Methane emissions differ between sheep offered a conventional diploid, a high-sugar diploid or a tetraploid perennial ryegrass cultivar at two allowances at three times of the year

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 1043 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Jonker ◽  
G. Molano ◽  
E. Sandoval ◽  
P. S. Taylor ◽  
C. Antwi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Ch4 Emissions ◽  
High Sugar ◽  
Elevated Water ◽  
Water Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Male Sheep

Elevated water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentration in the diet may affect rumen fermentation and consequently reduce methane (CH4) emissions. The objective of the present study was to determine CH4 emissions from male sheep (8 per treatment) in respiration chambers for 48 h and fed either a conventional diploid (CRG), a high-sugar diploid (HSG) or a tetraploid (TRG) perennial ryegrass cultivar, each offered at 0.7 or 1.0 kg dry matter (DM)/day during periods in early spring 2013 (P1), early autumn 2014 (P2) and late spring 2014 (P3). There was a significant (P < 0.001) interaction between cultivar and period for CH4 yield (g/kg DM intake). In P1 yield was 9% lower (P = 0.007) for sheep fed HSG than for sheep fed CRG or TRG, in P2 yield was 16% lower (P < 0.001) for sheep fed TRG than that for sheep fed CRG or HSG, and in P3 yield was 15% lower (P < 0.001) for sheep fed TRG than that for sheep fed CRG, with HSG-fed sheep being intermediate and not significantly different from either CRG or TRG. Despite there being a cultivar × period interaction, overall, CH4 yield was lower for sheep fed HSG or TRG than for sheep fed CRG (P < 0.001). There were no cultivar × level of feed offer interactions and, overall, yield of CH4 was 9% higher (P = 0.003) for sheep offered 0.7 than for sheep offered 1.0 kg DM/day. In each period, one or other of the high-WSC diploid (HSG) or tetraploid cultivars (TRG) gave lower CH4 yields than did the control diploid (CRG), suggesting that CH4 yield is reduced by characteristics of these cultivars. However, the effect was not consistently associated with either cultivar and could not be attributed to higher forage water-soluble carbohydrate concentrations.

scholarly journals Sheep performance on perennial ryegrass cultivars differing in concentration of water-soluble carbohydrate

2015 ◽  
Vol 77 ◽  
pp. 123-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.P. Cosgrove ◽  
P.S. Taylor ◽  
A. Jonker
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Continuous Variable ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Nitrogen Emissions ◽  
Economic Output ◽  
High Sugar ◽  
Water Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Daily Gain

High-sugar perennial ryegrass cultivars (HSG) selected for higher concentrations of water-soluble carbohydrate may enhance animal production and reduce emissions of methane and nitrogen. Assessing the effects on economic output and environmental footprint is most robust when related to production per unit of land. Average daily gain (ADG) and liveweight gain per hectare (LWG/ha) of sheep grazing a high-sugar perennial ryegrass cultivar, a diploid perennial ryegrass and a tetraploid perennial ryegrass were compared during measurement periods conducted in spring (84 days duration), autumn (99 days) and late springsummer (160 days). Continuous variable stocking was used, and stocking rate adjusted to maintain a target sward surface height of 6 cm. Average daily gain was higher (P=0.003) on the HSG than on either control in late spring-summer and higher on the tetraploid control than on the HSG or the diploid control in autumn (P=0.04), but the higher ADGs did not translate to significantly higher LWG/ha. These results can inform farmers on cultivar choice and support analysis of methane and nitrogen emissions on an intensity basis for inventory and regulatory purposes. Key words: water-soluble carbohydrate, perennial ryegrasses, high-sugar ryegrass, average daily gain, liveweight gain

scholarly journals High sugar ryegrasses for livestock systems in New Zealand

2007 ◽  
pp. 161-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.R. Edwards ◽  
A.J. Parsons ◽  
S. Rasmussen ◽  
R.H. Bryant
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrates ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
High Sugar ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
Water Soluble Carbohydrate

