Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons^™

Roots And Potatoes As Supplements To An Alfalfa – Grass Diet To Dairy Cows, T. Eriksson, P. Ciszuk, E. Burstedt

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Fourteen multiparous dairy cows were used in 3 x 3 change-over experiment designed to study effects of replacing barley by roots and potatoes in diets based on leguminous forage on feed intake, milk production and utilisation of feed nitrogen. The cows received a mixture of alfalfa (Medicago L.) and grass silage ad libitum and an isoenergetic quantity of a supplement based on either barley and potatoes (Ba/P), fodder beets (Beta vulgaris L.) and potatoes (Be/P) or barley (Ba). The grass in grass silage was dominated by timothy (Phleum pratense L.). Total DM intake as well as yield …

Agronomic Evaluation Of Forage Grasses Under Mature Rubber Plantation, N. L. Costa, Valdinei T. Paulino, A. C. M. Igreja, C. R. Townsend, J. A. Magalhães, R. G. De A Pereira, T. S. Paulino

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The agronomic performance of seven forage grasses, under a mature rubber plantation, was assessed in a cutting trial carried out at Porto Velho, Rondônia. During the rainy season, the higher dry matter yields were obtained with B. brizantha, P. atratum BRA-9610 and B. humidicola. During the dry season, the grasses more productive were B. brizantha and P. atratum BRA-9610. In both seasons, magnesium and potassium contents did not vary among grasses. During the rainy season, the higher nitrogen and phosphorus contents were obtained with P. regnelli BRA-0159 and, P. guenoarum BRA-3824 and B. humidicola, respectively, while P. atratum …

Constraints And Opportunities For Development Of Grasslands In Urban Areas Of The Niayes Zone In Senegal, S. T. Fall, I. Cissé

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A survey was carried out in urban areas of the Niayes zone in Senegal to explore grasslands development in agropastoral systems around towns. Rapid rural appraisal and farms multiple visits were done to describe the forage cropping system, identify constraints and opportunities of developing grasslands in urban areas. In Niayes urban areas, forage production system is being developed based on the cropping of several grass and tree species. Only a minority of farmers is involved in that activity. Level of grass production is rather low. Weak development of grasslands is observed. Main reasons are: farmer poor willingness to crop for …

Semiarid Grassland And Winter Cereals For Lamb Production In Northeast Patagonia, Argentina, D. P. Miñón, G. G. Durañona, J. C. García Vinent, H. D. Giorgetti, G. D. Rodríguez

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In northeastern Patagonia where grain crops often led to harvest failure, low yields and a high drought risk, a lamb production system was established. On a 10 years old agriculture wheat cropping was interrupted in 1996, allowing re-vegetation through exclusion of grazing. Natural grassland recovered, prevailing the species Stipa tenuis, Piptochaetium napostaense, Stipa ambigua. Part of the plot was sown to wheat grass (Thinopyrum ponticum). In 1999, to improve sheep feeding, oat (Avena sativa) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) were sown for grazing during winter-spring season. In this system Corriedale sheep, Texel x australian …

Nutritive Quality Of Tropical Grasses Sown Under A Pine Plantation, D. Gutmanis, Antonio João Lourenço, V. B. G. Alcantara, Maria T. Colozza

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A trial was conducted in Brazil to evaluate the nutritive quality of 6 tropical grasses: tanzania (Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania), green-panic (P. maximum var. Trichoglume), aruana (P. maximum cv. Aruana), brizanta (Brachiaria brizantha), humidicola (B. humidicola) and tifton-85 (Cynodon dactylon cv. Tifton 85), planted under two different densities of pines (Pinus elliottis): 200 and 400 stems/ha, as well as in full sunlight. The results showed a significant increase in protein content and a significant decrease in NDF and cellulose contents as tree density increased. Comparing the values obtained under shading conditions …

Production And Mineral Composition Of Tropical Grasses Sown Under A Pine Plantation, D. Gutmanis, V. B. G. Alcantara, Maria T. Colozza, Antonio João Lourenço

