scholarly journals GRAZING MANAGEMENT OF PERENNIAL RYEGRASS/ WHITE CLOVER PASTURE IN-LATE SPRING

1982 ◽  
pp. 80-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.J. Korte
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Accumulation Rate ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Late Spring ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Tiller Density ◽  
Tiller Dynamics ◽  
Clover Pasture

The patterns of herbage accumulation and the tiller dynamics of a "Grasslands Nui" perennial ryegrass dominant pasture were compared under two grazing intensity treatments in late spring. Rank stemmy herbage developed with lax grazing whereas dense leafy pasture developed with close grazing. Dead herbage and uneaten stems in rank pastures shaded photosynthetic tissue. Leafy swards had a higher herbage accumulation rate and a higher tiller density than stemmy swards. Methods of achieving leafy pasture on farms by combinations of hard grazing, forage conservation and mechanical topping are discussed briefly.

scholarly journals Spring grazing management and tiller dynamics in a ryegrass/white clover pasture

1993 ◽  
pp. 133-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Hernandez-Garay ◽  
J. Hodgson ◽  
C. Matthew
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Management Strategy ◽  
Extended Period ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Appearance Rate ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Tiller Density ◽  
Tiller Dynamics

The objective of this trial was to study the effect of variation in the timing and duration of lax spring grazing on tiller dynamics in perennial ryegrass. Tiller population density, tiller appearance, and tiller death were measured in a sward of perennial ryegrass (cv. Grasslands Nui) and white clover (cv. Grasslands Tahora) grazed by sheep every 14 days to 4 cm (hard) and every 21 days to 7 cm (lax) residues. The experiment comprised 2 lax spring grazing treatments [lax grazing October 26December 8 (H-H-L-H) and September 16 December 8 (H-L-L-H)], plus a hard grazed control (H-H-H-H). Ryegrass tiller density was greater in H-L-L-H than H-H-L-H and H-H-H-H from mid summer until the end of the trial in autumn, mainly because of the difference in tillering activity late in December. Tiller appearance rate increased in all the treatments from September to the end of January, and was particularly high late in December in the second regrowth after grazing of the apices of the main group of reproductive tillers. The lax grazing management strategy increased tiller appearance rate during late December and January. Higher tiller losses in lax grazing treatments over the same period were not offset enough to affect this advantage. The response in tiller population density was greater following the extended period of lax spring grazing. Keywords: grazing management,Lolium perenne, reproductive growth, tiller population density, tiller demography, Trifolium repens

Morphology of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) plants in pastures under intensive sheep grazing

1993 ◽  
Vol 120 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Brock ◽  
R. H. Fletcher
Keyword(s):  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Stem Length ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Plant Structure ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Tiller Density

SUMMARYThe morphology of independent plants of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) in mixed swards under intensive sheep grazing was studied at Palmerston North, New Zealand in 1988/89. Intact plants of two cultivars, ‘Grasslands Nui’ and ‘Grasslands Ariki’, were sampled from pastures under rotational grazing, set stocking, and a combination of both systems, every 2 months for 16 months, by taking turves (250 × 250 mm) and washing out the plants. Characters measured for each plant were: number of flower heads, leaves and tillers; basal stem and internode stolon length; flower head, leaf blade, leaf sheath and stolon dry weight (DW). Additional pasture data on tiller density and dispersion and herbage DW to ground level were also collected.Perennial rye grass exhibited a strong clonal growth pattern similar to that of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) but with a better balance between growth at the apex and death of old basal stem. Release of branch stolons to form new plants was regular, which maintained population stability. Formation of internode (I) stolon appeared to be a response of heavily shaded tillers for survival by elevation of the growing point to a more favourable position. The total DW of ryegrass stolon in pastures was greater than that of the companion white clover.There was little seasonal variation in number of tillers or basal (B) stem length per plant. During the reproductive period (late spring/early summer) plants were heavier and had more leaves and internode stolon than at other times of the year. Grazing management had little effect on plant structure, but plants under rotational grazing had 75% greater DW, less basal stem and reduced probability of internode stolon formation than plants under set stocking. Nui plants had heavier but fewer tillers than Ariki did, resulting in little difference in plant DW. Ariki had fewer single-tiller plants and a higher proportion of multiple-tiller (> 7) plants than Nui had. The structure of the populations was not affected by season, management or cultivar and remained stable throughout the year, with a log-normal distribution of plant size. Because of the uniformity of plant structure, plant density in pastures paralleled tiller density, averaging 1900, 3360 and 2330 plants/m2 for rotationally grazed, set stocked and combined grazing treatments respectively.In view of the strong influence that grazing management can have on ryegrass performance and persistence in pastures, the lack of response at the level of plant and population structure to grazing management suggests that some other level of organization within the ecology of the pasture is of greater importance.

