Agricultural Science Commons^™

The Effect Of Closing Date And Type Of Utilisation In Autumn On Grass Yield In Spring, E. Mosimann, M. Lobsiger, C. Hofer, B. Jeangros, A. Lüscher

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Due to the low cost of grazed grass, most dairy farmers extend the grazing period in autumn. However, delaying the closing date may reduce the grass yield in the following spring (Roche et al., 1996; O’Donovan et al., 2002). The objective of this experiment, conducted in the Swiss lowlands, was to quantify the effects of closing date and type of utilisation in autumn on grass yield in the following spring.

Field Testing Of A Turnip Growing Protocol On New Zealand Dairy Farms, J. P. J. Eerens, P. M. S. Lane

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Summer droughts are a regular occurrence in central North Island districts of New Zealand, which causes pastures to wilt, lose their nutritive value and stop growing. The resulting summer feed gap depresses farm productivity (Clark et al., 1996). Turnips optimally sown mid-late October (more often sown in November or even December) are grown to fill this feed gap. Recorded average yields of 7.4 t dry matter (DM)/ha are below the economic breakeven point of 8-10 t DM/ha (Clark et al., 1996). A turnip growing protocol was developed from published data (Eerens & Lane 2004) and tested on commercial …

Effect Of Different Phosphorous Sources And Levels On The Productive Behaviour Of A Lotus Pedunculatus Cv. Grasslands Maku Oversown Pasture, R. E. Bermúdez, W. Ayala

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The organic meat production protocol of Uruguay (INAC, 2003) requires that the animals graze pastures that receive no chemical fertilisers. The oversown legume pastures in Uruguay used to be fertilised with soluble phosphorous (P) sources that are not accepted by the protocol. The relative efficiency of different P sources would be useful data for farmers. This information is not available for the acid soils of the eastern region of Uruguay. Lotus pedunculatus cv. Grasslands Maku is one of the most adapted legumes to be included in this type of pasture, as the sown area has increased in the last few …

Labour Input Associated With Grassland Management On Irish Dairy Farms, B. O'Brien, K. O'Donovan, J. Kinsella, D. Ruane, D. Gleeson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The issues of labour and work organisation (working hours, working conditions) must be seriously addressed on Irish dairy farms if dairy farming is to have a viable future. The objective of this study was to quantify the annual labour input per cow on Irish dairy farms, with a specific focus on the task of grassland management, and to establish monthly patterns of labour utilisation over a two-year period for a range of herd sizes.

Factors Affecting Italian Ryegrass (Lolium Multiflorum L.) Seed Distribution, R. D. Williams, P. W. Bartholomew

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) can be a productive and high-quality cool-season forage in the Southern Great Plains of the U.S.A, if it is managed to produce sufficient seed for effective reestablishment without compromising forage yield. Before the re-seeding dynamics of Italian ryegrass can be modeled an understanding of seed production, seed-shed, and seed dispersal is necessary. Here two factors affecting Italian ryegrass seed dispersal and distribution are examined – wind and cultivation practice (mowing and raking).

Practical Application Of A One-Parameter Approach To Assess The Accuracy Of Two Different Estimates Of Diet Composition In Sheep, C. Elwert, M. Rodehutscord

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The composition of ingested herbage mixtures can be estimated using the alkane technique (Dove & Moore, 1995). Until now, the accuracy of the estimates is assessed by linear regression of estimated and actual proportions of the dietary components. The authors presented an approach to compare actual and estimated diet compositions using only one parameter named Distance (D; Elwert & Rodehutscord, 2005), thus enabling a statement regarding the similarity of estimated and known diet composition. In a feeding trial with sheep, diet composition was estimated using two different levels of information. The accuracy of the two estimates was assessed and compared …

Use Of Alkanes To Estimate Dry Matter Intake Of Beef Steers Grazing High Quality Pastures, G. Scaglia, H. T. Boland, I. Lopez-Guerrero, R. K. Shanklin, J. P. Fontenot

