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Full-Text Articles in Soil Science

Hay Supplementation And Stocking Rate Effects On Live Weight Gain Of Steers Grazing Rye And Ryegrass, Susan E. Sladden, David I. Bransby Sep 2024

Hay Supplementation And Stocking Rate Effects On Live Weight Gain Of Steers Grazing Rye And Ryegrass, Susan E. Sladden, David I. Bransby

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The objective of this study was to evaluate continuous ad lib. supplementation of hay as a means of compensating for the uneven growth distribution of rye (Secale cereale) and ryegrass pastures (Lolium multiflorum) grazed by steers in the south-eastern USA. Pastures were continuously grazed by 230 to 270 kg steers at stocking rates of 2.5, 3.1, 4.1 and 4.9 head/ha with and without hay supplementation for 2 grazing seasons. On average, average daily live-weight gain (ADO) at the highest stocking rate (4.9 steers/ha) was 0.47 kg higher (P<0.01) when hay supplement was provided. Although not significant, in both years ADO tended to be higher for h_ay supplementation even at low stocking rates .


Seasonal Herbage Intake Of Once-Bred Heifers, A A. Khadem, S T. Morris, W J. Parker, R W. Purchas, S N. Mccutcheon Sep 2024

Seasonal Herbage Intake Of Once-Bred Heifers, A A. Khadem, S T. Morris, W J. Parker, R W. Purchas, S N. Mccutcheon

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Once-bred heifer (ODH) beef production systems, which are new to New Zealand, involve mating heifers at 15 months of age to cnlve as 2-year-olds and then slaughtering the heifers (at less than 30 months of age) as prime beef. Never-pregnant, pregnant and lactating Hereford x Friesian heifers were used in 4 experiments. There were no significant differences between pregnant (days 260-270 of pregnancy) and never-pregnant heifers in their herbage organic matter intake (OMI), ingestive behaviour or daily live-weight gain (LWG) when a restricted pasture allowance of 7 kg DM/head/day was offered. Heifers at days 50-60 of lactation and never-pregnant heifers …


Grazing Management Effects On Diverse White Clover Cultivars, G E. Brink, G A. Pederson Sep 2024

Grazing Management Effects On Diverse White Clover Cultivars, G E. Brink, G A. Pederson

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) was oversewn with Grasslands Huia, Louisiana S-1, and Regal white clover (Trifolimn repens L.) and stocked the following year continuously or rotationally with cattle to detennine cultivar response to grazing method. When precipitation was 59% above normal, mean leaf area, forage and stolon dry weight, and stolon growing point density in June and August were unaffected by grazing method. These parameters were reduced under continuous stocking when precipitation was 32% below normal. Cultivar ranking for mean leaf area and petiole length was the same as that for leaf size: Grasslands Huin


Effect Of Percentages Calluna Vulgaris Cover And Cow And Ewe Physiological Status On Animal Production On Mountain Pastures, K Osoro, R Celaya, Mamen Olivan Sep 2024

Effect Of Percentages Calluna Vulgaris Cover And Cow And Ewe Physiological Status On Animal Production On Mountain Pastures, K Osoro, R Celaya, Mamen Olivan

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The effect percentage cover of Calluna vulgaris (30 or 70%) on performance of dry and lactating ewes and cows with their lambs and calves was studied during 1990 and 1991. Lactating cows had greater body weight losses than dry ones, the difference being 0.3 and 0.S kg/day for 1990 and 1991 respectively. Percentage C.vulgaris cover (30 or 70%) caused differences in body-weight losses· similar to those caused by physiological status. Milk production from the cows, and therefore calf live-weight gain, were significantly higher in the group grazing on the plot with 30% Calluna (0.62 and 0.71 kg/day for 1990 …


Integrated Grazing Of Goats With Sheep Or Cattle On Continuously Grazed Pasture, A M. Nicol, A.J F. Russel, I A. Wright Sep 2024

Integrated Grazing Of Goats With Sheep Or Cattle On Continuously Grazed Pasture, A M. Nicol, A.J F. Russel, I A. Wright

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Oroups of ewes (10) and their twin lambs were grazed on sown ryegrass• white clover (Lolium perenne L.-Trifollum repens L.) pastures maintained at a sward surface height of 4 or 8 cm and a further group grazed with yearling goats (in a proportion of 1/3 ewe plus lamb live weight) also at fi cm. A second concurrent experiment consisted of 3 similar treatments using young cattle with sward surface heights of 8 and 12 cm. Results over the 140-day grazing period showed that allhough the diet selected by sheep and cattle grazed with goats contained more green grass …