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A trial was conducted in Brazil to evaluate the performance of 6 tropical grasses: tanzania (Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania), green-panic (P. maximum var. Trichoglume), aruana (P. maximum cv. Aruana), brizanta (Brachiaria brizantha), humidicola (B. humidicola) and tifton-85 (Cynodon dactylon cv. Tifton 85), planted under two different densities of pines (Pinus elliottis): 200 and 400 stems/ha, as well as in the full sunlight. The results showed that the dry matter yield decreased as shading increased. The grasses tanzania and brizanta were the most tolerant to shading. Although N concentration increased with …

Dry Matter Production And Nutritive Value Of Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa L.) And Orchardgrass (Dactylis Glomerata L.) Under Different Light Regimes, A. C. Varella, P. L. Peri, R. J. Lucas, D. J. Moot, D. L. Mcneil

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Spring and summer alfalfa dry matter and nitrogen production rates were greater than orchardgrass in open pasture and under three shade levels. Ten years old Pinus radiata allowed 60% light transmissivity. The addition of artificial shade resulted in 45% and 25% transmissivity. Orchardgrass pastures were nitrogen deficient and water stressed. In contrast, alfalfa was not stressed and it was more light responsive than orchardgrass. Differences in nutritive value were relatively small between species and between light regimes. Sheep liveweight gain on alfalfa was greater than on orchardgrass. Orchardgrass demonstrated shade tolerance, but alfalfa was more productive even at 25% transmissivity. …

Different Methods Of Artificial Shade For Agro-Silvipastoral Research, A. C. Varella, D. J. Moot, R. J. Lucas, D. L. Mcneil, P. L. Peri, K. M. Pollock

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Artificial shading sources are used to simulate silvipastoral light environments and study the effect of shade on pasture. Different sources of shade may not imitate normal forest light environment. An experiment was conducted to examine the light environment and effect on pasture yield components of two artificial shading materials. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) pasture was submitted to three light regimes: full sunlight (100% transmissivity); black shade cloth (40%) and wooden slats (45%).

The pattern of light exposure for plants differed under slats and shade cloth, but light intensity and quality were similar. Alfalfa dry matter (DM) yield and leaf …

Competition For Light In A Leucaena Leucocephala / Chloris Gayana Silvopastoral System, N. F. G. Rethman, J. P. Lindeque

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The spatial variation in the vigour of Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala cv. Cunningham) trees growing together with Rhodesgrass (Chloris gayana cv. Katambora) in an alley cropping system made it possible to assess the competitive effect for light. The height and especially lateral development of trees had a strong influence on light interception by the canopy, with radiation in the intercrop area being 49% lower where the trees were more vigorous. There was a corresponding (43%) decrease in grass production. These findings indicate that future studies should also include aspects such as espacement of trees, pruning of trees in the …

Optimizing Yield And Quality Of Orchardgrass Pasture In Temperate Silvipastoral Systems, P. L. Peri, R. J. Lucas, D. J. Moot, A. C. Varella, D. L. Mcneil

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of this study was to provide grazing management recommendations for a silvipastoral system by determining the effects of shade and nitrogen (N) on the pattern of dry matter accumulation and nutritive value of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) in a subhumid temperate environment. Orchardgrass in open pasture (100% transmittance) and under 10 year old Pinus radiata tree shade (60% transmittance) at 200 stems/ha was used as the main plot and nitrogen (0 and 300 kg N/ha as synthetic urine) was the subplot factor. Dry matter (DM) production of orchardgrass in the first 60-day spring rotation was similar in …

Herbage Characteristics As Affected By The Canopies Of Dominant Trees In A Savanna Of Southern Mozambique, James P. Muir, A. Alage, Inacio C. Maposse

