Publication Date
1997
Description
An experiment with two groups of 15 Friesian cows grazing independent areas, with no N and 240 kg N ha-1, was run during two years to see the levels of milk production based on a grass/white clover pasture, maintaining high levels of herbage quality. N application decrease clover content from 55% to 42%. The total DM response to N was low. Herbage utilization was maintained similar in both treatments. Moderate levels of milk production can be reached, more than 4000 litres cow-1 and 9000 litres ha-1, with low use of concentrates, only 400 kg cow-1. Crude protein levels were high during all grazing season, 16-20% and ADF content was low, 22-30%. Management for a leafy pasture, mainly in the second half of the spring, is the key for a high degree of utilization of herbage, allowing also a better clover performance.
Citation
Gonzalez-Rodriguez, A, "Quality Grassland for Dairy Production in North-West Spain" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 46.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session29/46
Included in
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Quality Grassland for Dairy Production in North-West Spain
An experiment with two groups of 15 Friesian cows grazing independent areas, with no N and 240 kg N ha-1, was run during two years to see the levels of milk production based on a grass/white clover pasture, maintaining high levels of herbage quality. N application decrease clover content from 55% to 42%. The total DM response to N was low. Herbage utilization was maintained similar in both treatments. Moderate levels of milk production can be reached, more than 4000 litres cow-1 and 9000 litres ha-1, with low use of concentrates, only 400 kg cow-1. Crude protein levels were high during all grazing season, 16-20% and ADF content was low, 22-30%. Management for a leafy pasture, mainly in the second half of the spring, is the key for a high degree of utilization of herbage, allowing also a better clover performance.
