Effect of rate and time of nitrogen application from autumn to midwinter on perennial ryegrass - white clover dairy pastures in western Victoria. 1. Growth and composition

1999 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 1059 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Jacobs ◽  
F. R. McKenzie ◽  
M. J. Ryan ◽  
G. Kearney
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
N Application ◽  
Leaf Stage ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Residual N ◽  
Western Victoria

Field experiments were carried out at 2 sites to study the effects of time and rate of nitrogen (N) application from autumn to midwinter on perennial ryegrass–white clover pasture dry matter (DM) yield and species composition. Nitrogen (0, 15, 25, 30, 45, and 60 kg/ha) was applied in mid-April, early May, mid-May, early June, and mid-June 1996 onto a grazed pasture. Dry matter yield was estimated when perennial ryegrass in the 45 kg N/ha treatment reached the 3-leaf stage of development. Species composition estimates were made on all plots in autumn, late winter, and late spring (November). Asecond DM yield estimate was taken one regrowth cycle after the primary DM yield estimate to determine residual N impact on pasture growth, and then the pastures were returned to the grazing routine of the farm. Increasing levels of N fertiliser resulted in a linear (Site 1) and curvilinear (Site 2) primary DM yield response. Residual DM yield responses were linear at both sites. The highest primary DM yield response at Site 1 was 9.1 kg DM/kg N (mid-April application), whereas the highest residual N response was 9.4 kg DM/kg N (mid-May application). The time taken for the 45 kg N/ha treatment to reach the 3-leaf stage of development ranged from 38 (early June application) to 47 (mid-April application) days for the primary harvest, and from 46 (early May application) to 72 (early June application) days for the residual harvest. At Site 2, the highest primary DM yield response to N was 15.8 kg DM/kg N at 45 kg N/ha (mid-April application), whereas the highest residual N response was 8.3 kg DM/kg N (mid-June application). The time taken for the 45 kg N/ha treatment to reach the 3-leaf stage of development ranged from 24 (early June application) to 36 (mid-April and early May applications) days for the primary harvest, and from 30 (mid-April) to 57 (early June application) days for the residual harvest. Based on the current cost of urea, the study concluded that N fertiliser use during autumn to midwinter is economically viable for dairy farmers. Botanical composition was unaffected by N application. There were no treatment effects on botanical composition of the sward at either site the following spring (November). It is concluded that a ‘once-off’ strategic N application up to 60 kg N/ha during autumn to midwinter is not likely to influence dairy pasture composition in western Victoria.

Tactical versus continuous stocking in perennial ryegrass-subterranean clover pastures grazed by sheep in south-western Victoria. 2. Ryegrass persistence and botanical composition

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
pp. 1109 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Waller ◽  
P. W. G. Sale ◽  
G. R. Saul ◽  
G. A. Kearney
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Average Mass ◽  
Gravelly Soil ◽  
Western Victoria

A 4-year field experiment was carried out in south-western Victoria to determine whether tactical stocking might improve perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) persistence and prime lamb production, compared with the more common practice of continuous stocking. Tactical stocking consisted of variable-length summer, autumn and winter rotations and continuous stocking in spring. The 2 grazing strategies were compared on 2 contrasting pastures: an upgraded pasture, sown with newer cultivars of perennial ryegrass and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) with 26 kg phosphorus/ha.year, and a more typical naturalised perennial ryegrass pasture receiving 6 kg phosphorus/ha.year. Paddocks were grazed by Border Leicester x Merino ewes, which were mated to a terminal sire to lamb in September. The effects of the grazing systems and pasture treatments on ryegrass persistence and pasture botanical composition are presented in this paper. The perennial ryegrass component of the sward decreased from an average mass of 1000 kg dry matter/ha on the upgraded pasture and 400 kg dry matter/ha on the typical pasture in spring 1996 to 100 kg dry matter/ha and <50 kg/ha for the 2 pasture types, respectively, in spring 1998. This occurred irrespective of the grazing system imposed. The decline of ryegrass was attributed to several factors including the very dry 3-year period, summer rainfall events that caused ryegrass buds to break dormancy then die when dry conditions resumed, the gravelly soil type where the experiment was located, and the high grazing pressure used. A number of species became more prevalent in the pastures as the ryegrass disappeared. Silver grass (Vulpia spp.) increased 4–5-fold on all treatments. By the fourth year, barley grass (Hordeum leporinum) and Bromus spp. had increased significantly with tactical stocking compared with continuous stocking. Capeweed (Arctotheca calendula L.) and Erodium spp. increased on both the continuously stocked and upgraded pastures. The subterranean clover component was maintained across all treatments over the 4 years, indicating that tactical stocking did not adversely affect clover persistence. Since ryegrass declined irrespective of treatment, the tactical stocking system used in this study cannot be recommended for improving ryegrass persistence.

