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Morphogenetic And Structural Determinants Of Plant Regrowth After Defoliation, D F. Chapman, G Lemaire Aug 2024

Morphogenetic And Structural Determinants Of Plant Regrowth After Defoliation, D F. Chapman, G Lemaire

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Responses of forage plants to defoliation can be delineated at two levels: physiological responses and morphological responses. Physiological responses are generally defined as occurring over short time-scales, whereas morphological responses are generally considered as being long-t<;rm. The extent to which physiological and morphological responses influence pasture characteristics and production depends on the defoliation regime, and the balance obtained between the supply and demand of growth resources by plants. Where defoliation is relatively infrequent and lax, plants may maintain balanced growth of root and shoot purely through short­term physiological responses. However, as defoliation severity increases, morphological adjustments are needed to ensure homeostatic, whole-plant growth. The adaptability of forage species to various points on the continuum of defoliation pressure from lenient to severe depends on their inherent morphological and physiological characteristics. We concentrate on morphogenetic and structural determinants of plant regrowth following defoliation, drawing out the important linkages with the physiological responses. We examine the relationships between plant morphogenesis and sward structure, placing particular emphasis on phcnotypic plasticity as a process whereby plant and population structure can alter to maintain homeostatic growth in response to variation in defoliation management. The imporlnnce of meristem positioning within the sward and of meristem activity, interacting with defoliation management, as determinants of plant production and persistence is discussed. Relationships between plant morphogenesis, herbage growth dynamics and barvestable herbage production are examined and we identify the collection of fundamental physiological and morphological information for a wider array of forage species as an important research goal for improving the productivity and sustainability of the world's grasslands.


Effect Of Nitrogen In Fertilizer In Combintation With Potassium And Phosphorus On Rangeland Yield In Cameroon, E T. Pamo, S Yonkeu Aug 2024

Effect Of Nitrogen In Fertilizer In Combintation With Potassium And Phosphorus On Rangeland Yield In Cameroon, E T. Pamo, S Yonkeu

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A study was carried out at Wakwa Animal Research Station on the response of natural pasture to nitrogen fertilization in the presence of P 11osphorus and potassium, and a cutting frequency of 4 weeks. A Cmpletely randomized design with 6 replicates was used. Six fertiliser: 0, SO, 100, 150, 200, 2SO units of N/ha in association with 100 units of P and 100 units K after zero timing was applied after every cutting 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, SO units of Nlba were respectively added to plots which received 0, SO, 100, ISO, 200 and 250 units of Uha. Three …


Termites Have A Minor Role In The Decomposition Of Senescent Grass Tussocks In A Semi-Arid Woodland In Eastern Australia, J C. Noble Aug 2024

Termites Have A Minor Role In The Decomposition Of Senescent Grass Tussocks In A Semi-Arid Woodland In Eastern Australia, J C. Noble

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Decomposition of dead tussocks of 2 grass species (Eragrostis eriopoda and Thyridolepis mitchellima) was studied with and without termites present, both in the absence of large ve.rtebrate herbivores, After 3 years, little tussock residues of either species remained icrespective of treatment, but E. er/opoda decayed much more rapidly than T. mitchellia11a during the first 8 months post mortem (c. 275 cf, 13 kg/ha/month respectively). Thereafter, rate of decay differed little between species. Overall, removal of termites had no significant effect, The data presented in this paper therefore suggest that abiotic processes are dominant influences mediating litter decomposition of …


A Bioeconomic Stocking Rate Model For The Semi-Arid Savanna Of Natal, South Africa, G P. Hatch, N M. Tainton Aug 2024

A Bioeconomic Stocking Rate Model For The Semi-Arid Savanna Of Natal, South Africa, G P. Hatch, N M. Tainton

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Grazing trials were conducted on 2 sites located In semi-arid savanna of Natal. Three stocking strategies were applied at each site to provide light, intermediate and heavy stocking. Data collected over 5 seasons were used to.develop a bioeconomic stocking rate model. While individual animal performance and nett return per livestock unit (R/LSU) decreased with increased stocking, net return per ha (Riha) increased, Net return was significantly related (P 0, 01) to rainfall and stocking rate, while no significant effect of range condition was detected. Although Increased stocking may be justified In the short• term, this may be associated with both. …


