Publication Date
1985
Location
Kyoto Japan
Description
Application of a technique whereby predetermined amounts of herbage are removed according to estimates of seasonal changes of feed requirement of livestock is described with reference to three experiments. Common objectives of these experiments were to elucidate differences of results obtained from cutting and grazing experiments, to minimise land area and resource to evaluate pasture under constraints prevailing in real farm situations, and to examine relationships between herbage consumption, standing herbage mass, herbage accumulation rate, and herbage and botanical composition. The first experiment, using cutting, showed interaction between stocking rate and rotational as compared to continuous defoliation management. The second experiment, also using cutting, showed differences of herbage production arising from stocking rate, species of livestock and parturition date. The third experiment, using breeding ewes as defoliators, compared three grass species under three stocking rates. Differences of results obtained under cutting and grazing have most often been explained as effects of treading, excreta! return and diet selection. Results of the three experiments show that in self contained defoliation systems, where consumption requirements have to be met from a defined area, feed demands of consumers have a marked effect on pasture production. Most cutting experimentation has not imposed this constraint.
Citation
Harris, W, "Herbage Consumption Control of Herbage Production" (1985). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 17.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1985/ses11/17)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Herbage Consumption Control of Herbage Production
Kyoto Japan
Application of a technique whereby predetermined amounts of herbage are removed according to estimates of seasonal changes of feed requirement of livestock is described with reference to three experiments. Common objectives of these experiments were to elucidate differences of results obtained from cutting and grazing experiments, to minimise land area and resource to evaluate pasture under constraints prevailing in real farm situations, and to examine relationships between herbage consumption, standing herbage mass, herbage accumulation rate, and herbage and botanical composition. The first experiment, using cutting, showed interaction between stocking rate and rotational as compared to continuous defoliation management. The second experiment, also using cutting, showed differences of herbage production arising from stocking rate, species of livestock and parturition date. The third experiment, using breeding ewes as defoliators, compared three grass species under three stocking rates. Differences of results obtained under cutting and grazing have most often been explained as effects of treading, excreta! return and diet selection. Results of the three experiments show that in self contained defoliation systems, where consumption requirements have to be met from a defined area, feed demands of consumers have a marked effect on pasture production. Most cutting experimentation has not imposed this constraint.
