Selective behaviour in cattle grazing pastures of strips of birdsfoot trefoil and red clover. 2. The effects of sward maturity and structure

2006 ◽  
Vol 144 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. H. E. C. POLI ◽  
J. HODGSON ◽  
G. P. COSGROVE ◽  
G. C. ARNOLD

The effects of manipulation of sward maturity on ingestive behaviour and diet selection of grazing cattle were tested in two experiments using legumes which are equally preferred by cattle. Yearling heifers, in groups of three, grazed plots formed by alternate 2·4 m wide strips of a mixture of birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) (BW) and strips of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) (RC). The treatments comprised four combinations of each of the two swards at two contrasting levels of maturity/height replicated over four successive 3-day periods, in an order which balanced the effect of previous treatments. Observations of the distribution of grazing activity and biting rate were made over 3-hour periods each evening and in the morning of Day 2.Rate of biting was generally greater on immature than mature swards, and on BW than on RC, with little evidence of interactions between these effects. The animals demonstrated partial preference throughout the two studies, the proportion of grazing time devoted to BW being 0·40±0·010 in Expt 1 and 0·47±0·017 in Expt 2. The distribution of grazing time between sward type and maturity combinations was influenced progressively by herbage mass and height contrasts as strips were grazed down. An overall analysis using the results from these studies and a companion experiment indicated differences between studies in partial preference for BW and RC which appeared to be related to variations in sward morphology.

2006 ◽  
Vol 144 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. H. E. C. POLI ◽  
J. HODGSON ◽  
G. P. COSGROVE ◽  
G. C. ARNOLD

Alternate 2·4 m wide strips of a mixture of birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) with white clover (Trifolium repens L.) (BW), and of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) (RC) were offered in the proportions (by area) of 0·80[ratio ]0·20, 0·67[ratio ]0·33, 0·33[ratio ]0·67 and 0·20[ratio ]0·80 to yearling heifers in groups of three for periods of 3 days over four replicates in time, balanced for effects of previous treatments. Observations on the distribution of grazing activity and biting rate were made over 3 h periods each evening, and on the morning of Day 2. Biting rates were consistently higher on BW than RC (52·3 v. 46·3±0·59 bites/min, P<0·001). Initially the animals showed a strong tendency to concentrate grazing on the sward of smaller proportional area, but the selection coefficient (log θ) changed from positive to negative with time as herbage on minority strips was depleted. These results are discussed in the context of concepts of partial grazing preference.


1969 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 505-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. B. Willis ◽  
L. S. Thompson

Foliage yields of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), white clover (Trifolium repens L.), and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) were reduced by root-lesion nematodes [Pratylenchus penetrans (Cobb, 1917) Filip. and Stekh, 1941]. Foliage yields generally decreased with increased infestation levels. Significant yield reductions were recorded at the time of first cutting for white clover and birdsfoot trefoil, but not until several cuts later for red clover and alfalfa. Mean yields of birdsfoot trefoil, red clover, alfalfa, and white clover infested with 7,500 nematodes per pail were 50, 73, 83, and 93%, respectively, of control yields.


1999 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Reverter ◽  
T. Lundh ◽  
J. E. Lindberg

Two experiments were performed with post-valve T-cannulated growing pigs, using five animals in each experiment in a change-over design to evaluate the effect of inclusion of four different dried forage meals on ileal crude protein (CP) and amino acid (AA) digestibilities. The control diets (C1 and C2) were barley-based and the experimental diets were formulated by replacing the barley with 100 or 200 g/kg of either lucerne (Medicago sativa) or white clover (Trifolium repens) meal in Expt 1 and red clover (Trifolium pratense) or perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) meal in Expt 2. A decrease (P< 0·05) in the apparent ileal digestibility of CP and most of the essential and nonessential AA was found with the inclusion of lucerne, white clover and perennial ryegrass meal in the barley-based diets. When red clover meal was included, only the apparent ileal digestibilities of CP, leucine, phenylalanine, tyrosine and glutamic acid were found to decrease (P< 0·05). The estimated apparent ileal digestibilities of most essential AA in the forage meals were lower than in the barley-based diets. The ileal flow of glucosamine and ornithine was found to increase (P< 0·05) with increasing proportion of fibre in the diet, suggesting an increase in endogenous N secretions and small-intestinal microbial activity. With the minor changes found for ileal essential AA digestibilities with forage meal inclusion in the diet the present data confirm the potential of forage meals as a source of protein in pig diets.


