Management of natural Kentucky bluegrass-white clover pasture

1997 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 140-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
William M. Murphy ◽  
Joshua P. Silman ◽  
Lisa E. McCrory ◽  
Sarah E. Flack ◽  
Abdon L. Schmitt ◽  
...  

AbstractManagement recommendations are needed f or low-input (no N fertilizer) Kentucky bluegrass-dominant/white clover swards, particularly to increase or maintain white clover content. We applied treatments involving different amounts of forage present pre- and postgrazing, with and without harrowing and soil aeration, to a well-established, naturally seeded pasture grazed by dairy cows. Pregrazing dry matter was 2350 or 2700 kg/ha (about 10 or 15 cm tall). Postgrazing dry matter was 1100 or 1575 kg/ha (about 2.5 or 5 cm tall). The sward was composed mainly of Kentucky bluegrass, orchardgrass, quackgrass, timothy, white clover, dandelion, and chicory. Soil aeration and harrowing did not affect botanical composition, plant components, or forage yield. Pre- and postgrazing mass (total forage dry matter per unit area) did not affect botanical composition or plant components, but did influence total forage yield. White clover tended to increase under all pasture-mass treatments. During the second year the lowest postgraz- ing mass produced the most forage (mean: 6685 kg DM/ha). Forage quality of all treatments was excellent (seasonal means: 26% crude protein; 1.6 Meal net energy lactation/kg DM).

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 1585-1594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dj. Karagic ◽  
S. Vasiljevic ◽  
S. Katic ◽  
A. Mikic ◽  
D. Milic ◽  
...  

In order to determine an optimum ratio of vetch and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) components in their mixture, there has been carried out a four-year trial (autumn 2005 - spring 2009) aimed at the yield and quality of winter vetch haylage. The sowing rate of winter vetch was 120 kg ha-1, while the sowing rate of winter wheat was 0, 15, 20, 25 and 30 kg ha-1. An increased proportion of the cereal in its mixture with vetch significantly decreases the stand lodging, have a positive influence on forage yield, but haylage quality is of a poorer quality. Quality characteristics such as crude protein and lignin content, total digestible nutrients, dry matter intake and relative feed value were highest in monoculture common vetch followed by mixture with the lowest rate of wheat. Neutral detergent fiber content was positively affected by intercropping. There were no significant differences among treatments for acid detergent fiber content, digestible dry matter, and net energy for lactation. The most favorable balance between the haylage yield and quality, as well as the highest CP yield (1482 kg ha-1), was achieved by the mixture of 120 kg ha-1 of the vetch seed and 15 kg ha-1 of wheat.


1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
CR Stockdale ◽  
KR King

An experiment was carried out at Kyabram in 1979 to determine the effects of varying the time of pasture closure in autumn on subsequent growth and changes in botanical composition and herbage quality of two types of irrigated perennial pasture, one based on ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens) and the other on paspalum (Paspalum dilatatum). There were six dates of closure, ranging from early April to mid-May. Mean daily growth rates (kg dry matter/ha) for ryegrass-white clover-dominant and paspalum dominant pastures were 22.8 and 6.2 in May, 16.7 and 8.9 in June, and 11.0 and 1.6 in July respectively. Variations in pasture growth throughout the late autumn-winter period were associated with date of closure and pasture type. For each additional day by which date of closure was deferred, daily growth of the sward was reduced by 0.7 kg dry matter/ha in May, while it was increased by 0.2 kg dry matter/ha in July. Herbage digestibility was lowest in May and increased throughout the experiment. For each day by which date of closure was deferred, digestibility of the herbage on offer was reduced by 0.51, 0.16 and 0.07 units in May, June and July respectively. In addition, the digestibility of the paspalum pasture was 0.7, 1.8, 2.1 and 1.4 percentage units lower than that of the ryegrass white clover pasture in May, June, July and August respectively; however, this difference was significant only in July. The difference in productivity between the two types of pasture suggested that an advantage could be gained by renovating paspalum dominant pastures rather than saving such pastures from autumn for the dairy herd in spring.


