Publication Date
1985
Location
Kyoto Japan
Description
Herbage and animal production of a short grass pasture established by unplowed sowing were investigated for seven years under continuous grazing. Herbage production and consumption on the pasture were estimated by using cages. Moreover, light intensity was measured with the new portable solarimeter devised by the authors for pastures. Standing crop was kept at 200-300 g dry matter (DM)/m2 throughout the grazing season, 32-78% of which was below 3 cm from the ground surface. From these results, it was found that the standing crop scarecely fluctuate seasonally and considerable herbage mass existed under the lower layer near the ground. Furthermore, it was shown that 40% of leaf area index (LAI) existed below 3 cm from the ground surface, where the leaves avoided being grazed by cattle. Live-weight gains per ha during the grazing season were 421 kg ( range 331 -501 kg)for heifers, and 535 kg ( range 525-547 kg) for steers, of Japanese Black. Daily gains(DG) were0.47 kg (range 0.41-0.51 kg)for heifers and0.61 kg (range 0.60-0.61 kg) for steers. These values are high comparatively for Japanese Black under grazing without supplementary feed. However, seasonal fluctuation of DG did not coincide perfectly with that of herbage allowance (HA) or digestible organic matter (DOM).
Citation
Fukuyama, M; Shimamura, M; Ushiyama, M; and Imura, T, "Herbage and Animal Production of a Short Grass Pasture in a Mountainous Region of Japan" (1985). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 113.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1985/ses6/113)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Herbage and Animal Production of a Short Grass Pasture in a Mountainous Region of Japan
Kyoto Japan
Herbage and animal production of a short grass pasture established by unplowed sowing were investigated for seven years under continuous grazing. Herbage production and consumption on the pasture were estimated by using cages. Moreover, light intensity was measured with the new portable solarimeter devised by the authors for pastures. Standing crop was kept at 200-300 g dry matter (DM)/m2 throughout the grazing season, 32-78% of which was below 3 cm from the ground surface. From these results, it was found that the standing crop scarecely fluctuate seasonally and considerable herbage mass existed under the lower layer near the ground. Furthermore, it was shown that 40% of leaf area index (LAI) existed below 3 cm from the ground surface, where the leaves avoided being grazed by cattle. Live-weight gains per ha during the grazing season were 421 kg ( range 331 -501 kg)for heifers, and 535 kg ( range 525-547 kg) for steers, of Japanese Black. Daily gains(DG) were0.47 kg (range 0.41-0.51 kg)for heifers and0.61 kg (range 0.60-0.61 kg) for steers. These values are high comparatively for Japanese Black under grazing without supplementary feed. However, seasonal fluctuation of DG did not coincide perfectly with that of herbage allowance (HA) or digestible organic matter (DOM).
