bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FARMING IN BERKSHIRE
Authors: Pearce J.
Published: April 2006

The County of Berkshire occupies a central position in southern England. It is bounded hy Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire on the north, by Hamsphire and Surrey on the south and east, by Wiltshire on the west and, for a few miles only, by Gloucestershire in the north‐west. It is a small county and yet few other counties ean show such a diversity of farming from one district to another. At the same time the eastern end of the eounty is only about 30 miles due west of London and the general pattern of agriculture for that area is undoubtedly influenced by its proximity to such a large centre of popula‐tion.
NOTE ON THE EXTENT AND SIGNIFICANCE OF LOSSES IN LIVE WEIGHT OF INWINTERED CATTLE ON TURNING OUT TO GRASS IN SPRING
Authors: Ivins J. D. , Morgan J. T.
Published: April 2006

A trial designed to examine the significance and extent of losses in live weight of inwintered cattle turned out to grass in spring is described. The results obtained for two pairs of identical twin cattle suggest that most of the loss in live weight after a 14‐day grazing period could be related to differences in the contents of the alimentary tract.
THE VEGETATION OF THE PEWSEY VALE ESCARPMENT, WILTSHIRE
Authors: Thomas A. S. , Rawes M. , Banner W. J. L.
Published: April 2006

Records were made on a standard point‐quadrat frame at intervals of 20 feet along fifteen transects down the chalk escarpment on the north side of Pewsey Vale in Wiltshire. These records demonstrate how great is the variability in chalk grassland, both in different parts of each transect and in corresponding parts of adjacent transects. Chalk‐down vegetation must be regarded as unstable and greatly altered by past and present use of the land for cultivation and grazing.
THE EFFECT OF TIME OF CUTTING ON EAR PRODUCTION AND SEED YIELD IN S.48 TIMOTHY
Authors: Langer R. H. M.
Published: April 2006

After uniform defoliation in February, spaced plants of S.48 timothy were cut on one of 12 fortnightly dates, starting at the end of March.

Analysis of the herbage removed at each cut showed an increase in plant and unit tiller weight throughout the season, but a decline in the number of tillers, especially before the beginning of shooting.

The date of ear emergence was not affected by cutting up to 5 May and only slightly delayed in plants cut on 19 May. Plants treated subsequently flowered much later but after a fairly constant interval following defoliation.

Cutting on and after 7 April depressed fertile tiller formation with increasing severity, until only vegetative tillers appeared in the recovery growth following treatment at the beginning of August.

Seed yield per plant declined with the decrease in fertile tiller numbers, but after the early cuts some compensation by production of slightly more seed per ear was recorded.

The results are discussed in terms of the physiological transition of the plant towards flowering.
GRASSLAND PRODUCTION FOR DAIRYING IN NEW ZEALAND*
Authors: Owens E. M.
Published: April 2006

Comparison of results obtained on herbage samples freeze‐dried and hot‐air‐dried during tests of commercial green‐crop driers indicated apparent losses of crude protein and β‐carotene in freeze‐drying.

Experiments on laboratory technique in drying, milling and analysing herbage samples showed a differential loss in conventional laboratory hammer mills biassed towards loss of high‐protein particles.

The differential loss was particularly marked for freeze‐dried material, but was also shown to be significant for oven‐dried material.

There is a need for development of a laboratory mill to disintegrate samples without loss of milled material and without undue temperature rise when used for milling samples at the same rate as existing laboratory hammer mills.
ARTIFICIAL REARING OF CALVES ON PASTURE*
Authors: Preston T. R.
Published: April 2006

Two feeding trials are described in which indoor and outdoor methods of rearing calves are compared.

In a small experiment in 1953 Ayrshire calves reared on pasture from birth made similar weight gains (approximately 1 lb. per day) to control animals reared conventionally indoors.

In an experiment in 1954 the outside‐reared members of ten pairs of calves gained at a significantly slower rate (P<0.01) than their pair mates reared inside. The dry‐matter digestibility of the herbage on offer to the calves outside was high (<70%) throughout the experiment but, during August, in a period of particularly wet and cold weather, the amounts of T.D.N. consumed by the calves were less than their theoretical requirements. Concomitantly the worm burden of the calves increased to a critical level of 2,000 eggs per gram of faeces with associated symptoms of parasitic gastritis and loss of weight.

The relation of environmental factors, particularly the interacting factors of climate, nutrition and worm parasites, to the growth of outside reared calves is discussed.
THE INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS GRAZING TREATMENTS UPON THE BOTANICAL COMPOSITION OF A DOWNLAND PERMANENT PASTURE
Authors: Norman M. J. T.
Published: April 2006

In spring 1952, a trial was laid down at Hurley to compare the botanical effects of five grazing treatments upon a low‐fertility downland permanent pasture. The treatments were: dose and lenient rotational cattle grazing, close rotational sheep grazing and continuous grazing by cattle and by sheep. The trial was concluded in autumn 1955.

Continuous cattle grazing and close rotational cattle grazing resulted in a sward with a high proportion of forbs. With sheep under the same grazing systems, grasses predominated. An intermediate grass/forb balance was attained under lenient rotational cattle grazing. Legumes contributed more under rotational grazing than under continuous grazing.

