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Grazing

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Full-Text Articles in Earth Sciences

Phyllochron Development In Cool-Season Forage Grasses, A B. Frank, J D. Berdahl, J F. Karn Apr 2024

Phyllochron Development In Cool-Season Forage Grasses, A B. Frank, J D. Berdahl, J F. Karn

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between grass leaf insertion rate and accumulated growing degree-days, and determine the phyllochron for five perennial forage grass species and two cultivars of each species. Species field seeded in solid stands were crested wheatgrass [Agropyron desertorum (Fisch. ex. Link) Schult.], intermediate wheatgrass, [Thinopyrum intermedium Barkw. & Dewey:Syn:A. intermedium (Host) Brauv], western wheatgrass [Pascopyrum smithii (Rybd) L ve], green needlegrass (Stipa viridula Trin.), and smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss). Species phyllochron differences ranged from 77 GDD for Mandan 404 smooth bromegrass to 114 GDD for Lodorm …


The Analysis Of Dynamic Interaction In Legume Binary Mixture Under Controlled Conditions Of Irrigation And Clipping, M S. Vrahnakis, B Noitsakis, Z Koukoura Apr 2024

The Analysis Of Dynamic Interaction In Legume Binary Mixture Under Controlled Conditions Of Irrigation And Clipping, M S. Vrahnakis, B Noitsakis, Z Koukoura

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The objective of this study was to analyse the type of interference that occurred between the annual legume species, purple clover (Trifolium purpureum L.) and narrow leaved crimson clover (Trifolium angustifolium Loisel. ), growing in mixed conditions under two different watering regimes and two different clipping treatments. A replacement series experiment was conducted in pots placed in the field. The above ground biomass (gr/plant) were measured. The recently proposed Inverse Linear Model was implied in order to analyse the competitive interaction between the above species. The results suggest that Tr. purpureum was the superior competitor to Tr. angustifolium …


Soil Nutrient Redistribution Pattern About The Tree In A Silvopastoral System, L C. Nwaigbo, H G. Miller, A R. Sibbald, G Hudson Mar 2024

Soil Nutrient Redistribution Pattern About The Tree In A Silvopastoral System, L C. Nwaigbo, H G. Miller, A R. Sibbald, G Hudson

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The objective of this paper is to report the effect of animal-tree interactions on soil nutrient redistribution pattern in a grazed silvopastoral experiment site at Glensaugh, in NE Scotland. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L) tree species were planted in square lattice arrangements at 5 m x 5 m, spacing (400 stems/ha) on plots replicated over three blocks in Randomized Complete Block design on a predominantly rye grass (Lolium perenne L) pasture which was grazed by sheep yearly from April to October. Included in the design were grazed pasture plots without trees (Control). Soil samples were collected from around …


Trees For Shelter: The Implications In Agroforestry System, L C. Nwaigbo, A R. Sibbald, G Hudson Mar 2024

Trees For Shelter: The Implications In Agroforestry System, L C. Nwaigbo, A R. Sibbald, G Hudson

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The objective of this study was to determine the horizontal and vertical variations in soil penetration resistance (PR) observed at tree-scale in silvopastoral plots that were grazed by sheep with and without trees. Sycamore trees (Acer pseudoplatanus L) were planted in the spring of 1988 at 10 m x 10 m spacing (100 stems/ha) at Glensaugh NE of Scotland on plots replicated over three blocks in Randomized Complete Block design on a predominantly rye grass (Lolium perenne L) pasture. Included in the design were pasture plots without trees (Control). The experiment is grazed by sheep yearly from April to …


Scale Of Patchiness Affects The Relation Between Forage Quality And Patch Choice By Cattle, Wallis Devries, M F. Laca, E A. Laca Mar 2024

Scale Of Patchiness Affects The Relation Between Forage Quality And Patch Choice By Cattle, Wallis Devries, M F. Laca, E A. Laca

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

We predicted and tested the effects of scale of heterogeneity on movements and selectivity of a large grazer in a controlled field experiment. We created random mosaics of short/high quality and tall/low quality grass patches in equal proportion at grid sizes of 2x2 m and 5x5 m. Subsequently, we monitored the foraging behavior of four steers in 16 20x40 m plots over 30-minute periods. As predicted, the animals selected the short patches both by walking in a nonrandom manner and by concentrating their grazing time. Selectivity was more pronounced in large patches than in small ones. In contrast, the number …