2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 515 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. Cave ◽  
P. R. Kenyon ◽  
S. T. Morris ◽  
N. Lopez-Villalobos ◽  
P. D. Kemp

The objective of Experiment 1 was to examine the diet selection and grazing preference of ewe lambs for plantain (Plantago lanceolata), chicory (Cichorium intybus), red clover (Trifolium pratense) and white clover (Trifolium repens). This was examined in a herb and legume sward mix containing plantain, chicory, red clover and white clover between seasons under both hard- and lax-grazing. During early spring, the sward predominately comprised plantain (63%) and chicory (21%) and ewe lambs grazed a greater proportion (P < 0.05) of these species and displayed greater (P < 0.05) grazing preference for plantain and chicory ahead of red and white clover. From late spring onward, ewe lambs had a greater (P < 0.05) defoliation rate and a greater (P < 0.05) grazing preference for red clover than for all other species. This greater selection of red clover was particularly evident in summer and autumn when red clover made a greater (P < 0.05) contribution to the sward composition (8–9%) and the overall sward nutritive value dropped. This supports previous evidence, suggesting that diet selection is intrinsically affected by availability, access and palatability. The objective of Experiment 2 was to determine whether ewe lamb grazing behaviour during late summer was affected by time since a pure plantain sward was previously grazed. Ewe lambs were observed while grazing plantain of varying weeks since previous grazing (3, 6,10 or 16 weeks). Experiment 2 found no difference (P > 0.05) in the average number of ewe lambs grazing each sward of varying weeks since previous grazing. However, ewe lambs grazed the 3-week-old plantain growth to a lower (P < 0.05) post-grazing sward height than the height of the swards of greater number of weeks since previous grazing. Organic matter digestibility and metabolisable energy content did not differ (P > 0.05) among all swards, regardless of weeks since previous grazing. This suggests that the palatability of plantain is not affected by the time since it was last grazed.


HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 376-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle L. Infante ◽  
Ronald D. Morse

Experiments were conducted with `BigSur' broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) at two sites in Fall 1993 and at two sites in Spring 1994 on a Hayter loam in southwestern Virginia. Our objectives were to determine the effects of tillage main plots (conventional tillage = CT and no tillage = NT) and weed control subplots [no overseeding or preemergent herbicide, oxyfluorofen, red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), `Dutch' white clover (Trifolium repens L.), and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth)] on broccoli yield and weed suppression. In all sites, weed suppression and marketable broccoli yield with NT were equal to or higher than with CT. Overseeded legume living mulches did not affect broccoli yield in any site compared to the control plots and suppressed weeds as well as the oxyfluorofen in three of the four sites. Thus, the NT systems used in these experiments can suppress weeds and produce high broccoli yields. Also, overseeded legume living mulches can be established effectively after transplanting to suppress weeds without reducing broccoli yield. Chemical name used: 2-choro-1-(3-ethoxy-4-nitrophenoxy)-4-(trifluoromethyl) benzene (oxyfluorofen).