The grazing treatments most favourable to the major species were: For creeping bent—both sheep grazing treatments; for ribwort plantain—all cattle grazing treatments; for white clover—all rotational grazing treatments; for cocksfoot—lenient rotational cattle grazing; for ox‐eye daisy—close rotational cattle grazing; for red fescue—lenient rotational cattle grazing and continuous sheep grazing. Bulbous buttercup and rough‐stalked meadow grass showed no significant response to differential grazing treatments.

The relative degree of consumption by stock of individual species was estimated by comparing the yields from matched pairs of groups of shoots harvested before and after each grazing spell (rotational treatments) or of areas protected from and exposed to grazing (continuous treatments). A close relationship was established between the intensity of grazing experienced by species and their final status in the swards. Accessibility appeared to be as important as palatability in determining the degree to which individual species were grazed.

The resulting swards differed only slightly in agronomic quality. The lack of any clear advantage from rotational grazing was attributed to low levels of plant nutrients, since these probably limited the development of the more valuable grasses and of white clover.
VEGETATIVE PROLIFERATIONS IN HERBAGE GRASSES
Authors: Langer R. H. M. , Ryle G. J. A.
Published: April 2006

S.48 timothy plants were induced to form proliferating inflorescences by exposure to 2–4 weeks of long days followed by a return to short days. Serial micro‐dissections showed that the lemma enlarges to resemble a leaf but that glumes, palea and all reproductive organs are also present and perfectly farmed. At a later stage a vegetative shoot bearing several foliage leaves, axillary buds and root initials is formed, presumably as a continuation of the rachilla.

The production of proliferations by insufficient exposure to photoperiods favourable for flowering is discussed. Proliferations may occur spontaneously in many normally seed‐setting grasses, but in a number of species this form of growth is genetically fixed.
THE INFLUENCE OF DATE OF SOWING AND OF STRAIN ON HEAD PRODUCTION IN TIMOTHY
Authors: Cocks Betty
Published: April 2006

Heading behaviour of eight strains of timothy was observed in the sowing and first harvest years, after sowing on a series of dates between March and August.

All strains produced heads in the sowing year. Only a very few plants failed to head when sown between 18 March and 29 April. With subsequent sowing dates the proportion of heading plants progressively declined, most markedly in S.50 Phleum nodosum, least in the early‐heading P. pratense strains. No heading occurred in the sowing year after the mid‐August sowing.

The environment to which the later sowings are exposed differs from that of the earlier sown lots in that (a) the initial temperatures and daylengths are higher and (b) the decline in daylength occurs earlier in their development. One or both of these factors must be responsible for failure of heading among plants of the later sowings.

The sequence of heading dates among the strains in the sowing year differed considerably from that in the same plants after overwintering, suggesting the action of some factor other than photo‐period in determining heading date in the sowing year.

Variability in heading date within the strains was much greater in the sowing year than after overwintering, and increased with lateness of sowing.
A COMPARISON BETWEEN TWO METHODS OF MEASURING SEASONAL GROWTH OF TWO STRAINS OF DACTYLIS GLOMERATA WHEN GROWN AS SPACED PLANTS AND IN SWARDS
Authors: Kelly A. F.
Published: April 2006

A trial is described which was designed to test the hypothesis that measurements taken of the leaf‐plus‐shoot length of spaced plants may give a good indication of dry‐matter yield of strains of Dactylis glomerata, as determined by cutting and weighing the produce of sward plots.

Two contrasting strains of Dactylis glomerata were used: the British S.143, and the German von Kamekes. The strains were established during 1955 both as spaced plants (10 plants per plot) and as pure swards, with six replications of each. The two methods of establishment formed the main treatments, occupying whole plots, and each plot was divided into four sub‐plots each of which carried one of the combinations of the two strains with the following two management treatments: Treatment 1, cut at monthly intervals from 27 April to 23 August; Treatment 2, cut on 12 April and subsequently at the mean date of emergence of the inflorescence for each strain, followed by cutting at monthly intervals until the end of August.

Spaced plants were measured before cutting by thrusting a measuring rod into the crown of the plant and measuring the leaf‐plus‐shoot length of one of the longer shoots. Produce cut from sward plots was weighed and sampled for dry‐matter content.

Results from the swards showed that von Kamekes produced more dry matter in early spring, but that subsequently the advantage passed to S.143.

Significant positive correlations were obtained in early spring between the sward yields and leaf‐plus‐shoot measurements from spaced plants. Subsequently there was no agreement between the two methods, and some significant negative correlations were obtained.

The data are discussed in relation to the physiological stages of development of the strains, which suggests that:

In the spring period the main factor contributing to yield was shoot elongation, with the majority of the tillers in the reproductive phase.

In summer the main factor was new tiller formation, with the majority of tillers in the vegetative phase.

In the early autumn neither factor was dominant and both contributed to yield.

Attention is drawn to the danger of comparing yields from spaced plants with yields from swards where the management may influence the results obtained, and to the difficulty of assessing hay yields by means of height measurements of spaced plants.
STUDIES ON THE EXTENSION OF THE GRAZING SEASON
Authors: Corbett J. L. , Gwynn P. E. , Walker D. , Aitken J. N.
Published: April 2006

Foggage grazing trials with beef‐store cattle and in‐calf dairy heifers during four successive winters in Aberdeenshire are described. Many of the animals received only very small quantities of supplementary fodders, but their performance was satisfactory in all cases. During the last two winters, silage and oat straw contributed 40–50% of total food dry‐matter intake. It is suggested that this level of supplementary feeding would be satisfactory in practice.