Behaviour Of Cattle On Two Different Types Of Upland Pastures, D Macesic, M Knezevic Mar 2024

Behaviour Of Cattle On Two Different Types Of Upland Pastures, D Macesic, M Knezevic

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The purpose of this research was to study the influence of the quality of pastures on the behaviour of cows in a 'cow-calf' system. The behaviour was measured by the four principal activities of the herd: grazing, lying, 'roaming' and insect repelling, and it is presented with relative indicators. The trial was conducted on pasture areas of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, at the altitude of 650- 850 m. The influence of the pasture quality on the behaviour of cattle on pasture was studied on two different types of pastures: a natural unreclaimed pasture belonging to the Arrhenatheretum …


Foraging Behaviour Of Heifers, Sheep And Goats In Grass-Legume Cafeteria, J P. Singh, Vinod Shankar, V S. Upadhyay Mar 2024

Foraging Behaviour Of Heifers, Sheep And Goats In Grass-Legume Cafeteria, J P. Singh, Vinod Shankar, V S. Upadhyay

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The paper reports findings of a grazing trial with heifers, sheep and goats in a grass–legume cafeteria involving 45x10 m alternate strips of 18 grasses and 18 legumes. In the first year heifers were grazed. Sheep were introduced in the second year and goats in the third year. The stocking rate was 1.5 ACU/ha. Foraging behaviour of three kinds of animals differed in many respects with grazing and rest durations, choice of species in the forenoon and afternoon and in different seasons. Heifers, by and large, preferred grasses over legumes and browse. Sheep, on the contrary, preferred legumes over grasses …


Characterization Of Grazing Patterns In Cool-Season Annual And Warm-Season Perennial Grass Pastures, G E. Aiken, M S. West, D I. Bransby Mar 2024

Characterization Of Grazing Patterns In Cool-Season Annual And Warm-Season Perennial Grass Pastures, G E. Aiken, M S. West, D I. Bransby

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Pastures are often either under- or over-grazed, which can affect both pasture sustainability and livestock performance. Disk meter heights were measured for rye (Secale cereale L.) -ryegrass (Lolium L. multiflorum Lam.) pasture to characterize stocking rate (2.5, 3.7, and 4.9 steers/ha) effects on grazing patterns. In another study, grazing indices were calculated for bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] to describe pasture utilization over time for three stocking rates (3.0, 5.9, 8.9 steers/ha). Distributions of DMH for rye-ryegrass showed distinct grazing patterns for each stocking rate, with the distributions changing from bimodal to multi-modal from heavy to light …


Relationships Between The Nutrient Content Of Irrigated Pasture On Offer And That Selected By Grazing Dairy Cows, W J. Wales, C R. Stockdale, P T. Doyle Mar 2024

Relationships Between The Nutrient Content Of Irrigated Pasture On Offer And That Selected By Grazing Dairy Cows, W J. Wales, C R. Stockdale, P T. Doyle

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

An experiment was conducted to determine the dry matter, energy, crude protein and fibre intake by dairy cows in late lactation when grazing perennial pasture offered at allocations of 15, 20, 30 and 40 kg DM/cow.day. The cows consistently selected a diet 10% higher in digestibility than that on offer. In contrast, cows selected diets with crude protein levels increasing from 22% to 40%, above that in pasture on offer, as pasture allocation increased. A similar pattern was observed for the intake of white clover (Trifolium repens L). The increase in the concentration of crude protein in the diet …


Shade For Cattle On Pasture: A Guide For Ontario Producers, E J. Finegan, T M. Widowski Mar 2024

Shade For Cattle On Pasture: A Guide For Ontario Producers, E J. Finegan, T M. Widowski

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

In tropical climates, adequate shade may be essential to ensure the survival and productivity of grazing animals, but in the temperate Ontario climate, the necessity or benefits of providing shade for grazing cattle are less clear, and have proved controversial. Meteorological data indicate that beef cattle in Ontario may be at risk of suffering from heat stress on more than 25% of days during July and August, and may decrease feed intake and benefit from the provision of shade for more than 50% of days during the two hottest summer months. A booklet, entitled ‘Beat the Heat. A Guide …


Use Of The Grazing Animal In Forage Breeding, J H. Bouton, C S. Hoveland, R N. Gates Feb 2024

Use Of The Grazing Animal In Forage Breeding, J H. Bouton, C S. Hoveland, R N. Gates

