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Species Preference Influences On Cattle Grazing Behaviour, G P. Cosgrove, C B. Anderson, R H. Fletcher Mar 2024

Species Preference Influences On Cattle Grazing Behaviour, G P. Cosgrove, C B. Anderson, R H. Fletcher

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Lotus corniculatus offers specific nutritional benefits to animals, but exploiting these advantages in grazing systems depends on the proportion of lotus in the feed offered and the animals' preference, hence desire to select for it. To determine preference for lotus, heifers were offered free-choice in contrasting, spatially separated but adjacent monocultures of ryegrass-lotus or red clover-lotus. Following a one-week period to adjust to the species offered and their arrangement, 10 young heifers were observed at 10-minute intervals during daylight hours, and the species they were on and whether or not they were grazing was recorded. This procedure was conducted in …


Partial Preference Of Grazing Cattle For Contrasting Legume Swards, C.H. E.C. Poli, J Hodgson, G P. Cosgrove, G C. Arnold Mar 2024

Partial Preference Of Grazing Cattle For Contrasting Legume Swards, C.H. E.C. Poli, J Hodgson, G P. Cosgrove, G C. Arnold

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Yearling heifers in groups of 3 grazed 405 m2 plots made up of alternating 2.4m wide strips of white clover/birdsfoot trefoil (WC+BT) or red clover (RC) in the proportions of 80:20, 67:33, 33:67 and 20:80 for periods of 3 days over four replicates in time, balanced for effects of previous treatment. Observation of the distribution of grazing activity and biting rate were made over 3 hour periods each evening. Biting rates were consistently higher on (WC+BT) than RC (52.3 vs 46.3 ± 0.59 bites.min-1 P(0.0001). Animals initially showed partial preference for the minor sward component in each treatment but regression …


The Use Of Vibration Analysis And Telemetry To Measure Bite Frequency And Intensity In Free-Ranging Horned Ruminants, P R. Lawrence, K Becker Mar 2024

The Use Of Vibration Analysis And Telemetry To Measure Bite Frequency And Intensity In Free-Ranging Horned Ruminants, P R. Lawrence, K Becker

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

An apparatus is described which detects and measures the vibrations in a ruminant’s horn especially those produced by the animal’s teeth. Vibrations are transmitted by radio to a portable computer where those produced as a result of eating and ruminating can be characterised by their intensity, length and frequency.


Influence Of Vegetation Patch Characteristics On Discriminatory Grazing By Dairy Cows, W M. Griffiths, J Hodgson, G C. Arnold, C W. Homes Mar 2024

Influence Of Vegetation Patch Characteristics On Discriminatory Grazing By Dairy Cows, W M. Griffiths, J Hodgson, G C. Arnold, C W. Homes

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Two studies involving the sequential grazing of sets of patches on a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) sward were carried out to investigate the effects of patch characteristics on the selective behaviour of grazing cattle. Experiment 1 involved a range of combinations of sward height (8.9 - 19.6 cm) and bulk density (1.33 - 1.67 mg DM/cm3). Distribution of grazing activity (number of bites or residence time) was strongly and positively related to patch height, but additional effects of variation in bulk density were limited. In Experiment 2 patches were manipulated to offer contrasts in both height (13.4 and …


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 (1977-2023)

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 …


Evaluating Cultivars Of Subterranean Clover In Monoculture Or With Perennial Ryegrass, K F.M. Reed, S G. Clark, W M. Feely Mar 2024

Evaluating Cultivars Of Subterranean Clover In Monoculture Or With Perennial Ryegrass, K F.M. Reed, S G. Clark, W M. Feely

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Over four years, sowing perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) with a range of subterranean clover (“sub clover”, Trifolium subterraneum) cultivars was found to reduce the yield of clover per se by 31% and increase pasture yield by 11%. For one high-producing experimental variety, the presence of grass did not reduce clover yield (P<0.001). Clover yield in monoculture plots was poorly correlated with that measured in mixed swards (r = 0.44), but clover yield (± grass) was correlated with total herbage yield (r = 0.94). Clover seed yield was not reduced by the presence of grass. However, in year 2 - but not in the establishment year - grass reduced seed weight. Irrespective of grass treatment, the new late maturing cultivar, Leura outyielded the other commercial cultivars (P<0.05). Enfield and Enfield x Daliak crosses set the most seed and regenerated with a greater density than other cultivars (P<0.05) - apart from Leura. It was concluded that the winter-active, late maturing cultivar, Leura, will compete most successfully with perennial ryegrass.