In a comparison of store‐feeding systems, four in‐wintered (housed) steers were 110 1b. per head heavier than their out‐wintered monozygous twins at the end of the winter‐feeding period. Live‐weight differences averaged 27 1b. per head one month later and were negligible at the end of summer. From the results of a metabolism trial it was concluded that the spring weight‐loss suffered by the housed cattle was due mainly to a reduction in the weight of gut contents.
WHITE CLOVER TRIAL
Authors: Aldrich D. T. A. , Davis A. G. , Cooper M. McG.
Published: April 2006

Yields were recorded from a potato crop grown in the first year following a grazing trial comparing four strains of white clover, previously described in this journal (2 & 3). The Kent clover strain, which was the most persistent and which had produced the greatest live‐weight increase per acre, gave the highest yield of potatoes. The Dutch white clover, which had been the poorest in the grassland trial, gave the lowest yield of potatoes.

A 2 × 2 × 2 N, P, K fertilizer design was superimposed in the form of split plots. Nitro‐chalk at 5 cwt. per acre and muriate of potash at 2 cwt. per acre both caused significant reductions in yield, and this was thought to be due to the exceptionally high soil fertility status of the field. The fertilizer × clover interactions were non‐significant, and contributed little towards an explanation of the fundamental basis of the soil fertility differences caused by these four clover strains.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF GRAZING AND FODDER RESOURCES
Authors: Davies G. Maxwell
Published: April 2006

Following a report by Oram on “The Use of Pastures and Fodder Crops in Rotations in Mediterranean Agriculture”, which was presented to the Fourth Meeting of the F.A.O. Working Party on Mediterranean Pasture and Fodder Development at Lisbon in 1955, a further study was carried out by the writer on the integration of livestock husbandry with the grazing and fodder resources in the region, and with crop husbandry in general. This study was based on a three‐month survey carried out at the end of 1955 as an F.A.O. assignment, and visits were made to Libya, Cyprus, Israel, Greece, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Algeria and parts of Southern Italy.

The survey dealt with prevailing conditions in these countries, with particular reference to existing research and extension programmes in both agronomy and animal husbandry. Following this, a report (5) was prepared for the Fifth Meeting of the Working Party held at Tel Aviv in May, 1957. The report covers the general principles of animal husbandry, with special reference to the Mediterranean environment, and stress is laid on the need for increased efficiency in both the production and use of pasture and fodder crops, especially in view of the fact that an increasing livestock population will in future probably have to be maintained on a steadily diminishing area, owing to the progressive encroachment of food‐ and cash‐crop production on land previously used for grazing. As far as practicable, grazing pressure must be transferred from “natural” pastures and upland grazings to the cultivated land, on which improved systems of rotational cropping will be necessary. Wherever possible these should incorporate both supplementary fodder crops and sown pastures. This should benefit both the livestock and the over‐cropped cultivated soils. In turn, any reduction in stocking rates on the natural pastures and on the upland and forest grazings should facilitate their improvement and the introduction of erosion control. Any improvement scheme designed to achieve these ends will require much closer co‐operation between cultivators and pastoralists and more effective integration of research and extension work in both agronomy and animal husbandry.

This article describes some of the many difficulties confronting workers in both these fields in a Mediterranean environment, and suggestions are made as to how some of these problems may possibly be overcome.
WITHIN‐FIELD CHANGES IN HERBAGE COMPOSITION AND SOIL MOISTURE
Authors: Cox C. P. , Hosking Zena D. , Line C.
Published: April 2006

In the results from a previously reported uniformity trial on pasture evaluation, there appeared to be systematic areal changes in the crude fibre and crude protein percentages of the herbage. These trends have been illustrated by the calculation of quadratic contours and the possible relationships of the changes to local soil differences, moisture percentages and copse shelter effects have been investigated.
THE EFFECT OF SHEEP EXCRETA AND NITROGENOUS FERTILIZER ON THE BOTANICAL COMPOSITION AND PRODUCTION OF A LEY
Authors: Wheeler J. L.
Published: April 2006

Results are presented for the final two years of a previously described experiment.

The return of dung and urine by sheep to a ryegrass/white‐clover ley was controlled by suitable harnesses to give four treatments (no dung or urine, dung, urine, dung and urine) which were combined in a replicated factorial design with four levels of nitrogenous fertilizer application (0, 52, 182, 312 1b. N per acre).

Applied nitrogen and urine were the dominant factors affecting botanical composition. The percentage of ryegrass increased and that of clover decreased with the progressive increases in nitrogen application. Volunteer species (mainly Poa spp.) contributed up to 20 per cent by the final year, the maximum occurring under the medium‐high nitrogen treatment.

Urine restricted the incursion of weed grasses.

Combined with urine or the full return of excreta, high levels of applied nitrogen increased herbage production by up to 120 per cent. There was little response to dung except at the highest nitrogen level.