Pasture Composition Influences Soil Erosion In Eucalyptus Woodlands Of Northern Queensland, J C. Scanlan, J G. Mcivor Aug 2024

Pasture Composition Influences Soil Erosion In Eucalyptus Woodlands Of Northern Queensland, J C. Scanlan, J G. Mcivor

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Runoff and soil loss in grazed Eucalyptus woodlands of north Queensland were monitored over a 5-year period. As ground cover increased, runoff and soil loss decreased. When cover exceeded 50%, runoff and erosion were small. Ground cover was a function of standing dry mailer which decreased as tree cover and stocking rate increased and differed between pasture types. Simulated soil losses from these woodlands was <10-2800 kg/ha/year, and runoff was 5- 16 mm/year. Annual soil losses (simulated) were proportional to the square of the annual simulated runoff.


The Piosphere Effect Of A Goat Corral On The Productivity Of Arid Mediterranean-Type Rangelands In Northern Chile, S Lailhacar, A Mansilla, L Faundez, P Tonini Aug 2024

The Piosphere Effect Of A Goat Corral On The Productivity Of Arid Mediterranean-Type Rangelands In Northern Chile, S Lailhacar, A Mansilla, L Faundez, P Tonini

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Arid rangelands of northern Chile consist of open shrub formations associated with a seasonal herbaceous stratum. Small pastoralists (comuneros) use the available fodder fer goat raising, by managing individual flocks under continuous grazing. Since each flock spends nights in a corral, a piosphere effect has evolved around it. Through radial transects and quadrals starling from the corral, cover, density, diversity and yield were determined for herbaceous and woody species. Except for shrub diversity and herbage yield, all other total variables showed significant increments with distance. When individual species were considered, different response trends were observed. Some species decreased, others increased, …


Tactical Grazing Can Help Maintain Stability Of Semi-Arid Wooded Grasslands, K C. Hodgkinson Aug 2024

Tactical Grazing Can Help Maintain Stability Of Semi-Arid Wooded Grasslands, K C. Hodgkinson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Arid and semi-arid wooded grasslands in Australia and elsewhere are prone to soil and plant productivity decline when used for pastoral production. Typically, degradation is characterised by woody plant increase, palatable perennial grass decline, unpalatable grass increase and lowered productive capacity of the soil, New grazing management that maintains productivity of plant and soil resources and sustains rehabilitation is required. In a grazing experiment on a mulga (Acacia aneura) woodland, grazing-induced death and impaired seed productivity were observed in palatable perennial grasses. A tactical grazing management to prevent an adverse change in pasture composition and productivity was designed involving progressively …


Management Strategies To Improve Indigenous Meat Goat Productivity In Semi-Arid Areas Of Southern Africa, L R. Ndlovu Aug 2024

Management Strategies To Improve Indigenous Meat Goat Productivity In Semi-Arid Areas Of Southern Africa, L R. Ndlovu

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The semi-arid areas of southern Africa are characterised by low and erratic rainfall coupled with sandy soils which result in severe fluctuations in feed quality and quantity. Goats are an important component of farming systems in these areas but their meat production is constrained by shortage of feed in the dry season. Young goats are particularly vulnerable and management systems that prevent weight loss during the dry season are needed. Positive growth rates in kids· aged 8-60 weeks were obtained in response to feeding 200-400 g of Dolichos lablab (a drought-tolerant fodder) or Acacia lorti/is pods (a naturally occurring feed …


Herbage Yields Of Barley And Hungarian Vetch Or Hairy Vetch At Different Seeding Rates, M Munzur Aug 2024

Herbage Yields Of Barley And Hungarian Vetch Or Hairy Vetch At Different Seeding Rates, M Munzur

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In a 2-year trial under dryland conditions on fallow land, an experiment was conducted to determine herbage quantity and quality of the mixtures of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and Hungarian vetch (Vicia pannonica Crantz.) or hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.) grown at different seeding rates. Barley-vetch seeding rates were %: 100-0, 80-20, 60-40, 40-60, 20-80, 0-100. Seeding rates at 100% were 300 and 200 viable seeds/m2 for barley and vetches, respectively. Mean herbage dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) yields were different (P<0.05) among seeding rates with a 2-year average yield of 2058- 4742 kg DM/ha and 233-508 kg CP/ha. Botanical composition of the mixtures, based on weight, was generally 24-48% and 20-43% for Hungarian vetch and hairy vetch respectively, The best seeding rates in terms of herbage yield and crude protein yield were 20-80 or 40- 60, which are those equivalent to 60-160 or 120-120 seeds/m2 for barley and vetches, respectively. Mixtures of barley-vetches gave a better performance than barley or vetches grown alone.