There has been mounting interest over the proposed production and environmental benefits from using perennial ryegrass cultivars bred to have higher water soluble carbohydrate content (high sugar grasses). Here, we objectively review published evidence, from the EU and New Zealand, of the effects of these on milk yield per cow, liveweight gain in sheep, N utilisation and wider trophic interactions. The literature reveals substantial variation in animal responses, though some of the uncertainty in interpretation can be resolved by combining the data from multiple trials, and showing this forms a continuum of response to diet quality. It also reveals variation in the degree to which the sugar trait has been expressed, possibly reflecting a gene x environment interaction. Achieving a more consistent, and probably greater than current, expression of the high sugar trait would be a valuable goal. We suggest 'proof of concept' has been shown, notably for the potential for improving N utilisation in the rumen, and so reducing the proportion of N intake lost in urine. The evidence suggests that this may be a greater challenge, albeit a more valuable goal, because of the relatively high N (crude protein) content forages that predominate in the New Zealand pasture industry. Keywords: animal performance, high sugar grass, Lolium perenne, perennial ryegrass, nitrogen utilisation, trait expression, water soluble carbohydrates

Seasonal variation in the herbage yield and nutritive value of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) cultivars with high or normal herbage water-soluble carbohydrate concentrations grown in three contrasting Australian dairy environments

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (8) ◽  
pp. 821 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. F. Smith ◽  
R. J. Simpson ◽  
R. N. Oram ◽  
K. F. Lowe ◽  
K. B. Kelly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
High Water ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Acid Detergent Fibre ◽  
Water Soluble Carbohydrate

Summary. Two lines of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), cv. Aurora and breeding line Ba 11351, from the United Kingdom with elevated concentrations of water-soluble carbohydrates in the shoot were compared with the standard cultivars, Ellett, Vedette and Kangaroo Valley, in pure grass swards under irrigation at Kyabram, Victoria, and Gatton, Queensland, and under natural rainfall at Condah, Victoria, during 1995–97. Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy was used to predict the water-soluble carbohydrate, crude protein, in vitro dry matter digestibility, neutral and acid detergent fibre, and Klason lignin concentrations of the perennial ryegrass herbage. Herbage yield and water-soluble carbohydrate differed between cultivars at each site at most harvests, with the high water-soluble carbohydrate lines usually yielding less and having higher water-soluble carbohydrate concentrations than the 3 standard cultivars. However, the high water-soluble carbohydrate lines also had higher water-soluble carbohydrate concentrations at harvests where their yield was equal to the standard cultivars. The other nutritive value traits differed significantly at more than half of the 32 harvests: the high water-soluble carbohydrate lines had higher crude protein and dry matter digestibility, and lower neutral detergent fibre, the neutral detergent fibre containing less acid detergent fibre and lignin than did the standard cultivars. The high water-soluble carbohydrate lines were more susceptible to crown rust during spring and summer than the standard cultivars at Kyabram and Gatton: heavy infections reduced yield, water-soluble carbohydrate, dry matter digestibility and crude protein. Higher water-soluble carbohydrate may depend on only a few genes, as does rust resistance and it seems likely that high yielding, high water-soluble carbohydrate cultivars can be developed by recombination and selection.

Milk production from dairy cows offered perennial ryegrass selected for high water soluble carbohydrate concentrations compared to a control grass

1999 ◽  
Vol 1999 ◽  
pp. 208-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Miller ◽  
M. A. Neville ◽  
D. H. Baker ◽  
R. T. Evans ◽  
M. K. Theodorou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Microbial Population ◽  
High Water ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Elevated Water ◽  
Water Soluble Carbohydrate

