Plant Biology Commons^™

Influence Of Sward Structure Upon Herbage Intake Of Cattle Grazing A Perennial Ryegrass Sward, M H. Wade, Y.L P. Le Du

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

To examine the influence of structural distribution of herbage within a sward on intake by grazing animals, two swards of contrasting structure were established at two periods in the grazing season by either infrequent mowing (C) or hard sheep graz­ing (G) of a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) pasture. The plots were then allowed to grow undisturbed for about 5 weeks before being grazed by young cattle for periods of 2 weeks at two levels of herbage allowance, 30 and 60 g dry matter/kg live weight/day, in July (1) and in September (2). Detailed measurements of sward structure were …

Relationship Of Forage-Evaluation Techniques To The Intake And Digestibility Of Tropical Grasses, S M. Abrams, H Hartadi, C M. Chaves, J E. Moore, W R. Ocumpaugh

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Seventy-six grass hays, harvested at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of regrowth, were fed ad libitum to wethers in a digestibility and in­take trial. Range of organic-matter digestibility (OMD) was 54.l % to 72.3% and that of organic-matter intake (OMI) 17.3 to 27.4 g/kg. Lignin was the chemical component most highly related to OMD (r = - 0.72). Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was bet­ter than acid detergent fiber (ADF) as a predictor of OMD (r = - 0.66 vs. - 0.45). In-vitro NDF digestibility (IVNDFD) was superior to in-vitro organic-matter digestibility (IVOMD) and all other analyses as a predictor …

Effect Of Experimental Methods On Results Of Voluntary Intake Experiments With Grass Cultivars, U Simon, P Daniel

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The amount of forage eaten by farm animals when forage is offered ad libitum is a major factor in the nutritive value of forage grasses. It is influenced by a number of internal and external factors. Experimental results of studies on the subject :reported in the literature are often contradictory, partially because, perhaps, of the methods of evaluation employed. We studied whether and to what extent different experimental procedures influenced the results of intake experiments in grass cultivars. Four cultivars of Lolium perenne differing in ploidy level and precocity were fed to sheep ad libitum, and voluntary intake was assessed …

Effect Of Supplements On The Live-Weight Gain Of Beef Cattle Given Forage During The Dry Season, C Thomas, P N. Mbugua

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The low quality of standing pasture grasses in the dry seasons presents a major problem in the intensification of beef produc­tion in the tropics. The objective of this research was to examine the role of maize and grass silage or standing napiergrass (Pen­nisetum purpureum) as sources of forage when given alone or with supplements to beef cattle. In the first of three trials conducted at the National Agricultural Research Station, Kitale, Kenya, 36 Friesian castrates, initially 249 kg live weight (LW), were given silage of whole-crop maize either alone or supplemented with corn-and-cob meal. Each of these two basal diets …

Forage Intake Of Cattle As Affected By Grazing Pressure, C D. Allison, M M. Kothmann, L R. Rittenhouse

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A series of trials was conducted in 1977 to determine the effect of level of grazing pressure on organic-matter intake and the relationship between intake and forage disappearance. Levels of grazing pressure studied were 10, 20, 40, and 50 kg forage allowed/animal unit/day (kg/AU/day) for 14-day trials in April, July, and September. A standing crop of forage was measured before, in the middle of, and immediately after each trial. Organic-matter intake was estimated by the fecal output: indigestibility ratio technique. Organic-matter intake was highest in April; cattle also consumed Dlore forage in September than in July. The combination of forage …

Improving Hay Quality By Ammoniation, K J. Moore, V L. Lechtenberg, K S. Hendrix, J M. Hertel

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of hay ammoniation on hay consumption and weight gain by steers when the hay was fed unsupplemented and supplemented with energy and protein. Mature orchardgrass (Dacrylis glomerata L.) hay was baled in early June 1979 and treated with anhydrous ammonia at 30 g/kg of hay. Seven weeks after treatment the hay was uncovered and allowed to aerate for 3 days. It was then fed to weanling steer calves weighing approximately 225 kg each. Similar hay baled from the same field but not ammoniated was fed to separate groups of steers. Both the treated …

