bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A REVIEW OF SILAGE‐MAKING TECHNIQUES
Authors: Murdoch J. C. 
Published: April 2006

One of the main problems associated with silage‐making is the wastage which occurs through either the use of unsuitable silos or lack of care in filling the silo. The nutrient losses caused by waste can be very high, a fact which is seldom recognized, and it is imperative that wastage should be kept to a minimum. There need be very little side‐waste when a container silo is properly filled, but surface waste is more of a problem, as applying and removing conventional sealing materials, such as soil or ground limestone, are laborious and costly. In many cases, however, the cost would be amply justified because of the quantity of silage which is wasted. Using plastic sheet as an airtight seal is a possible alternative, but it is not easy to ensure that it is completely airtight and the sheet is unlikely to be of use for more than one season. An increasing number of farmers are protecting their silage with permanent roofs, a practice which will lead to a general improvement in silage quality. Theoretically, however, the hermetically‐sealed tower silo is ideal from the point of view of protecting silage. The cost of this type of silo and of the ancillary equipment required is prohibitive, and it remains to be seen whether a relatively cheap form of gas‐tight silo can be evolved.In future it is likely that the recommendation to allow a temperature rise to 90–100°F in silage will be ignored, as results from a number of trials clearly show that there is no advantage in doing this. Continuous filling of the silo, rather than filling in layers and allowing the mass to heat up, will allow a greater quantity of herbage to be ensiled in a given time, thus making it easier to ensile the herbage at the correct stage of growth.In the past when an additive was used it was applied by hand, a very inefficient method of distribution. Silage‐making has become highly mechanized, and it is likely that mechanical application of additives will become much more popular.The importance of the dry‐matter content of the herbage being ensiled will be more generally recognized. There are many benefits in pre‐wilting herbage before it is ensiled, and this treatment is well worth consideration. It is obviously undesirable to have a prolonged wilting period, and one technique which may be of some interest is cutting the crop with a flail‐harvester, allowing it to wilt and then picking up with a harvester. Cutting with a harvester gives a very much increased drying rate of the herbage, and the double lacerating action of the harvester in cutting and picking up results in short material which is easily handled and consolidated.
STUDIES ON THE ROOT DEVELOPMENT OF HERBAGE PLANTS
Authors: Baker H. K. , Garwood E. A. 
Published: April 2006

Two cutting treatments were applied to a cocksfoot sward, and the changes in fructosan and soluble–sugar contents of the roots, stubble and herbage were studied over a complete year.Both the soluble‐sugar and fructosan contents of roots were at a low level throughout the experiment. The total soluble carbohydrate in the roots never exceeded 4%. It is concluded that cocksfoot roots are not important storage regions for soluble carbohydrates.The total soluble carbohydrate in herbage varied with season and reached a maximum of 10%. It was not affected by cuuing treatment.In stubble the total stubble‐carbohydrate content fluctuated markedly with season and reached a maximum of 18% in October; it was generally higher on the infrequently‐cut swards than on those cut frequently. The soluble‐sugar content was small and changed little with season or cutting treatment; the fructosan content, however, varied from 2 to 16–6% and accounted for most of the changes in the soluble‐carbohydrate content. Stubble is apparently the major storage region for soluble carbohydrates in cocksfoot.Under sward conditions, the quantity of soluble carbohydrates in the stubble of cocksfoot may have a positive effect on the herhage growth immediately after winter defoliation. However, when swards are actively growing in spring, other factors, such as tiller size and number, may be equally important in determining the amount of herbage recovery growth.
THE PERFORMANCE AND SURVIVAL OF CONTRASTING NATURAL POPULATIONS OF WHITE CLOVER WHEN PLANTED INTO AN UPLAND FESTUCA/AGROSTIS SWARD
Authors: Snaydon R. W. , Bradshaw A. D. 
Published: April 2006

A technique is described for the assessment of white clover populations implanted as rooted cuttings into an upland Festuca/Agrostis sward.Five natural populations of white clover, taken from widely different soils and habitat conditions, were tested by this technique on an acid soil, low in calcium and phosphate and just outside the natural limits of clover distribution.Throughout the experiment, populations from acid upland soils showed a superior performance and a lower percentage mortality than did populations from lowland calcareous soils and from medium‐fertility soil at a very high altitude.After two years, plants of the acidic populations alone remained alive, and of these only 19–25% of the number originally planted.The order of performance in the natural sward was an almost complete reversal of the order of performance as spaced plants on a high‐fertility lowland soil.The results indicate that the differential response to soil fertility factors, previously shown to exist between natural populations of white clover by soil‐ and sand‐culture techniques and by field fertilizer trials of spaced plants, became even more marked when the plants were subject to competition from native species.The possibility of breeding white clover varieties adapted to acid upland conditions is discussed, particularly in relation to compatibility with native species.
DEFOLIATION AND MANURING OF PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (S24) FOR SEED PRODUCTION
Authors: Evans Gwilym 
Published: April 2006