Methane Production By New Zealand Ruminants, K Betteridge, M J. Ulyatt, J Knapp, R L. Baldwin Sep 2024

Methane Production By New Zealand Ruminants, K Betteridge, M J. Ulyatt, J Knapp, R L. Baldwin

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Methane production by ruminants in New Zealand was estimated using a ma1hema1ical model of rumen digestion interfaced with census livestock numbers. New Zealand was divided into 4 climatic regions with each classified into improved, unimproved and tussock grasslands, and livestock were allocated to each class at appropriate stocking rates. Models of changing livestock numbers within n year were developed for each animal and land class. Food dry matter intake for each class of livestock was calculated from estimates of feed requirements and diet quality. Total methane production was estimated to be 1.50 Tg per year: 58.4% sheep, 20.7%, beef cattle, …


Changing Stocking Rates And Burning Management To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Southern Queensland Grasslands, S M. Howden, G M. Mckeon, J C. Scanlan, J O. Carter, D H. White Sep 2024

Changing Stocking Rates And Burning Management To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Southern Queensland Grasslands, S M. Howden, G M. Mckeon, J C. Scanlan, J O. Carter, D H. White

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

GRASSMAN, an agricultural decision-support model, has been modified to include sources, sinks and storages of greenhouse gases. The modified model was used to investigate the effects of changes in stocking rate and burning management on greenhouse gas emissions of southern Queensland grasslands. These grasslands are significant net emitters of greenhouse gases in their natural state, resulting in large differences between net and anthropogenic (man-made) emissions and hence, to different conclusions regarding emission reduction strategies. At moderate stocking rates, anthropogenic emissions could be reduced by about 20% with little loss of productivity. However, similar reductions in net emissions require larger management …


Growth Kinetics Of Digitaria Decumbens After Defoliation By Cattle At Two Grazing Pressures, M Naves, P Cruz, A Malafosse, J P. Manteaux Sep 2024

Growth Kinetics Of Digitaria Decumbens After Defoliation By Cattle At Two Grazing Pressures, M Naves, P Cruz, A Malafosse, J P. Manteaux

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Two regrowth cycles of an intensively managed Digitaria decumbens stand were studied. One followed high-stocked grazing by cows and their calves, and the other followed regrowth grazing by cows only. after weaning: Biomass, morphological composition, leaf area index and nitrogen were measured on 7 occasions between days O and 27 of growth. Residual biomass after the low grazing pressure (2403 kg DM/ha) was 4 times higher than after the high grazing pressure (633 kg DM/ha), mainly because more stems remained at the low grazing pressure (1220 kg DM/ha vs. 230 kg DM/ha). At both grazing pressures, growth of leaf and …


Role Of Mixed Animal Type Grazing In Range Preservation And Increasing Animal Product Output, T Nolan, J Connolly, C Sall Sep 2024

Role Of Mixed Animal Type Grazing In Range Preservation And Increasing Animal Product Output, T Nolan, J Connolly, C Sall

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

fhe work was part of a research programme to a) evaluate the role of mixed animal type grazing in increasing production, b) explain any; benefits obtained and c) develop improved whole grazing ecosystems in temperate and semi-arid areas. Its specific ai was to improve domestic food production from range grazing livestock and to preserve or improve native range resources. This paper discusses some recent results from the Senegalese Sahel related to· animal preferential and differential selection, animal performance and the role of mixed grazing in improving the relationships between them to secure the objectives stated. The use of these results …


Comparative Foraging Strategies Of Grazing Ungulates In African Savanna Grasslands, N Owen-Smith, D H.M Cumming Aug 2024

Comparative Foraging Strategies Of Grazing Ungulates In African Savanna Grasslands, N Owen-Smith, D H.M Cumming

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

We review the evolutionary (species-specific) and ecological (individual behavioural) strategies of African grazing ungulates. The contexts considered are free-ranging wild ungulates, traditional livestock pastoralism and extensive commercial ranching. Particularly successful are (1) buffalo, able to digest grass fibre effectively in mesic grasslands; (2) wildebeest, exploiting semi-arid grasslands through migration; (3) megaherbivores (elephant, hippopotamus and white rhinoceros) utilising a wide range of vegetation components. Species-specific adaptations include body size and metabolic rate, digestive efficiency and passage rate, oral and dental anatomy, water dependence and detoxification capacity. Species overlap in grass species se'lected, with dietary differences apparent in grass height favoured, and …


