A survey on the effect of establishment techniques, crop management, moisture availability and soil type on turnip dry matter yields and nutritive characteristics in western Victoria

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 743 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Jacobs ◽  
G. N. Ward ◽  
A. M. McDowell ◽  
G. A. Kearney
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Insect Damage ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Crude Protein Content ◽  
Cultivation Method ◽  
Metabolisable Energy ◽  
Seedbed Preparation ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
Soil Temperature And Moisture

Factors associated with turnip dry matter yield, metabolisable energy and crude protein were investigated in 266 turnip forage crops on 142 dairy farms in south-western Victoria during spring 1999 and summer 2000. Factors measured were primary cultivation method, secondary cultivation method, soil texture, soil temperature and moisture at sowing, seedbed preparation, turnip variety, sowing method, sowing rate, rolling post-sowing, harrowing post-sowing, seedling establishment, insect damage, water received, phosphorus and nitrogen application. The average date for the commencement of seedbed preparation was early October, although the range was from mid-March until mid-December. Sowing dates ranged from mid-September to mid-December, with an average of mid-October. The most common turnip variety sown was Barkant, followed by Mammoth Purple Top, Vollenda and Rondo. Growing periods ranged from 8 to 23 weeks, with the majority of crops grazed from 8 to 15 weeks. The average dry matter yield was about 5 t DM/ha, with values ranging from 0.4 to 19.2 t DM/ha. The average metabolisable energy content of turnips was 13.7 MJ/kg DM with values ranging from 11.3 to 14.6 MJ/kg DM. The metabolisable energy of roots was on average higher than the leaf component of the plants (14 v. 13.5 MJ/kg DM). Conversely, crude protein content of leaves (15.4%) was higher than in the root fraction (13.9%). The average neutral detergent fibre content of turnips was 22.5% with values ranging from 16.9 to 30.5%. The water-soluble carbohydrate content of the leaf component ranged from 1.1 to 26.8% with an average of 14.7%, while starch content of the root component ranged from 0.3 to 38.8% with an average content of 16.9%. The average cost of growing a turnip crop was $485/ha or $133 t DM. Total, leaf and root dry matter yield as well as metabolisable energy and crude protein were analysed by a mixed effects model (with factors fixed and farms and paddocks random). Factors that were associated with total dry matter yield were total water received, soil temperature and moisture at sowing, seedling density, method of secondary cultivation, soil type and insect damage. The application of nitrogen fertiliser had the greatest association with turnip crude protein content. In conclusion the findings of this study indicate potential ways to increase the dry matter yield of turnips grown in south-western Victoria. Given the current average dry matter yields and cost of growing turnips, purchasing cereal grain may be a viable alternative. An increase in average dry matter yield would make the choice of growing turnips as a feed for lactating dairy cows a more profitable option.

Effect of nitrogen fertiliser application and length of lock up on dairy pasture dry matter yield and quality for silage in south-western Victoria

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 219 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Jacobs ◽  
F. R. McKenzie ◽  
S. E. Rigby ◽  
G. Kearney
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Linear Increase ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Nitrogen Application ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Metabolisable Energy ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
Stocking Rates