Effect Of Solvent Treatments On Intake And Digestibility Of Corn Stover, D M. Schaefer, M R. Ladisch, C H. Noller, V L. Lechtenberg

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Treatment of crop residues with low levels of sodium hydroxide has been shown to improve organic-matter digestibility and animal performance. One objective of these experiments was to evaluate the effects of three treatments -water, sodium hydrox­ide, and chelating metal cellulose-swelling solution-on solubilization of cell-wall components in corn (Zea m£rys) stover. The two latter treatments were balanced for level of sodium hydroxide application, which was .3 .2 % of stover dry matter. The second objective was to determine the effects of these treatments on in-vitro and in-vivo digestibility as well as on consumption of corn stover. Twelve growing ram lambs were …

Forage Quality: Assessing The Plant-Animal Complex, D J. Minson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

At the VI International Grassland Congress held at Pennsylvania State College in 1952, the late Dr. C.P. McMeekan re­viewed the many problems associated with the plant-animal complex. Great stress was placed on the need to measure forage in­take accurately as a prerequisite to an under-standing of the plant-animal complex. Progress in the development of more accurate :methods of estimating the forage intake of grazing animals is reviewed, in­cluding the introduction of different methods of administering chromic oxide, the esophageal fistula for obtaining samples of selectively grazed material, the in-vitro technique for estimating the digestibility of the forage eaten, and the …

Influence Of Pasture Quantity And Quality On Intake And Production Of Sheep, G W. Sheath, P V. Rattray

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A series of short term trials shows the major influence of pasture allowance and mass in determining intake and gains of sheep. Within the sward the major determinant of intake is green leaf material. Legumes and erect growing grasses in the sward can alter the allowance relationships conferring intake advantages especially at low allowance. The decline of pasture mass during a grazing period can be described by a negative exponential model which is interactive with allowance. In hill country these patterns are subtly altered by grazing duration/ stock density variations, and by the ratio of steep to easy contoured land …

The Energy Intake And Its Dynamic In Alpine Grassland - Sheep Systems, Wang Qin

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The experiment was carried out on alpine grassland, from 1978 to 1979, in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu Province. Local Tibetan sheep were used as the experiment animals.

The Effect Of Leucaena Leucocphala As A Supplement On The Utilization On Low Quality Roughage By Small Ruminants, A Bamualim

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the value of leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) as a supplement to low quality roughage of spear grass (Heteropogon contortus) hay fed to goats and sheep. In the first experiment using goats, a basal diet of spear grass (SG) was supplemented with urea (SG + U) or Jeucaena (SG + L). Daily organic matter (OM) intake was significantly greater on the SG + L diet (38 g/kg BW0•75) than on the SG or SG + U diets (21 and 23 g/kg BW° 75 respectively). Non ammonia nitrogen (NAN) flowing from the abomasum was …

The Digestibility, Intake And Rumen Fermentation By Sheep Of Some Tropical Grasses In Japan, O Kawamura, S Tanaka, T Miaki

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The cultivation of tropical grasses is gradually becoming widespread in southwest Japan. In this research, the digestibility, voluntary intake and rumen fermentation of the tropical grasses (green panic, Rhodes grass, Sudan grass and African millet) were compared with Italian ryegrass. The crude protein contents of all tropical grasses tested were over 10% in the dry matter, and were not so much different from the Italian ryegrass. The tropical grasses, in general, had higher contents of cell wall materials and lower content of total non-structural carbohydrate than the Italian ryegrass. In the dry matter digestibility and digestible nutrient contents, the tropical …

Effect Of Cultivar And Type Of Forage Of Tall Fescue (Festuca Arundinacea Schreb.) On Palatability And Intake By Sheep, U Simon, V Prager