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Pastures remain the most important source of nutrients for ruminant livestock and nutrition is critical to optimize animal production. The daily quantity of dry matter that is consumed by an animal is a critical measurement to make nutritional inferences about feed and subsequent animal response. Researchers are facing the dilemma that, while estimates of individual animal performance are readily obtained, it is still difficult to estimate the herbage intake of individual animals. The objectives of this experiment were to estimate forage intake in beef steers grazing tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa)/tall fescue pastures …

Effects Of Rumen Fill On Intake And Milk Production In Dairy Cows Fed Perennial Ryegrass, A. V. Chaves, A. Boudon

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Physical limitation often limits dry matter intake (DMI) of high producing cows or cows fed high forage diets. The extent to which DMI is regulated by distention in the rumen depends upon the cow’s energy requirement and filling effects of the diet offered (Allen, 2000). The objective here was to challenge middle lactation dairy cows with rumen fill (rumen inert bulk – RIB) feeding ryegrass fresh cut (indoors) or grazed to determine whether RIB affects intake and milk production.

Detection And Capture Of Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria From Soil And Roots Using Plant Specific Lectins, Alana Horton

Natural Sciences and Mathematics | Biological Sciences Master's Theses

Diazotrophs increase plant productivity by providing ammonia directly to plants in the rhizosphere or through association with the roots (Sun et al., 2021). Leveraging diazotrophs can aid in the reduction or application of harmful synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. This thesis aims to use plant root proteins, or lectins, to more rapidly recover viable diazotrophs that are likely to associate with crops. In this study, lectins, are used to recover bacteria from bulk soil by taking advantage of the binding relationship between lectins and bacterial cell surface polysaccharides. When commercially-available lectins were used with a magnetic pulldown to separate the lectin, bacterial …

Objectives And Benefits Of Molecular Breeding In Forage Species, T. Lübberstedt

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

1. The amount of resources and information provided by forage crop genomic programs has dramatically increased during the past few years.
2. Trait-based forward genetic procedures such as mapping and expression profiling have successfully provided new candidate genes or genome regions affecting forage quality. Respective information can easily be transferred across related forage species.
3. Since several genes in major biochemical pathways related to forage traits have been isolated, gene-based reverse genetic approaches (transformation, association studies) are promising.
4. Most genetic experiments are conducted under simplified "artificial" conditions such as on single-spaced plants. Therefore, transferability of respective genetic information to breeding practice needs to …

Both Grass Development Stage And Grazing Management Influence Milk Terpene Content, G. Tornambé, A. Cornu, N. Kondjoyan, P. Pradel, M. Petit, B. Martin

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Terpenes are a wide group of molecules originating from plants’ secondary metabolism. Forage terpenes vary according to the botanical composition and in particular to the proportion of plants such as Apiaceae, Lamiaceae or Asteraceae. These molecules are considered effective milk markers for the presence of diversified forages in dairy cow diets. The variation in terpene content in the milk of grazing cows would depend on the period of development of terpene-rich plants and on the grazing management, whereby cows do or do not have the opportunity to choose and to modify the botanical composition of the ingested grass. The aim …

Supplementation Under Intensive Grazing, Silage- Or Grain-Based Diets For Beef Production On Steer Performance And Meat Fatty Acid Composition, J. Martínez Ferrer, E. Ustarroz, C. G. Ferrayoli, A. R. Castillo, D. Alomar

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the main cultivated pasture in Argentina. In beef production enhanced productivity and profit depend on high stocking rates and pasture utilisation, with grain supplementation necessary to maintain high individual live weight gains (LWG) and to increase production per ha (Ustarroz, 1999). Substitution of grazed grass by concentrate can affect meat fatty acid (FA) composition (French et al., 2000). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of intensifying an alfalfa-based grazing system and two confinement dietary regimens for beef steer finishing on animal performance and meat FA composition.

