
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
The Other ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Lolium Perenne L ◽  
Leaf Stage ◽  
Prairie Grass

This glasshouse study was undertaken to determine the effect of temperature and defoliation on the regrowth of prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii Kunth cv. Matua) in comparison with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. cv. Dobson). Individual plants of prairie grass and perennial ryegrass were grown in 2 mini-swards with one half as prairie grass and the other as ryegrass. From H0 (13 weeks after sowing) to the completion of the experiment at H3, one sward was maintained at a day/night temperature of 18/10˚C and the other at 25/15˚C. From H0 to H1, prairie grass was defoliated 4 times at the time taken to regrow 1 new leaf per tiller (1-leaf stage), 2 times at the 2-leaf stage, or once at the 4-leaf stage to 60, 90, or 120 mm stubble height. Similarly, ryegrass was defoliated 3 times at the 1- leaf stage, once at the 1-leaf stage then once at the 2-leaf stage, or once at the 3-leaf stage to 30, 60, or 90 mm stubble height. Plants were subsequently harvested at H1, H2, and H3, being the commencement, mid-point, and completion of the full regrowth cycle (4- and 3-leaf stage for prairie grass and ryegrass, respectively). Prairie grass was more adversely affected by frequent defoliation than ryegrass. The combination of high temperature and frequent defoliation reduced growth rates by 66 v. 54%, stubble dry matter (DM) by 50 v. 11%, root DM by 62 v. 45%, and stubble water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) by 52 v. 21% for prairie grass and ryegrass, respectively. In contrast, ryegrass was more affected by defoliation height than prairie grass, particularly at the higher temperature. Close defoliation and high temperature reduced growth rate by 35 v. 25%, root DM by 18 v. 0%, and stubble WSC by 84% v. 36% for ryegrass and prairie grass, respectively. The number of tillers per plant was reduced by close defoliation, more so at the high temperature in ryegrass but not in prairie grass. Defoliating prairie grass to 90 mm stubble height at the 4-leaf per tiller stage compared with the 1-leaf per tiller led to maximum restoration of stubble WSC reserves as well as maximising leaf and root growth. The higher stubble WSC and greater root DM of prairie grass, together with its ability to maintain growth rates and tillering under high temperature, are attributes which explain why prairie grass appears to be more productive and persistent than ryegrass in a subtropical environment.

Effects of perennial ryegrass cultivar, duration of lock up and nitrogen fertiliser application on dairy pasture dry matter yield and quality for silage in south-western Victoria

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Jacobs ◽  
F. R. McKenzie ◽  
G. N. Ward ◽  
G. Kearney
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
The Other ◽  
Harvest Date ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
N Application ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Metabolisable Energy ◽  
Western Victoria

A study in south-western Victoria determined effects of 3 perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) cultivars (Vedette, Impact and Nevis) with differing maturities, duration of lock up and nitrogen (N) application on the dry matter yield and nutritive characteristics of pasture for silage. Treatments were cultivar (3), N (0 and 50 kg N/ha) and duration of lock up (5–10 weeks) arranged in a completely randomised design in 3 by 5 m plots replicated 3 times. Plots were mown to a uniform height (5 cm) on 14 September 1998 (first day of lock up) and 1 week later N was applied as urea (46% N) at either 0 or 50 kg N/ha to the respective plots. Weekly sampling commenced on 19 October (week 5 of lock up), and continued until 23 November. For each treatment and harvest date, dry matter yield and botanical composition were determined, and samples of total pasture and the ryegrass fraction were collected and chemically analysed for dry matter digestibility, concentrations of crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, water-soluble carbohydrates and minerals. Metabolisable energy was derived from dry matter digestibility. All pasture types were predominantly ryegrass (>90%) with no differences in the nutritive characteristics of total pasture swards or the respective ryegrass fraction. Nitrogen at 50 kg N/ha significantly (P<0.05) increased dry matter yield for all cultivars. Metabolisable energy (MJ/kg DM) of the pasture declined with time for all treatments, with Vedette having a significantly (P<0.05) greater rate of decline than the other cultivars. Vedette reached early ear emergence about 3 weeks earlier (week 7) than the other cultivars. The harvestable metabolisable energy yield (MJ/ha) at ear emergence was highest for Impact, followed by Nevis and Vedette. In conclusion, there is potential to use later-maturing cultivars of ryegrass in south-eastern Australia to allow for later harvesting of forage for silage, while maintaining metabolisable energy and maximising dry matter yields. Furthermore, the use of N fertiliser can also increase dry matter yields without impinging on pasture quality provided the time between N application and harvest date does not exceed 5–6 weeks.

Intensive beef production. 12. Replacement of concentrates with chopped dried grass

1971 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Kay ◽  
R. Massie ◽  
A. MacDearmid
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
The Other ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Growth Trial

SUMMARY1. A growth trial was carried out using 24 British Friesian steers given diets containing (1) 100%, (2) 60%, (3) 40% and (4) 0% concentrates and chopped dried grass up to 100%.2. Daily dry-matter intake was significantly lower for steers on Treatment 1 than for steers on the other three treatments.3. Rate of live-weight gain declined from 1·18 to 0·88 kg/day and carcass gain from 625 to 430 g/day between steers on Treatments 1 and 4.4. Killing-out percentage dropped from 55·3% (1) to 51·9% (4) and the 8th-10th rib from steers on Treatments 3 and 4 contained significantly more crude protein and less ether-extractable matter than ribs from steers on Treatments 1 and 2.