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.

Effect of rate and time of nitrogen application from autumn to midwinter on perennial ryegrass - white clover dairy pastures in western Victoria. 2. Pasture nutritive value

1999 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 1067 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Jacobs ◽  
F. R. McKenzie ◽  
M. J. Ryan ◽  
G. Kearney
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrates ◽  
Content Increase ◽  
N Application ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Western Victoria

Field experiments were carried out at 2 sites to study the effects of time and rate of nitrogen (N) application from autumn to midwinter on the nutritive value of perennial ryegrass–white clover dairy pastures in western Victoria. Nitrogen (0, 15, 25, 30, 45, and 60 kg/ha) was applied in mid-April, early May, mid-May, early June, and mid-June during 1996 onto a pasture which had been grazed and topped to a uniform height of 5 cm prior to imposition of treatments. Pasture samples to a height of 5 cm were collected when perennial ryegrass in the 45 kg N/ha treatment reached the 3-leaf stage of development. Samples were analysed for metabolisable energy (ME), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC). Increasing rates of N gave rise to a curvilinear (Site 1) and linear (Site 2) increase in pasture ME and CP content. The actual response of 0.007 MJ/kg DM. kg N at 45 kg N/ha was the same at both sites, regardless of N application time, and corresponded to an increase of 0.32 MJ/kg DM. At Site 1 the actual increase in CP content at 45 kg N/ha (0.067% per kg N applied) was the same for all application times and corresponded to an increase in CP content of 3%. For Site 2, the increase ranged from 0.040% (mid-April) to 0.098% (mid-May) per kg N, corresponding to a pasture CP content increase of 1.8 to 4.4% at 45 kg N/ha, respectively. The application of N gave rise to a curvilinear (Site 1) and linear (Site 2) decrease in pasture NDF. For Site 1 at 45 kg N/ha, the actual decrease ranged from –0.04% (early May) to –0.10% (mid-May) per kg N, corresponding to a pasture NDF content decrease of 1.69 to 4.61%, respectively. At Site 2, the actual decrease in NDF content (–0.04% per kg N applied) was the same for all application times and corresponded to a decrease of 1.58% at 45 kg N/ha. Apart from some exceptions, increasing rates of applied N gave rise to a linear (Sites 1 and 2) decrease in pasture WSC content. For Site 1, the change in pasture WSC content ranged from 0.007% (early May) to –0.032% (mid-June application) per kg N, corresponding to a change in pasture WSC content of 0.32 to –1.44% at 45 kg N/ha, respectively. At Site 2, the change in WSC content ranged from 0.0004% (mid-April) to –0.076% (mid-May) per kg N, corresponding to a change in pasture WSC content of 0.02 to –3.42% at 45 kg N/ha, respectively. In this study, N application had a positive effect on the nutritive value of dairy pastures in the autumn to midwinter, in western Victoria. This is particularly important for the provision of quality feed during this period as the majority of dairy herds in the region are calving at this time. Thus, the provision of an increased quantity of higher quality feed may lead to a reduction in the requirement for purchased feeds.

scholarly journals Factors affecting the herbage iodine content.

1974 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Hartmans
Keyword(s):  
Soil Type ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Iodine Content ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Residual Effects ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
N Application ◽  
Factors Affecting

In pot and field experiments, N application somewhat increased the I content of the harvested crop, although I concentrations in the herbage decreased considerably (diluting effect of increased dry matter yields). Herbage I contents were not consistently affected by chemical fertilizers which produced no yield response. I contents were up to 13 times higher in dicotyledenous pasture species than in grasses. I contents varied between grass species and to less extent between varieties of a single species. Contrary to earlier New Zealand data, good quality grasses were lower in I content than medium-value and inferior grasses. Small I dressings were less effective than larger amounts in terms of percentage return in the harvested crop; residual effects in later cuts were always small. The effectiveness of I dressings depended on soil type and tended to be lowest on soils of low natural I content. ADDITIONAL ABSTRACT: Studies were with ryegrass in pots and pastures. N dressing increased I uptake by the crop but reduced the I content considerably because of the diluting effect of higher DM yields. Dressing with fertilizers which did increase yield did not affect herbage I content consistently. Dicotyledonous species in pasture had I contents up to 13 times that of grasses. The I content of grasses varied over a 2-fold range but variation was smaller in a given species. Good quality grasses had a lower I content than inferior grasses. Smaller I dressings gave a smaller percentage return in the crop than larger amounts; the efficiency depended on soil type and tended to be less for soils with the lowest natural I content. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)