The efficiency of grass nitrogen utilisation for milk production tends to be low, due partly to the slow rate of release of energy in the rumen which reduces the efficiency of capture of rapidly degradable plant proteins by the rumen microbial population. When additional sugars are infused into the rumen, microbial protein production is increased (Rooke et al., 1987). The objective of this study was to assess milk production using a grass variety that has been bred to express elevated water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentrations.Eight multiparous Holstein-Friesian dairy cows in mid lactation (176 days ± s.e. 3.6) were used in a continuous design, zero-grazing experiment. Following covariate measurements taken from all animals on a standard grazing diet, four animals were each offered one of two varieties of perennial ryegrass at ad libitum rate: AberDove, bred to express high WSC concentrations; and AberElan, a commercially available variety, used as a control.

scholarly journals Comparison of herbage yield, nutritive value and ensilability traits of three ryegrass species evaluated for the Irish Recommended List

2015 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Burns ◽  
P. O’Kiely ◽  
D. Grogan ◽  
S. Watson ◽  
T. J. Gilliland
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Water Soluble Carbohydrate

Abstract This study examined 169 of the newest varieties of three ryegrass species, perennial (Lolium perenne L.), Italian (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and hybrid (Lolium boucheanum Kunth), from Recommended List trials in Ireland. The traits examined were yield, dry matter concentration, three nutritive value traits (in vitro dry matter digestibility, water-soluble carbohydrate on a dry matter basis and crude protein concentration) and two ensilability traits (buffering capacity and water soluble carbohydrate concentration on an aqueous phase basis). Varietal monocultures of each species underwent a six cut combined simulated grazing and silage management in each of two years following sowing. Perennial ryegrass yielded less than both other species in one-year-old swards, but less than only Italian ryegrass in two-year-old swards, but generally had the higher in vitro dry matter digestibility and crude protein values. Italian ryegrass displayed the most favourable ensilability characteristics of the three species with perennial ryegrass less favourable and hybrid ryegrass intermediate. Overall, despite the high yields and favourable nutritive value and ensilability traits recorded, the general differences between the three ryegrass species studied were in line with industry expectations. These findings justify assessing the nutritive value and ensilability of ryegrass species, in addition to yield, to allow farmers select species that match farming enterprise requirements.

Effect of defoliation height and redefoliation interval on regrowth and survival of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) in subtropical dairy pastures

2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 121 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Fulkerson ◽  
K. Slack
Keyword(s):  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Carbohydrate Content ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
The Other ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Water Soluble Carbohydrate

A cut plot study was undertaken on the subtropical north coast of New South Wales, Australia, to determine the effect of defoliation height and redefoliation interval on dry matter yield and persistence of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) pastures. The pasture was established on 7 April 1998 and plots were irrigated to replace evapotranspiration loss. The study was a completely randomised block design with plots of 2 by 1 m and treatments replicated 3 times. In winter (commencing 13 July) plots were defoliated to 20, 50 or 120 mm stubble height and either not redefoliated or redefoliated at 3, 6 or 3 and 6 days after initial defoliation. In spring (commencing 28 October) plots were redefoliated as for winter but only to 50 mm stubble height. After imposition of the redefoliation treatments, the plots were allowed to regrow until the non-redefoliated treatments had regrown 3 new leaves per tiller (subsequently referred to as a regrowth cycle) and then again defoliated (regrowth cycle 1). Plots cut in winter were then halved with one half (A plots) continuing to be subject to the redefoliation treatment for 4 more regrowth cycles until regrowth cycle 1 in spring was completed on 24 November, while the other half (B plots) were a carryover comparison of redefoliation treatment in regrowth cycle 1. Both A and B plots continued to be subjected to the same defoliation height treatments as imposed in regrowth cycle 1. From 24 November to 30 March 1999, plots were defoliated at 50 mm height each time 3 new leaves per tiller had regrown.Plots defoliated to 20 or 50 mm height during regrowth cycle 1 in winter yielded 21% more dry matter than plots cut to 120 mm height while redefoliation at 6 or 3 and at 6 days produced 14% less dry matter than plots not redefoliated or redefoliated at 3 days. Continued redefoliation at 6 days (comparison within A plots) reduced dry matter yield by 63% compared with no redefoliation or redefoliation at 3 days, but only in plots defoliated to 20 or 50 mm height.Plant density in the autumn (March 1999) of the year after establishment was positively related to defoliation height over regrowth cycles 1–5 of the previous year (35, 55 or 77 plants/m2 for plots defoliated at 20, 50 or 120�mm, respectively). Plant density of plots not redefoliated or redefoliated at 3 days over regrowth cycles 1–5 was 63% higher (70 plants/m2) than for the other treatment combination (43 plants/m2) at P = 0.07 level of significance.Plants cut to 20 or 50 mm stubble height at the commencement of regrowth cycle 1 in winter had a stubble water-soluble carbohydrate content of 5.2%, decreasing to 2.3% at day 6 post-defoliation. The water-soluble carbohydrate content of plants cut to 120 mm were initially higher at 8% and fell to only 6.4% by day 6.The redefoliation treatments imposed in this study were designed to simulate the regrazing of regrowth shoots in an extended grazing bout at various defoliation heights. The results confirm the negative effects of redefoliation, at 6 days in the winter to spring period, on both dry matter yield and plant survival over the subsequent summer in the subtropics. In contrast to winter, redefoliation in late spring had no effect on dry matter yield or plant density. The results also indicate a compromise between the benefits of more lax grazing for persistence and harder grazing for pasture utilisation.