The effects of method of processing on the intake and digestibility by lambs of dried perennial rye-grass and tall fescue

1974 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Tetlow ◽  
R. J. Wilkins
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Live Weight Gain

SUMMARYCobs and pellets which differed in particle size (modulus of fineness, MF) were prepared from dried perennial ryegrass and tall fescue and given to sheep. The MF values of the feeds were 2·45,1·09,0·81 and 0·74 for perennial ryegrass and 2·28,0·84,0·67 and 0·57 for tall fescue. Organic matter digestibility was similar for the two grass species when measured in vivo, but when measured in vitro values for perennial ryegrass were about 3 units higher than those for tall fescue. Voluntary intake and live-weight gain were higher for sheep given tall fescue, the difference in live-weight gain being just significant at P < 0·05. The response to change in particle size was similar for the two grass species. Intake was lowest and digestibility highest for the feeds with the highest MF, but differences between the three finely-ground forms of each species were not significant. There was a tendency for the intake of digestible organic matter to be lower for the feeds with lowest MF than for those with intermediate values for MF. The rate of passage of undigested particles was slower for cobs with the highest MF than for the other feeds, which did not differ significantly one from another.

Prediction of voluntary dry-matter intake, digestible dry-matter intake and growth rate of cattle from the degradation characteristics of tropical foods

1995 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. N. Shem ◽  
E. R. Ørskov ◽  
A. E. Kimambo
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Insoluble Fraction ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Maize Stover ◽  
Banana Leaves

AbstractAn experiment using twenty-five bulls aged between 1 and 1·5 years and weighing 117 to 209 kg was carried out to estimate voluntary dry-matter intake (DMI), digestible dry-matter intake (DDMI), dry-matter apparent digestibility (DMD) and growth rate when the bulls were given 18 foods available from smallholder dairy farms on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. The animals were randomly allocated to five groups of five animals each. Foods were then randomly allocated to the five groups for four periods of 60 days each during which DMI was measured. A digestion trial was made at the completion of each measurement. Outflow rates of solids from the rumen were determined by giving the animals 200 g Cr-mordanted fibre of each food and grab faecal samples were obtained. Dry matter (DM) degradation characteristics of the foods were determined in sacco in the rumen of three Boran steers fed on guatemala grass and the water soluble fraction (A) was measured. DMI varied from 2·2 kg for banana pseudostem to 4·77 kg/day for urea-treated maize stover. DMD ranged from 549 for untreated maize stover to 767 g/kg DM for banana pseudostem and growth rate ranged from 72 for banana leaves to 275 glday for urea-treated maize stover. Potential degradability (defined by A + B) (where B is the insoluble fraction degradable with time) for the DM ranged from 617 g for banana leaves to 874 g/kg DM for banana pseudostem and the degradation rate (c) ranged from 0·0168 for banana leaves to 0·0440 per h for green maize stover. The separate use of degradation characteristics A, B and c in multiple regression to predict DMI, DDMI, and growth rates gave better results than when A + B or (A + B) + c were used. Multiple correlation coefficients between degradation characteristics and DMI, DDMI and group rate were r– 0·90, 0·93 and 0·93 respectively. The results indicate that DMI, DDMI and growth rates by cattle fed on crop residues and forages could be predicted well using the rumen degradation characteristics of the foods.

Milk production from silage 2. The influence of the digestibility of silage made from the primary growth of perennial ryegrass

1981 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Thomas ◽  
S. R. Daley ◽  
K. Aston ◽  
P. M. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Ammonia Nitrogen ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Primary Growth ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Friesian Cows

ABSTRACT1. The primary growth of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne cultivar Endura) was cut on 23 May (high digestibility) and 23 June (low digestibility) and ensiled with an additive consisting of equal volumes of formic acid and formalin to supply 30 g formaldehyde per kg crude protein. The silages were given ad libitum, together with 6·3 kg dry matter per day of a barley/soya bean supplement, to 24 British Friesian cows over weeks 4 to 18 of lactation.2. The delay in cutting the primary growth led to an increase in grass yield from 3·78 to 6·94t dry matter per ha but a depression in the content of digestible organic matter in the silage dry matter from 748 to 639 g/kg. However, the effect of the digestibility of the silage on the digestibility of the total diet by the cows was small. The silages contained low levels of fermentation acids and ammonia-nitrogen.3. The digestibility of silage did not influence silage dry-matter intake in early lactation but in mid lactation the intake of the low-digestibility silage declined whilst that of the high-digestibility silage increased slightly.4. Cows given silage of high rather than low digestibility produced significantly more milk (high, 28·0 v. low, 24·7kg/day, P < 0·01 ) of lower fat content (high, 36·1 v. low, 41·0 g/kg, P < 0·01 ) but higher protein content (high, 31·5 v. low, 29·4g/kg, P < 0·05). Cows given silage of low digestibility lost more live weight than cows given silage of high digestibility but the effect was not significant.

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