The yield response to applied nitrogen was almost linear. In the absence of animal returns response was poor, partly due to shortage of potash. When both excreta were withheld the light nitrogen dressing depressed the annual production compared with the control; where both excreta were returned together with this dressing no reduction occurred in annual yield and the spring yield was improved (p <0.05).
THE INFLUENCE ON THE FOLLOWING ARABLE CROP OF SHEEP EXCRETA AND FERTILIZER TREATMENTS APPLIED TO A LEY
Authors: Wheeler J. L.
Published: April 2006

The differences in soil fertility in a ley as a result of treatments applied for four years in a sheep‐grazing trial were measured by growing crops of wheat and kale. The pasture treatments had been: control, dung, urine and dung plus urine, each combined with four levels of fertilizer nitrogen.

Yields of winter wheat harvested in 1956 ranged from 27.1 to 38.6 cwt. per acre. Plots to which faeces had been allowed to return during the pasture phase outyielded (p <0.001) those from which it was withheld. Urine was relatively ineffective except in combination with nitrogen. In the absence of animal returns, nitrogenous fertilizer depressed grain and straw yields. A top‐dressing of K applied to the wheat in spring as a sub‐treatment had no significant effect. The percentages of N and K in the grain were unaffected by the former pasture treatments, or by the K top‐dressing.

A subsidiary small‐plot experiment in which the above pasture treatments had been combined with P and K, each at two levels, was cropped with marrow‐stem kale. In general, N applied to the pasture increased kale yields except where dung and urine had been withheld. Neither P nor K had a significant effect, except when combined. The leaf/stem ratio of the kale was reduced by applied N and by P (both p <0.05).

The pasture/arable‐crop relationship is considered.
SIDEWAYS CREEP GRAZING FOR INTENSIVE LAMB PRODUCTION*
Authors: SPEDDING C. R. W. , LARGE R. V.
Published: April 2006

An experiment is described in which folding and sideways creep‐grazing was compared with a rotational grazing management for lamb production at pasture.

The experiment was carried out in two years (1957 and 1958) using a stocking‐rate of 7 ewes and 12 lambs per acre from the birth of the lambs until they had all been sent for slaughter.

The folding management produced more liveweight gain per acre (955 and 983 Ib.) than the rotational management (870 and 926 Ib.) and the mean carcass‐weights were higher.

The biggest differences, in favour of the sideways creep‐grazing system, were in tbe quality of the carcass produced. Folding produced 74% and 77% grade A carcasses and the rotational management 43% and 53%, respectively, in 1957 and 1958.

Worm‐infestation was considerably less under the folding management and parasite control appeared to be more efFective where the area reserved for lambs only was not expanded to include ewe‐grazed pasture as the season progressed.
STUDIES IN THE DIGESTIBILITY OF HERBAGE
Authors: Raymond W. F. , Minson D. J. , Harris C. E.
Published: April 2006

Results are reported from six digestibility experiments in which frozen herbage was fed to groups of sheep at HIGH and Low levels of intake. The sheep on the HIGH level of intake digested the dry matter, organic matter, nitrogen and normal‐acid fibre in the herbage less efficiently than those on the LOW level, confirming earlier results reported in Part VI of this series. Evidence suggests that this difference results from the higher rate of passage of food through the digestive tract at the HIGH level of intake.

These results are discussed with reference to the errors introduced into the faecal‐index method for estimating the digestibility of grazed herbage.
THE OUTPUT OF IRISH PASTURES
Authors: Neenan M. , Conway A. , Murphy W. E.
Published: April 2006

During the years 1956 and 1957, an attempt was made to assess the output of Irish Pastures using methods proposed by a Sub‐Committee of the B.G.S. (9). It was found that the best results were obtained when output was determined on a single field, rather than on the whole farm basis. The yields showed highly significant correlations with both botanical composition and nutrient status of the pastures. The results were in agreement with the findings of others working on similar grasslands. It is suggested that the method might find a useful place in a programme either of advisory work or surveys concerned with grassland improvement.
A DISCUSSION ON THE INFLUENCE OE RELATIVE MOISTURE AVAILABILITY ON THE SWARDS RESULTING FROM STANDARD GRASS SEEDS MIXTURES
Authors: Greenaway Thomas E. , Budden M.
Published: April 2006

Results are given of analyses made at the beginning of the second and third harvest years, 1956 and 1957, of swards produced from a standard seeds mixture sown under a wide range of ecological conditions.
SHEEP PATHSO
Authors: Thomas A. S.
Published: April 2006

The variability of some chalk pastures above the Pewsey Vale in Wiltshire was studied by recording point‐quadrats two inches apart on strips across sheep paths; the results are shown diagrammatically. There were usually lines of tall grasses at the edges of the paths, with belts of shorter grass, richer in forbs, between the paths. Some species of grasses and forbs were most common on or near the paths; others were more common in the short turf. The theoretical and practical implications of this variability are briefly discussed.
THE MACHAIR GRASSLANDS OF THE HEBRIDES
Authors: Roberts H. W. , Kerr D. H. , Seaton D.
Published: April 2006

The utilization of Scottish hill‐land potential is severely limited by inadequate wintering facilities resulting from a low proportion of inbye land to hill‐land. The machair lands of the Uists, in the Outer Hebrides, however, provide a more suitable ratio, which is not commonly found in the Highlands of Scotland.