1986 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 147-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
William M. Murphy ◽  
John R. Rice ◽  
David T. Dugdale

AbstractPermanent pastures produce far below their potential, as they are usually managed in the northcentral and northeastern United States. Dairy farmers in these regions generally feed their cattle year-round from stored forage and purchased concentrates, and use permanent pastures as mere holding or exercise areas, grazing them continuously. This practice involves high operating costs that, combined with lower milk prices, have resulted in greatly reduced profit margins. Farming practices that return more net income are needed. The Voisin system of rotational grazing management, which applies intensive management to forage crops on pastureland, is widely used on dairy and sheep farms in New Zealand. Farmers using the Voisin system there have low operating costs and obtain high yields of excellent quality forage over long grazing periods; increased net income results Between 1 May and 1 October 1984, 497 forage samples were taken and analyzed from permanent pastures grazed according to the Voisin management system on six Vermont dairy farms. This was done to provide farmers with current estimates of forage feeding value so that they could balance their cows' rations accordingly throughout the season, and determine if they could improve the profitability of their farms by using Voisin grazing management. Average grazingseason analyses (dry weight) were: 22.5% dry matter, 22.4% crude protein, 20.8% available protein, 28.4% acid detergent fiber, 1.18% calcium, .48% phosphorus, 1.60% potassium, .22% magnesium, and 1.58 Mcal/kg net energy lactation. Average dry forage yield was 8.9 metric tons/ha. Dry matter intake was adequate for milk production up to 36 kg/cow/day. Forage protein and energy contents were sufficient for at least 25 and 18 kg milk/day, respectively. On three farms where economic factors were calculated, net profits per cow averaged $67 more during the 5-month period from using Voisin grazing management, compared to continuous grazing of the same pastureland in the year before Voisin management was used. This profit resulted mainly from feed savings and a more favorable milk:concentrate ratio of 4.1:1 obtained with Voisin management, compared to 2.7:1 with continuous grazing and more feeding of stored or machine-harvested forage. Voisin-managed pastures can produce high yields of excellent-quality forage that can be incorporated into dairy feeding programs, thereby reducing feed costs and increasing profitability of the farming operations.


Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1147
Author(s):  
Chao-Chen Tang ◽  
Li-Pu Han ◽  
Guang-Hui Xie

A two-year nutrient omission trial was conducted on semiarid wasteland to determine the effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) on the chemical composition and theoretical ethanol yield (TEY) of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). The fertilizer treatments were the following: NPK, PK, NK, NP, and no nutrient inputs (CK). Results indicated that the crude protein (CP) content and protein yield of switchgrass aboveground biomass decreased significantly in the PK treatment (N omission) and the CK, compared with the NPK treatment. The omission of N, P, or K did not significantly affect the other feed and energy quality indicators. When averaged across the two years, the neutral- and acid-detergent fiber contents were lower in the NPK and NP treatments, but the CP, dry matter digestibility, dry matter intake, total digestible nutrients, net energy for lactation, and relative feed value were higher, indicating that the suitable application with combination of N and P was helpful to improve the forage quality of switchgrass. In PK and CK treatments, the contents of soluble sugar, cellulose, and hemicellulose were higher but that of ash was lower than that in other three treatments, indicating that no N application meant better quality of switchgrass aboveground biomass for bioethanol production. The TEY at NPK was 2532 L ha−1 in 2015 and 2797 L ha−1 in 2016; in particular, the TEY decreased significantly by 15.1% in PK, 14.7% in NK, 10.5% in NP, and 29.9% in CK in 2016. To conclude, N was the most limiting factor in switchgrass productivity and the combined N, P, and K nutrient supply management strategy is recommended based on the consideration of quality and quantity of switchgrass as forage and bioenergy feedstock on semiarid marginal land.