A New Ambulatory Data-Logging System For A Long Term Determination Of Grazing And Rumination Behavior On Free Ranging Cattle, Kanji Matsui, Tadakatu Okubo Aug 2024

A New Ambulatory Data-Logging System For A Long Term Determination Of Grazing And Rumination Behavior On Free Ranging Cattle, Kanji Matsui, Tadakatu Okubo

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

A new ambulatory apparatus (named "jaw recorder") has been developed. The apparatus has a large data storage capacity (32 768 data points), and enables data to be recorded every minute for a minimum of 22 days in one recording session. A Holstein heifer was fitted with the apparatus and was grazed with 4 other heifers for 13 days on a pasture of 0.36 ha of Italian ryegrass (Lolium nmltiflorum Lam.). Grazing and rumination period could be distinguished by a combination of jaw movements and pauses between jaw movements longer than 3 sec/min. Grazing and rumination time distinctly increased with …


Field Test Of Optimal Foraging With Cattle: The Marginal Value Theorem Predicts Patch Selection And Utilization, Emilio A. Laca, R A. Distel, T C. Griggs, G Deo, M W. Demment Aug 2024

Field Test Of Optimal Foraging With Cattle: The Marginal Value Theorem Predicts Patch Selection And Utilization, Emilio A. Laca, R A. Distel, T C. Griggs, G Deo, M W. Demment

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Grazers selectively forage within heterogeneous vegetation. Prediction of intake rate necessitates theoretical developments to understand site selection. We tested III optimal foraging model to predict patch selection by cattle in the field, Nine "grazing environments" (GB) consisting of 16 0.36 m2 patches each were created by mowing. Treatments were a factorial of 3 distances between patches and 3 sets of patch heights. Patch residence time (T,) was accurately predicted (r2=0.89), and increased linearly whh patch distance (P


A Conceptual Model To Explain Variation In Ingestive Behavior Within A Feeding Patch, Emilio M. Laca, M W. Demment, R A. Distel, T C. Griggs Aug 2024

A Conceptual Model To Explain Variation In Ingestive Behavior Within A Feeding Patch, Emilio M. Laca, M W. Demment, R A. Distel, T C. Griggs

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

A conceptual model is presented that links the mechanics of bite formation to the characteristics of the sward to explain variation in bite weight, bite area, bite depth and biting rate measured in a series of experiments with hand-constructed swards. Bite area is determined by the behaviour used by the animal to collect and grasp the tillers, and the length and stiffness of the sward, Bite depth is affected by height and the degree of vertical heterogeneity in stiffness. Time per bite is controlled by bite weight. These mechanisms of bite formation and time per bite ex.plain many observed effects, …


Selective Behaviour Of Cattle Grazing Ryegrass Swards With Horizontal Heterogeneity In Patch Height And Bulk Density, Montague W. Demment, R A. Distel, T C. Griggs, E A. Laca, G P. Deo Aug 2024

Selective Behaviour Of Cattle Grazing Ryegrass Swards With Horizontal Heterogeneity In Patch Height And Bulk Density, Montague W. Demment, R A. Distel, T C. Griggs, E A. Laca, G P. Deo

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Patches of different height and/or bulk density were created in ryegrass pasture to study selective responses of steers to horizontal variability in patch structure. The experiment involved 3 heterogeneity treatments with 2 patch types each. Steers encountered and entered both patch types available in each treatment with the same frequency. In contrast, they grazed for a longer time (T,) at; and removed more bites (B) from the patch type that yielded greater intake rates. While T, and B varied for a patch type depending on the alternative patch, bite rate and likely bite size were constant for a given patch …


Computer Recording Of The Variation In Intake Of Supplements Provided To Grazing Cattler, R M. Tait, L J. Fisher Aug 2024

Computer Recording Of The Variation In Intake Of Supplements Provided To Grazing Cattler, R M. Tait, L J. Fisher

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

A computer system has been developed to record the consumption of' supplements provided free choice to grazing cattle. The system is based on electronic animal identification and one or more weatherproof electronic scales located in simple feed stations connected by telephone cable to a computer at a distance of up to 1 km. The software program identifies and records individual animals, • time and duration of visits, and the quantity of supplement consumed. The system has been tested in the field using 40 kg molasses-based feed blocks with up to 20 steers per feed station in paddocks of approximately 4 …


