Publication Date
1993
Description
Two groups of 10 equally matched Jamaica Hope cows from a commercial dairy farm in Jamaica were grazed (stocking rate 3.5 cows/ha) for 2 years on pure African star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis) and African star grass in mixture with herbaceous legumes in a crossover design. Dairy ration was fed at the rate of 0.26 and 0.18 kg/day/ kg milk for the grass and mixed pastures respectively. The proportion of legumes in the mixed pasture averaged 0.35 in 1990/91 and 0.20 in 1991/92. Available herbage dry matter was higher for the grass pasture ( 4.43 v. 4.11 t/ha) but milk yield and weight gain were higher for the mixed pasture (12.6 v. 12.0 and 0.12 v. 0.08 kg/day), This was attributed to the substantial contribution of the mixed pasture forage alone to the intake of dry matter, protein and energy (11.5 kg, 1372 g, and 107.2 MJ v. IJ.9 kg, 13S0 g and 116.5 MJ/cow/day for the grass pasture plus the concentrate).
Citation
Asiedu, Francis; Ahmed, B; Paterson, R; Simpson, R; and Motta, R, "Legumes in African Star Grass- Herbaceous Legume Pastures as a Partial Substitute for Concentrate Feed for Dairy Production" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 26.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session55/26
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Legumes in African Star Grass- Herbaceous Legume Pastures as a Partial Substitute for Concentrate Feed for Dairy Production
Two groups of 10 equally matched Jamaica Hope cows from a commercial dairy farm in Jamaica were grazed (stocking rate 3.5 cows/ha) for 2 years on pure African star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis) and African star grass in mixture with herbaceous legumes in a crossover design. Dairy ration was fed at the rate of 0.26 and 0.18 kg/day/ kg milk for the grass and mixed pastures respectively. The proportion of legumes in the mixed pasture averaged 0.35 in 1990/91 and 0.20 in 1991/92. Available herbage dry matter was higher for the grass pasture ( 4.43 v. 4.11 t/ha) but milk yield and weight gain were higher for the mixed pasture (12.6 v. 12.0 and 0.12 v. 0.08 kg/day), This was attributed to the substantial contribution of the mixed pasture forage alone to the intake of dry matter, protein and energy (11.5 kg, 1372 g, and 107.2 MJ v. IJ.9 kg, 13S0 g and 116.5 MJ/cow/day for the grass pasture plus the concentrate).
