Theme 22: Grazing Management
Description
The objective of this study was to establish an intensive grazing system of meadow fescue (Festuca elatior L.) pasture for high-producing dairy cows in some areas of Japan where soil freezes in winter. Plant succession of meadow fescue pastures that had been grazed at different plant heights and milk production from cows grazed on meadow fescue pasture compared to that from cows grazed on perennial ryegrass pasture were surveyed over a five year period. Succession of meadow fescue pasture depended on the management of plant height before grazing use. Milk production from cows grazed on meadow fescue pasture was almost the same as that from cows grazed on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perene L.) pasture, and about 50% of the total digestible nutrients demand of milking cows could be supplied from grazing during the grazing season.
Included in
Management of Meadow Fescue Pasture for High-Producing Dairy Cows in Northern Japan
The objective of this study was to establish an intensive grazing system of meadow fescue (Festuca elatior L.) pasture for high-producing dairy cows in some areas of Japan where soil freezes in winter. Plant succession of meadow fescue pastures that had been grazed at different plant heights and milk production from cows grazed on meadow fescue pasture compared to that from cows grazed on perennial ryegrass pasture were surveyed over a five year period. Succession of meadow fescue pasture depended on the management of plant height before grazing use. Milk production from cows grazed on meadow fescue pasture was almost the same as that from cows grazed on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perene L.) pasture, and about 50% of the total digestible nutrients demand of milking cows could be supplied from grazing during the grazing season.