Effects of spring grazing on dryland perennial ryegrass/white clover dairy pastures. 2. Botanical composition, tiller, and plant densities

2006 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 555 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. R. McKenzie ◽  
J. L. Jacobs ◽  
G. Kearney
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Development Stage ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Higher Plant ◽  
Plant Frequency ◽  
Tiller Density ◽  
Over Time

A 3-year experiment (September 1999–August 2002) in south-western Victoria investigated spring grazing impacts on botanical composition, tiller densities (perennial ryegrass, other-grasses, clover growing points, and broad-leaved weeds), and perennial ryegrass plant frequencies of a pasture of 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 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. Perennial ryegrass content remained stable in the RG and HFHI treatments, averaging 78 and 75% DM, respectively, and declined in all other treatments. For example, perennial ryegrass content in LFLI declined from 75% (September 1999) to 50% DM (August 2002). RG and HFHI resulted in a slight increase in other grass (e.g. Holcus lanatus and Poa annua) content over time. SIL, LFLI, LFHI, and MFMI resulted in a higher other-grass content than RG and HFHI. LFLI, LFHI, and HFLI resulted in a stable dead (litter) pasture content over time, while SIL, HAY, HFHI, and RG resulted in a decline in dead pasture content over time. For RG and HFHI spring treatments the decline in dead pasture content was greater than LFLI, LFHI, and HFLI spring grazing. Data for white clover and broad-leaved weeds (e.g. Rumex dumosus and Taraxacum officinale) were inconsistent and could not be statistically analysed. While perennial ryegrass tiller density declined over time, RG and HFHI spring grazing resulted in a higher perennial ryegrass tiller density than low and medium grazing frequency treatments, and forage conservation treatments. Over time, tiller density of other grass increased, with MFMI, SIL, and HAY resulting in a greater increase than HFHI and RG treatments. During the experiment, white clover growing point density declined, while broad-leaved weed tiller data were inconsistent and not analysed. In October 2001, perennial ryegrass plant frequencies ranged from 12 (HAY) to 27 (RG) plants/m2. RG resulted in a higher perennial ryegrass plant frequency than medium and low spring grazing frequencies, and forage conservation (HAY). At the end of the experiment (August 2002), perennial ryegrass frequencies ranged from 15 (HAY) to 45 (RG) plants/m2 with RG resulting in a higher perennial ryegrass plant density than all other treatments. HFHI grazing resulted in a higher plant frequency than LFLI, SIL, and HAY, and HFLI a higher plant frequency than SIL and HAY. RG and HFHI spring grazing favoured perennial ryegrass persistence as it maintained botanical composition and perennial ryegrass tiller and plant frequencies relative to low and medium spring grazing frequency or high spring grazing frequency coupled with low intensity grazing and pasture locked up for forage conservation.

scholarly journals SOME EFFECTS OF DROUGHT ON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS SWARDS

1983 ◽  
pp. 211-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.J. Korte ◽  
A.C.P. Chu
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Compensatory Growth ◽  
Accumulation Rate ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Accumulation Rates ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Effects Of Drought ◽  
Tiller Density ◽  
Tiller Dynamics

Herbage production and tiller dynamics were measured in "Grasslands Nui" perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) swards for 3 months during summer, under conditions of either irrigation or water stress. Measurements continued through winter and early spring when both treatments were well supplied with water. At the end of the stress period tiller densities were 11000 and 4000 tillers/m* in the irrigated and the stressed plots respectively. Lack of moisture stopped tiller emergence but had little effect on the relative death rate of tillers formed before water stress. During the stress period, herbage production was greater in the irrigated than in the stressed plots, average accumulation rates of 68 and 21 kg DM/ ha/dav respectively being recorded. After re-watering, there was compensatory growth by the previously stressed swards resulting in a higher accumulation rate, the average accumulation rates were 24 and 15 kg DM/ha/dav for the previously stressed and irrigated plots respectively. The higher accumulation rate was due mainly to a greater rate of tillering in the previously stressed plots. Differences between treatments in herbage production and tillering were significant up to 3 months after rewatering. The results are discussed in relation to pasture management. Keywords: Nui, Perennial ryegrass, drought, tiller density, irrigation

The effect of defoliation interval in winter on pasture productivity in winter and spring: a regional comparison

1990 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 357 ◽  
Author(s):  
JM Belton
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Dry Matter Accumulation ◽  
Regional Comparison ◽  
Winter Grazing ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Clover Pasture ◽  
Pasture Productivity

