Publication Date
1989
Description
In south eastern Australia, the mild climate permits yearround grazing for 1.5 million dairy cows which results in a low production cost for milk. More than 1 million hectares of annual and perennial pastures are irrigated to supplement rainfall of 300-500 mm/ annum, for dairy, beef and sheep production. Animal production from the present system of grazing pasture is limited by the inefficient conversion of solar radiation achieved by temperate pasture species ; seasonal variation in quantity and quality of pasture forage ; by poor utilization of pasture ; and by the low quality of grass-dominant pasture. The Kyabram Research Institute has developed a system of dairy production which makes better use of the Mediterranean climate and irrigation water by growing forage maize to increase energy production, and combines maize with pasture legumes to improve the digestive efficiency of ruminants.
Citation
Pritchard, K E.; Mason, W K.; Stockdale, C R.; and Moran, J B., "Integrating Forage Maize with Pasture Legumes for Efficient Dairy Production in South Eastern Australia" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 14.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session10/14
Included in
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Integrating Forage Maize with Pasture Legumes for Efficient Dairy Production in South Eastern Australia
In south eastern Australia, the mild climate permits yearround grazing for 1.5 million dairy cows which results in a low production cost for milk. More than 1 million hectares of annual and perennial pastures are irrigated to supplement rainfall of 300-500 mm/ annum, for dairy, beef and sheep production. Animal production from the present system of grazing pasture is limited by the inefficient conversion of solar radiation achieved by temperate pasture species ; seasonal variation in quantity and quality of pasture forage ; by poor utilization of pasture ; and by the low quality of grass-dominant pasture. The Kyabram Research Institute has developed a system of dairy production which makes better use of the Mediterranean climate and irrigation water by growing forage maize to increase energy production, and combines maize with pasture legumes to improve the digestive efficiency of ruminants.