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The objective of these studies was to determine, in the context of a forage breeding program, the effect of cattle grazing on survival of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Different cultivars of each species were compared in grazed and ungrazed areas. Results consistently demonstrated that grazing reduced plant stands when compared to ungrazed conditions for each species tested. In alfalfa, however, cultivars developed for grazing tolerance showed much better grazing survival. Infection with the fungal endophyte, Acremonium coenophialum Morgan-Jones & Gams, likewise substantially increased grazing survival in …


How Do Cattle And Sheep Alter Ingestive Behaviour In Response To Changes In Sward State?, P D. Penning, R J. Orr, A J. Parsons, A Harvey Feb 2024

How Do Cattle And Sheep Alter Ingestive Behaviour In Response To Changes In Sward State?, P D. Penning, R J. Orr, A J. Parsons, A Harvey

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Ingestive behaviour of yearling Friesian heifers continuously stocked on monocultures of Lolium perenne (G) or Trifolium repens (C) maintained at sward heights of 7-8 cm, was recorded. Bite masses, prehension biting and mastication rates were similar between treatments (211 vs. 230 mg DM prehension bite-1, 61 vs. 55 prehension bites and 11 vs. 13 mastications, min-1 for G and C, respectively). DM intake rates were 12.9 g min-1 for both treatments. Animals grazed longer (536 vs.436 min) and ruminated longer (526 vs. 267 min-1) on G compared with C. Daily intakes were 6.9 vs.5.6 kg DM for G and C. …


Effects Of Fasting On Ingestive Behaviour Of Sheep Grazing Grass Or White Clover Monocultures, P D. Penning, M Boval Feb 2024

Effects Of Fasting On Ingestive Behaviour Of Sheep Grazing Grass Or White Clover Monocultures, P D. Penning, M Boval

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Effects of fasting sheep for 24 h (F), compared with controls (NF), on their ingestive behaviour and particle size in extrusa was investigated using oesophageally fistulated animals, grazing monocultures of Lolium perenne (G) or Trifolium repens (C). Bite masses tended to be lower on G than C and tended to increase with fasting (40, 64, 61 and 70 mg DM bite-1) for treatments GNF, GF, CNF and CF, respectively. Prehension rate was lower (52 vs. 69 bites min-1) and masticating rate was higher (106 vs.86 mastications min- 1) for G and C treatments, respectively. Over 24 h following fasting, NF …


Modeling Intake Of Grazing Cows Fed Complementary Feeds, D R. Buckmaster, L A. Holden, L D. Muller, R H. Mohtar Feb 2024

Modeling Intake Of Grazing Cows Fed Complementary Feeds, D R. Buckmaster, L A. Holden, L D. Muller, R H. Mohtar

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

A model suitable for predicting intake for grazing or non-grazing dairy cows is presented. The model integrates the potentially intake limiting factors of physical fill, physiological energy demand, wet mass, herbage availability, herbage cover, and grazing time. Integration of these factors with a simple set of linear ration balancing constraints yields a model suitable for predicting supplemental feed requirements as well as potential animal production from a grazed land. The model is semi-theoretical, being descriptive in structure, but containing empirical relationships.


High Instantaneous Spring Stocking Rates To Improve Year Round Herbage Utilization In Argentine Dairy Production, M H. Wade, D E. Dalla Valle Feb 2024

High Instantaneous Spring Stocking Rates To Improve Year Round Herbage Utilization In Argentine Dairy Production, M H. Wade, D E. Dalla Valle

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

In much of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina 60% of the year’s pasture production occurs during spring. This trial was carried out to test the minimum area necessary for grazing in the period of maximum pasture growth in the 3 to 4 months of spring, so that in turn the maximum potential area for forage conservation could be estimated. At the two levels of herbage allowance aimed for (achieving 18.1 and 36.6 kgDM/cow/d), herbage intake was 11.1 and 13.4 kgDM/cow/d and milk production 20.9 and 22.3 l/cow/d respectively. While these differences were not significant, the trial demonstrated a potential of 70 …


The Effect Of Sward Height And Bulk Density On Herbage Intake And Grazing Behaviour Of Dairy Cows, C S. Mayne, D Mcgilloway, A Cushnahan, A S. Laidlaw Feb 2024

The Effect Of Sward Height And Bulk Density On Herbage Intake And Grazing Behaviour Of Dairy Cows, C S. Mayne, D Mcgilloway, A Cushnahan, A S. Laidlaw

