Pasture Production in a Protein Extraction
H.T. Ostrowski
Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre, Hamilton
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Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1976, 36: 30-41
The extent to which protein can be recovered directly from
pasture was investigated using an extraction unit capable of processing
180 kg grass per hour. Typical dairy pasture at Ruakura Research Centre
(with irrigation .and topdressing), yielding 1.8 x l04 kg
DM/ha/yr, was used in this study. Conventional grazing of this pasture
normally yields 470kg of milk protein. Direct protein ex- traction of
the same pasture over a year could yield 1900 kg protein - of which
27% could be separated as a cytoplastic fraction suitable for direct
human consumption. Using a combined protein extraction and grazing
system, a total of 250 kg of protein could be recovered in the forms of
milk, meat and grass protein concentrate (GPC), assuming that
partially deproteinized grass residue (pressed cake) would be a fully
productive ration for dairy cows. Based on the results from three years
protein extraction trials, the efficiency of protein production from
conventionally grazed pasture was compared with pasture involved in a
protein extraction system.
GPC and by-products obtained from pasture processing (pressed grass
cakes and deproteinized grass juice) on an annual basis were of variable
chemical composition, showing the necessity of further experimentation.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Last Updated 24-08-2000