Characterisation of the WSC fraction of six species of temperate pasture grass

2004 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 247-248
Author(s):  
J. C. Ince ◽  
A. C. Longland ◽  
A. J. Cairns ◽  
M. Moore–Colyer
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
Pasture Grass ◽  
Pasture Grasses ◽  
Optimal Health ◽  
Water Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Field Plots

The carbohydrate (CHO) fraction of pasture grasses is a major source of energy for many domestic herbivores. However, the amounts, and types, of the water–soluble carbohydrate (WSC) fraction (i.e. glucose, fructose, sucrose, and polymers of sucrose and fructose, the fructans) present in such grasses, varies with species and environmental conditions. As the WSC constitute a highly digestible, energy yielding fraction of grasses, it is important to be able to measure their levels in a sward so that the diets of pastured animals may be designed to elicit optimal health and productivity. The aim of this study was to characterise the WSC profile of six UK pasture grasses, and to develop a technique for extracting the fructan portion of the WSC.Six species of UK pasture grasses [Cocksfoot (C), Timothy (T), Meadow Fescue (M), Italian Ryegrass (IR), Perennial Ryegrass (PR) and Hybrid Ryegrass (HR)] were grown in experimental field plots at IGER.

The effects of maxgrass treatment of bale silage on the performance of beef cattle

1992 ◽  
Vol 1992 ◽  
pp. 148-148
Author(s):  
J R Weddell
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Octanoic Acid ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Storage Losses ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Water Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
And Storage

Studies with beef cattle (Kennedy and Carson, 1991) and dairy cattle (Chamberlain et al, 1990) have shown responses in dry matter intake of silage and animal performance through applying Maxgrass silage additive to unwilted herbage ensiled in clamps. Maxgrass (BP Chemicals Ltd) contains (weight/volume) 68% ammonium hexamethanoate, 11% ammonium hexapropanoate and 2% octanoic acid.Research at Aberdeen has shown the benefits of using both inoculant (Weddell, 1990a) and formic acid based (Weddell, 1990b) additives on big bale silage which now constitutes around 15% of the total silage dry matter ensiled in the UK. The present study compared the effects on silage composition, animal performance and storage losses of Maxgrass treated with untreated big bale silage.Second cut perennial ryegrass herbage was wilted to a mean DM content of 230 g/kg then baled by fixed chamber baler. Mean water soluble carbohydrate was 100 g/kg DM. Alternate groups of six bales were left untreated or treated with Maxgrass silage additive at 7.4 1/tonne wilted grass.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document