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The effects of sward height and bulk density on herbage intake and grazing behaviour of dairy cows during 1 hour grazing periods was investigated. Sward factors had a marked effect on dry matter (DM) intake/bite, which ranged from 0.4 to 1.1 g, and this was reflected in hourly intake rates. Intake/bite was largely influenced by sward height, reflecting increased bite depth in taller swards, with inherent differences between swards at low sward heights largely attributable to differences in bulk density (BD). The results indicate that DM intake rates up to 4.0 kg DM/hour can be achieved in short term grazing …


Height Of Branching In Leucaena (Leucaena Leucocephala) Ecotypes Under Rotational Grazing, D Urbano, C Davila Feb 2024

Height Of Branching In Leucaena (Leucaena Leucocephala) Ecotypes Under Rotational Grazing, D Urbano, C Davila

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

To evaluate and select the best branching heights and the leucaena ecotypes which give the best supply and consumption of dry matter, an experiment was carried out at the “Judibana” ranch near El Vigía, Mérida State, Venezuela, at an altitude of 65 meters (165 ft.). The experimental design used was random blocks and the treatments were in a split plot design, repeated three times. The main plots were 13 leucaena ecotypes (CIAT - 7385, 7984, 7985, 9377, 17217, 17218, 17219, 17222, 17223, 17474, 17492, 17501, 17502) and the secondary ones were three heights of branching (0.40, 0.80 and 1.20 m). …


Evaluation Under Grazing Of Two Festuca Arundinacia Cultivars With Contrasting Growth Patterns, A Mazzanti, M H. Wade Feb 2024

Evaluation Under Grazing Of Two Festuca Arundinacia Cultivars With Contrasting Growth Patterns, A Mazzanti, M H. Wade

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Two cultivars of Festuca arundinacea, one of temperate origin (El Palenque: PAL) with higher spring and summer growth and one of North African origin (Maris Kasba: MK) with higher winter growth, were compared under grazing during three years. They were grazed continuously, using a “put and take” system, by young steers and the swards maintained at equal heights, but which varied slightly between seasons. Daily live weight gain (LWG) and instantaneous stocking rate (ISR) were used to estimate productivity per unit area. There was no difference between cultivars in LWG, but consistent and important differences in ISR: MK carrying …


Rotational Stocking With Virtual Fences: Effects On Grassland Diet Digestibility, Livestock Performance And Stress Levels Of Heifers, N. A. Grinnell, D. Hamidi, M. Komainda, F. Reisch, J. Horn, I. Traulsen, R. Palme, J. Isselstein Feb 2024

Rotational Stocking With Virtual Fences: Effects On Grassland Diet Digestibility, Livestock Performance And Stress Levels Of Heifers, N. A. Grinnell, D. Hamidi, M. Komainda, F. Reisch, J. Horn, I. Traulsen, R. Palme, J. Isselstein

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Virtual fencing is an innovative technology for simplified, less laborious dynamic grazing management and remote animal monitoring. The effect of this novel technology on animal welfare is still a matter of debate. Previous research suggests no differences in stress experience responses of cattle between the two fencing systems on continuously stocked pastures. This study investigated differences in diet organic matter digestibility, livestock performance and fecal cortisol metabolite concentrations of heifers on pastures in a rotational grazing system, fenced with a virtual fence (Nofence, Batnfjordsøra Norway) compared to heifers fenced with a traditional electric wire fence. The study was conducted in …


Brix As An Indicator Of Sugar Content And Nutritive Value In Alfalfa And Orchardgrass Herbage, Eric D. Billman, K. Soder, J. Horst, K. Balk, A. Hafla Feb 2024

Brix As An Indicator Of Sugar Content And Nutritive Value In Alfalfa And Orchardgrass Herbage, Eric D. Billman, K. Soder, J. Horst, K. Balk, A. Hafla

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Brix, a measurement of total dissolved solids in solution, has been used by forage producers to provide real-time estimates of energy content of fresh herbage. However, its efficacy has never been validated in herbage through wet chemistry testing and comparisons with other nutritive value parameters. This study compared and correlated Brix measurements with sugar concentrations and common nutritive value parameters relating to protein, fiber, and energy to determine the viability of using Brix to predict when to graze or harvest fresh herbage. Brix measurements were collected monthly on fresh herbage samples of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and orchardgrass (Dactylis …


Integrating Livestock And Cropping Systems: Interseeding Cereal Rye Into Corn For Late Season Grazing, K. J. Soder Feb 2024