Investigations into the grassland problems of the Hebrides were intensified in 1955; and some of the data obtained from trials are given here, as are suggestions for improving the production and utilization of grass in these areas. The climate, soil, and agricultural system all interact to provide conditions which are rarely seen elsewhere.
ECOLOGICAL STUDIES ON POA ANNUA IN TURFGRASSES
Authors: Youngner Victor B.
Published: April 2006

Ecological studies of Poa annua populations in turf using the core sampling method conducted over a period of several years showed that Poa annua was able to produce seed under frequent mowing at 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. The population the second winter after seeding into Bermuda Grass turf was as high as that of the first.

High soil moisture maintained by frequent light irrigations favoured its persistence in Bermuda Grass turf during the summer months.

Matted Bermuda Grass turf which was lightly renovated in November contained a higher winter population of Poa annua than the non‐renovated. Significantly denser populations were found in turf mowed at 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch than in turf mowed at 3 inches.

Perennial prostrate growing strains were selected which could be readily propagated vegetatively and persisted in field plots for two to three years when clipped at 1/4 inch.
Lucerne Variety Trial
Authors: Jekabsons V.
Published: April 2006

The object of the trial was to obtain information on productivity and persistence of 10 selected lucerne varieties subjected to a regular cutting treatment at an early and a very early stage of growth.

The trial was established on the Company's land at Walsingham, Norfolk. The soil of the trial plots consisted of sand‐loam topsoil (pH 6.9) and coarse sand subsoil (pH 7.5).
GRASSLAND AND SOIL FERTILITY FROM A FARMER'S POINT OF VIEW*
Authors: Paterson Rex
Published: April 2006

In an attempt to measure the influence of leys on the yield of barley, as a means of measuring soil fertility, details of the yields of barley, fertilizer usage and rotations were collected from a number of Hampshire farms and compared with the average results obtained from the ley fertility experiment at Bridget's Experimental Husbandry farm. In the arable rotation experiment increasing the nitrogen level from 37 to 74 units, increased the barley yield from 20·2 cwt. to 24·3 cwt.

Farm number 1 used 43 units of nitrogen compared with 61 units of nitrogen on farm 2. The yield rose from 18·7 to 25·4 cwt.

Following 3 years grazed ley at Bridget's and increasing the nitrogen level from 37 to 74 units raised the yield from 25·5 cwt. to 29 cwt.

Farms 4 and 5 used 47 units of nitrogen compared with 74 units of nitrogen on farms 7, 8 and 9. The yield rose from 24·7 cwt. to 30 cwt.

Farms 6 and 10 obtained 29·1 and 28·7 cwt. from only 49 units of nitrogen and 26 units of nitrogen respectively, by the use of some lucerne leys on farm 6, and by only taking one grain crop on farm 10.

A three year ley is therefore probably worth 15 cwt. of increased barley yield in the 3 succeeding crops of grain, when using not less than 26 units of nitrogen. An additional 5 cwt. of barley can be obtained annually by the use of 37 units of nitrogen.

A sharp fall in yield in 1956 and 1957 on farm 10 to 217 cwt. may have been due to a reduction in the use of nitrogen, or other causes.

Farm number 3, without livestock, obtained 28·1 cwt. when using 86 units of nitrogen. Was this due to the use of a 2 year ley and fallow crop in a six year rotation, or the use of additional nitrogen: farm 8, at the same level of nitrogen, stocking and use of clover, has only gained 2·3 cwt. per acre.
GRASSLAND IN THE RESTORATION OF OPENCAST COAL SITES IN YORKSHIRE
Authors: Brook D. S. , Bates F.
Published: April 2006

In the rehabilitation of land disturbed by opencast coal workings, the place of grass and clover is an important one, and is two‐fold. In the first place, the sward is of value as a soil improver, and, secondly, under the right conditions, grassland can contribute substantially to the economic farming of this land. In Yorkshire, we feel that both these factors can operate so that well‐farmed grassland can improve the physical condition of the soil, and, at the same time give the farmer, when his land is returned to him, a reasonable profit in retum for his endeavours and extra financial outlay.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMPETITION AND DEFOLIATION IN PASTURE
Authors: Norman M. J. T.
Published: April 2006

Field trials were carried out on a downland permanent pasture at the Grassland Research Institute, Hurley, between 1953 and 1955, to investigate the factors involved in competition in pasture undergoing periodic defoliation. Response to competition was estimated by comparing the yield of species units (either individual plants or close groups of shoots) growing normally in the pasture with the yield of matched units from which the surrounding herbage had been removed. The species studied were cocksfoot, red fescue, creeping bent, plantain, ox‐eye daisy and bulbous buttercup. In addition to the estimation of normal competition for environmental resources in pastures of differing height, two special effects upon species due to the presence of surrounding herbage were investigated following unusual results from competition tests in swards under periodic defoliation. First, the influence of surrounding herbage in modifying the growth habit of a species, causing it to grow in a more erect manner, and consequently to suffer more on defoliation at a specific height than in the absence of competition. Secondly, a decreased yield after defoliation, not associated with changes in the growth habit of the species, which was ascribed to an increase in top/root ratio brought about by shading during the preceding period of competitive growth. The effect of selective defoliation of a species in relation to the herbage surrounding it was also studied. Differences in the degree of defoliation of a species and its surrounding herbage had a marked effect upon the degree of competition exerted by the latter upon the former, increasing it when the species was preferentially defoliated and decreasing it when the surrounding herbage was preferentially defoliated. The factors involved in pasture competition under periodic defoliation are listed and discussed.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SURFACE SEEDING
Authors: Copeman G. J. F. , Roberts H. W.
Published: April 2006

The principles of surface seeding as they apply to conditions in the north of Scotland are described and are illustrated by results from trials. The types of land and vegetation most suited to exploitation by surface seeding are indicated, and the need to consider the improvement of rough grazings in relation to a farm as a whole is stressed.