Vegetation Utilization And Dynamics In Hill Pastures Dominated By Calluna Or Agrostis-Festuca-Nardus And Grazed By Sheep Or Cattle, R Celaya, M Olivan, K Osoro Aug 2024

Vegetation Utilization And Dynamics In Hill Pastures Dominated By Calluna Or Agrostis-Festuca-Nardus And Grazed By Sheep Or Cattle, R Celaya, M Olivan, K Osoro

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The dynamics of Agrostis-Festuca-Nardus. grasslands and Calluma heathlands with broom on plots with different ratio of area covered by each community type and grazed either by cattle or sheep were monitored during summers of 1990 and 1991. Significant differences were observed. Cattle grazed Nard11s more intensively than sheep and Cai tuna cover . was more, slrongly affected by cattle than sheep grazing. Brooms were grazed intensively by sheep but were rejected by cattle.


Diet Selection, Diet Quality, Dry Matter Intake And Growth Rate Of Cattle Grazing Tropical Grass-Legume, D B. Coates, A J. Ash, R W. Mclean Aug 2024

Diet Selection, Diet Quality, Dry Matter Intake And Growth Rate Of Cattle Grazing Tropical Grass-Legume, D B. Coates, A J. Ash, R W. Mclean

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Dietary attributes and growth of cattle grazing tropical grass-legume pastures were ex.amined in 2 experiments in northern Queensland. Pastures oversown with legume gave substantial improvements in dietary ,nitrogen, digestibility and dry mauer intake compared with native 1rass pasture. On phosphorus (P)-deficient soils, applying P fertiliser or supplementing with P, improved P jntake, feed intake and growth rate of .cattle. Once nitrogen and P deficiencies were overcome, it was com:luded that diet digestibility was the main factor limiting the growth. of cattle and that the severity of this limitation was determined primarily by seasonal conditions.


Variation In Intake Rate And Mastication By Grazing Steers In The Spring, G P. Cosgrove, J C. Burns, D S. Fisher, K R. Pond, J P. Mueller Aug 2024

Variation In Intake Rate And Mastication By Grazing Steers In The Spring, G P. Cosgrove, J C. Burns, D S. Fisher, K R. Pond, J P. Mueller

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Changes in intake ,ate (IR), bite mass (BM), and biting rate (BR) and ingestive mastication of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schrcb; TF), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L; OG) and ryegrass (Lolium perenne L: RG) were studied over 3 grazings between early spring and early summer of 2 consecutive years. Defoliation by steers started at 100 mm canopy height (Tl) and terminated at 50 mm (T2). At Tl, and again at T2, ocsophageal-fistulated steers were used to estimate IR, BM and BR and to provide extrusa samples for determination of 1nasticatc particle size after dry sieving. At Tl there …


Relationship Between Sward Structure And Dietary Quality And Intake, In Cattle Grazing Humid Sour Grassveld In South Africap, P J. O'Reagain, M Haller, P.J K. Zacharias Aug 2024

Relationship Between Sward Structure And Dietary Quality And Intake, In Cattle Grazing Humid Sour Grassveld In South Africap, P J. O'Reagain, M Haller, P.J K. Zacharias

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The relationship between sward structure, and dietary quality and intake was investigated for cattle grazing humid sour grassveld in south Africa. A 2-ha site was divided into 6 equal-sized blocks with; each block being managed to achieve a different sward structure using rotation·a1 grazing of cattle at 3, 5, 8, 11, 16 or 20 week intervals. Before to grazing, sward structure was quantified in terms. of tuft height, leaf table height, stemminess and greenness of the 3 most abundant species as well as sward leaf density. Oesophageal i fistulates were used to estimate dietary quality, bite rate, bite size, and …


Comparison Of The Grazing Habits Of Japanese Black And Holstein Steers On Semi-Natural And Improved Pastures In Japan, Akihisa Yamada, Hiroshi Dohi, Shigeki Entsu Aug 2024

Comparison Of The Grazing Habits Of Japanese Black And Holstein Steers On Semi-Natural And Improved Pastures In Japan, Akihisa Yamada, Hiroshi Dohi, Shigeki Entsu

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The grazing habit of 6 Japanese Black and 6 Holstein steers was compared on semi-natural pasture and improved perennial ryegrass­white clover (Lolium perenne-Trifolium repens pasture in Japan. Japanese Black steers spent less time eating than Holstein steers on improved pasture. The ratio of walking while eating to total walking distance was lower for Japanese Blacks than for Holsteins, On the semi-natural pasture, Japanese Blacks .spent more time grazing than Holsteins and Japanese Blacks walked faster than Holsteins. On semi­natural pasture, Japanese Blacks picked upper leaves always walking forward.