An Approach For Testing The Ecological Amplitude Of Herbage Cultivars, B D. Campbell Aug 2024

An Approach For Testing The Ecological Amplitude Of Herbage Cultivars, B D. Campbell

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A technique is described for testing the response of cultivars to environmental factors using crossed, controlled gradients of mineral nutrient supply and simulated grazing. The usefulness of the technique was tested by growing the perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) cultivar Melle and the cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) cultivar Sylvan in isolation and in a complex mixture on the matrix. Contour maps of the frequency of tillers of the cultivars after 2 years' growth indicated that Melle is better suited to high fertility, heavily stocked sites. The technique may be useful as a compact, standardised method for cultivar testing.


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 (1977-2023)

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.


Effects Of Quantity And Pattern Of Herbage Removal On Botanical Composition Of A Temperate Pasture, W Harris Aug 2024

Effects Of Quantity And Pattern Of Herbage Removal On Botanical Composition Of A Temperate Pasture, W Harris

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Ryegrass-white clover (Lolium perenne L.- Trifolium repens L.) pasture was cut in continuous and .rotational patterns to provide herbage for 15, 20 and 25 ewes/ha. A comparison was made with grazed pasture. Dead matter content from rotational management decreased as stocking rate increased, but was high for high stocking rate continuous management when herbage requirements were high. Ryegrass decreased and clover content increased under continuous . management particularly as stocking rate increased. Unsown species • increased markedly under continuous management at high stocking. Changes of ryegrass and clover content under grazing were less than' under cutting possibly owing to …


Structure Of Plant Communities In A Pastoral System In Northern Spain, I Alonso, A Garcia Aug 2024

Structure Of Plant Communities In A Pastoral System In Northern Spain, I Alonso, A Garcia

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Six grassland communities on different soil types in northern Spain were analysed for species life-form and growth form composition, diversity, height and above-ground biomass in relation to grazing. Hemicryptophytic life-form was the most characteristic form. The grasslands on calcareous soils showed the greatest diversity values and the lowest peak above-ground biomass. Grasses were more abundant in siliceous soils than in calcareous soils, but in all communities the group "other families" was dominant.


Ruminant Animal Production From Forages: Present Position And Future Opportunities, David E. Beever Aug 2024

Ruminant Animal Production From Forages: Present Position And Future Opportunities, David E. Beever

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The utilisation of forages by ruminants for the synthesis of meat and milk is often below expectations both in terms of the quantity and the composition of the product. Recognising that the nutrition of the ruminant is complicated by the need to meet the requirements of the host animal and its rumen ecosystem, it is now possible to identify the causes of some of these inefficiencies and to develop suitable strntegies to overcome them. This paper attempts, through a review of the mechanisms of carbohydrate and protein utilisation in the rumen and in the animal tissues, and identification of the …


Implications And Improvements In Nutritive Value On Plant Performance And Grassland Management, D Clark, J R. Wilson Aug 2024

Implications And Improvements In Nutritive Value On Plant Performance And Grassland Management, D Clark, J R. Wilson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Lignin modification is one method of improving plant nutritive value and is used to illustrate methods and consequences of plant manipulation. The effect of modifying lignin organ, tissue or enzyme levels on plant performance is inferred from recent scientific work on a range of species. Selection for higher whole plant digestibility is sometimes negatively correlated with plant yield. However, there is sufficient variation in both characters that improvement new not inevitably lead to decreased yield. Cultivars selected for low leaf strength or more digestible stems usually have lesser amounts of sclerenchyma and vascular tissue with less lignin and thinner walls. …