The effects of frequency of defoliation on the yield response of a perennial ryegrass sward to a wide range of nitrogen application rates

1978 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 447-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Reid
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Response Surfaces ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Nitrogen Application ◽  
Nitrogen Rate ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Cutting Frequency

SummaryIn a 3-year experiment on a sward of S. 23 perennial ryegrass 21 rates of nitrogen fertilizer ranging from 0 to 897 kg/ha were applied annually on plots cut three, five or ten times per year. The cutting dates within each frequency were decided on the basis of herbage growth stage. Four-parameter exponential curves fitted to the herbage yield data show that the pattern of response to nitrogen application in the five cuts per year treatment was markedly similar to that reported for a previous experiment (Reid, 1970). Alterations in the cutting frequency affected the pattern of dry-matter yield response to nitrogen, but not that of crude-protein yield response. The combined effects of cutting frequency and nitrogen rate are illustrated by response surfaces fitted to the dry-matter yield results using an extension of the equation for the curves fitted to the individual frequency results. These surfaces show that as the number of cuts per year was increased the total yield and the response to nitrogen decreased, but the response was maintained to an increasingly high nitrogen rate. The practical implications of the results are discussed in relation to intensive grazing managements for dairy cows.

scholarly journals EFFICIENCY OF UTILIZATION OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS BY YORKSHIRE FOG (HOLCUS LANATUS)

1973 ◽  
pp. 288-302
Author(s):  
R.S.Scott A. Hardacre
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Moisture Stress ◽  
The Other ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Holcus Lanatus ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Pot Experiments

Two pot experiments compared the yield response and uptake of N and P by five New Zealand, two exotic ecotypes and one bred cultivar of Yorkshire fog and Ruanui perennial ryegrass under varying levels of applied N and P. One experiment was conducted in a heated glasshouse and the other under controlled climate conditions. Of the Yorkshire fog strains examined, the bred cultivar 'Massey Basyn' and an ecotype from Rotorua provided highest yields of dry matter. Their superiority was attributed in part to their ability to extract greater amounts of N and P from the soil. The former was more efficient under high levels of applied N and the latter under high levels of applied P. Under two distinct climatic environments, 'Massey Basyn' Yorkshire fog gave similar yields and uptake of N and P to Ruanui perennial ryegrass. Under a third climate, with higher temperatures and moisture stress, 'Massey Basyn' outyielded Ruanui. This was associated with a greater ability by 'Massey Basyn' to utilize absorbed P.

scholarly journals Liveweight changes in lambs grazing six perennial ryegrass cultivars

1999 ◽  
pp. 31-35
Author(s):  
C.T. Westwood ◽  
M.G. Norriss
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Moisture Stress ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Independent Research ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Research Organisation ◽  
Clover Content

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

Tactical versus continuous stocking in perennial ryegrass-subterranean clover pastures grazed by sheep in south-western Victoria. 1. Stocking rates and herbage production

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
pp. 1099 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Waller ◽  
P. W. G. Sale ◽  
G. R. Saul ◽  
G. A. Kearney
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Soil Fertility Status ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
Terminal Sire ◽  
Autumn And Winter ◽  
Stocking Rates

A 4-year field experiment was carried out in south-western Victoria to determine whether tactical stocking might improve perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) persistence and prime lamb production, compared with the more common practice of year-around continuous stocking. Tactical stocking consisted of variable length summer, autumn and winter rotations and continuous stocking in spring. The 2 grazing strategies were compared on 2 contrasting pastures: an upgraded pasture, sown with newer cultivars of perennial ryegrass and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) with 26 kg phosphorus/ha.year, and a more typical naturalised perennial ryegrass pasture receiving 6 kg phosphorus/ha.year. Paddocks were grazed by Border Leicester x Merino ewes, which were mated to a terminal sire to lamb in September. The effects of the grazing systems and pasture treatments on herbage production and stocking rate are presented in this paper. Herbage production was similar between the treatments, but tactical stocking significantly increased herbage mass during the growing season (P<0.05) compared with continuous stocking. In spring each year, the herbage mass generally exceeded 3000 kg dry matter/ha in tactically stocked paddocks and averaged 500–900 kg dry matter/ha higher than the mass on continuously stocked paddocks. This enabled the year-round stocking rate to be increased by an average of 9% over the 4 years of the experiment. We considered that the stocking rates could not be further increased, despite the higher herbage mass in spring, as stock reduced the dry herbage to a low residual mass by the opening rains in autumn. In contrast, stocking rates averaged 51% higher on the upgraded pasture compared with the typical pasture over the 4 years of the experiment. This indicates that pasture improvement and soil fertility status have a much greater impact on productivity than changes to grazing method. However, tactical stocking was able to increase the sustainability of prime lamb production on upgraded pastures in a dry summer climate, by maintaining herbage cover on the paddocks over the summer–autumn period.