Early And Late Grazing Of Cocksfoot And Tall Fescue Hay Fields Overseeded With Red Clover, E C. Prigge, W B. Bryan, E S. Goldman, G E. D'Souza Aug 2024

Early And Late Grazing Of Cocksfoot And Tall Fescue Hay Fields Overseeded With Red Clover, E C. Prigge, W B. Bryan, E S. Goldman, G E. D'Souza

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Grazing hay fields with beef cattle during portions of the year when hay is traditionally fed, was examined to yield, quality of forage and composition of the sward. Pour managements were compared: early spring, one hay cutting, and late autumn grazing (GHG), 2 hay cuttings (HH), early spring grazing and 2 hay cuttings (GHH), and 1 hay culling and late au1umn· grazing (HG). The managements were applied lo tall foscue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) (TP) and cocksfool (Dactylis glomerata L.) (Cfl) hay fields, overseeded with red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). Annual herbage dry mailer production from the plots …


Botanical Composition, Improvement Intervention And Cattle Weight Gain Of Natural Pastures Of Western Ethiopia, L Gizachew, A Tadesse, A Hassen Aug 2024

Botanical Composition, Improvement Intervention And Cattle Weight Gain Of Natural Pastures Of Western Ethiopia, L Gizachew, A Tadesse, A Hassen

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The dominant indigenous grass and legume species in the highland (above 2000 m) and mid-altitude (1600-2000 m) parts of western Ethiopia were determined. Grasslands in the high altitude contain a higher proportion of a nutritious grass and legume species than grasslands in the mid altitude. Fertiliser, manuring and legume oversowing improved dry matter yield and live-weight gains of grazing animals. Incorporating forage legumes into natural pastures by oversowing is the best pasture improvement strategy.


Increasing The Forage Supply And Cattle Production Through A Three-Strata Forage System, K Lana, I M. Nitis, W Sukanten, S Putra, M Suarna Aug 2024

Increasing The Forage Supply And Cattle Production Through A Three-Strata Forage System, K Lana, I M. Nitis, W Sukanten, S Putra, M Suarna

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

A three-strata forage system (TSFS) experiment has been can-ied out for 3 years to study the effect of first stratum (grass and ground legume), second stratum (shrub legume) and third stratum (fodder tree) in increasing forage supply and Bali cattle production in a dryland farming area in Bali. The completely randomised factorial design consisted of 2 farming systems (TSFS and traditional system 2) and 2 stocking rates (2 and 4 steers/ha) with 10 and 11 replications. The 0.2S ha TSFS plot was divided into a 0.16 ha core area for food crop, a 0.09 ha peripheral area for the pasture …


Canada's Forage Resources, D Mccartney, P R. Horton Jul 2024

Canada's Forage Resources, D Mccartney, P R. Horton

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Canada is the second largest country in the world and stretches 5,500 km east to west and 4,600 km north to south. About 90% of Canada is uninhabited with 90% percent of the population living within 500 km of the Canadian-American border. About 60% of Canadians live in southern Ontario and Quebec. The grazing industry is located primarily in western Canada with British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba having 84% of the national beef herd. Ontario and Quebec have 73% of the national dairy herd. The majority of harvested forage, dehydrated alfalfa and forage seed crops are grown in western …


Experiences Of Eight Ohio Beef And Sheep Producers With Year Round Grazing, H M. Bartholomew, S L. Boyles, B Carter, E Vollborn, D Miller, R M. Sulc Jul 2024

Experiences Of Eight Ohio Beef And Sheep Producers With Year Round Grazing, H M. Bartholomew, S L. Boyles, B Carter, E Vollborn, D Miller, R M. Sulc

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Livestock producers participated in a demonstration project to extend the grazing season and evaluate dormant forage quality and yield. Differences were not detected in yields among forage species but yield differences existed among sites. Yield estimates did not change over time across all forage species but some sites were only able to participate for two months. Producers utilizing fescue beyond November had reductions in herbage mass. Crude protein, available crude protein, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber content differed among forage species and sites. Energy and lignin content were similar for all forage species and sites. Sodium and copper …


Native And Introduced Forage Systems For Cow-Calf Production, S W. Coleman, W A. Phillips, J D. Volesky Jul 2024

Native And Introduced Forage Systems For Cow-Calf Production, S W. Coleman, W A. Phillips, J D. Volesky