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study surveyed the species composition, forage yield and forage nitrogen concentration of the herbaceous layer 50, 100 and 200% of the canopy radius from the trunks of many-stemmed false thorn, knob thorn, scented thorn and marula trees in a southern Mozambican savanna. Tree species did not affect herbaceous DM yield or species diversity. Neither direction nor distance from the tree trunk affected DM or specific diversity. Crude protein percentages were 15% higher for legumes and 9% higher for grasses at 50% canopy than at 200% canopy. Grasses under the marulas, the only non-legume tree in the study, had 18% …

Selecting New Brachiaria For Brazilian Pastures, Cacilda B. Do Valle, Valéria P. B. Euclides, Manuel C. M. Macedo, José R. Valério, S. Calixto

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Brazilian beef production relies heavily on cultivated pastures, of which about 80% are planted mainly to two Brachiaria cultivars. The narrowness of diversity associated with reproduction by apomixis of most plants in this genus prompted an intense search for new cultivars amongst recently collected and introduced ecotypes from Africa. This paper reports results for a three-year evaluation of 21 pre-selected ecotypes in two typical Cerrado ecosystems. Plots, replicated four times, were seeded in rows and cut every 6 weeks during the rainy season followed by a cut in the middle and one at the end of the dry season. Significant …

Supplmentary Feeding And Management Strategies To Overcome Drought Situations On Three High Producing New Zealand Seasonal Dairy Farms, S. H. Benson, P. N. P. Matthews

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This paper investigates the outcomes of the management strategies to overcome dry summer conditions on three New Zealand seasonal supply dairy farms where the summer management philosophy is towards production rather than survival aimed at giving the farmer control rather than accepting the unreliable production outcomes often achieved. Actual data collected from the case farms as part of a large on-farm monitoring programme was used to model the dry 1998/99 season. This was compared with simulated models for an average season to estimate milksolids responses (g milksolids (MS)/kg DM) and net returns (cents/kg DM) to the additional feeds used. In …

A Simulation Model To Evaluate Supplementation Of Tropical Forage Diets For Dairy Cows, A. G. Assis, O. F. Campos, J. Dijkstra, J. France

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A dynamic model of digestion kinetics has been built to evaluate dairy cattle diets based on tropical feeds and to estimate the potential of tropical forages for milk production associated with available supplements. Results of simulation were very consistent showing that grazed elephant grass alone can supply nutrients for cow maintenance and yield of 7.10 kg milk/day. Nevertheless, to produce 25 kg/day on grazed elephant grass, a dairy cow would need to be supplemented with 5.85 kg/day of a mixture of cottonseed meal (50%) plus ground maize (50%), while on maize silage it would be necessary 4.15 kg of the …

Performance Of Beef Heifers Of Various Genetic Groups, Supplemented Or Not, In Coastcross Pastures, Armando De A. Rodrigues, Geraldo M. Da Cruz, Rogério T. Barbosa, Maurício M. De Alencar, Luciano De A. Corrêa, Gilson P. De Oliveira

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of this study was to determine whether the performance of beef heifers of different genetic groups was affected by breed x nutritional environment interactions. Sixty four weaned heifers, 16 per genetic group: ½ Angus + ½ Nellore (AN), ½ Canchim + ½ Nellore (CN), ½ Simmental + ½ Nellore (SN) and pure Nellore (NE), were used with or without 3.0 kg of concentrate.animal^-1 .day^-1 in a fertilized coastcross pasture under rotational grazing system. There were effects of genetic group and supplementation (P< 0.05) on the weight and age at first estrus, but there was no interaction between them. In a rotational grazing system with 4000 kg of available dry matter per hectare with 13% of crude protein, the crossbred AN, supplemented or not, was more precocious (111 days) than Nellore heifers, showing the first estrus at 356 days of age and 324 kg of live weight.