Integrating Livestock And Cropping Systems: Interseeding Cereal Rye Into Corn For Late Season Grazing, K. J. Soder

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Corn (Zea mays) grown for grain is harvested too late in the year in many temperate regions to establish a cover crop to provide winter ground cover and an opportunity for late season grazing. The objective of this project is to evaluate the effect of interseeding cereal rye (Secale cereale) into corn for use as grazed forage after corn grain harvest on corn grain yield and additional grazing day/ha. In a 4-year study, corn was planted (64,246 plants/ha) in spring on two, 4.8-ha fields in central Pennsylvania. Cereal rye was interseeded (135 kg/ha) into the corn …


Grazing And Animal Welfare Of Dairy Cows In Europe, What Do We Know?, A. Van Den Pol-Van Dasselaar, D. Hennessy, J. Isselstein Feb 2024

Grazing And Animal Welfare Of Dairy Cows In Europe, What Do We Know?, A. Van Den Pol-Van Dasselaar, D. Hennessy, J. Isselstein

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Grazing systems are important components of the landscape in almost all European countries. Grazing is inherently close to the nature of herbivores, but no longer applied everywhere in Europe. This paper discusses the extent of dairy cow grazing in Europe and the effect of grazing on animal welfare. The study builds on results of surveys from the European Grassland Federation (EGF) Working Group “Grazing” (WGG) in the period 2010–2022 and a focus group meeting in 2022. Data on the extent of grazing of dairy cows in Europe are provided. Europe can be divided into six distinctive regions with respect to …


Ruminant Agriculture: A Tool For Climate Change Mitigation, B. L. Peterson Munks, M. Rellaford, J. Shanahan, S. Urbanowitz, F. Wang, S. Wang, Y. Zhao, E. Bender Feb 2024

Ruminant Agriculture: A Tool For Climate Change Mitigation, B. L. Peterson Munks, M. Rellaford, J. Shanahan, S. Urbanowitz, F. Wang, S. Wang, Y. Zhao, E. Bender

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The quest to address and mitigate climate change has been dubbed a “wicked problem” as it involves many interconnected processes requiring a multifaceted, comprehensive approach. Animal agriculture contributes roughly 15% to CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emissions; as a result, a concerted effort is being made to develop and promote more climate-friendly production practices. These practices include species diversification in grasslands, improving grazing rotation, adding nitrogen amendments, and the use of feed additives to reduce enteric fermentation. Successful inter-seeding of legumes and deep-rooted native grasses increases soil organic carbon (SOC) pools in many systems by increasing the biological carbon inputs to the …


Adaptive Multi-Paddock Grazing Of Cover Crops In Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems In Mediterranean Regions: A Review, G. A. Musto, A. Swanepoel, J. A. Strauss Feb 2024

Adaptive Multi-Paddock Grazing Of Cover Crops In Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems In Mediterranean Regions: A Review, G. A. Musto, A. Swanepoel, J. A. Strauss

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Small-grain farming systems in Mediterranean climatic regions are characterized by poor quality soils, high climate variability, and resulting heavy agrochemical reliance. The integration of continuously grazed monocrop pasture phases has improved soil fertility, crop productivity, and mitigated financial risk. However, emerging sustainability issues such as herbicide resistance, inputs costs rising disproportionately to product prices, and increasing climate variability and predictability, drive the need for ongoing innovation in crop-livestock integration. The option of growing multi-species cover crops as a dual-forage and service crop is evaluated within Mediterranean climate contexts. Furthermore, the option of subjecting the cover crops to adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) …


Stockpiling Perennial Warm-Season Grasses: Bermudagrass Example, J. A. Jennings, K. J. Simon Feb 2024

Stockpiling Perennial Warm-Season Grasses: Bermudagrass Example, J. A. Jennings, K. J. Simon

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Winter feeding is the largest expense of maintaining a beef herd in terms of money and time. Stockpiled bermudagrass is an effective practice for reducing winter feeding expenses and extending the grazing season. Stockpiling forage is the practice of accumulating forage growth intended for grazing in a later season. In Arkansas, bermudagrass is stockpiled from early August to late October and is grazed from late October through mid-December. Rainfall during late summer can be erratic with high risk of drought stress, but an early start date maximizes the opportunity for acceptable stockpiled forage yield. Therefore, stockpiling bermudagrass should begin by …