Investigations On Energetic Utilization Of A Range Of Fresh, Dried And Ensiled Forages By Wether Sheep, W Jentsch Aug 2024

Investigations On Energetic Utilization Of A Range Of Fresh, Dried And Ensiled Forages By Wether Sheep, W Jentsch

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The energy utilisation of 29-38 fresh (frozen), dried and ensiled forages was measured In respiration calorimeters with adult wether sheep. Forages were fed alone and in combination with cereals. There were no differences in energetic feed values (digestible and metabolizable energy , as well as efficiency of energy deposition) between fresh and dried forages, Feeding values of silages fed as a sole diet tend to be lower than those of all other rations; the efficiency of energy deposition was on an average 4.2% less than the predicted values.


Nutritional Quality Of Ryegrass Pastures For Finishing Lambs In Southern Africa, D V. Paulsmeier, J H.F Meyer Aug 2024

Nutritional Quality Of Ryegrass Pastures For Finishing Lambs In Southern Africa, D V. Paulsmeier, J H.F Meyer

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A comparison between ryegrass, clover and a ryegrass-clover mixture was made in terms of animal production and possible limitations on intake. The occurrence of bloat on leguminous pastures restricts the use of these species in pasture systems in southern Africa. Highest average daily gains of 215 g were obtained on the clover pastures while average daily gains on ryegrass were I 63 g. Low specific gravity of the rumen content of sheep grazing pure clover, 0.62 kg/I, indicated gas formation in the rumen. On the ryegrass-clover mixture,· the influence of the lower degradability of ryegrass (P= S3.8%) effectively eliminated possible …


Comparative Study Of Four Varieties Of Cowpea. 2. Nutritive Value And Voluntary Intake, M A. Gabra, K M. Ghobrial Aug 2024

Comparative Study Of Four Varieties Of Cowpea. 2. Nutritive Value And Voluntary Intake, M A. Gabra, K M. Ghobrial

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Pour varieties of cowpea (Vigna spp.) were sown lo study the effect of varieties on nutritive value and voluntary intake by sheep in 4 metabolism trials. Results showed that the feeding value as total digestible nutrients, starch value (SV) and digestible crude protein (DCP) of the different varieties were 63.05-65.61 %, 56.22-58.50% and 12.64-13.08%, respectively. Nitrogen balance was positive with sheep fed green forage. The voluntary intake from SV and DCP by sheep could cover the maintenance requirements from energy and protein with surplus for production.


Voluntary Intake And Rumen Degradation By Sheep Of Mature Pods Of Medicago Truncatula Cv. Paraggio, R Valizadeh, E D. Carter, N G. Yates Aug 2024

Voluntary Intake And Rumen Degradation By Sheep Of Mature Pods Of Medicago Truncatula Cv. Paraggio, R Valizadeh, E D. Carter, N G. Yates

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The voluntary intake and rumen degradation of Medlcago trumcatula cv. Paraggio barrel medic pods harvested after both good and poor growing seasons were measured with Merino wethers. Voluntary intake measurements on 18 sheep were made during the last 12 days of a 3. week period. The degradation characteristics of the whole pods, seeds and hulls were measured by incubating samples (in nylon bags) for 24, 48 and 72 h in the rumen of 4 sheep fitted with rumen fistula and given a maintenance ration. The voluntary dry matter (DM) and organic matter intakes were 1837 and 1734 g/sheep/day for the …


Comparison Of Digestibility Of Sorghum Silage By Sheep And By Heifers With Special Reference To The Hemicellulose Monosaccharides, Osamu Kawamura, Shigeyuki Tanaka, Takashi Miaki, Kazuo Shinkai Aug 2024

Comparison Of Digestibility Of Sorghum Silage By Sheep And By Heifers With Special Reference To The Hemicellulose Monosaccharides, Osamu Kawamura, Shigeyuki Tanaka, Takashi Miaki, Kazuo Shinkai