Ploughing is not necessary but some seed bed preparation is desirable, except on ideal sites. Investigations show the importance of suitable seeds mixtures in association with adequate lime and fertilizer applications in both the establishment and maintenance of these swards. Reference is made to new techniques such as lime‐coated seed and chemical pre‐treatment.
STUDIES IN THE DIGESTIBILITY OF HERBAGE
Authors: Minson D. J. , Raymond W. F. , Harris C. E.
Published: April 2006

This paper presents the results of 125 digestion trials with sheep fed herbage at different stages of growth from three clover‐free pure grass swards. During 1958 and 1959, a study was made of the yield, leaf lamina, nitrogen, ash and digestible organic matter percentage (D) of first growths, of regrowths cut at monthly and two monthly intervals and of swards receiving various quantities of fertilizer nitrogen.

For first growths in the spring D remained almost constant until the ears started to protrude from the leaf sheaths and then fell rapidly at approximately 0·5 per cent per day. The D values for S 23 ryegrass were three weeks later than S 24 ryegrass, which correspond with later ear emergence of the latter. S 37 cocksfoot was always less digestible than S 24 ryegrass although both were at similar stages of growth. This difference in D also occurred in the regrowths. The D of monthly regrowths tended to fall with each successive cut, although in 1959 ryegrass values improved in the autumn.

Fertilizer nitrogen had little effect on D.

Despite the warmer spring and drier summer in 1959 and corresponding changes in production per acre there was little effect on D.
THE RELATION BETWEEN WEATHER AND MEADOW‐HAY YIELDS IN ENGLAND, 1939–56
Authors: Smith L. P.
Published: April 2006

A close relationship has been established between yields of meadow hay and a meteorological parameter, namely, estimated “actual” transpiration during the period of growth. County data for yield and transpiration were combined, using grass acreages as weighting factors, into regional and national values. After an adjustment had been made for a steady improvement in yield after 1946, the correlation between the actual and calculated yield in England for the years 1939–56 was 0·95. The mean error between the actual yields and the calculated yields was 2·1%, the formula being: Yield (cwt./acre) = 7·05 + 1·56T + 0·27N, where T = estimated actual transpiration (in.) N = number of years after 1946.
THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE IN THE MASS ON THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SILAGE
Authors: Murdoch J. C. , Holdsworth Muriel C.
Published: April 2006

The effect of temperature on silage quality was investigated in a series of trials over a period of three years.

The results indicated that when conditions in the silage were favourable for the formation of lactic acid, either through treatment or because of the herbage itself, low temperatures in the mass had no adverse effect on silage quality.

Some results suggest that, with chopped or lacerated silage, low maximum temperatures are associated with better quality silage. The results, however, were not entirely consistent.

There appeared to be little or no advantage in allowing unchopped silage to heat to 100°F.
THE EFFECT OF HEIGHT OF CUTTING ON THE SUBSEQUENT GROWTH AND YIELD OF LUCERNE
Authors: Ridgman W. J.
Published: April 2006

Three experiments designed to test the effect of height of cutting of lucerne on subsequent yield are described and the results discussed. Extremely low cutting, at ground level, can cause the death of individual lucerne plants, but if such extreme cutting is avoided there is no evidence to show any advantage in leaving a long stubble. In fact, in a sward, the lower the cutting the greater is the yield to be expected.
STUDIES IN CALF MANAGEMENT
Authors: Chambers D. T. , Alder F. E.
Published: April 2006

Spring‐born calves were reared in 1956 and 1957 on (a) a multiple‐suckling system, (b) bucket‐feeding indoors and (c) bucket‐feeding at pasture. Milk substitute was offered in similar quantities to (b) and (c); (a) and (b) received hay and concentrates; (c) received no concentrates but hay was offered in 1956. The average daily live‐weight gains (lb.) in 1956 were 1·63, 1·30 and 1·45; in 1957 1·70, 1·50 and 1·55, respectively.

The importance of grass of good quality, free from parasitic infestation, is discussed.
FARMERS' REASONS FOR NOT ADOPTING CONTROVERSIAL TECHNIQUES IN GRASSLAND FARMING
Authors: Sheppard D.
Published: April 2006

It is commonly said that‘resistance to change’ is a basic factor preventing farmers from adopting new techniques, but such a statement depends on an external judgement as to the suitability of the technique studied for the farmer. In a recent survey, farmers were asked to give their reasons for not taking up recommended techniques for grassland farming, and these reasons are examined. In some cases it is clear that the farmer has no good reason for not using the technique except that he dislikes it, and differences between techniques in this respect are discussed.
STUDIES IN CALF MANAGEMENT
Authors: Chambers D. T. , Alder F. E.
Published: April 2006

Calves born in late September to early October in 1956, 1957 and 1958 were reared at pasture. They were fed milk substitute, supplemented in some cases with concentrate feeding‐stuffs.

