Publication Date
1985
Location
Kyoto Japan
Description
'Floral ta' limpograss (Hemarthria altissima) pastures have high digestibility but low crude protein content, and rate of daily gain of steers of Floral ta declines in late season. American jointvetch (Aeschynomene americana) has potential in association with Floralta. The objectives were to relate canopy characteristics of jointvetch-limpograss pastures to ingestive behavior of esophageal fistulated steers. Canopies were harvested in 10-cm layers to ground level and canopy height, herbage mass, bulk density, and botanical composition were determined. Intake per bite, rate of biting, bites per 100 total jaw movements, and grazing time were measured. Canopy height varied from 18 to 94 cm, and the proportion of legume in the upper layer (10 to 20 cm) varied from 0.5 to 81.4%. The legume percentage in the upper layer was approximately twice that in the whole canopy. Bites per 100 law movements varied from 28 to 59, with lower values indicating more manipulative jaw movements prior to biting. Steers responded to increased legume percentage in the upper layer by making more manipulative jaw movements and decreasing rate of biting, but intake per bite did not change. Shorter pastures tended to have a lower percentage of green herbage and higher total bulk density in the upper layer. Intake per bite increased as the percentage of green herbage in the upper layer increased. The legume content of the esophageal extrusa was about 80% when the legume leaf content of the upper layer was 30% or more. The legume content of the diet was higher than that of the upper layer as a result of canopy modification by manipulative jaw movements prior to biting.
Citation
Moore, J E.; Sollenberger, L E.; Morantes, G A.; and Beede, P T., "Canopy Structure of Aeschynomeme Americana-Hemerthria altissima Pastures and Ingestive Behavior of Cattle" (1985). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 24.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1985/ses11/24)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Canopy Structure of Aeschynomeme Americana-Hemerthria altissima Pastures and Ingestive Behavior of Cattle
Kyoto Japan
'Floral ta' limpograss (Hemarthria altissima) pastures have high digestibility but low crude protein content, and rate of daily gain of steers of Floral ta declines in late season. American jointvetch (Aeschynomene americana) has potential in association with Floralta. The objectives were to relate canopy characteristics of jointvetch-limpograss pastures to ingestive behavior of esophageal fistulated steers. Canopies were harvested in 10-cm layers to ground level and canopy height, herbage mass, bulk density, and botanical composition were determined. Intake per bite, rate of biting, bites per 100 total jaw movements, and grazing time were measured. Canopy height varied from 18 to 94 cm, and the proportion of legume in the upper layer (10 to 20 cm) varied from 0.5 to 81.4%. The legume percentage in the upper layer was approximately twice that in the whole canopy. Bites per 100 law movements varied from 28 to 59, with lower values indicating more manipulative jaw movements prior to biting. Steers responded to increased legume percentage in the upper layer by making more manipulative jaw movements and decreasing rate of biting, but intake per bite did not change. Shorter pastures tended to have a lower percentage of green herbage and higher total bulk density in the upper layer. Intake per bite increased as the percentage of green herbage in the upper layer increased. The legume content of the esophageal extrusa was about 80% when the legume leaf content of the upper layer was 30% or more. The legume content of the diet was higher than that of the upper layer as a result of canopy modification by manipulative jaw movements prior to biting.