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor Moench) and corn are the most popular summer forages in south-west Japan. In this experiment, the digestibilities of sorghum silage were determined by adult sheep and by heifers. The digestibilities of all proximate components by heifers were higher than by sheep, Non-structural carbohydrates were almost completely digested by sheep, in contrast to heifers which excreted a portion of the grain undigested. Neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin digestibilities for heifers were higher than those for sheep. Heifers digested each hemicellulose monosaccharide better than sheep, Sheep and heifers differed by the largest extent …


Sustainability Of African Farming Systems With Particular Reference To Soil Fertility, Multiple Cropping Systems And Weed Ingress In Smallholder Systems In Humid Tropical Africa, Bede N. Okigbo, Elly N. Sabiti Aug 2024

Sustainability Of African Farming Systems With Particular Reference To Soil Fertility, Multiple Cropping Systems And Weed Ingress In Smallholder Systems In Humid Tropical Africa, Bede N. Okigbo, Elly N. Sabiti

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Africa continues to face a food and agricultural crisis, the effects of which are sometimes exacerbated by drought and civil strife. The food crisis is the result of the inability of African countries in the humid tropical areas and other zones to produce enough food to satisfy escalating demand, owing largely to rapid population growth and pressures of modernisation. Furthermore, the inability of these countries to earn adequate incomes and the lack of food security, especially in some countries suffering from drought, civil strife or war, has resulted in increasing reliance on food aid to fulfil their food import requirements. …


Sustainability Of Forage-Livestock Production In Smallholder And Plantation Systems, F A. Moog Aug 2024

Sustainability Of Forage-Livestock Production In Smallholder And Plantation Systems, F A. Moog

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Smallholder crop production and plantation systems in south-east Asia provide great opportunities for the expansion of the livestock industry in the region. Weeds and crop residues associated with crop cultivation are utilised efficiently with integration of fodder species in cropping systems. Native vegetation and introduced forage species under plantation support and increase animal production, respectively. Some socioeconomic factors and policies affecting utilisation of grasslands and plantations in relation to smallholder productions are discussed.


Problems And Prospects For Forage Improvement And Utilization In Ghana, W S. Alhassan, P Barnes Aug 2024

Problems And Prospects For Forage Improvement And Utilization In Ghana, W S. Alhassan, P Barnes

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

About 70% of the Iota! land area of Ghana is potential grazing land. Mosl ruminant livestock feed is from range, Pasture research in Ghana started in 1938 with the establishment of various native grass and legume collections. These included the grasses Vetiveria fulvilbarbis and Andropogon canalicultaus and the shrubs Griffonia simplicifolia (Leguminosae) and Grewia carpinfolia (Tiliaceae). Considerable success has been made in the introduction and screening of exotic grasses and legumes including Cenchrus ciliaris and various Stylosanthes spp. Very few studies have been conducted on forage utilisation. With the growing awareness of agro-forestry schemes, there are prospects for improved forage …


Nutrient Cycling Via Forage Litter In Tropical Grass-Legume Pastures, R J. Thomas, M Fisher, C Lascano, I M. Rao, M Ayarza, N Asakawa Aug 2024

Nutrient Cycling Via Forage Litter In Tropical Grass-Legume Pastures, R J. Thomas, M Fisher, C Lascano, I M. Rao, M Ayarza, N Asakawa

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Monthly rates of litter production were compared in pastures of Brachiaria dictyonenra either alone or in associations with Centrosema acutifolium or Stylosanthes capitata at low (I) medium ( 1.5), or high (2.0 animals/ha) stocking rates. Even though litter biomass at the start of grazing differed between treatments, after 3 months' grazing there were no differences either between grass or grass-legume pastures or between stocking rates in monthly rates of litter production. There were large differences in the quality of pasture litter however, the associations having 3- to· 4-fold greater concentrations of N, P and Ca compared with grass-only pastures …


Advances In Pasture Research And Education In Cuba, F Funes Aug 2024

Advances In Pasture Research And Education In Cuba, F Funes

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Although some pasture research has been carried out since the beginning of the century, during the last 30 years important advances in pasture research and education have been attained in Cuba, In 1962 the first experimental s1ation specializing in pastures was created; at present there are 3 national centers and 15 research stations in different provinces of Cuba, with more than 200 scientists, 400 1echnicians and approximately 500 workers. Moreover, further research at the universities and technological schools are carried out. Every 5 years national research programs co-ordinated by the Academy of Sciences in search of solutions to the main …