Summary. This study aimed to define the effect of differing rates of nitrogen application and lock up length on harvested material for silage in south-western Victoria. At 2 sites in south-western Victoria, 140, 3 by 2 m plots of predominantly perennial ryegrass pasture were randomly allocated, within 4 replicate blocks. Five nitrogen fertiliser rates (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 kg N/ha) in combination with 7 lock up lengths were randomly allocated to the 35 plots within each replicate. Nitrogen was applied 1 week after initial lock up (September 10, site 1; September 12, site 2) and harvesting commenced 3 weeks after initial lock up. 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, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, water-soluble carbohydrates and mineral content. Metabolisable energy was derived from dry matter digestibility. Increasing rates of nitrogen increased herbage dry matter yield regardless of length of lock up. The yield response was greatest 8 weeks after initial lock up at both sites (site 1, 26 kg DM/kg N; site 2, 14.9 kg DM/kg N). Subsequent regrowth of pasture was increased by nitrogen application over shorter lock up lengths (weeks 3 and 4). Botanical composition was unaffected by treatment during the harvesting period or in the subsequent autumn. Application of nitrogen gave rise to a linear increase in pasture metabolisable energy and crude protein content at both sites until week 5. Thereafter, this response diminished and by week 8 there was a decrease in metabolisable energy and crude protein content. Neutral detergent fibre content was relatively unaffected by nitrogen application until week 8 of the study, at which point there was a linear increase. Application of nitrogen reduced the water-soluble carbohydrate content of pastures throughout the sampling period. It is concluded that application of nitrogen to a mixed sward locked up for silage can increase dry matter yield and, provided pasture is harvested before ryegrass ear emergence, can also have a positive effect on metabolisable energy and crude protein. Given that the decision for removing paddocks from the grazing rotation is based upon pasture growth and stocking rates, the use of nitrogen fertilisers on higher stocked farms could lead to increased dry matter yield over shorter lock up periods. On farms with lower stocking rates shorter lock up periods may allow for pastures to be returned to the grazing rotation earlier, or provide the opportunity for a second harvest of pasture for silage.

Effect of lock up and harvest dates on dairy pasture dry matter yield and quality for silage in south-western Victoria

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 131 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Jacobs ◽  
S. E. Rigby ◽  
F. R. McKenzie ◽  
G. N. Ward ◽  
G. Kearney
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Harvest Date ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fibre ◽  
Metabolisable Energy ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
L1 And L2

Summary. At 2 sites in south-western Victoria, 132 plots of predominantly perennial ryegrass pasture were randomly allocated, within 4 replicate blocks, to each of 3 lock up dates (L1, L2, L3) by 12, 12 or 9 harvest times. Harvesting commenced 2 weeks after initial treatment lock up with L1 and L2 being harvested 12 times (weekly intervals) and L3, 9 times. Lock up dates were 15 August (L1), 5 September (L2) and 26 September (L3) at site 1 and 17 August (L1), 7 September (L2) and 28 September (L3) at site 2. 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 assessed for dry matter digestibility, crude protein and neutral detergent fibre. Dry matter yield was measured from the start of L1 (site 1, 15 August; site 2, 17 August) until the final harvest date of L3 (site 1, 12 December; site 2, 14 December). At site 1, L3 produced higher dry matter yields than L1 and L2 at comparable lengths of lock up time, whilst there were no differences at site 2. Over the total experimental period (site 1, 15 August–12 December; site 2, 17 August–14 December) there were no differences in total dry matter yield (t/ha) between treatments at either site (site 1—L1 5.79, L2 6.43, L3 5.94; site 2—L1 6.68, L2 5.07, L3 5.73). Treatments had little effect on botanical composition at either site when compared at the same time after lock up, both during the harvesting period or in the subsequent autumn. Pasture metabolisable energy and crude protein all declined with increasing length of lock up whilst neutral detergent fibre content increased, changes which were similar for both the total pasture and the ryegrass fraction. The metabolisable energy of pasture in L1 and L2 was higher than that of L3 at least until week 8 at both sites. Initial crude protein values were higher for L1 and L2 than for L3 at site 1, whilst at site 2, L1 had higher values than either L2 or L3. Although longer lock up periods produced more herbage, if conserving forage is to be an integral component of managing surplus spring pasture, then dairy farmers should aim to produce high quality pasture for forage conservation. This will be achieved through shorter lock up periods and harvesting pasture no later than early ear emergence in the ryegrass fraction of the sward. This management will reduce dry matter yields, but allow more flexibility for maintaining intensive grazing practices through the spring period. The decision about when to lock up pasture will depend on both plant growth rates and animal feed requirements.

scholarly journals THE YIELD STABILITY AND QUALITY OF LEGUMES DURING TWO CONSECUTIVE, EXTREMELY DRY YEARS

2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 167-177
Author(s):  
Miriam Kizeková ◽  
Ján Tomaškin ◽  
Jozef Čunderlík ◽  
Ľubica Jančová ◽  
Janka Martincová
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Crude Protein Content ◽  
Crude Fibre ◽  
Herbage Quality

