Milk production by cows grazing on Matua prairie grass
(Bromus willdenowii Kunth) pastures maintained under difference
managements
V.K. Rugambwa, C.W. Holmes, A.C.P. Chu, H. Varela-Alvarez
Massey University, Palmerston North
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1990, 50: 269-274
Perennial ryegrass (RG) and Matua prairie grass swards of low
(LMPG) and high (HMPG) pre-grazing herbage masses were compared in 8
grazing trials (2-3 weeks) during early spring, late spring, summer and
autumn (1987/88 and 1988/89) to assess their feeding values. Pre-
grazing masses were approximately 3000, 4000 and 5500kg DM/ha for RG,
LMPG and HMPG treatments, respectively. Friesian cows (8 per treatment)
were allowed 50 kg DM/cow/d. Mean concentrations of N (% in OM) and OMD
(%) for RG, LMPG and HMPG herbage were 2.7, 2.6, 2.3 (s.e.lsm 0.04,
P<0.001); and 74.7, 73.1 and 70.7 (s.e. 0.18, P<0.001), respectively,
HMPG values were lowest during all seasons and were influenced by high
compositions of dead material, low leaf:stem ratios and low compositions
of clover in the swards.
Daily yields of milk and protein on RG swards were 3% higher (P<0.05)
than LMPG yields, and 11 and 13% higher (P<0.001), respectively than
those of HMPG swards. Milkfat yields were similar on RG and LMPG
swards, but were 11% lower (P<0.001) on the HMPG treatment. The results
indicate that leafy prairie grass and leafy ryegrass swards have similar
feeding and productive values. Further research is needed on Matua's
persistence under grazing.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Matua prairie grass; ryegrass; herbage mass; season; sward
composition; milk production
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Last Updated 25-01-1997
