Offered Papers Theme A: Efficient Production from Grassland
Description
The effects of mixed grazing of cattle and sheep depend on stocking rate (SR) and species ratio (Nicol, 1997). Calculations of SR and species ratio require the use of species equivalence. Equivalents are often estimated in terms of intake requirements related to live weight (LW), while maintenance energy requirements are calculated on the basis of LW0.75. Freer (1981) stated that LW0..9 would be more appropriate for comparisons of intake requirements for maintenance of sheep and cattle. Nonetheless, Nolan & Connolly (1977) stated that the equivalent is system-specific and depends on the species being considered. The objective of this experiment was to estimate species equivalence for a dairy system based on grazing in temperate Mexico.
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Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Cattle and Sheep Mixed Grazing: 1. Species Equivalence
The effects of mixed grazing of cattle and sheep depend on stocking rate (SR) and species ratio (Nicol, 1997). Calculations of SR and species ratio require the use of species equivalence. Equivalents are often estimated in terms of intake requirements related to live weight (LW), while maintenance energy requirements are calculated on the basis of LW0.75. Freer (1981) stated that LW0..9 would be more appropriate for comparisons of intake requirements for maintenance of sheep and cattle. Nonetheless, Nolan & Connolly (1977) stated that the equivalent is system-specific and depends on the species being considered. The objective of this experiment was to estimate species equivalence for a dairy system based on grazing in temperate Mexico.