Ssr- And Rapd Analysis Of A New Agropyron Repens Genotype, G Gyulai, H Ohm, I Dweikat, E Kiss, H Sharma, J Janovszky, L Heszky Mar 2024

Ssr- And Rapd Analysis Of A New Agropyron Repens Genotype, G Gyulai, H Ohm, I Dweikat, E Kiss, H Sharma, J Janovszky, L Heszky

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

SSR-(single sequence repeat), and RAPD (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA) primer generated DNA fingerprints were used to distinguish a new genotype of quackgrass from its original type of Agropyron repenes L. Beauv. (= Elytrigia repens). Products of polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were separated by agarose (AGE) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Although, both kinds of primers were found to be polymorphic, the microsatellite primer with sequence of 5í-AC(GACA)4-3í generated distinguishing fingerprints in the two types of quackgrasses. This result gives genetic evidence for the new genotype of quackgrass.


Assessment Of Grazing Procedures In The Evaluation Of Plant Breeding Material, D Real, I L. Gordon, J Hodgson Mar 2024

Assessment Of Grazing Procedures In The Evaluation Of Plant Breeding Material, D Real, I L. Gordon, J Hodgson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Four stocking densities (2, 3, 5 and 9 sheep/18 m2 for one hour) and two times of grazing (morning or evening) were imposed on a spaced plant nursery of nine red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) populations of varying growth habit, in order to optimize measurement of sheep grazing preference. Plant height, spread and leafiness were measured before and after each of three grazings. Sheep preference was viewed multivariately, using combined measurements of these plant characteristics. MANOVA revealed that the effect of stocking density was significant (P-0.05), but that of time of grazing was not. The plant, population and overall …


Improving Forage Productivity By Using Cytoplasmic Male Sterility Of Pearl Millet, A A. Younis, A H. Belal Mar 2024

Improving Forage Productivity By Using Cytoplasmic Male Sterility Of Pearl Millet, A A. Younis, A H. Belal

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Fourteen forage millet hybrids were produced by crossing 7 male fertile lines to 2 different lines of dwarf cytoplasmic male sterile (cms) lines of forage millet (Pennisetum americanum). Hybrids were evaluated with their male parents at the Giza experimental station in summer 1994. The evaluations included fodder yield traits and chemical composition. The objectives of the study were: 1 - to assess hybrid vigor, and 2 - to select the superior hybrids to be used in commercial production in Egypt. Present results showed that the 14 F1 hybrids and their male parents varied significantly in green and dry …


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 (1977-2023)

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 …


Selection Of Stylosanthes Guianensis For The Cerrados Of Brazil, B Grof, C D. Fernandes, A V. Dos Santos, C B. Almeida Feb 2024

Selection Of Stylosanthes Guianensis For The Cerrados Of Brazil, B Grof, C D. Fernandes, A V. Dos Santos, C B. Almeida

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Progenies of intervarietal hybrid stylos (Stylosanthes guianensis var.vulgaris x S.guianensis var.pauciflora) with mid-season maturity date (early-and mid-June), high dry matter and seed yields have been identified at the National Beef Cattle Research Center (CNPGC), Campo Grande, MS, Brazil. Dry matter yields of the best selections were comparable to those of the late-flowering control, cv. Mineirão. Several mid-season hybrids produced 150 to 200 kg/ha of seed-inpod and a single plant selection yielded in excess of 300 kg/ha. The high degree of resistance to anthracnose observed in the advanced generations is attributed to the immense genetic diversity of these …


Differential Energy Allocation Among 15 New Guineagrass (Panicum Maximum Jacq.) Hybrids, J A. Usberti Jr, R Usberti, R S. Paterniani Feb 2024

Differential Energy Allocation Among 15 New Guineagrass (Panicum Maximum Jacq.) Hybrids, J A. Usberti Jr, R Usberti, R S. Paterniani