Animal Performance On Brachiaria Brizantha Alone Or Supplemented With Concentrate Or Protein Bank Of Leucaena Leucocephala, Antonio João Lourenço, Paulo Roberto Leme, Marcelo De Queiroz Manella

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The experiment was carried out at the Instituto Zootecnia, Nova Odessa, SP, Brasil, from June/1998 to March/2000 (634 days), and the liveweight gains of Nelore steers was evaluated, per animal and per area, on Brachiaria brizantha alone (T₁), B. brizantha + Leucaena leucocephala (T₂), B. brizantha + supplemental feeding during the dry season (T₃) and B. brizantha + supplemental feeding during the dry and rainy season (T₄). The experimental design was a randomized block, with four replications each one composed by three paddocks rotationally grazed by Nelore steers. Mean weight gain per …

Urine Calcium But Not Plasma Calcium Or Urine Hydroxyproline Is Increased By A Systemic Acidosis In The Dairy Cow, J. R. Roche, Dawn E. Dalley, F. O’Mara, E. S. Kolver

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Eight non-lactating, pregnant Holstein-Friesian cows were allocated to two treatments and individually offered diets differing in dietary cation-anion difference. Decreasing the dietary cation-anion difference reduced the urine pH within hours of anionic salt supplementation. Plasma calcium concentration was unaffected by dietary cation-anion difference but urine calcium concentration was significantly increased within 10 days of including anionic salts in the diet. Faecal calcium concentration was significantly reduced, indicating increased calcium absorption. Dietary calcium concentration or dietary cationanion difference did not significantly affect urinary hydroxyproline.

Dry Matter Intake Of Periparturient Cows On A Fresh Pasture/Pasture-Hay Diet, J. R. Roche, Dawn E. Dalley, F. O’Mara, E. S. Kolver

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Reports of the depression in dry matter intake in the periparturient period have been inconsistent and little dry matter intake data is available for an all-forage diet prior to calving. Data to examine intake depression prior to calving was obtained from two experiments. In experiment 1, sixteen non-lactating, periparturient cows ate 1.3% of pre-calving body weight of grass-hay and freshly cut grass for two weeks pre-calving (restricted). Experiment 2 comprised thiry-six cows that ate 1.6% of pre-calving body weight of grass-hay and freshly cut grass for the final two weeks of pregnancy (ad libitum). Individual dry matter intakes …

Effectt Of Supplements On Forage Degradability Of Brachiaria Brizantha Cv. Marandu Grazed By Steers, J. R. A. Pereira, Ricardo A. Reis, L. R. De A. Rodrigues, D. Freitas

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The supplementation effect was evaluated using crossbred rumen-fistulated steers maintained in a Brachiaria brizantha cv. marandu pasture. The animals received energy supplementation (corn-COR); low degradability protein supplementation (corn gluten-GLU); and high degradability protein supplementation (soybean-SBM) at two levels N1 (± 0.5 kg/an/day) and N2 (± 1.5 kg/an/day); or no supplementation (Control). The factorial (3x2), plus the control, was studied according to complete randomized block design with three replications. The supplementation did not affect (P> 0.05) the potential degradability (POD), the effective degradability (EFD), and the degradation rates (DR) of the forage (extrusa). The GLU supplementation provided higher (P< 0.05) EFD of the NIDN fraction than the SBM, and both did not differ (P> 0.05) of …

Use Of Supplements For Increasing Performances Of Suckling Martinik Ewes When Fed Tropical Forages, E. O. Jimenez, G. Alexandre, H. Archimède, P. Despois, M. Jean-Bart, C. Jacquet

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Experiments have been carried out to determine the effects of supplementation upon milk production and growing performances with hair sheep Martinik ewes weighing 48 ± 4 kg liveweight (LW). In a first trial, 6 single bearing ewes (group GS) were offered individually a daily 0.5 kg of commercial pellets. They were compared to the control group (GN; 6 ewes) with no supplement during 10 weeks of lactation. Basal diet was chopped Digitaria decumbens grass ad libitum. In a second trial, level of supplementation was adapted to the ewes’ litter size: 6 twins bearing ewes (TW) and 6 single (SI). …