Land Use Transition In The Grazing Areas Of Narok District, Kenya, W N. Wamicha, V P. D'Costa Aug 2024

Land Use Transition In The Grazing Areas Of Narok District, Kenya, W N. Wamicha, V P. D'Costa

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This work underscores the need for land use transitions in the Kilgoris and Lolgorien divisions of the Narok district, Because of the competition for grass between livestock and wildlife in addition to low technology used by the farmers, concentration of livestock in the area is very low (I SU/3 ha). Although the area is in agroclimatic zones (1-111), with high to medium potential for agricultural production, less than 40% is under cultivation. The main objective of this study was therefore to analyse the environmental and economic aspects of the potential agricultural production in the area. Animal production has ��en found …


Impact Of White Clover Cultivars On Nitrogen Fixation And Livestock Production In New Zealand Hill Pasture, D F. Chapman, A D. Mackay, B P. Devantier, N Dymock Aug 2024

Impact Of White Clover Cultivars On Nitrogen Fixation And Livestock Production In New Zealand Hill Pasture, D F. Chapman, A D. Mackay, B P. Devantier, N Dymock

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Growth, nitrogen fixation and animal production of pastures based on the white clover (Trifolium repens L.) cultivars Grasslands Tabora or Grasslands Huia, and of unamended pastures containing the "resident" clover ecotype, were compared In a self-contained systems experiment on moderate to steep, low-fertility hill country. Put-and­take stocking of hoggets was used to assess animal production, with stocking rate determined by a feed budget model. Tabora- and Huia­based pastures had higher white clover contents than resident pastures over the first 3 years of measurement, and Tabora-based pastures fixed 4591, more N than resident pastures over 1 full year. Benefits in …


Significance Of Seed Size And Level Of Hard Seededness On Survival Of Medic Seeds Ingested By Sheep, F Squella, E D. Carter Aug 2024

Significance Of Seed Size And Level Of Hard Seededness On Survival Of Medic Seeds Ingested By Sheep, F Squella, E D. Carter

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

One experiment tested the effects of 2 seed sizes (from small and large pods) and 2 levels of hnrdseededness (low and high) on survival of Medicago truncatula Oaerln. cv. Paraggio seeds in whole pods fed to sheep. A maximum survival of 6.6% was obtained for the viable seed output/total seed input when the small pod size (small seeds) with the highest level of hard seed was fed to the sheep. Dy contrast, there was only n 1.1 % survival when the large pod size (larger seeds) with the lowest level of hard seed was fed to sheep. A second experiment …


Evaluation Of Grazing-Tolerant Alfalfa Cultivars, J H. Bouton, S R. Smith Jr, C S. Hoveland, M A. Mccann Aug 2024

Evaluation Of Grazing-Tolerant Alfalfa Cultivars, J H. Bouton, S R. Smith Jr, C S. Hoveland, M A. Mccann

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Alfalfa (Medicago saliva L.) does not persist under continuous stocking with grazing animals. The creeping-rooted cultivars developed in the past were low yielding and varied in grazing persistence. The method and results of a breeding effort to develop and test high yielding, grazing-tolerant alfalfa cultivars are reported here. Replicated small plots within grazing paddocks subjected to intensive,continuous stocking with beef cattle (Bos indicus) over 2 years were used for selection and testing. This procedure was successful in producing the Alfagraze cultivar; and when used to test for grazing persistence among available cultivars, Alfagraze was consistently the most …


Bromus Stamineus- A Potential New Species For Pastures In Dry Regions Of New Zealand, A V. Stewart Aug 2024

Bromus Stamineus- A Potential New Species For Pastures In Dry Regions Of New Zealand, A V. Stewart

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Bromus stamineus Desvaux is a fine-leaved perennial species closely related to prairie grass (B. willdenowil Kunth). It differs primarily by having a greater number of smaller tillers and excellent tolerance to close grazing. Such characteristics provide it with considerable potential in drier east coast districts of New Zealand. The release of the first cultivar of this species, Grasslands Gala grazing brome, is enabling this potential to be developed. Further research is required to determine the precise role of this species.