Opportunities for enhancing the delivery of novel forage
attributes
G.P. COSGROVE, A.J. PARSONS, D.M. MAROTTI, S.M.RUTTER AND D.F.
CHAPMAN
AgResearch Grasslands, PB 11008, Palmerston North
E-Mail:
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 2001. 61:
16-19
Allocating spatially separated forage choices to grazing animals
overcomes constraints inherent in mixed pastures and sustainably
delivers the required diet composition, satisfies their desire for mixed
diets, and so offers a simple way to enhance the delivery of the
benefits of current and novel forage attributes. Sheep offered grass and
clover in this way increased daily dry matter intake by 265 g/day (25%,
P<0.05) compared with conventional pasture and sustained 60-70%
clover in their diet. Milk production by cows was boosted by 11% (2.4
kg/cow/day, P<0.01). This work highlights that behavioural responses
to the method of forage presentation or to novel forage attributes (e.g.
high energy forage) at pasture can be complex. Defining the animal
behavioural response at an early stage is crucial to capture the
benefits and opportunities offered by an increasing capacity to modify
forage traits.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Forage; management; ryegrass; white clover; grazing behaviour
Last Updated 7/08/01
