New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts

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Effects of grazing frequency on the production, nutritive value, herbage utilisation, and structure of a Paspalum dilatatum sward

A. T. AYALA TORALES
G. L. ACOSTA
V. A. DEREGIBUS
P. M. MOAURO

Cátedra de Forrajicultura
Facultad de Agronomía
Universidad de Buenos Aires
(1417) Avenida San Martín 4453
Capital Federal, República Argentina

Abstract  This experiment evaluated the effects of two grazing frequencies on net herbage accumulation, herbage nutritive value, sward structure, and herbage utilisation of a paspalum (Paspalum dilatatum) sward. The sward was grazed intermittently by dry Holstein cows over a 12-month period, in the Pampean Region in Argentina. Two grazing frequencies were used in spring and summer, Frequent (<5% of the tillers at inflorescence emergence) and Less Frequent (>75% of the tillers at inflorescence emergence). There were no differences (P > 0.05) in net herbage accumulation between grazing frequencies. The higher proportion of green leaves (P < 0.05) present in the residual herbage mass of the frequently grazed sward possibly counterbalanced the shorter rest periods employed. Frequently grazed paspalum plants showed a more prostrate herbage distribution and higher net losses of green herbage (P < 0.05) as a consequence of their lower herbage utilisation (P < 0.05).

Keywords  Paspalum dilatatum; nutritive value; grazing frequency; herbage utilisation; sward structure

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 2000, Vol. 43: 467-472

0028-8233/00/4304-0467 $7.00/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand 2000

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (447K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

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