Abstract This study highlights the effect of drought and ambient temperature on performance and herbage quality of legume monocultures and grass-legume mixtures. In a field experiment, the total dry matter yield, seasonal pattern of dry matter yield distribution, content of crude protein and crude fibre of monocultures of red clover and alfalfa and grass-legume mixtures were investigated during two consecutive dry years (2011-2012). Alfalfa cultivars Kamila and Tereza grown as monocultures or as mixtures with Festulolium braunii (cultivar Achilles) outperformed the red clover cultivars Fresko and Veles and provided a well-balanced total and seasonal dry matter yield during both years. Across all experimental years, crude protein content was significantly higher at alfalfa monocultures and mixture when compared with clover monocultures (P < 0.05). However, considerable lower content of crude fibre at clover monocultures in comparison with alfalfa ones was found. Responses of nutritive parameters of both legume species to weather variables were different. Crude protein content in red clover was independent of rainfall and temperature. In contrast, the crude fibre content correlated with temperature whereby the alfalfa monocultures showed stronger correlations (P < 0.05) than red clover monocultures.

scholarly journals Çukurova İkinci Ürün Koşullarında Yetiştirilen Silajlık Mısır (Zea mays L.) Çeşitlerinin Verim ve Silaj Kalite Performanslarının Değerlendirilmesi

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (sp1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Yasin Korkmaz ◽  
Tugay Ayasan ◽  
Sait Aykanat ◽  
Mustafa Avcı
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Protein Yield ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Crude Protein Content ◽  
Silage Maize ◽  
Maize Varieties

The research was carried out in the Eastern Mediterranean Agricultural Research Institute-Hacı Ali location with 4 replications according to the randomized block trial design in 2013-2014. 13 public and 1 private sector maize variety were used as material in the trials. According to the results of the analysis, it was determined that the maize varieties examined showed statistically significant differences in plant properties, dry grass and silage quality. Average plant height, number of leaves, leaf ratio, stem diameter, number of cob, stem ratio, cob ratio and green grass yield were 249.9 cm, 12.97 plant/piece, 19.24%, 22.08 mm, 0.93 plant/unit, 38.40% and 4,251.57 kg/da respectively. According to the analysis, it was observed that the average crude protein content, ADF ratio, NDF ratio, crude ash content, digestible dry matter ratio, crude protein yield, dry matter rate, dry matter yield and hay yield were 8.80%, 34.91%, 59.7%, 7.2%, 61.7%, 993.9 kg/ha, 29.4%, 11,640 kg/ha 12,570 kg/ha in dry grass, respectively. For the silage of varieties, the average crude protein content, ADF ratio, NDF ratio, pH, digestible dry matter rate, dry matter ratio, crude protein yield and Fleig score were 8.22%, 29.27%, 50.48%, 3.57, 66.1%, 28.14%, 926 kg/ha and 118.35, respectively. Burak, Sasa 1 and Ada 334 genotypes performed better in terms of green yield per hectare (53,650, 50,290 and 45,630 kg/ha) and dry matter yield (14,710, 12,810 and 12,410 kg/ha). These varieties can be recommended to producers as silage maize varieties under second crop conditions in Çukurova region of Turkey.

YIELD OF DRY MATTER, IN VITRO-DIGESTIBLE DRY MATTER AND CRUDE PROTEIN OF FORAGES

1967 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 683-690 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. Fulkerson ◽  
D. N. Mowat ◽  
W. E. Tossell ◽  
J. E. Winch
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Harvest Time ◽  
Crude Protein Content ◽  
Plant Type ◽  
Flower Stage ◽  
Growth Development ◽  
Heading Stage

Pure stands of alfalfa, bromegrass, orchardgrass and timothy, each represented by two varieties differing in maturity and/or plant type, were harvested weekly during their first crop growth in 1961, 1962, and 1963.All forages consistently increased in dry matter yield until approximately the early-seed stage. Differences in rate of growth, development and dry matter yield occurred between and within forages and years. Bromegrass, the earliest to start growth, and timothy had similar final yields of dry matter, alfalfa was intermediate and orchardgrass was lowest.At the heading stage in the grasses and at the very-first-flower stage in alfalfa, all species had stored 70% of their dry matter but 82% of their in vitro-digestible dry matter (IVD) yield. Unlike dry matter, IVD yields increased slowly after early June.The crude protein content and yield were considerably lower in the grasses than in alfalfa. Varietal yield differences within a species were small except for orchardgrass. At the suggested harvest time, alfalfa had stored 87% of its maximum crude protein yield, and the grasses, 96%.