Performance Of Dairy Goats To Alfalfa Silage Based Diets Supplemented With Different Sources Of Carbohydrates, J. L. Danelón, P. Allocati, M. Wawrzkiewicz, S. Bedogne, E. Ceballos, M. D’Alessio, L. Barletta, C. Colatto, D. Victoria

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Lactating Saanen dairy goats fed alfalfa silage (AS) based diets in four 4x4 Latin Square designed experiment were studied for the effects of supplementation of three different type of carbohydrates (wheat grain, (W); sorghum grain, (SG) and dry citrus pulp, (DCP)) on milk yield, composition and chewing activities. Sixteen does (45± 10 DIM and 2.016 kg ± 0.48 4% FCM) housed indoors in individual pens in a four 4x4 experiment were fed four diets 1) AS (33.9%DM, 19.9%CP, 44.01%NDF); 2) ASW (52.4%DM, 19.8%CP, 33.7%NDF); 3) ASSG (50.9%DM, 17.9%CP, 37%NDF), 4) ASDCP (52.5%DM, 16.12%CP, 39.1%NDF) with forage-to-concentrate ratios of 100:0 or …

Integrating Pastures Into The Traditional Slash-And-Burn Cycle In Northeastern Pará, Brazil, S. Hohnwald, B. Rischkowsky, R. Schultze-Kraft, J. M. King, A. P. Camarão

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A project to test possibilities to integrate pastures into the traditional slash-and-burn cycle of small farmers in the Bragantina region in northeastern Pará, Brazil, is presented. Whereas in practice the traditional grass-only pasture is managed separately from the crop/fallow cycle, two options for integration are tested: a Brachiaria humidicola pasture enriched with two bushy and one herbaceous legume, Cratylia argentea, Chamaecrista rotundifolia and Arachis pintoi, and a B. humidicola pasture allowing a controlled regrowth of secondary vegetation ("Capoeira"). The regeneration performance of these pastures for a subsequent cropping period is compared with plots of undisturbed regrowth of Capoeira …

Mineral Concentration Of Herbage From Three Paulownia Species Used For Goat Browse, J-M. Luginbuhl, J. P. Mueller, B. A. Bergmann

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Goats naturally prefer a high proportion of browse in their diets. Therefore, research was initiated to investigate various silvo-pastoral production systems. In May 1997, six Paulownia treatments were planted in a randomized complete block experiment with six replications. Trees were between 6 and 12 cm in height at planting. Treatments included: P. fortunei seedlings, P. tomentosa seedlings, P. elongata seedlings, and three P. elongata clones. Each 4-m wide plot contained a single row of 12 trees with an intra-row spacing of 1 m. Leaf samples were analyzed from all six replications to determine mineral concentration in October 1997, and June …

Relationship Between Canopy Closure And Pasture Production In Deciduous Tree Based Temperate Silvopastoral Systems, N. R. Devkota, A. J. Wall, Peter D. Kemp, J. Hodgson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Experiments were carried out in New Zealand with 11 year-old alder (Alnus chordata) on lowland pasture, and with 30+ year-old poplar (Populus spp) on hill pasture. Alder tree shade decreased (P< 0.001) tiller density and total herbage harvested, with the highest tiller density at the lowest shade level of 41% canopy closure (DifN 0.59). Net herbage accumulation (NHA) directly under a poplar canopy was 35% of the NHA of open pasture, but NHA in canopy gaps increased with gap size. These results suggested that keeping canopy closure percentage in the 40-50% range for a deciduous tree silvopastoral system, would maintain pasture production and tiller density at approximately two-thirds of that of unshaded pasture.