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The main aim of this research work was to determine trends of energy allocation among newly developed guineagrass (Panicum maximum Jacq) hybrids, ranging from very-early to late-flowering genotypes. Besides the flowering cycle, eight phenological and two seed quality traits were scored in a greenhouse randomized complete block experiment including plant height (PH), reproductive tiller number/overall tiller number (RTN/OTN), panicle number/reproductive tiller (PN/RT), leaf length (LL), leaf width (LW), panicle length (PL), fresh weight (FW), dry weight (DW), number of seeds/gram (NS/G) and seed sample physical purity (SPP). Very-early and early-flowering hybrids consistently showed the highest correlations values between flowering …


Improvement Of Forage Quality By Means Of Biotechnology: Stable Transformation Of Warm-Season Grasses By Particle Bombardment, C Yuge, R Akashi, O Kawamura Feb 2024

Improvement Of Forage Quality By Means Of Biotechnology: Stable Transformation Of Warm-Season Grasses By Particle Bombardment, C Yuge, R Akashi, O Kawamura

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

We have used a simple and inexpensive, self-built particle acceleration apparatus for direct delivery of DNA to cultured cells of warm-season grasses. High levels of transient expression of the b-glucuronidase gene were obtained following bombardment of embryogenic suspension cells and calli of bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) and dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum Poir). Furthermore, stable transformed calli of both species have been obtained using this simple particle gun.


Transformation In Lotus Corniculatus: Towards Low-Lignin Pasture Through Antisense Rna, R Akashi, T Uchiyama, Y Sakatani, O Kawamura Feb 2024

Transformation In Lotus Corniculatus: Towards Low-Lignin Pasture Through Antisense Rna, R Akashi, T Uchiyama, Y Sakatani, O Kawamura

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

We have developed a rapid and reproducible transformation system for bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) by using Agrobacterium-mediated T-DNA transfer and the incorporation of the antisense gene for cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) from Aralia cordata into Lotus for lignin reduction. The presence of the transferred antisense gene in regenerated plants has been confirmed by PCR analysis.


Possibility Of Selection For Mineral Concentration In Orchardgrass By X-Ray Microanalysis, S Saiga, Y Nishimura, K Izumi Feb 2024

Possibility Of Selection For Mineral Concentration In Orchardgrass By X-Ray Microanalysis, S Saiga, Y Nishimura, K Izumi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

To assess the ability of X-ray microanalysis for screening breeding populations of orchardgrass in mineral concentration, correlations between chemical and X-ray analysis were investigated. Six orchardgrass plants with high- and low-Mg concentrations were examined for three harvest dates in 1995. The samples were separated into leaf blade, leaf sheath, culm and head. Mg concentration in leaf and head were higher than in sheath and in culm. P concentration was highest in the head, and lowest in the sheath. Correlations between chemical and X-ray analysis were r=0.692***, 0.526***, 0.252* and 0.562*** for Mg, Ca, K and P, respectively. Correlation coefficients between …


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 (1977-2023)

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 (1977-2023)

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 …


Performance Of Dairy Cows, Feed Quality And N Balance On Pasture Systems With Or Without Mineral N Fertilizer, M Rodehutscord, Ina Hahner, H Spiekers, E Pfeffer Feb 2024

Performance Of Dairy Cows, Feed Quality And N Balance On Pasture Systems With Or Without Mineral N Fertilizer, M Rodehutscord, Ina Hahner, H Spiekers, E Pfeffer

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In a 2 year experiment, two levels of mineral N fertilization (nil and 225 kg N/ha) on pasture were checked for their effects on pasture yield and quality as well as for performance of dairy cows. Twenty six cows were used in each treatment and the stocking density was adapted to previous results on pasture growth rates. Cows were kept on pasture during summer and grass silages were harvested from the respective experimental areas for winter feeding periods. Digestibility of organic matter in these silages, determined in wether sheep, was always higher in those silages harvested from pasture without mineral …


Effect Of Milk Yield, Sward Height And Concentrate Supplementation Level On Herbage Intake And Grazing Behaviour Of Set-Stocked Dairy Cattle In Spring, R Pulido, J D. Leaver Feb 2024