scholarly journals Forage characteristics of Vicia sativa L. and Trifolium resupinatum L. in catch crop systems under Central European conditions

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (No. 3) ◽  
pp. 131-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Opitz von Boberfeld ◽  
E. Beckmann ◽  
H. Laser
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Lolium Multiflorum ◽  
Energy Concentration ◽  
Vicia Sativa ◽  
Catch Crop ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Crude Protein Content ◽  
Trifolium Resupinatum

In a field experiment the development of dry matter yield and forage quality of the catch crop Vicia sativa L. compared with Trifolium resupinatum L. was investigated and the suitability for cultivation in a mixture with Lolium multiflorum ssp. gaudinii (Parl.) Schinz et Keller was tested. The legumes and mixtures sowed in early July or August, respectively, were harvested at different dates from early September until late October/early November. The sowing date had the greatest impact on dry matter yield, crude protein content and net energy for lactation (= NEL). Vicia sativa yielded more dry matter than Trifolium resupinatum, especially at low temperatures and under short-day conditions. At late sowing Vicia sativa should be preferred to Trifolium resupinatum due to a better stability of yield. Vicia sativa had a&nbsp;higher crude protein content but a lower NEL than Trifolium resupinatum. In a mixture with Lolium multiflorum the differences in energy concentration between late sowed legumes were less distinct. In view of NEL, Trifolium resupinatum is superior at early sowing, whereas late sowed mixtures of Vicia sativa and Lolium multiflorum might enable it to feed fresh forage of acceptable quality until early November and in that way to save it for winter feeding and eliminate expensive sources of crude protein.

scholarly journals Feed productivity of sainfoin in the conditions of the right-bank Forest-Steppe

2019 ◽  
pp. 50-55
Author(s):  
N. Y. Hetman ◽  
Y. A. Veklenko
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Planting Date ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Crude Protein Content ◽  
Hydrothermal Conditions ◽  
The Right ◽  
First Year Of Life

The purpose of the research was to study the effect of planting time on the formation of productivity of Hungarian sainfoin when grown for green forage. Methods are field, laboratory, statistical, correlation and regression relationships. Research results. It is established that under uneven humidity and high temperature regime in the year of sowing, Hungarian sainfoin formed two yields under spring planting date and one yield under summer planting date. In the second and third years of growth, no significant effect of the planting date on the stages of organogenesis of Hungarian sainfoin was found, where the maturity of the herbage was reached simultaneously. Productivity of Hungarian sainfoin was only conditioned by hydrothermal conditions, where the yield of green mass averaged 45.9—49.6 t/ha with crude protein content of 1.58—1.73 t/ha. At the same time, the highest dry matter yield of 10.25 t/ha and crude protein of 1.73 t/ha was provided by agrophytocenosis when sown on April 12. The productivity index of Hungarian sainfoin in the first year of life was determined, where the highest indicator was obtained during the early spring sowing period (29.04) – 7.85 kg/ha of dry matter per 1 hour of light day, whereas for the recommended summer sowing period was 1.13 kg/ha, or 6.9 times lower. The correlation equation between dry matter output, duration of daylight and the sum of precipitation from full shoots to the beginning of flowering in the first year of life is described. It is found that with increase of precipitation by 1 mm the dry matter output increases by 1.53 % and there is a tendency increase with increasing the length of daylight by 1 minute. Conclusions. It has been established that on gray forest soils of the right-bank Forest-Steppe, over two years of intensive use of the grass stand, regardless of hydrothermal conditions, Hungarian saifoin provided a stable forage productivity when sown in spring. Thus, dry matter yield was 9.38—10.25 t/ha with crude protein content of 1.58—1.73 t/ha. In particular, as for summer planting date, July 20 appeared to be the most effective planting date, which provided dry matter yield of 9.78 t/ha with crude protein content of 1.61 t/ha.