1984 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 593-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. ATLIN ◽  
R. B. HUNTER

Three autotetraploid maize synthetics were compared with four diploid synthetics of similar adaptation in yield trials and growth analysis experiments at several southern Ontario locations, in order to assess the potential of tetraploid maize as a source of forage. No differences were observed among ploidy levels in productivity of whole-plant dry matter, or in nutritional quality of forage. Tetraploids appeared to be lower in dry matter content at harvest and through much of their period of growth.Key words: Silage corn, forage corn, autotetraploid, (Zea mays L.)


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (02) ◽  
pp. 197-200
Author(s):  
Rajeev Kumar ◽  
Sanjeev Kumar ◽  
Anil Kumar ◽  
B. B. Singh ◽  
Ravendra Singh ◽  
...  

A field experiment was conducted in the Department of Agricultural Botany, Janta Mahavidiyalaya Ajeetmal, Auraiya (C. S. J. M. University, Kanpur) during 2014, to evaluate the effect of various levels of nitrogen on growth, yield and quality of fodder maize. 3 treatments were taken up (viz.,T1 75, T2 100 and T3 125 kg nitrogen ha-1 along with control (T0).Plant height, dry matter accumulations (t ha-1), forage yield (t ha-1) increased with increasing levels of nitrogen, while stem diameters (cm), leaf area (cm2), fresh weight (g), crude protein percent decreased with increasing levels of nitrogen.


1984 ◽  
Vol 24 (126) ◽  
pp. 312 ◽  
Author(s):  
KR King ◽  
CR Stockdale

An experiment at Kyabram, Victoria, studied the effects of pasture allowance on the production of grazing dairy cows in late lactation (autumn). Cows strip-grazed paspalum dominant or ryegrass-white clover perennial pastures for 60 d from March to May. Mean pasture allowances were 23.2, 13.3 or 6.9 kg digestible dry matter/cow.d. Reduced pasture allowance during late lactation reduced milk yield and body condition. This occurred because pasture intake was positively related to pasture allowance. Each additional kilogram of dry matter (DM) eaten produced 0.93 kg milk and 0.045 kg milk fat. Cows grazing ryegrass-white . clover pastures produced more milk and milk products at equivalent DM intakes than did cows grazing paspalum dominant pastures, and they were in better condition. This was due to herbage quality: cows grazing ryegrass-white clover pastures were able to select higher quality diets than could those grazing paspalum dominant pastures. When the results were compared with those from two previous stall-feeding experiments, the marginal efficiencies for milk production in all experiments were not significantly different; an extra 1.19 kg fat corrected milk was produced for each additional kilogram of digestible dry matter of pasture eaten. . The pastures were not grazed from May to September but their growth and quality were measured during this period. The amount of pasture left at drying off influenced the growth and quality of the pastures throughout winter: daily growth declined by 3.31 kg DM/ha between May and July, and by 6 56 kg DM/ha between July and September, as herbage yield at drying off (May) increased by each additional tonne of DM per hectare. Also, the ryegrass-white clover pastures grew more herbage at equivalent DM yields than did the paspalum dominant pastures. The implications of these results for grazing management are discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 402-418
Author(s):  
Muhammad Aamir Iqbal ◽  
Asif Iqbal ◽  
Zahoor Ahmad ◽  
Ali Raza ◽  
Junaid Rahim ◽  
...  

