Description

Key points

  1. Intake is affected by complex interactions between signals from the digestive tract, intermediary metabolism and energy supply, and behavioural signals associated with learned behaviours or sensory signals.
  2. The ideal sward needs to have characteristics that are similar to total mixed rations to achieve high intake and animal performance.
  3. Genetic manipulation of plants may offer an accelerated rate of plant improvement, but benefits need to be demonstrated in a systems context.

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Plant and Sward Characteristics to Achieve High Intake in Ruminants

Key points

  1. Intake is affected by complex interactions between signals from the digestive tract, intermediary metabolism and energy supply, and behavioural signals associated with learned behaviours or sensory signals.
  2. The ideal sward needs to have characteristics that are similar to total mixed rations to achieve high intake and animal performance.
  3. Genetic manipulation of plants may offer an accelerated rate of plant improvement, but benefits need to be demonstrated in a systems context.