Publication Date
1989
Description
Intensive continuous grazing is now well established in temperate climate countries (Parker, 1987). In semi-continental climate, the adjustment of stocking rate to herbage growth is more complex (Mathieu and Jeannin, 1986). Moreover parcels are very often an assemblage of different types of permanent meadows. The question of animal behaviour in relation to this spatial heterogeneity, and the subsequent evolution of the pasture was posed. The perenniality of this grazing system is dependent on the trend of this evolution. An experimentation was carried out in the northeastern France (Mirecourt, Vosges) by INRA, in order to analyse spatial choices made by dairy cows on a large heterogeneous pasture, in relationship with production and quality of the sward, traffi.cability and evolution of botanical composition. Results on evolution of botanical composition and spatial frequentation of zones by cows during five years are given.
Citation
Mathieu, Anne; Leclerc, B; Fiorelli, J L.; Jeannin, B; Hubert, B; and Vaubernier, E de, "Intensive Continuous Dairy Cows Grazing of an Heterogeneous Grassland: Botanical Evolution in Relation with the Animal Behavior" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 37.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session9/37
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Intensive Continuous Dairy Cows Grazing of an Heterogeneous Grassland: Botanical Evolution in Relation with the Animal Behavior
Intensive continuous grazing is now well established in temperate climate countries (Parker, 1987). In semi-continental climate, the adjustment of stocking rate to herbage growth is more complex (Mathieu and Jeannin, 1986). Moreover parcels are very often an assemblage of different types of permanent meadows. The question of animal behaviour in relation to this spatial heterogeneity, and the subsequent evolution of the pasture was posed. The perenniality of this grazing system is dependent on the trend of this evolution. An experimentation was carried out in the northeastern France (Mirecourt, Vosges) by INRA, in order to analyse spatial choices made by dairy cows on a large heterogeneous pasture, in relationship with production and quality of the sward, traffi.cability and evolution of botanical composition. Results on evolution of botanical composition and spatial frequentation of zones by cows during five years are given.