The losses due to outdoor rearing were low, and calves made satisfactory gains in weight. By rearing at pasture, a considerable saving was effected in the weight of concentrates and hay consumed, while no marked response to the feeding of these supplements before weaning was found. Animals born in the autumn of 1957 and reared on this system reached 10 cwt. in less than 24 months.
THE EFFECT OF DRILL WIDTH ON THE SEED PRODUCTIVITY OF LEAFY VARIFTIES OF THREE GRASS SPECIES
Authors: Roberts H. M.
Published: April 2006

Three leafy grass varieties, S215 meadow fescue, S37 cocksfoot and S51 timothy. were subjected to four dril spacings of 6, 15, 24 and 36 in. under two levels of nitrogen application. Over three harvest years, meadow fescue gave better seed yields with 6‐ and 15‐in, drill spacings. Cocksfoot gave very similar yields from 1.5, 24‐ and 36‐in, drills but a signincantly reduced yield from 6‐in, spaced drills. Timothy produced significantly higher yields at the 24 in spacing.

The three varieties showed a significant response to nitrogen application.

Aphids seriously affected the vegetative growth of meadow fescue and timothy at the wider spacings, but the 6‐in. drills m boths species remained relatively free of aphid attack, as also did the cocksfoot block.
DIFFERENTIAL SURVIVAL OF CULTIVARS OF LOLIUM, DACTYLIS AND PHLEUM
Authors: Charles Allen H.
Published: April 2006

A study of plant establishment showed that a considerable depletion in the size of the grass poptilation occurred during the first few months after sowing. In this experiment, two months after reseeding, the surviving grass seedlings amounted to about 20% of the viable seed sown; this figure was further reduced to about 10% before the swards were twelve months old.

In swards based on several cultivars within a species the casualty rate varied from cultivar to cultivar, and may be further modifted by manuring and management.

Evidence from older swards indicated that within a period of six years one cultivar could suppress another almost completely.

The data suggest that not only is there a strong selection pressure within a sward during its early life, but also that the environment (produced in this case by manuring and management) eternities the relative persistency and aggressiveness of the individual cultivars. This illustrates how a sward originally composed of several plant types eventually settles to a narrow range, provided the management is not varied.
THE RELATIVE PALATABILITY OF VARIOUS VARIETIES OF WEEPING LOVEGRASS (ERAGROSTIS CURVULA (SCHRAD) NEES)
Authors: Leigh J. H.
Published: April 2006

It has been found for pasture purposes that the numerous varieties belonging to the species Eragrostis curvula can be grouped into types for which the names curvula, robusta blue, robusta green, robusta intermediate and chloromelas are proposed.

The relative palatability of 20 varieties of E. curvula, and 1 variety of E. plana, Chloris gayana and Digitaria smutsii were compared with one another. Chloris and Digitaria were found to be the most palatable. Of the Eragrostis varieties studied, the robusta green, robusta intermediate and robusta blue were the most palatable, chloromelas varieties and E. plana being intermediate and the curvula varieties the least palatable.

The grasses with the highest phosphate and potash contents were also those most acceptable to livestock. Results obtained from analyses suggested that crude fibre had little bearing on palatability.

The more acceptable grasses were also the more succulent.

No relationship between leaf structure and livestock preference could be demonstrated.
A FORAGE WAGON FOR MECHANICAL‐GRAZING RESEARCH*
Authors: Logan V. S. , Magee A. I. , Miles Vern , Emond W. A.
Published: April 2006

The design is given of a wagon box that has 2 compartments: one serves as a self‐feeding bunk for 8 cows, the other tan he emptied into a stationary bunk to feed a like number of cows. Facilities for automatic sampling of forage from 2 fields and procedures for efficient harvesting and weighing arc described.
THE CRUDE‐PROTEIN CONTENT OF ITALIAN RYEGRASS
Authors: Hunt I. V. , Alexander R. H.
Published: April 2006

The effects of variety, date of cutting flush growth and level of nitrogenous manuring on the crude‐protein content of Italian ryegrass were studied on plots cut five times in 1958.

Raising the level of nitrogenous fertilizer from 174 lb. to 348 1b. N/acre reduced the percentage of dry matter from 0·5 to 2·0 and increased the percentage of crude protein in the dry matter from 0·9 to 5·1, with net increases in crude protein/fresh material of from 0·06 to 0·57%. Varieties showed consistent differences, the three Westcrwolth types, New Zealand H.I and New Zealand Italian being higher in percentage crude protein than Ayrshire, Irish, Danish and S22.

Culling the flush growth earlier resulted in an increased percentage of crude protein for that particular cut, but no overall increase in mean crude‐protein percentage.
SELF‐FEEDING OF SILAGE
Authors: Dempster D. G.
Published: April 2006

Self‐feeding of silage has been successfully practised at Tillycorthie for 5 years. With unrestricted access to the feeding face, daily grazing times for 9‐cwt. animals varied from 4 periods totalling 121 minutes in the case of stronger animals to 7 periods totalling 378 minutes.

In feeding, chopped silage was more wasteful than long silage. The daily intake of 7‐cwt. animals was 68 lb. of silage and 4 lb. of oat straw. The labour requirement for 70 animals was 6–6 hours per week.