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The objectives of this study was to compare a highly productive introduced warm-season perennial grass to native range for cowcalf production over two years. Three systems, 1) native range with pelleted soybean or cottonseed meal as winter protein supplement (NC); 2) native range with wheat pasture (NW); and 3) Plains Bluestem with wheat pasture (PB) were compared. Protein supplements were given twice weekly and cows grazing wheat pasture were allowed 6 hrs to graze. Cows on NW were heavier with higher condition at breeding in the spring of 1994 than those on NC and cows on PB were heavier and …


Characteristics Of Grass Species In Pasture For High Producing Cows In Northern Japan, K Sudo, K Ochiai, T Ikeda Jul 2024

Characteristics Of Grass Species In Pasture For High Producing Cows In Northern Japan, K Sudo, K Ochiai, T Ikeda

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The prupose of this research was to investigate characteristics of grass species under different conditions appropriate to the intensive grazing system for high producing cows (8000 kg for a 305-day lactation) in northern Japan. Meadow fescue (Festuca elatior L.), timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perene L.) white clover (Trifolium repens L.) pastures were established and divided into two plots by difference of regulated plant height (meadow fescue and timothy) or of stocking intensity (perennial ryegrass). Each plot was 60m2 and was grazed when plant height reached 20cm or 30cm. Meadow fescue and perennial …


Sward Height On The Performance Of Cow-Calf Units And Yearling Steers Grazing Cool Season Pasture, E C. Prigge, W B. Bryan, E L. Nestor Jul 2024

Sward Height On The Performance Of Cow-Calf Units And Yearling Steers Grazing Cool Season Pasture, E C. Prigge, W B. Bryan, E L. Nestor

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Performance and grazing time of cow-calf units and yearling steers were determined over four years on naturalized cool season pastures maintained at a sward height of 4-6, 6-8, 8-10, or 10-12 cm. Daily gains of cows and steers responded quadratically (P<0.05) to increasing sward heights, with gains maximized at 8-10 cm. Milk production of the cows and gain of the calves were not affected (P>0.10) by sward height. Grazing days (cow-calf unit/hectare) decreased linearly (P<0.01) with increasing sward height. The proportion of the day spent grazing for cows and steers decreased in a linear manner (P<0.05) as pasture height increased. Cows spent less time grazing than steers (P<0.05) at all but the low pasture height.


Forage Production And Performance Of Beef Yearlings Grazing Diploid And Tetraploid Crested Wheatgrass, J D. Bruynooghe, R.D H. Cohen, N W. Holt, P G. Jefferson Jun 2024

Forage Production And Performance Of Beef Yearlings Grazing Diploid And Tetraploid Crested Wheatgrass, J D. Bruynooghe, R.D H. Cohen, N W. Holt, P G. Jefferson

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

A series of experiments were conducted during 1994 and 1995 at Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada to evaluate forage production and animal performance on tetraploid Kirk (Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.) and diploid Fairway (Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.) crested wheatgrass pastures under grazing conditions imposed by beef (Bos taurus) yearling steers at four stock density levels (3, 4, 6 and 8 steers ha-1). Total ungrazed forage production for Kirk was greater (<0.05) than Fairway (6302 kg ha-1 vs. 5235 kg ha-1) in 1994 but less (P<0.05) than Fairway in 1995 (3709 kg ha-1 vs. 4633 kg ha-1). Animal performance (average daily gain, animal grazing days and total animal production) did not differ (P>0.05) for steers grazing either Kirk or Fairway pastures. Plant vigour and available energy reserves following one season of grazing were evaluated through etiolated growth with …


Application Of The Phygrow Forage Production- Runoff Model For Regional Stocking Analysis, J W. Stuth, J R. Conner, W T. Hamilton, D M. Schmitt Jun 2024

Application Of The Phygrow Forage Production- Runoff Model For Regional Stocking Analysis, J W. Stuth, J R. Conner, W T. Hamilton, D M. Schmitt

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

A hydrologic-based forage production model, PHYGROW, was used to simulate forage production and carrying capacity of a subtropical shrubland complex of over 34 species grazed by various ratios of cattle and goats with a population of indigenous white-tailed deer over a 20-yr simulated weather profile. The diet selection algorithm allowed the three animal populations to selectively graze preferred foods based on preferences of plant species, plant parts, and live:dead status by phenological stage. A level of maximum utilization of key species was specified. An incremental analysis of cattle:goat demand ratio was analyzed to determine how different combinations of livestock were …