Alfalfa In Rotation With Annual Crops Reduced Nitrate Leaching Potential, Arshdeep Singh, Tahseen Afzal, Bryan Woodbury, Charles Wortmann, Javed Iqbal

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Rotation of perennial alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) with annual crops has the potential to reduce nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃-N) in the vadose zone and increase soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration. The objective of this study was to determine the long-term effects on SOC, NO₃-N, ammonium-N (NH₄-N), and soil water in the 7.2 m depth with an alfalfa rotation compared with continuous corn (Zea mays L.). Soils from six pairs of alfalfa rotation versus continuous corn observation points were sampled to 7.2 m depth in 0.3 m increments. The uppermost 0.3 m was divided into …

Soybean Seed Protein Concentration Is Limited By Nitrogen Supply In Tropical And Subtropical Environments In Brazil, E. H. Figueiredo Moura Da Silva, N. Cafaro La Menza, G. G. Munareto, A. J. Zanon, Santos Carvalho, F. R. Marin

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Soybean production contributes to ca. 60% of global plant-based protein used for food and feed. Brazil is the largest soybean producer and exporter, with 60% from tropical and 40% from subtropical environments. Nitrogen (N) can play an essential role in the storage of proteins in seeds; thus, it could be a key factor in increasing the quantity and quality of seeds in high-yielding soybean crops. Unlike in temperate environments, there is a gap of knowledge on whether soybean grown under tropical and subtropical climates are limited by N-fertilization to sustain the seed yield increase without detriments in seed protein concentration. …

Potential Yield Of Cocksfoot (Dactylis Glomerata) Monocultures In Response To Irrigation And Nitrogen, A. Mills, D. J. Moot, R. L. Lucas, P. D. Jamieson, B. A. Mckenzie

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Cocksfoot is a widely sown grass in temperate pastures. However, while potential yield of cocksfoot can exceed 28 t DM/ha per year, it is often restricted by water, temperature and nitrogen (N). Of these, Peri et al. (2002) showed that N was severely limiting in all seasons. The aim of this study was to confirm the potential yield of cocksfoot and quantify the extent of yield reductions due to environmental constraints.

Diverse Forage Mixtures Effect On Herbage Yield, Sward Composition, And Dairy Cattle Performance, M. A. Sanderson, K. Soder, N. Brzezinski, S. Goslee, H. Skinner, M. Wachendorf, F. Taube, L. Muller

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Managing complex mixtures of plants to take advantage of spatial and temporal variability in land and climate may be one ecological approach to increase productivity of pastures. We tested the hypothesis that complex mixtures of forage species would yield more herbage and reduce weed competition compared with a simple grass-legume mixture in grazed pastures.

Hygienic Value And Mycotoxins Level Of Grass Silage In Bales For Horses, A. Potkański, J. Grajewski, K. Raczkowska-Werwińska, B. Miklaszewska, A. Gubała, M. Selwet, M. Szumacher-Strabel

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of moulds which have adverse effects on humans, animals, and crops and result in illnesses and economic losses. The toxins may occur in storage under conditions favourable for the growth of the toxin-producing fungus or fungi. The highest forage concentration of toxins was found in horizontal storage methods such as bunker silos and feed piles, which were left open to oxygen. In any fermentation storage system, temperature and the presence of moisture is sufficient for toxin production. In a plastic covered storage system, oxygen penetration is slowed but not eliminated. The longer silage is stored, the …

Participatory Approach To Common Use Grazing Management In Dry Area Developing Countries, J. Tiedeman, A. Larbi, F. Ghassali, N. Battikha

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Key points

1. Range restoration technology is available but useless when not followed by management.

2. Institutional mechanisms for grazing management are needed for communal range.

3. Community participatory approaches help pastoralists better manage rangeland grazing.

The Effects Of Maize And Whole Crop Wheat Silages And Quality Of Grass Silage On The Performance Of Lactating Dairy Cows, D. C. Patterson, D. J. Kilpatrick