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Two cultivars of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) viz. 'Festal' and 'Kentucky 31', and a Festuca arundinacea x Lolium multiflorum hybrid ( = Festulolium) cultivar 'Hazel' were chosen to test their palatability and intake by sheep when offered simultaneously as fresh grass or hay or silage. Of fresh grass of both the primary growth and the third growth the Festulolium was preferred to tall fescue. When the Festulolium was withdrawn, significantly more forage of 'Festal' than of 'Kentucky 31' was eaten from the primary growth, but the reverse was true with the regrowth forage. Hay of the three cultivars …

The Effect Of Silage Quality And Level Of Concentrate On The Dry Matter Intake And Milk Production Of British Friesian Heifers, R H. Phipps, J A. Bines, J Thomas, A Cooper, R J. Wilkins

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Trials have shown that both silage quality and level of concentrate are major factors influencing dry matter (DM) intake and milk production with adult dairy cows but there are few data relating to heifers.Seventy-two British Friesian heifers were divided into two groups during weeks 3-12 of lactation and received ad Iibitum either good quality (G) or poor quality (P) grass silage. The in vitro digestible organic matter in the dry matter was 68 and 60 for silages G and P, respectively. In addition, the heifers in each group consumed concentrate at either a low (4.3 kg DM/day), medium (6.4 kg …

Intake Of Grassland - Hay By Dairy Cows And Its Potential Meet Requirements Of Maintenance And Milk Production, J P. Dulphy, C Beranger, D Micol

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

There have been few recent studies on the use of grass-hays by dairy cows, probably as a result of the importance given to studies on silage. Therefore 9 grass-hays, harvested in good conditions, were prepared and fed to dairy cows. With a CP content of 133 g/kg DM and an O.M. digestibility of 64.4%, the intake of these hays was 2.07 % of live weight (12.65 kgDM/animal/day). Their energy supply was sufficient to cover the maintenance needs of the cows, and a mean theoretical daily production of 8.1 kg of milk. The real production was 20.1 kg, and the difference …

The Cultivation And Feeding Value Of Persian Clover, P C. Flinn, K.F M. Reed, G R. Saul, G N. Ward, J G. Graham

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Research with Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum, ssp. majus) cv. Mara!, in south eastern Australia shows it to be productive and well adapted to waterlogged soils. It is particularly productive in spring when compared with other clovers. Winter production can be increased by sowing Persian clover with Westerwolds ryegrass or oats but the yield of clover in the spring is therby reduced. Persian clover conserved as hay was found to have a low neutral detergent fibre content (28.1 % ). In a 60 day feeding trial, lambs were fed Persian clover hay (78.5% digestible dry matter), lucerne hay (63.0% …

Research For Selection Criteria For Grass Quality, Based Upon Animal References, M Gillet, J Scehovic, M Lila

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In an effort to find selection criteria for intake and digestibility, based on correlations with the same characters measured on animals, we have compared 4 to 6 grasses of similar heading dates for intake, palatability, digestibility by sheep, intake by goats and many laboratory tests. 1979 results were published for Lexington Congress. Results of 1980 and 1981 springs bear them out in several points :

- palatability was a very precise and stable test

- palatability, digestibility and goat intake were stable and correlated with each other

- soluble phenols were able to predict palatability and part of digestibility

-sheep …

The Effect Of The Species, Stage Of Maturity And Level Of Intake Of Grass On The Efficiency Of Microbial Protein Synthesis In The Rumen Of Cattle, F J. Hart, Jane Leibholz

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study was undertaken because there is a paucity of information in the literature on the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis in the rumen of cattle when grass is fed as the sole diet. There is also little experimental data available on the factors which affect the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis. The work involved feeding six rumen fistulated Friesian steers with three species of grass which were harvested at various tages of maturity. In addition each maturity of forage was fed at three 15levels of orp5 nic matter ( OM) intake.

as sampled at the omasum and microbial protein …

An Evaluation Of The Silage Additive < Kofasil Plus > Applied To First Cut Grass Under Northern Ireland Conditions, T A. Stewart, S J. Kennedy

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The silage additive« Kofasil Plus», manufactured by Deuts­che Atochem Werke, has been used for many years in various European countries, particularly in West Germany and Norway with favourable results. It was first introduced to Ireland in 1988 following the outcome of the trial reported here, where it is marketed by Co.rbeca Ltd under the trade name« Kofasalt ». « Kofasil Plus » is a white, free flowing, non-caustic powder containing 61 % calcium formate, 25 % sodium nitrite, 14 % hexamethylene tetramine, sodium chloride and trace elements.