Extending The Grazing Season Through The Use Of Cover Crops, D. D. Harmon Feb 2024

Extending The Grazing Season Through The Use Of Cover Crops, D. D. Harmon

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The use of cover crops in integrated crop-livestock systems is not a novel approach but has increased in popularity over the last few years due to the renewed interest in soil conservation, nutrient cycling, and water conservation. Moreover, cool-season annual forages have the ability to extend the grazing season, reduce the need for stored or bought supplemental feedstuffs, and as a result, lower winter-feeding costs. Small grain cover crops, legumes, forbes, and annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) vary in their growth distribution and can be planted alone in monocultures or planted in mixtures to take advantage of the individual …


A Multicriteria Assessment Of Forage Or Concentrate-Based Finishing Diets For Temperate Pasture-Based Suckler Beef Production Systems, P. R. Doyle, Edward G. O’Riordan, Mark Mcgee, Paul Crosson, A. K. Kelly, A. P. Moloney Feb 2024

A Multicriteria Assessment Of Forage Or Concentrate-Based Finishing Diets For Temperate Pasture-Based Suckler Beef Production Systems, P. R. Doyle, Edward G. O’Riordan, Mark Mcgee, Paul Crosson, A. K. Kelly, A. P. Moloney

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

This study evaluated the effect of contrasting ‘finishing’ diets on animal performance, meat nutritional value, land use, food-feed competition, farm economics and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in temperate pasture-based suckler weanling-to-steer beef systems. Post-weaning, eight-month-old, spring-born, late-maturing breed steers (333 kg) were assigned to one of three systems: (1) Grass silage + 1.2 kg concentrate DM (148 days), followed by pasture (123 days) and finished on ad libitum concentrates (120 days) - slaughter age, 21 months (GRAIN); (2) as per (1) but pasture (196 days) and finished on grass silage ad libitum + 3.5 kg concentrate DM (124 days) - …


Can You Have Your Cake And Eat It Too? Impact Of Grazing Cover Crops On Soil Properties, M. E. Drewnoski Feb 2024

Can You Have Your Cake And Eat It Too? Impact Of Grazing Cover Crops On Soil Properties, M. E. Drewnoski

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Does grazing of cover crops negate the soil health benefits of cover crops (CC)? A review of the literature was conducted to understand the soil impacts of grazing CC compared to a non-grazed CC control. Grazing CC did increase soil compaction in 50% of cases, but this increase was below the threshold that would be expected to impact root growth in most cases. It does appear that grazing under wet soils or high stocking rates can compact soil. Grazing did not affect wet aggregate stability in 83% of the studies. Soil carbon concentration was unaffected in 70% of the studies …


Nutrient Cycling And Crop Responses On Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems, José C. B. Dubeux Jr., E. R. S. Santos, J. E. Portuguez-Acuna, L. M. D. Queiroz Feb 2024

Nutrient Cycling And Crop Responses On Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems, José C. B. Dubeux Jr., E. R. S. Santos, J. E. Portuguez-Acuna, L. M. D. Queiroz

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) can bring numerous benefits to crops or livestock systems, such as increase soil C sequestration, farm profitability, and provisioning of ecosystem services. In a changing world, production systems need to become more resilient and sustainable. Specialized agriculture is characterized by a high level of inputs and outputs, and oftentimes specialize in a single crop to simplify management. However, such operational systems stray away from sustainable standards. Furthermore, specialized cropping systems may face problems such as persistence of pests and diseases, loss of biodiversity, stagnant yields, development of herbicide-resistant weeds, soil erosion and consequently loss of soil …


Grazing And Animal Welfare Of Dairy Cows In Europe, What Do We Know?, A. Van Den Pol-Van Dasselaar, D. Hennessy, J. Isselstein Feb 2024

Grazing And Animal Welfare Of Dairy Cows In Europe, What Do We Know?, A. Van Den Pol-Van Dasselaar, D. Hennessy, J. Isselstein

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Grazing systems are important components of the landscape in almost all European countries. Grazing is inherently close to the nature of herbivores, but no longer applied everywhere in Europe. This paper discusses the extent of dairy cow grazing in Europe and the effect of grazing on animal welfare. The study builds on results of surveys from the European Grassland Federation (EGF) Working Group “Grazing” (WGG) in the period 2010–2022 and a focus group meeting in 2022. Data on the extent of grazing of dairy cows in Europe are provided. Europe can be divided into six distinctive regions with respect to …