Effect Of Milk Yield, Sward Height And Concentrate Supplementation Level On Herbage Intake And Grazing Behaviour Of Set-Stocked Dairy Cattle In Spring, R Pulido, J D. Leaver

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

An experiment was carried out in spring over 42 days, with 48 multiparous Holstein Friesian cows, to examine the interrelationship of milk yield level, sward height and concentrate level. Two initial milk yield groups of 21.3 and 35.5 kg/day, two range of compressed sward heights of 3 to 5 cm, and 7 to 9 cm , and three concentrate levels of 0 and 6 kg/day and ad libitum were evaluated in a factorial design. Multiple regression analyses were carried out relating intake and behavioural dependent variables to the independent variables initial milk yield (IMY), sward height (SH) and concentrate intake …


Ruminal Fill Effect Of Forages: Prediction And Relationship With Voluntary Intake, R Baumont, A Barlet, J Jamot Feb 2024

Ruminal Fill Effect Of Forages: Prediction And Relationship With Voluntary Intake, R Baumont, A Barlet, J Jamot

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Voluntary dry matter intake (VDMI) and rumen fill were measured on sheep fed with 18 forages ranging from wheat straw to lucerne hay. In vivo fill effect (IVFE i.e. rumen DM pool divided by VDMI), in situ degradability, cell-wall composition, pepsin-cellulase digestibility and in vitro gas production were determined. In situ estimated fill effect (ISFE) was calculated as the retention time of insoluble potential degradable and undegradable fractions using a constant rate of passage. ISFE and IVFE were highly correlated (r2=0.89) but ISFE values were lower than IVFE values because in situ degradability does not integrate comminution time of …


Monitoring Of Intake And Energetic Efficiency Of The Grass In A Pasture Rotationally Grazed By Bulls Using Nirs Applied To The Faeces, Ph Lecomte, V Decruyenaere, P Limbourg, P Dardenne Feb 2024

Monitoring Of Intake And Energetic Efficiency Of The Grass In A Pasture Rotationally Grazed By Bulls Using Nirs Applied To The Faeces, Ph Lecomte, V Decruyenaere, P Limbourg, P Dardenne

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of this approach was to characterise variations that one can observe in the course of a pasture season using near infrared spectrometry (NIRS) applied to the analysis of the grass and faeces collected during the season. Available grass and faeces of Belgian Blue White young bulls have been collected 3 times a week since the beginning of May until mid-October. The samples have been predicted in NIRS technique according to a calibration previously developed on the faeces of sheep fed ad libitum in cage with green grass. The NIRS provides a useful tool to provide a relative description …


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 (1977-2023)

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.


Intake And Quality Of Panicum Maximum (Cv. Gatton) Receiving Different Levels Of Nitrogen During Autumn, W.A. Van Niekerk, N F.G. Rethman Feb 2024

Intake And Quality Of Panicum Maximum (Cv. Gatton) Receiving Different Levels Of Nitrogen During Autumn, W.A. Van Niekerk, N F.G. Rethman

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of N fertilization on the quality of Panicum maximum cv. Gatton (Panicum) and the subsequent intake thereof. Hand cut samples increased in N (1.8 - 2.7%) and NO3-N content (0.75 - 1.54%) and decreased in WSC (14.6 - 13.9 g/kg) content, but with no changes in IVDOM as N fertilization levels raised from 0 to 150 kg N/ha respectively. No changes occurred in the NDF and ADL values. The animal selected N, and IVDOM values were higher and NDF value lower than the hand cut samples, which was expected due …


Intake And Partial Digestibility Of Panicum Maximum (Cv. Gatton) At Three Stages Of Maturity During Summer, W.A. Van Niekerk, N F.G. Rethman Feb 2024

Intake And Partial Digestibility Of Panicum Maximum (Cv. Gatton) At Three Stages Of Maturity During Summer, W.A. Van Niekerk, N F.G. Rethman

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of stage of maturity on the intake and digestibility of P. maximum (cv. Gatton) during the active growing season. Low DM content at the young and medium growth stages (24.9 and 25.2%) did not hamper DOMI (48.8 and 44.1 g/kg W0.75/d) respectively. The N concentration of the three stages were well within the limit required for optimal rumen microbial production (1.8 - 2.0%). The high NDF value of the adult stage (59.5%) resulted in a significantly lower IVDOM value (62.3%) but the IVDOM values of all stages were on the …