Chemical And Nutritive Values Of Three Ensiled Residues (Broad Beans, Peas And Soybean) In Comparison With Yellow Lupin Silage, J Efe Serrano

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The agro-industrial residues of legumes in Portugal has increased recently in animal feeding, but with little information about the nutritive values of these diets. The few values from literature (Economides and Had­jidemetriou, 1974; Boza and Guerreiro, 1981 ; Escandon et al., 1983) or in Tables of Food Composition are quite different. In south of Portugal, the yellow lupin is an expanding forage used in sheep diets as hay or silage. The purpose of this work, and others in progress, was to compare the feeding value of silages made from three important residues with the yellow lupin silage.

Etude Comparative De Deux Varietes De Fetuque Elevee De Qualite Differente Conduites En Paturage Continu Avec Vaches Laitieres, J C. Emile, M Gillet, L Huguet

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Dans des essais anterieurs (Gillet et al., 1986 et 1989), nous avons mis en evidence chez la fetuque elevee Festuca arundin­acea Schreb. des differences varietales pour la valeur alimen­taire avec des moutons a l'entretien, des chevres laitieres et des vaches laitieres. Ces differences etaient observees a l'auge. Nous avons voulu verifier si, et dans quelles conditions, elles se retrouvaient !ors d'une utilisation en paturage continu par des vaches laitieres. (cf Roden et al., 1987). Notre demarche peut aider a mettre en evidence les conditions de valorisation de la qualite dans les especes fourrageres.

Utilization Of Native Mediterranean Fodder Trees By Dairy Goats, M Meuret

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Few data are available on utilization of fodder trees and shrubs by lactating goats. In most cases, predictions of animal performances on the basis of recommendations obtained from standard reference trials, do not correspond with production results achieved on the farm. Using measurements in digesti­bility cages and on rangelands (chromic oxide marker), we recorded intake, apparent digestibility of diets and perform­ances of goats well used to rangelands and browsing fresh oak foliage (Quercus ilex and Quercus pubescens).

Nitrogen And Organic Matter Disappearance In The Digestive Tract Of Sheep Grazing Three Winter Foggages, W A. Van Niekerk, H H. Meissner, E B. Spreeth, I S. Conradie

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Animal production in the tropics and subtropics is limited by poor intake. This results because of high cell wall content and poor digestibility of tropical forages (Minson & McLeod, 1970). During the dormant (winter) season these negative effects were exaggerated. Also, N declines resulting in a further reduction in intake. The questions addressed here were whether winter foggage of improved subtropical pastures could be ben­eficial and secondly, how three species adapted to the drier areas of South Africa, compare in this regard.

Monitoring The Nutrition Of Grazing Cattle With Near-Infrared Analysis Of Feces, S W. Coleman, J W. Stuth, J W. Holloway

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The nutrition of grazing animals is difficult to assess because of the difficulty in determining the amount and quality of the ingested forage. Although many techniques have been proposed for sampling the grazed forage, none offer quantitat­ive estimates of diet quality and intake for individual animals in large numbers. The feces excreted by animals contain undigested residues of the diet consumed along with products of animal and microbiological origin. The objective was to determine if near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) could be used to developed spectral indices from feces which describe the quantitative and qualitative attributes of the diet over a range …

Animal Performance As Effected By Herbage Availability And Quality In Semi-Arid Southern African Grassland, J E. Danckwerts

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Rotational grazing with beef cattle is widely advocated and practised under commercial pastoralism in semi-arid grassland in southern Africa. Since animal performance is largely a func­tion of the quality and quantity of forage ingested, changes in herbage quality and availability in these situations are likely to have an important influence on animal production. The objective of this paper is therefore to quantify changes in the quality of herbage ingested by beef cattle at different times of the year and as grazing pressure increases within periods of occupation on rotationally grazed semi-arid grass­land in southern Africa. The effect of these changes …

