Offered Papers Theme A: Efficient Production from Grassland
Description
Sustaining an optimum composition in mixed-species pasture and in the diet of grazing animals is constrained by many factors. Altering the concentration of water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) of one species to improve its nutritional value for animals may not deliver the benefits in the assumed manner if it also affects preference and the balance of species in the pasture. Furthermore, associated changes in other constituents (e.g. fibre, protein) make it difficult to attribute animal responses solely to the manipulated trait (e.g. Lee et al. 2000). The objective of this study was to simulate changes in the concentration of water soluble carbohydrates in ryegrass or white clover, independently of changes in other plant constituents, and determine the effect of this trait alone on grazing behaviour.
Citation
Cosgrove, Gerald P. and Parsons, A. J., "Effects of Simulated High-Sugar Forages on Grazing Behaviour of Sheep" (2023). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 179.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/20/themeA/179
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Effects of Simulated High-Sugar Forages on Grazing Behaviour of Sheep
Sustaining an optimum composition in mixed-species pasture and in the diet of grazing animals is constrained by many factors. Altering the concentration of water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) of one species to improve its nutritional value for animals may not deliver the benefits in the assumed manner if it also affects preference and the balance of species in the pasture. Furthermore, associated changes in other constituents (e.g. fibre, protein) make it difficult to attribute animal responses solely to the manipulated trait (e.g. Lee et al. 2000). The objective of this study was to simulate changes in the concentration of water soluble carbohydrates in ryegrass or white clover, independently of changes in other plant constituents, and determine the effect of this trait alone on grazing behaviour.