Implications Of Biomechanical Characters Of Subterranean Clover On Feeding By Redlegged Earth Mite And Intake By Sheep, D A. Henry, S K. Baker, T J. Ridsdill-Smith Feb 2024

Implications Of Biomechanical Characters Of Subterranean Clover On Feeding By Redlegged Earth Mite And Intake By Sheep, D A. Henry, S K. Baker, T J. Ridsdill-Smith

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The biomechanical strength of cultivars of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) that were either resistant or susceptible to feeding by redlegged earth mite was measured as the force required to penetrate their leaves with a small, tubular punch. Cotyledons and trifoliate leaves of cultivars resistant to redlegged earth mite had a higher resistance to penetration than cultivars susceptible to redlegged earth mite. Cotyledons needed a higher force to penetrate than trifoliate leaves. The possible implications for intake by ruminants of differences between the cultivars in biomechanical characters are also considered.


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 (1977-2023)

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 …


Effects On Intake Of Supplementing Low-Quality Roughage With Protein-Rich Feeds, J.J. M.H. Ketelaars, G A. Kaasschieter, M Kane Feb 2024

Effects On Intake Of Supplementing Low-Quality Roughage With Protein-Rich Feeds, J.J. M.H. Ketelaars, G A. Kaasschieter, M Kane

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Intake responses of ruminants to supplementation with protein-rich concentrates or legume hays have been related to the ratio of nitrogen (N) content and organic matter digestibility (OMD) of the basal feed. Marginal intake effect of supplements, i.e. change of organic matter intake (OMI) from the basal feed per unit OMI from supplement, decreased on average from 1.7 to 0 and -0.8 g. g-1 at N/OMD of 0.010, 0.016 and > 0.030 g. g-1, respectively. Marginal effect of supplements defined as change of total digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) per g DOMI from supplement was 2.5, 1 and 0.3 g. g-1 for …


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 (1977-2023)

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 …


Comparison Of Composition And Degradation Characteristics Of Early Bloom Alfalfa With Fenugreek (Trigonella Foenum-Graecum) Forages Harvested At Different Stages Of Maturity, Z Mir, P S. Mir, S N. Acharya, L A. Goonewardene Feb 2024

Comparison Of Composition And Degradation Characteristics Of Early Bloom Alfalfa With Fenugreek (Trigonella Foenum-Graecum) Forages Harvested At Different Stages Of Maturity, Z Mir, P S. Mir, S N. Acharya, L A. Goonewardene

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of this study was to compare the composition and degradation characteristics of early bloom alfalfa and fenugreek harvested after 9, 15 and 17 wk of growth. Crude protein (CP) content of fenugreek cut at 9, 15 and 17 wk was lower (P<0.05) than that of alfalfa. Neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and lignin content of fenugreek harvested after 15 and 17 wk were higher (P<0.05) than that of alfalfa. Ash content was lower (P<0.05) in fenugreek than for alfalfa. In vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) of fenugreek cut at 15 and 17 wk was similar to that of alfalfa. Total in vitro gas production of fenugreek cut at the three stages of growth was not significantly different from those observed for alfalfa. Results indicate that chemical composition and IVDMD of fenugreek at all stages of …


Comparison Between Geese, Peking Ducks And Mallards In Ability To Digest Common Rye-Grass, H Jeroch, R Timmler, G Guy Feb 2024

Comparison Between Geese, Peking Ducks And Mallards In Ability To Digest Common Rye-Grass, H Jeroch, R Timmler, G Guy

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The aim of this digestibility experiment was to observe the differences between geese, peking ducks and mallards to digest common ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Adult birds were used for the trials. The grass was frozen after harvesting, stored until the experimental period and fed in fresh constitution. The birds were reared in special single cages and had free access to water and grass. Geese have the best adapted digestive tract of all waterfowl species to consume and digest high-fibre feedstuffs. Peking ducks are able to consume a lot of grass and it seems the digestibility values are similar to …