In traditional row and strip cowpea-sorghum intercropping systems, cowpea forage yield reduces significantly due to intense competition and dominance of sorghum in acquiring growth resources. This field study evaluated novel mixed strip intercropping systems of forage cowpea and sorghum having different number of crops rows arranged under different spatial arrangements. Cowpea was intercropped with sorghum in 8, 12 and 16 rows strips with row-row spacing of 30, 45 and 60 cm. In each strip, equal number of rows of cowpea and sorghum were maintained. Factorial arrangement of randomized complete block design with three replicates was used to execute the field trials during summer seasons of 2013 and 2014. Strips having 12 rows and 60 cm row-row spacing positively affected all agronomic variables of cowpea which led to maximum forage yield (22.2 and 23.7 t ha-1 during 2013 and 2014 respectively) and dry matter biomass (6.63 and 6.94 t ha-1 during 2013 and 2014 respectively). In contrast, 8-rows strips having line spacing of 30 cm outperformed other intercropping systems by yielding the maximum herbage yield and dry matter biomass of sorghum. The intercropping system comprising of 12-rows strips with 60 cm row-row spacing remained superior in recording the maximum crude protein, fats and total ash along with the minimum fiber content of cowpea. In addition, this intercropping system under rest of spatial arrangements also remained unmatched, while 16-rows strips under all planting geometries remained inferior to other intercropping systems. Thus, cowpea intercropping with sorghum in 12-rows strips having 60 cm spacing offers biologically viable solution to improve biomass and forage quality of cowpea in intercropping with sorghum.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (20) ◽  
pp. 13-18
Author(s):  
Yasin Akinci ◽  
Mahmut Kaplan

Objectives of the present study are to determine the variations in forage yield and quality of soybean cultivars. Experiments were conducted in randomized complete blocks design with 3 replications during the growing season of 2016. A total of 10 cultivars were used as the plant material of the experiments (Bravo, A3127, Traksoy, İlksoy, Mersoy, Nova, SA-88, Arısoy, Safir, Atakişi). Cultivars had a significant effect on yield and chemical composition. Results revealed that green herbage yields varied between 826.39 - 1199.17 kg/da, dry hay yields between 247.71 - 357.90 kg/da, crude protein yields between 16.91 - 39.86 kg/da, acid detergent fiber (ADF) ratios between 26.56 - 34.61%, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) ratios between 38.43 - 44.85%, crude ash contents between 7.20 - 11.22%, crude protein contents between 6.66 - 13.53%, dry matter digestibility (DDM) values between 61.94 - 68.21%, dry matter intake (DMI) values between 2.68 - 3.12% and relative feed values (RFV) between 2.68 - 3.12. The results of the study showed that A3127 cultivar was found to be prominent with green herbage yield (1199.17 kg/da) and dry hay yield (357.90 kg/da) and Safir cultivar was found to be prominent with crude protein yield (39.86 kg/da). It was concluded that the soybean cultivars A3127 and Safir could be recommended for hay production.


Author(s):  
C.T. Westwood ◽  
M.G. Norriss

Liveweight changes were measured for lambs grazing six high endophyte perennial ryegrasses, in a grazing experiment run by an independent research organisation in Canterbury, New Zealand. Ryegrass cultivars were sown under code in a binary mix with white clover in February 1997. Plots were strategically irrigated to avoid moisture stress, and stocked at approximately 27 Coopworth ewe lambs per ha in May 1997. Common pasture residual mass was maintained across cultivars by strategic addition of extra lambs, with extra grazing days recorded for each replicate. Lamb liveweight gains and botanical composition of replicates were assessed quarterly. Lamb liveweight gains differed significantly between treatments in Years 1 and 2 of this ongoing 3 year study. Lambs grazing 'Quartet' tetraploid perennial ryegrass gained, on average, 37.4 kg and 36.1 kg liveweight during Years 1 and 2 respectively, and together with 'Aries HD' (35.0 and 35.9 kg) produced significantly greater liveweight gain compared with 'Grasslands Nui' (22.0 and 23.7 kg) and 'Bronsyn' (22.5 and 24.1 kg), LSD0.05 = 6.0 and 7.4. Lambs grazing 'Embassy' gained 31.6 kg and 28.7 kg, and 'Vedette' 29.8 kg and 28.0 kg. Extra grazing days expressed as a percentage of base grazing days were between 3.8 and 6.7% across cultivars for Year 1 and between 2.0 and 6.5% across cultivars for Year 2. This study demonstrated significant differences in animal productivity between perennial ryegrass cultivars that produce comparable yields of dry matter. Differences may reflect variation in forage quality, endophyte toxins, clover content in the sward or other unidentified cultivar characteristics. Keywords: digestibility, endophyte, lamb, liveweight, perennial ryegrass, tetraploid


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