The influence of herbage utilization on pasture production and animal performance
Abstract
An attempt is made to establish a relationship between herbage
utilization, pasture production, and animal performance per unit
area. When pastures are rotationally grazed, it appears that the
highest pasture yield and animal production per unit area will result
only if feed demand is closely matched with supply so that
little stubble is left after grazing. Experimental data indicate that
the aim should be to achieve at least 60% single grazing utilization
of the total herbage on offer as long as in so doing overgrazing
does not occur. Future work is likely to show the need for an
even greater degree of utilization if per-hectare production is to be
maximized. Limited data suggest that overgrazing of ryegrass pastures
commences when they are grazed below 2 cm, while with
more upright grass species this starts when defoliation is closer than
10 cm.... [Show full abstract]
Keywords
pasture yield; herbage utilisation; animal performance; grazingFields of Research
0703 Crop and Pasture Production; 0702 Animal ProductionDate
1975Type
Conference Contribution - Published (Conference Paper)Collections
Copyright © The Authors and New Zealand Grassland Association.