ANIMAL OUTPUT OF RESEEDED GRASSLAND. Part II Effects of Seed Strain and Nitrogen Treatment on the Seasonal Output and Botanical Composition of Herbage, and on the Live-weight Gain of Animals Maintained Entirely on the Experimental Plots Throughout the Grazing Season in 1953

1955 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Prendergast ◽  
J. J. Brady
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Grazing Season ◽  
Nitrogen Treatment ◽  
Experimental Plots

scholarly journals Effects of genotype on the performance and intake characteristics of sheep grazing contrasting hill vegetation communities

1999 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 419-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Osoro ◽  
M. Oliván ◽  
R. Celaya ◽  
A. Martínez
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Small Body ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Calluna Vulgaris ◽  
Diet Selection ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Vegetation Communities ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Grazing Season

AbstractThe live-weight responses, voluntary herbage intakes and diet compositions of two breeds of sheep of different mature live weights, grazing two contrasting hill vegetation communities, were studied over three consecutive grazing seasons. A total of 228 Latxa and 255 Gallega non-lactating ewes, with mature live weights of 42.4 and 33.1 kg respectively, grazed two replicates, each of two 5-ha plots comprising by area either 0⋅3 Calluna vulgaris and 0.7 grass species (Agrostis capillaris, Festuca rubra and Nardus stricta) (treatment C3) or 0.7 C. vulgaris and 0⋅3 of the above grass species (treatment C7).The Latxa ewes achieved higher rates of live-weight gain than the Gallega ewes under conditions of high availability (sward surface height >3⋅0 cm) of the preferred grass species (A. capillaris and F. rubra) but had lower rates of live-weight gain in the later part of the grazing season when the availability of the preferred grass species was low. In general, the Latxa ewes had higher voluntary herbage intakes per unit live weight and selected a diet of higher digestibility than the Gallega ewes (P < 0⋅001). The composition of the diet was significantly affected by treatment (P < 0⋅001) and was of a higher digestibility in the earlier part of the grazing season (P < 0⋅001).The results indicate the existence of a significant (P < 0⋅001) genotype × environment interaction affecting diet selection and animal performance. Between-breed differences in diet selection are likely to be important in determining grazing behaviour and thus the suitability of different genotypes for particular environments. Breeds with a small body size are likely to be better suited to the poorer land resources where the availability of preferred species is low.

Feed intake of grazing cattle. V. A further study of the influence of pasture restriction combined with supplementary feeding on production per animal and per acre

1967 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Holmes ◽  
M. K. Curran
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Previous Experiment ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Grazing Season ◽  
Grazing Cattle ◽  
Electric Fence

This paper reports the second of two experiments which examined the possibility of improving pasture utilisation by restricting grazing and giving cows a supplement of concentrates. Two treatments (A and B) were continuously imposed, each on a group of 10 adult Ayrshire cows, for about 4 months. Cows received either pasture alone allocated daily by electric fence (B), or half this area of pasture plus 3 Ib. cubed concentrates per 10 lb. milk (A).Herbage intakes were estimated by grass cutting techniques and also by faecal index methods, and animal performance was recorded. Over the whole experiment the two treatments gave similar levels of production per animal. Significant differences in milk yield and live-weight gain were detected only in periods 1 and 4, respectively, when the intended restriction was not completely achieved. While production per acre of grass was doubled by treatment a about 4,000 lb. grain was considered necessary to replace one acre of grazing.The results are discussed in relation to the previous experiment. They suggest that the method of replacing half the normal grazing with barley or other concentrated feeds could be usefully employed to alleviate pasture shortage in parts of the grazing season and might therefore facilitate the maintenance of a high stocking rate.

scholarly journals The effect of supplemental concentrate feed on live weight gain of yearling heifers over grazing season in subirrigated rangelands of East Anatolia

2014 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 278-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali KOÇ ◽  
Adem KAYA ◽  
Mehmet Kerim GÜLLAP ◽  
Halil İbrahim ERKOVAN ◽  
Muhlis MACİT ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Grazing Season ◽  
East Anatolia

Effects of grazing system on production and parasitism of dairy breed heifers and steers grazing wet marginal grasslands

2006 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Kristensen ◽  
S. M. Thamsborg ◽  
H. R. Andersen ◽  
K. Søegaard ◽  
A. L. Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Grazing Season ◽  
Pasture Quality ◽  
Marginal Areas ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Parasite Infections ◽  
Daily Gain