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Patterson et al. (2004) obtained positive milk production responses to the inclusion of maize silage in grass silage-based diets under Northern Ireland conditions. By contrast, while inclusion of fermented whole crop wheat increased total forage intake, it had no significant effect on milk production of dairy cows. More recently, a newer technique has been developed of harvesting the wheat crop at high DM content, with milling of the grain during harvesting and treatment with an urea/urease mixture at ensiling (alkalage treatment). The aim of the present study was to investigate the milk production potential of high DM whole crop …

Polyphenol Oxidase Activity And In Vitro Proteolytic Inhibition In Grasses, J. M. Marita, R. D. Hatfield, G. E. Brink

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Harvesting and storing high quality forage in the cool humid regions remains a challenge due to the potential for protein degradation during ensiling. Red clover is an exception as high protein levels are maintained during ensiling. Decreased proteolytic activity in red clover is due to polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and appropriate o-diphenol substrates (Jones et al., 1995, Sullivan et al., 2004). This project was undertaken to determine if PPO activity is present in a range of grasses and the potential role in proteolytic inhibition in the presence of the o-diphenol caffeic acid.

The Effect Of Dry Matter Content And Inoculation With Lactic Acid Bacteria On The Residual Water Soluble Carbohydrate Content Of Silages Prepared From A High Sugar Grass Cultivar, D. R. Davies, D. K. Leemans, E. L. Bakewell, R. J. Merry

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The introduction of new perennial ryegrass cultivars bred for high water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content has created opportunities for improving the quality of grass silage, by not only providing adequate WSC for a good fermentation, but also sufficient to leave a higher residual level of WSC in the mature silage. High WSC silages have the potential to provide readily available energy during the early stages of rumen fermentation to balance energy and nitrogen supply and optimise rumen microbial growth. (Merry et al. 2002). The aim was to examine the effect of wilting and silage inoculants on the residual WSC content …

Using The Red Clover Polyphenol Oxidase Gene To Inhibit Proteolytic Activity In Lucerne, R. D. Hatfield, M. L. Sullivan, R. E. Muck

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Preserving high quality forage in cool humid regions of agricultural production remains a challenge due to potentially high levels of protein degradation during ensiling. Red clover is an exception maintaining its high protein levels during ensiling. Decreased proteolytic activity in red clover is due to polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and appropriate o-diphenol substrates (Jones et al., 1995, Sullivan et al., 2004). This work highlights potential strategies for utilising PPO as a means of decreasing proteolytic degradation during the ensiling of lucerne and other forages.

New Results On Inhibition Of Clostridia Development In Silages, E. Kaiser, K. Weiß, I. Polip

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The prevention of clostridial activity in silages is one of the most important aims in silage making. Clostridial activity in silages is especially expressed as the occurrence of butyric acid and as increased content of clostridial spores. A rapid reduction in the pH value at the beginning of fermentation process is considered as the most important factor for inhibition of clostridial development. It is assumed, that, if the “critical pH value” will be quickly achieved, clostridial activity in silages can be stopped. In experiments concerning the fermentation process it was found that the effect of acidification and dry matter content …

Ensilability And Silage Quality Of Different Cocksfoot Varieties, U. Wyss

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Various factors determine the ensilability of plant crops. In addition to dry matter content, sugar and protein content, buffering capacity, plant structure, soil contaminations and epiphytic microflora are also important. In Switzerland, various mixtures and also pure swards are continuously revised on the basis of results from variety testing programs. The main parameters for these tests are the yield and nutrient contents. However, in terms of ensilability and silage quality, no systematic tests have been carried out. For this reason, we have tested the ensilability of different cocksfoot varieties as well as the quality of the silages.