Annual Dry Matter And Nutrient Yields In A Dichanthium Sward With Or Without Gliricidia Shrubs, P. Cruz

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The aim of this work was to compare the annual biomass production and nutrient removal of a Dichanthium aristatum pasture with those of a pasture of the same species associated with a leguminous tree, Gliricidia sepium. Measurements were made over twelve months between April 1993 and April 1994. Sampling was done with the same defoliation frequency as an intensive cut-and-carry system: every 4 and 10 weeks for the grassland and tree layers respectively. There was no significant difference between the yield of the pure grass (21.6 ± 2.0 t ha^-1) and that of the grass with trees …

Accumulation Of Mutated Maize Zeins In Transgenic Forage Legumes, Sergio Arcioni, A. Alpini, M. Bellucci

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Accumulation of zeins, the endosperm storage proteins of maize, in a heterologous plant expression system was attempted. Plants of birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) were transformed by Agrobacterium with binary vectors harboring genes that code for γ-zein and β-zein, two proteins rich in sulphur amino acids. Adding the ER retention signal KDEL to the C-terminal domain modified zein polypeptides. Our long-term goal was to improve birdsfoot trefoil and alfalfa forage quality. Significant levels of γ- zein:KDEL and β-zein:KDEL were detected in primary transformants of birdsfoot trefoil. Moreover, alfalfa plants expressing γ-zein:KDEL in the …

Effect Of The Mixed Rates Of Endophyte-Free And -Infected Seed On The Dry Matter Yield And Forage Quality Of Tall Fescue, J. K. Lee, S. H. Yoon, S. Seo, D. A. Kim, Y. W. Rim, G. J. Park, S. K. Lee

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of the mixed rates of endophyte-free and infected seed on the dry matter yield and forage quality of tall fescue in Korea. In experiment, mixed ratios of endophyte-infected and -free seed were compared under the fourth cutting. Dry matter yield and forage quality of tall fescue were not influenced by mixed rates. The weed contents of botanical composition were slightly increased with high ratios of endophyte-free seed. The results demonstrated that endophyte-free tall fescue did not seem to be greatly weak under bad conditions.

Impact Of Management On Endophyte Free And Endophyte Infected Tall Fescue Cultivars In Ohio, C. D. Penrose, Reuben M. Sulc, J. S. Mccutcheon

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Ten cultivars of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea, Schreb.) and one cultivar of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) were part of a study to determine changes in endophyte levels of fescue under two different styles of forage management: intensive and extensive. Included in the study were two endophyte infected-cultivars of tall fescue to compare interactions with endophyte free and infected cultivars. After three years, the results demonstrate that under high levels of management and non-endophyte infected crops prior to seeding, introduction of the endophyte can be reduced or delayed. Under lower levels of management and a smother crop into …

Grazing Endophyte Infested Tall Fescue And Changes In Bovine Blood Components And Gain, H. A. Fribourg, J. C. Waller, A. E. Schultze, B. W. Rohrbach, J. W. Oliver

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is utilized on more than 15 million ha of pasture in the eastern USA and over 80% of the plants in this area are infested with the endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum. Tall fescue toxicosis results from consumption of the infested (E+) grass host and is an important problem that causes considerable economic loss to producers. However, the agronomic attributes of tall fescue make it an attractive forage because of its ability to withstand cool temperatures, drought, poor soil conditions and intensive defoliation. There is need to understand mechanisms of animal physiology that are affected …

Phylogenetic Grouping By Pcr Analyses Of Sinorhizobium Meliloti Strains Isolated From Eutrophic Soil, W. S. Oliveira, P. P. A. Oliveira, C. M. Bellato, F. R. S. Duarte, S. M. Tsai

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study evaluated the ability of Sinorhizobium meliloti strains (SEMIA-116, SEMIA- 134 and SEMIA-135) to persist in eutrophic soils after three complete growing cycles of alfalfa. PCR fingerprinting using primers for the nifH, Eric, Rep, RP genes and P25 RAPD-PCR performed the phylogenetic grouping of the three commercial strains and 39 field isolates. These analyzes were sufficiently sensitive to discriminate and group the strains and isolate. Our preliminary studies were based upon Eric primers and RP01 RAPD-PCR.