RESPONSE OF AN ORCHARDGRASS-PERENNIAL RYEGRASS SWARD TO RATE AND METHOD OF UREA AND AMMONIUM NITRATE APPLICATION

1983 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 719-725 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. A. BOMKE ◽  
R. A. BERTRAND
Keyword(s):  
Ammonium Nitrate ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Split Application ◽  
Single Application ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
N Application ◽  
N Source ◽  
N Rates

Urea and ammonium nitrate were applied at rates of 75, 150 and 300 kg N/ha as either a single application in April or split into three equal increments, one applied in April and the second and third following cuts one and two. The orchardgrass-perennial ryegrass sward responded significantly to applied N in each year; however, the yield produced by the two sources differed in only one of the three years. In that year split applied ammonium nitrate gave 8% higher yields than similarly applied urea. The sources were found to be equivalent when applied in the spring. Split application of the N rates increased total annual dry matter yields in one of the three years regardless of N source. In all three years split application of N shifted forage production from cut one to cuts two and three. Key words: N uptake, split N application, orchardgrass-perennial ryegrass sward

Effects of spring grazing on dryland perennial ryegrass/white clover dairy pastures. 1. Pasture accumulation rates, dry matter consumed yield, and nutritive characteristics

2006 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 543 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. R. McKenzie ◽  
J. L. Jacobs ◽  
G. Kearney
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Accumulation Rates ◽  
Leaf Stage ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

A 3-year experiment (September 1999–August 2002) was conducted in south-western Victoria to determine the impact of spring grazing on pasture accumulation rates, dry matter (DM) consumed yield (estimate of DM yield), and pasture nutritive characteristics [metabolisable energy (ME), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC)] of a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)–white clover (Trifolium repens L.) pasture. Spring grazing treatments, applied annually from September to November, were based on ryegrass leaf development stage with high (HF), medium (MF), and low (LF) grazing frequency being 2-, 3-, and 4-leaf stage, respectively, and post-grazing height as the grazing intensity with high (HI), medium (MI), and low (LI) grazing intensity being 3, 5, and 8 cm, respectively. Five combinations were used: HFHI, LFHI, MFMI, HFLI, and LFLI. A sixth treatment, rapid grazing (RG), maintained pasture between 1500 and 1800 kg DM/ha by grazing weekly during spring, and a seventh and eighth treatment, simulating forage conservation for early-cut silage (lock-up for 6–7 weeks; SIL) and late-cut hay (lock-up for 11–12 weeks; HAY), were also included. For the remainder of the year, all plots were grazed at the perennial ryegrass 3-leaf stage of growth, or when pasture mass had reached 2800 kg DM/ha, and grazed to a residual height of 5 cm. On average, pasture accumulation rates ranged from <5 (February–March) to 100–110 kg DM/ha.day (September–October). Overall, SIL resulted in a lower accumulation rate than all other treatments. High spring grazing frequency (including RG) treatments led to more grazing events than medium and low spring grazing frequency treatments. In Years 1, 2, and 3, DM consumed ranged from 9.7 (HAY) to 16.3 (RG), 4.2 (HAY) to 10.1 (HFHI), and 7.3 (SIL) to 10.9 t DM/ha.year (HAY), respectively. HAY resulted in a lower pasture ME content than SIL, HFHI, and LFHI spring grazing, and LFLI spring grazing resulted in a lower pasture ME content than all other treatments except HAY. HFHI grazing resulted in an increase in ME content over time, whereas the rate of increase in ME content over time was higher for LFLI spring grazing than for HAY, RG, and HFLI spring grazing. For all treatments, average pasture ME content ranged from 9.4 (January–February) to 11.4 MJ/kg DM (September). HAY resulted in a lower CP content than all treatments except LFLI grazing. RG resulted in no change in CP content over time. For all treatments, average pasture CP content ranged from a low of 11–14 (January–February) to a high of 24–28% DM (August–September). LFLI grazing resulted in a higher NDF content than HFHI, LFHI, MFMI, and HFLI grazing, while RG resulted in a lower NDF content than LFHI, MFMI, and HFLI. For all treatments, average pasture NDF content ranged from a low of 48–55 (August–September) to a high of 58–62% DM (January–February). All treatments resulted in an increase in pasture WSC content over time. The results demonstrate that frequent and intense grazing management (e.g. HFHI and RG) during spring is important in maintaining high pasture DM yields. Results also indicate positive pasture nutritive characteristic (ME, CP, and NDF) gains with more frequent spring grazing than with infrequent spring grazing. No treatment effect was observed for WSC content.

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