Effect of contrasting spring grazing management on summer-autumn
pasture and milk production of mixed ryegrass-clover dairy swards.
S.C. Da Silva, J. Hodgson, P.N.P. Matthews, C. Matthew, C.W.
Holmes.
Department of Plant Science, Massey University, Palmerston North,
New Zealand.
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 1994,
54: 79-82
Research at Massey University has shown that a spring grazing
management laxer than the conventional intensive grazing allowing some
early ryegrass seedhead development before close grazing at anthesis
("Late Control") may result in improved summer-autumn pasture production.
Comparisons between conventional and late control spring grazing
managements for dairy cows were carried out, on a paddock scale, during
1992/93. Late control swards showed enhanced dry matter production before
(24.5% increase - P<0.05) and after (32.0% increase - P<0.10) the control
grazing in early December. Concomitant measurements of animal performance
revealed that the increased pasture production during the summer-autumn
period could be effectively converted into milk by dairy cows, and resulted
in an increase in milk-solids production of about 10% per cow (P<0.10). The
implications of these results to dairy management systems are discussed in
the context of pasture responses to spring management and alternative
conservation strategies.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
dairy cow; milk production; pasture production; perennial ryegrass;
spring management; white clover
Download abstract in text format
Last Updated 25-01-1997