Forty-five plots (3 by 2 m) of perennial ryegrass-white clover pasture were randomly allocated within 3 sites to 5 winter defoliation interval treatments to determine the effect of site on best defoliation interval as measured by winter and spring herbage accumulation. Defoliation intervals were 14, 28, 42, 56, and 84 days. The defoliation intervals resulting in maximum total winter dry matter (DM) accumulation at sites 1 and 3 were 42, 56 and 84 days. Available feed accumulated at the end of winter was highest for the 84-day defoliation interval at both sites (2.0 and 1.4 t DM/ha, respectively). At site 2, maximum total winter DM accumulation was achieved for defoliation intervals of 28, 42 and 56 days. Available feed accumulation at the end of winter was 1.2 t DM/ha for the 42-day interval and did not increase thereafter. The difference in response was associated with pasture composition. The results of the experiment showed that there is scope for flexibility in winter grazing management to suit livestock requirements without compromising total winter dry matter accumulation.

scholarly journals Pastures and forages for deer growth

2003 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 25-40
Author(s):  
A.M. Nicol ◽  
T.N. Barry
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Seasonal Effects ◽  
Forage Species ◽  
Clover Pasture ◽  
Deer Grazing

Pasture is the primary feed source for NZ deer production with the greatest proportion grazed in situ. The quantity and quality of the pastures available to grazing deer varies markedly as a result of environmental factors and feed planning decisions by deer farmers. The grazing behaviour of deer responds to changes in pasture height and mass and the effect of pasture variables (height, pre -and post-grazing pasture mass and pasture allowance) on deer productivity are presented. These show that maximum levels of deer production from pasture will be achieved at a pasture height of around 8 cm (continuously stocked or post-grazing) although there is some evidence that for large genotypes, higher pasture availability is required. The relationship of liveweight gain of young deer with pasture availability shows marked seasonal effects. At the same level of pasture availability liveweight gain in spring is about twice that in winter, with autumn and summer intermediate. Increasing pasture availability cannot compensate for seasonal differences in liveweight gain. Furthermore, liveweight gain increases at a greater rate in spring than winter to increasing pasture availability, thus it is more important that appropriate pasture allowances are provided in spring than in winter. There is more variability in liveweight gain at a similar pasture availability in summer than in other seasons because of the greater variation in pasture quality in summer with the potential accumulation of seedheads and dead material. Alternative forage species are used in deer production for times of the year when quantity and quality of perennial ryegrass-based pastures limit productivity. Relative to weaner red deer grazed on perennial ryegrass/ white clover pasture, grazing on pure swards of red clover or chicory increased growth during autumn by 26-47% and during spring by 10-14%. The proportion of stags attaining target slaughter liveweight at 12 months of age increased from 75 to 94%. Pre-weaning growth during lactation was increased by approximately 20%. Red clover and chicory produce a greater proportion of their total DM during late summer and autumn than does perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture, and are therefore better aligned with deer feed requirements, particularly those of lactating hinds. Grazing on sulla in autumn and spring increased the growth of weaner deer by 33 and 10%, relative to pasture fed deer. Indoor studies showed that relative to perennial ryegrass, chicory was of higher organic matter digestibility, disintegrated more rapidly in the rumen with a low rumination time and had shorter mean retention time of material in the rumen. This explains differences in voluntary feed intake which were 56, 26 and 15% higher for deer grazing chicory than perennial ryegrass/white clover pastures during summer, autumn and spring respectively. Similar r esults have been found for the digestion of red clover versus perennial ryegrass by red deer. Plant density in stands of both chicory and red clover declines with time, with their lifetime under deer grazing being approximately 4 years. A mixture of both plants offers a food option as specialist forage for increasing deer growth and also fixing nitrogen. To ensure good persistence such forages should not be grazed in periods of prolonged wet weather. Best persistence is obtained when these are managed as specialist forages for increasing deer growth on a small area of the farm, (10- 20% total area), rather than being sown as a mixture with grasses over large areas of the farm. There is no specific comparison of deer production under different stocking systems and both continuous grazing and rotational grazing are used. Based on evidence and practices with other species, choice of stocking system has more to do with pasture/forage species, feed budgeting, pasture management and animal behaviour than with productivity. At high stocking densities (150 deer/ha), the grazing time of subordinate animals is reduced. Where possible, without inducing undue stress (e.g. at weaning), young deer should be grouped for grazing by liveweight. Deer production systems have a seasonal pattern of energy demand that does not match that of pasture growth in most NZ environments. This calls for manipulation of the feed demand by integration of livestock systems and/ or modification of the feed supply through conservation and supplementation. The most commonly used supplements are pasture and lucerne silage/baleage and grain. The quality (ME/kg DM) has a significant impact on the resulting liveweight gain.

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