Food and labour costs on the system were 10s. 11d. per week. The estimated cost of the same items on. turnips and straw feeding is 16s. 4d. per week.

The health of the cattle was good and growth excellent, and the animals went out to graze in a condition which allowed them to make maximum liveweight gain on grass.
EARLY BITE ON WELSH FARMS
Authors: Davies J. , Rowlands A. , Edwards D. E.
Published: April 2006

The practice of‘early bite’ was surveyed on sixty dairy farms in Wales during the period 1958–60. Assessment in a financial sense was made of the pros and cons of this practice. It was obvious that‘early bite’ was wasted or misused on many farms.
THE PRODUCTION AND UTILIZATION OF WINTER GRASS AT VARIOUS CENTRES IN ENGLAND AND WALES, 1954–60
Authors: Baker H. K. , Chard J. R. A. , Hughes G. Pearson
Published: April 2006

The performance of livestock, on winter grass was studied at eighteen sites in England and Wales from 1957 to 1960.

Beef cattle generally gained weight while grazing winter grass. They invariably did better than similar animals overwintered on the normal feeding regime of the farms concerned.

At 8 centres winter grass was utilized by dairy cows. Calculations indicated that the grass provided a valuable portion of their feed.

The general condition and health of livestock grazing winter grass were satisfactory at all centres.

Damage caused by poaching was largely prevented by controlled grazing.

The production and utilization of winter grass had no adverse effects on sward recovery in the subsequent spring.
THE YIELD AND UPTAKE OF PHOSPHORUS BY GRASSES AND CLOVERS
Authors: Jenkins W. Lloyd
Published: April 2006

The yield and phosphorus uptake of grasses and clovers from Welsh soils were studied in 6‐inch flower pots. Attempts were made to relate the phosphorus that the plants had been able to absorb to various measurements of the labile phosphorus in the soil. It is shown that in these‘phosphate fixing’ soils, absorption is not related to the exchangeable phosphorus as measured by equilibration. The values obtained for the latter are very high compared with the small amounts of phosphorus that the plants have been able to absorb, giving support to the view that the conversion of phosphorus to insoluble forms is not the main feature of‘fixation’ in these soils. Absorption of phosphorus by the grass was, however, related to the Larsen (L) values. In previously unfertilized soils, the fact that the L values were also related to the acetic‐soluble phosphorus content confirmed the belief that acetic extraction is a suitable means for assessing the abilities of such soils to provide the necessary phosphorus for plant growth. In soils containing reserves of residual phosphorus, however, much of the phosphorus that contributed to the L values was not extracted by acetic acid, and this method of extraction is unsuitable for use with such soils. Placement of the applied phosphorus near the root zone led to a decrease in L values.
AN ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT FOR PASTURE YIELD ESTIMATION
Authors: Campbell A. G. , Phillips D. S. M. , O'Reilly E. D.
Published: April 2006

This is a preliminary report on an instrument being developed for the measurement of pasture yield in situ. In essence the instrument is an electrical capacitance measuring unit in which the introduction of herbage to a measuring head causes a change in the electrical capacitance of the system. This capacitance change is measured at a radio frequency and used as an indicator of the mass of herbage contained within the measuring head.

The development and construction of the instrument is described and data are presented for 15 calibration series in which frequency change has been related to pasture yield.

Within series the instrument accounts for approximately 90% of the variation in pasture sample yield measured either as wet, dry or organic matter. However, significant differences exist between series. These differences would give rise to bias if pasture yield were estimated from a prediction equation derived from the pooled data.

Possible sources of the differences between series are discussed and avenues for further development indicated.
A NOTE ON THE USE OF THE POWER‐DRIVEN SHEEP‐SHEARING HEAD FOR MEASURING HERBAGE YIELDS
Authors: Alder F. E. , Richards J. A.
Published: April 2006

3‐inch sheep shears powered by various motors have been used extensively for sampling in grazing experiments at Hurley since 1958. General observations on their use are made and the results obtained in comparisons of sampling methods made in 1958 and 1959 are discussed.
THE EFFECT OF METHOD OF SOWING ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF GRASS SEED CROPS
Authors: Peto D. H.
Published: April 2006

Methods used by growers to establish seed crops of perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot, timothy and meadow fescue have been examined. While satisfactory establishments were obtained by sowing perennial ryegrass broadcast, cocksfoot, timothy and meadow fescue should be sown in rows, especially if they are to be sown under a cover crop.
THE USE OF GRAZING‐ANIMAL OBSERVATIONS IN THE EARLY STAGES OF PASTURE EVALUATION IN THE TROPICS
Authors: Joblin A. D. H.
Published: April 2006

An observational technique for measuring pasture palatability is described in which a palatability index is constructed to indicate the species selected by stock under specified conditions of choice. The index differentiates these species from others that stock are prepared to eat when opportunities for selection are more limited. The potential usefulness of this index in the initial testing of tropical pasture species is discussed.

Results are reported from two 3‐year experiments where the method was used. Coefficients of variationin individualgrazingsranged from 13·5 to 22·2% with experimental meansof 19·2 and 18·3%. Hyparrhenia rufa and Cenchrus ciliaris were found to be the m6st consistently palatable of the grasses offered.