Residues and Efficacy With Fluazifop-P in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

1992 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas J. Doohan ◽  
Gilles Belanger ◽  
Russ R. King ◽  
Jerry A. Ivany
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
In Vitro Digestibility ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Crude Protein Content

Fluazifop-P, applied in the spring or fall and pronamide, applied in the fall only, reduced quackgrass infestation in established alfalfa and increased the dry matter yield of alfalfa. Herbicides did not improve alfalfa in vitro digestibility or crude protein content. Average residues of fluazifop-P in alfalfa treated with rates of 0.25 or 0.5 kg ai ha–1, were 0.1 mg kg–1when harvested 280 d after application, and 0.06 mg kg–1when harvested 295 d after application. Average residues in alfalfa harvested 41 and 55 d after application were 0.13 mg kg–1and 0.1 mg kg–1, respectively, with a 0.25 kg ha–1treatment and 0.19 mg kg–1and 0.05 mg kg–1, respectively, with a 0.5 kg ha–1treatment.

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.

Nitrogen fertiliser effects on nutritive characteristics of perennial ryegrass during late autumn, and mid- and late winter in western Victoria

2002 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 541 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Jacobs ◽  
F. R. McKenzie ◽  
G. A. Kearney
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Nitrate Content ◽  
Crude Protein Content ◽  
Nitrogen Fertiliser ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fibre ◽  
Metabolisable Energy

A study determined the effects of differing rates of nitrogen fertiliser [0 (N0), 25 (N1), 50 (N2) and 75�kg N/ha (N3)] during late autumn (T1) and mid- (T2) and late (T3) winter on the nutritive characteristics of perennial ryegrass over a 28-day period after each application. All nitrogen applications were made to pastures with a post-grazed residual mass (dry matter) of 1400 kg/ha. Changes in metabolisable energy followed similar patterns for all treatments within a given period. Metabolisable energy was highest in T1, ranging from 11.8 to 13.1 MJ/kg dry matter, followed by T2 (11.5-12.3 MJ/kg dry matter) and T3 (10.6-11.5 MJ/kg dry matter). Changes in crude protein for all treatments at each application time were similar, irrespective of rate of nitrogen application. At the commencement of treatment application times, the existing crude protein content (%DM) was highest in N3 (T1�19, T2 23, T3 22), followed by N2 (T1 18, T2 21, T3 21), N1 (T1 17, T2 20, T3 20) and N0 (T1 16, T2 17, T3 18). During both T1 and T2, neutral detergent fibre content decreased by 4 percentage units and increased by a similar amount during T3. Generally, neutral detergent fibre content (%DM) was highest during T3 (53-58%), followed by T2 (45-54%) and T1 (43-49%). Water-soluble carbohydrate content (%DM) increased during all treatment periods with the highest level observed during T1 (18-31%) followed by T2 (3-14%) and T3 (1-6%). Nitrate content (measured as nitrate-nitrogen) decreased throughout T1, primarily due to dry conditions, while during T2, levels for N3 and N2 were significantly (P<0.05) higher than for N1 and N0 following nitrogen fertiliser application. During T3, nitrate content increased for all treatments throughout the 28-day period, with highest nitrate levels being observed during T3. The effect of applied nitrogen on mineral content was variable within and across treatment periods. The study indicates that nitrogen fertiliser did not affect metabolisable (apart from N3 elevating metabolisable energy during T3), neutral detergent fibre or water-soluble carbohydrate contents of perennial ryegrass during the 28 days after nitrogen application, but increased crude protein content. Also, nitrogen fertiliser elevated nitrate content in perennial ryegrass. While the elevated nitrate content observed may result in subclinical effects, these levels are not considered fatal for dairy cows. Crude protein content was generally above 20% of dry matter throughout the study and close to 30% of dry matter for short periods during T2. Minimising the effect of excess nitrogen ingested by the grazing animal may require appropriate supplementation of low crude protein containing feeds such as cereal grains. It is argued that the effects of rain and temperature, which impact on soil nitrogen mineralisation, may have a greater influence on perennial ryegrass nitrate content than nitrogen fertiliser.

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