La Consommation De Matiere Sche De Fourrages Disponibles En Zone Tropicale, D Richard, H Guerin, G Roberge, D Friot

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Un certain nombre de publications fournissent des donnees sur les consommations de matiere seche (MS) des fourrages dans les regions intertropicales sans qu'il soit toujours possible de differencier les variations liees a la capacite d'ingestion de !'animal ou a l'ingestibilite du fourrage, facteurs conditionnant les quantites de matiere seche volontairement ingerees (MSVI). Par ailleurs, les donnees publiees pour un meme fourrage sont souvent tres variables ; par exemple, les quantites de MSVI de Digitaria decumbens extraites de 5 publications varient de plus de 40 p. 100 pour des repousses de meme age (Richard, 1987) sans qu'il soit possible d'identifier les …

Selection Des Graminees Fourrageres Pour La Qualite: Des Criteres Bases Sur Des References Avec Animaux, M Gillet, J Scehovic, M Marton, L Huguet

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

La selection des fourrages pour la qualite exige l'utilisation de criteres indirects. Ceux-ci devraient etre etablis par correla­tion avec des criteres mesures sur animaux: Cela necessite un nombre suffisant de genotypes de qualite differente. 11 faut done que la selection pour la qualite ait deja en partie reussi. A defaut, les selectionneurs utilisent souvent des correlations eta­blies en faisant varier le stade de la plante. Mais sont-elles vala­bles pour comparer des genotypes a stade egal? Ils utilisent aussi les preferences des animaux (« appetibilite ») car cela per­met de comparer plusieurs genotypes avec un seul lot d'ani­maux (Jadas-Hecart, 1982; Gillet …

Steer Performance From Tall Fescue Pastures With Three Levels Of Acremonium Coenophialum Infestation, J C. Waller, H A. Fribourg, R W. Thompson, A B. Chestnut

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Two replications of 1.2-ha pastures were seeded in 20-cm drill rows to 3 treatments: endophyte-free (E-) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea); tall fescue infested at 80% (E+) with Acremonium cenophialum; a mixed sward of alternate sets of 4 drill rows of E+ and E- tall fescue (E+/E-). Stand density and endophyte levels were monitored every 6 months, remaining at original levels throughout the study. Each pasture had 3 test steers (Bos taurus) with extra steers used as needed to maintain forage height 2.5-7.5 cm. Average daily gain (ADG) ranged from about 300 to over 700 g/day …

An Analysis Of The Dry Matter Intake And Rate Of Live-Weight Gain Of Growing Cattle Fed Forage Diets, J G. Buchanan-Smith

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The intake and rate of live-weight gain of 500 growing steer calves fed experimental forage diets in 7 trials were compared with corresponding values predicted using the Na1ional Research Council (NRC) model (1984). The cattle were predominantly weaned calves and most of the experimental diets were alfalfa-grass silage, either unsupplemented or supplemented with various protein sources, but some diets were based on maize silage or maize grain. The feeding period evaluated in this study ranged between the first 84 and 147 days when protein accretion rate in the cattle would be relatively high. Dry matter intakes were overpredicted by the …

Quantification Of Nutrients Consumed And Utilized By Holstein Cows Grazing Grass Pastures In The North-Eastern Usa, Lisa A. Holden, L D. Muller, G A. Varga, S L. Fales

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Managing the nutrition of high producing dairy cows on pasture in the north-eastern USA is challenging owing to difficulty in accurately estimating intake and In determining nutrient utilisation by grazing dairy cows. In Trial 1, 16 lactating Holstein cows were used to estimate intake with an intensively grazed orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) pasture with 2 stocking rates of 2.S and 3,9 cows/ha in a 24 week grazing season. Cows were fed a grain supplement which comprised about 35% of the diet dry matter. Chromium oxide was used as an external marker in faeces, Results of Trial 1 indicated total …