AbstractProduction and endoparasitism of first grazing season Holstein heifers and steers were investigated over two grazing seasons. Studies were conducted on low-lying peaty soil. In year 2000, 40 animals were included in a 2×2 factorial, replicated experiment with two sexes (steers v. heifers) and two stocking rates (SR): normal v. low (840 v. 420 kg live weight per ha at turn-out) in a set stocking grazing system. Mean grass heights over the entire season were 6·3±4·8 cm (mean±s.d.) at normal SR and 9·8±6·1 cm at low SR. Mean daily live-weight gain during grazing was significantly (P<0·001) lower at normal SR (256±147 g) compared with low (468±142 g) but sex did not significantly affect the daily gain. Serum pepsinogen levels, indicating uptake of gastric nematodes, were higher at normal SR and consistently higher in steers compared with heifers, although not significantly. In 2001 the experiment included 80 animals in a 2×2 factorial experiment with two sexes (steers v. heifers), two grazing systems (set stocking and two-paddock rotation) and four replicates. Pasture quality was low, 570 g digestible organic matter per kg organic matter and 139 g crude protein per kg dry matter on average, independent of grazing system. Mean daily live-weight gain was not significantly affected by grazing system. A tendency (P=0·07) to lower daily gain for the heifers than for steers was observed (427±161 g v. 474±138 g). Lower levels of pasture contamination with parasites were observed in the paddocks without grazing up to mid July but otherwise rotation did not prevent parasite infections. It is concluded that first grazing season steers and heifers have the same potential for growth when grazing marginal areas with low pasture quality. Set stocking or the two-paddock rotation scheme did not affect productivity or level of parasite infection at the end of season. Parasite infections became a problem at high SR. SR is an important factor for both daily live-weight gain per animal and total production per ha. However, due to the very heterogeneous structure of marginal areas there is a need for other indicators than kg live weight per ha at turn-out in order to define a clear relationship between stocking rate and production.

scholarly journals Reduction of body-weight gain enhances in vitro embryo production in overfed superovulated dairy heifers

Reproduction ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 131 (4) ◽  
pp. 783-794 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Freret ◽  
B Grimard ◽  
A A Ponter ◽  
C Joly ◽  
C Ponsart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Reproductive Hormones ◽  
Embryo Production ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Dairy Heifers ◽  
Period 2 ◽  
Significant Difference

The aim of our study was to test whether a reduction in dietary intake could improve in vitro embryo production in superovulated overfed dairy heifers. Cumulus–oocyte complexes of 16 Prim’ Holstein heifers (14 ± 1 months old) were collected by ovum pick-up (OPU), every 2 weeks following superovulation treatment with 250 μg FSH, before being matured and fertilized in vitro. Embryos were cultured in Synthetic Oviduct Fluid medium for 7 days. Heifers were fed with hay, soybean meal, barley, minerals and vitamins. From OPU 1 to 4 (period 1), all heifers received individually for 8 weeks a diet formulated for a 1000 g/day live-weight gain. From OPU 5 to 8 (period 2), the heifers were allocated to one of two diets (1000 or 600 g/day) for 8 weeks. Heifers’ growth rates were monitored and plasma concentrations of metabolites, metabolic and reproductive hormones were measured each week. Mean live-weight gain observed during period 1 was 950 ± 80 g/day (n = 16). In period 2 it was 730 ± 70 (n = 8) and 1300 ± 70 g/day (n = 8) for restricted and overfed groups respectively. When comparing period 1 and period 2 within groups, significant differences were found. In the restricted group, a higher blastocyst rate, greater proportions of grade 1–3 and grade 1 embryos, associated with higher estradiol at OPU and lower glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate, were observed in period 2 compared with period 1. Moreover, after 6 weeks of dietary restriction (OPU 7), numbers of day 7 total embryos, blastocysts and grade 1–3 embryos had significantly increased. On the contrary, in the overfed group, we observed more <8 mm follicles 2 days before superovulation treatment, higher insulin and IGF-I and lower nonesterified fatty acids in period 2 compared with period 1 (no significant difference between periods for embryo production). After 6 weeks of 1300 g/day live-weight gain (OPU 7), embryo production began to decrease. Whatever the group, oocyte collection did not differ between period 1 and 2. These data suggest that following a period of overfeeding, a short-term dietary intake restriction (6 weeks in our study) may improve blastocyst production and embryo quality when they are low. However, nutritional recommendations aiming to optimize both follicular growth and embryonic development may be different.