Author(s):  
Jaroslav Lang ◽  
K. Vejražka

In this paper, yield and quality of forage following species of forage legumes were evaluated with regard to precipitations: lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), white clover (Trifolium repens L.), kura clover (Trifolium ambiguum M.), alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum L.) and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.). The trial was sown in the spring of 2008, evaluated in the period 2009–2011. Analysis of samples was performed with the apparatus NIRS 6500. Following parameters were evaluated: production of dry matter, energy concentration (NEL), contents of fibre and crude protein. The highest three year yield average was measured for lucerne (15.01 t.ha−1), followed by red clover group (9.3–11.8 t.ha−1). Kura clover gained the lowest yield (1.97 t.ha−1). The average crude protein contents (g.kg−1) were: lucerne 211.47, red clover group (184.3–194.8), white clover group (229.1–238.7) and birdsfoot trefoil (204.2). The obtained results indicated that lucerne responded at best to periods of drought. Although the production of dry matter decreased in periods of drought, the canopy of stands remained to be complete in contradistinction to white clover, which partly disappeared from the stand. Red clover and alsike clover disappeared from the stand during the trial.


2012 ◽  
Vol 65 ◽  
pp. 59-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.L. Gawn ◽  
K.C. Harrington ◽  
C. Matthew

A field trial was conducted in Palmerston North to assess weed control options for establishing mixed swards of chicory (Cichorium intybus) narrowleaved plantain (Plantago lanceolata) red clover (Trifolium pratense) and white clover (Trifolium repens) a pasture mixture currently popular for finishing lambs Haloxyfop safely controlled grass weeds and mowing twice during the first few months of establishment helped control some broadleaved weeds Flumetsulam was the safest herbicide for controlling broadleaved weeds although it caused severe suppression of plantain initially All other treatments caused unacceptable levels of damage to at least one of the sown species If chicory was not included in the mix then bentazone paraquat/diquat and diuron could be used Options for an integrated weed control programme for the mixture of four species are discussed For young cloverbased pastures hemlock (Conium maculatum) will be controlled better by flumetsulam or bentazone than 24DB


1984 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 643-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. T. KUNELIUS ◽  
A. J. CAMPBELL

Small plot experiments and field scale trials were conducted to determine the establishment and growth of sod-seeded alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), white clover (T. repens L.), and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) in fine sandy loam soils on Prince Edward Island. Both pasture and hayfield managements were included. A John Deere PowrTill 1500 drill was used for sod-seeding and various combinations of grazing, herbicides, and clipping were used for vegetation suppression during establishment of the legumes. Sod-seeded red and white clovers established the best and were the most productive species. It was estimated that in the postseeding year sod-seeding of clovers resulted in yields comparable to stands fertilized with 100-150 kg N∙ha−1 annually. Trefoil and alfalfa had variable establishment and usually made a limited contribution to sward productivity. Timothy sod-seeded in conjunction with red clover, white clover or alfalfa established satisfactorily with all three legume species used.Key words: Pasture renovation, red clover, white clover, alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil, sod-seeding


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 2120
Author(s):  
Karolina Jakubczyk ◽  
Agnieszka Łukomska ◽  
Izabela Gutowska ◽  
Joanna Kochman ◽  
Joanna Janił ◽  
...  

Edible plants began to play an important role in past decade as a part of therapy, a recovery process or a healthy life style. The availability and relatively low price of the raw material, as well as proven bioactive health benefits, are key to consumers’ choice of nutrients. The red clover (Trifolium pratense) is a popular plant with healthy properties such as antiseptic and analgesic effects. The less known white clover (Trifolium repens), a fodder and honey plant, has anti-rheumatic and anti-diabetic properties. Both species may serve as a potential source of bioactive substances with antioxidant properties as a food additive or supplement. The study material consisted of flower extracts of Trifolium repens and Trifolium pratense. The total content of polyphenols and DPPH (2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were measured using spectrophotometry methods. Oxidative stress in THP1 cells was induced via sodium fluoride. Subsequently, flower extracts were added and their influences on proliferation, antioxidant potential and the activity of antioxidant enzymes were evaluated. The extracts have a high total content of polyphenols as well as high antioxidant potential. We also demonstrated positive extracts impact on cells proliferation, high antioxidant potential and increasing activity of antioxidant enzymes on cell cultures under high oxidative stress induced by fluoride. Both red clover and the less known white clover may serve as valuable sources of antioxidants in the everyday diet.


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