Effects Of Silage Preparation And Microbial Silage Additives On Biogas Production From Whole Crop Maize Silage, M. Neureiter, C. Perez Lopez, H. Pichler, R. Kirchmayr, R. Braun

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Biogas applications based on the production of energy from renewable resources have emerged in the past years due to several countries setting quotas for bioenergy thus promoting anaerobic digestion for heat and electricity generation. Maize is one of the most common substrates for biogas production based on energy crops because of the high yields per hectare with ensiling as the preferred method for storage. Experiments were performed to investigate whether conditions during the silage fermentation and the addition of starter cultures can affect the biogas yields.

Ensiling Characteristics Of Sudangrass Silage Treated With Green Tea Leaf Waste Or Green Tea Polyphenols, M. Kondo, K. Kita, H. Yokota

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Green tea waste (GTW), emitted from beverage companies manufacturing tea drinks, contains high crude protein (CP) and polyphenols. Kondo et al. (2004) showed that GTW addition to forage ensiling enhanced lactic acid fermentation and decreased pH value. Ishihara et al. (2001) showed that high counts of Lactobacillus species were maintained and the counts of clostridia were decreased in the intestinal microflora of animals fed the diet containing green tea polyphenols (GTP). It is hypothesised that GTP might activate lactic acid bacteria and enhance silage fermentation. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of GTW and GTP as silage …

A 16s Rdna-Based Quantitative Assay For Monitoring Lactobacillus Plantarum In Silage, M. Klocke, K. Mundt, C. Idler, P. O'Kiely, S. Barth

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Ensilage of herbaceous biomass can be enhanced by applying pre-selected fermentative bacteria, however insufficient is known about the population dynamics of such starter cultures under a range of ensiling conditions. Classical methods for species-specific quantification of bacteria are labour intensive. An alternative approach is the detection of bacteria based on molecular markers for species-specific regions within their genomic DNA (e.g. the 16S rDNA sequence). In this study, a quantitative marker assay using the real-time PCR technique (Q-PCR) is described for Lactobacillus plantarum, a bacterium often used for silage starter cultures.

A Comparison Of The Efficacy Of An Ultra-Low Volume Applicator For Liquid-Applied Silage Inoculants With That Of A Conventional Applicator, G. Marley, G. Pahlow, H. -H. Herrmann, T. R. Owen

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Liquid-applied silage inoculants are normally sprayed onto forages cut for ensiling at application rates from 1 to 3 l/t. Applicator tanks can require frequent re-filling, especially with large self-propelled forage harvesters having harvest rates in excess of 1000 t/d. This can be an issue for fields remote from the farm, for areas with restricted water availability and for contractors paid by the area harvested. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of inoculant distribution on the crop using a simple, ultra-low volume (ULV) applicator compared with a conventional liquid-applied silage inoculant applicator.

Improving The Aerobic Stability Of Whole-Crop Cereal Silages, I. Filya, E. Sucu, A. Karabulut

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Whole-crop cereal silages, such as wheat, sorghum, and maize are susceptible to aerobic deterioration, especially in warm climates. This is because aerobic yeasts are the most active at 20-30°C (Ashbell et al., 2002). Therefore, it is very important to find suitable additives that inhibit fungi and protect the silage upon aerobic exposure. Propionibacterium acidipropionici is propionic acid bacteria (PAB), which produce propionic and acetic acid in silage. Results with these micro-organisms in laboratory studies were promising with regard to aerobic stability. The purpose of the present work was to study the effects of PAB, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and …

Microbial Changes And Aerobic Stability In High Moisture Maize Silages Inoculated With Lactobacillus Buchneri, R. A. Reis, E. O. Almeida, G. R. Siqueira, T. F. Bernardes, E R. Janusckiewicz, M. T. P. Roth

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Oxygen exposure changes microbial and chemical profiles of silages after silo opening. Yeast and fungi are the main active microorganisms responsible by consumption of nutrients and fermentative residual products, which increases temperature in the ensilaged mass. The Lactobacillus buchneri (L. buchneri) has been considered an aerobic stability controller. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of L. buchneri in ensilage process of high moisture maize.