The design and conduct of experiments to measure animal and herbage production responses to fertilizer nitrogen under cutting and grazing managements

1985 ◽  
Vol 104 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. V. Large ◽  
J. M. Cobby ◽  
R. D. Baker
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Continuous Systems ◽  
Linear Extrapolation ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Response Curves ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Consistent Manner ◽  
Fourth Experiment

SummaryTwo experiments were conducted to provide information on the precision of herbage sampling, the degree of replication and the logistics of managing rotational and continuous grazing experiments. In a third experiment the possibility of estimating herbage growth, during the rotational grazing of paddocks for 4 days, by linear extrapolation of measured growth estimates made during the interval between grazings was investigated. A fourth experiment was then conducted to investigate animal and herbage production responses to nitrogen applied at five levels over the range 80–900 kg N/ha with three replicates per treatment.Results from Expts 1 and 2 showed that similar precision could be obtained under both rotational and continuous systems of grazing with the same number of replicates and samples of herbage. There was little advantage in having more than three replicates and four samples per paddock or two replicates and eight samples per paddock. Under continuous grazing a 3-weekly sampling and movement of exclosure cages was indicated. It was also found, from Expt 3 that, under rotational grazing, linear extrapolation of growth from 0–24 days did not reflect growth to 28 days in a consistent manner. Six animals per treatment, permanently in the paddocks, proved adequate for the estimation of live-weight gain.Experiment 4 confirmed that response curves could be fitted with an acceptable degree of precision if there was one low, one very high, and two intermediate levels of nitrogen. Adjustment of the number of animals to maintain sward height at between 5 and 7 cm ensured similar sward conditions and rates of live-weight gain across all treatments.The problems associated with the measurement of herbage production under grazing are discussed.

Rice bran as a supplement to elephant grass for cattle and buffalo in Indonesia: 2. Carcass development, energy accretion and its effect on feed efficiency: 2. Carcass development, energy accretion and its effect on feed efficiency

1983 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 717-722
Author(s):  
J. B. Moran
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Rice Bran ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Elephant Grass ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Fat Depots ◽  
Gross Energy

SUMMARYIndonesian Ongole and swamp buffalo bulls that had previously been given 0, 1·2, 2·4, 3·6 or 4·8 kg/head/day rice bran plus ad libitum elephant grass were slaughtered after 161 days feeding. Abdominal depot fat, full and empty reticulo-rumen and cold carcass weights were recorded. Various carcass variables were measured and the 9–10–11 rib joints were dissected into bone, muscle and fat. Carcass gross energy was calculated from rib-fat content using previously determined regression equations. Feed efficiency was expressed in terms of the ratios of live-weight gain or carcass-energy accretion to metabolizable energy available for growth.Increasing supplementation with rice bran resulted in larger abdominal fat depots, higher dressing percentages, increased carcass fatness (and hence carcass gross energy) and improved rib muscle to bone ratios. Carcass conformation was unaffected by dietary treatment. When feed efficiency was expressed per unit live-weight gain, there was a decrease with increasing rice-bran feeding. Feed efficiency, expressed per unit of carcass energy accretion, improved with rice-bran supplementation and was generally higher in buffalo than in Ongole bulls. Dietary and species differences in feed efficiency could be primarily explained by the differential energy cost of deposition of, and the availability of energy from, carcass protein and lipid.

The effect of winter food level on compensatory growth of weaned, suckled calves grazed at two sward heights

1986 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Wright ◽  
A. J. F. Russel ◽  
E. A. Hunter
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Compensatory Growth ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Food Level ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Subsequent Performance ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Winter Food ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
Winter Feeding

ABSTRACTTwo experiments were conducted with weaned, suckled calves to investigate the effect of feeding level during the post-weaning winter on their subsequent performance when continuously grazed on pasture maintained at two sward heights. Low, medium and high levels of winter feeding resulted in winter live-weight gains of 0·31, 0·58 and 0·79 (s.e. 0·027) kg/day (P < 0·001) during the 152-day winter in experiment 1 and 0·44, 0·69 and 0·84 (s.e. 0·029) kg/day (P < 0·001) for 189 days in experiment 2. During summer (93 days in experiment 1 and 87 days in experiment 2) there was a significant effect of winter food level on performance when live-weight gains were 1·10, 1·02, 0·87 and 1·35, 1·23 and 1·19 (s.e. 0·060) kg/day for the low, medium and high winter food levels on the short and tall swards respectively in experiment 1 (P < 0·01) and 0·86, 0·66, 0·51 and 1·26, 1·18 and 0·91 (s.e. 0090) kg/day in experiment 2 (P < 0·001). The cattle showing compensatory growth had higher herbage intakes and it is postulated that this occurred because of a negative association between body fat and herbage intake. Sward height had a large positive effect on herbage intake and live-weight gain and it is concluded that for maximum intake on ryegrass swards, herbage height should be at least 8 cm. Lower levels of winter live-weight gain delayed the time to slaughter, but allowed cattle to achieve heavier carcass weights at a fixed level of fatness.It is concluded that there is no single optimum winter food level for weaned, suckled calves but that the choice will depend upon several factors, including availability of winter and summer food resources, the length of the winter feeding period, the desired date of slaughter and type of carcass to be produced.

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