Autumn defoliation of the early perennial ryegrass, S24, expedited or delayed heading and increased or decreased the number of heads and seed yield, according to the age of the stand, winter conditions and previous management.Nitrogen applied as late as anthesls significantly increased the seed yield of the first harvest crop, but the after‐effect on the next seed crop was not better than from an application made immediately after the first harvest. One application in spring was more effective than two in the previous summer and autumn.Autumn defoliation influenced seed yield more strongly than the gross weight of the unthreshed crops.
PRODUCTIVITY, PERSISTENCE AND RESPONSE TO NITROGEN OF ITALIAN RYEGRASS VARIETIES
Authors: Hunt I. V. 
Published: April 2006

The production of six varieties of Italian ryegrass was compared for three years by cutting 5 or 6 times during the growing season. All varieties showed falls in production of dry matter at high and low levels of N fertilization, but New Zealand HI and New Zealand Italian ryegrass showed significantly lower falls and gave top yields over the three years, in spite of severe frost damage in the first two. Crude protein and nitrogen absorption remained high at the lower level of fertilization (174–209 lb N/acre) and showed a fall only in the third year at the high level of N fertilization (348–418 lb N/acre).The significance of the high response of the New Zealand varieties is discussed.
THE PRODUCTION OF WINTER GRASS FROM A ROW CROP OF COCKSFOOT AND LUCERNE
Authors: Cowling D. W. 
Published: April 2006

A crop of cocksfoot and lucerne in alternate rows was subjected to various autumn treatments for winter pasture. The yield of grass in winter, and the effect of autumn and winter treatments upon yield and composition in the following spring, are reported and discussed.Maximum yield of winter grass was achieved by resting from an early date and applying nitrogenous fertilizer. The response to fertilizer applied in August and mid‐September for winter grass production was as good as that obtained on ordinary swards at other times of the year. To ensure an adequate yield in any year the crop would need to be rested from early August and to receive about 70 lb N per acre.The spring growth of cocksfoot was distinctly retarded by cutting twice in winter, i.e. in November and February. Cutting once only had no such adverse effect.Both cocksfoot and lucerne persisted satisfactorily. The use of nitrogenous fertilizer to promote autumn growth of grass did not greatly reduce the overall productivity of the lucerne.The two species were complementary in the sense that, in combination, they maintained a high aggregate yield of herbage under a range of weather conditions in midsummer and in winter.
GULLE AS A GRASSLAND FERTILIZER
Authors: Herriott J. B. D. , Wells D. A. 
Published: April 2006

An estimate was made of the fertilizer value of gülle for grassland under conditions in the East of Scotland. Organic nitrogen from liquid manure had an efficiency in herbage production about half that of inorganic nitrogen. The liquid manure was a rich source of potassium.Generally, nitrogen response in this trial was low owing to the strong growth of clovers.
COPPER, MOLYBDENUM, MANGANESE AND IRON CONTENTS OF HERBAGE AS INFLUENCED BY FERTILIZER TREATMENTS OVER A THREE‐YEAR PERIOD
Authors: Hemingway R. G. 
Published: April 2006

Results are given showing the effects of applying ammonium sulphate, superphosphate and muriate of potash on the micronutrient composition of herbage cut repeatedly at the silage stage over a 3‐year period. Grasses and clovers were separated before analysis.Late‐season samples contained more copper, molybdenum, manganese and iron than early‐season samples. Clover contained more copper and iron but less molybdenum and manganese than grass.Ammonium sulphate increased the amounts of copper, manganese and iron and reduced the levels of molybdenum in all years and at each time of sampling.Superphosphate and muriate of potash had no material effects on micronutrient uptake.There were appreciable differences in the levels of all four elements in each of the 3 years of the experiment.
THE USE OF GRAZING‐ANIMAL OBSERVATIONS IN THE EARLY STAGES OF PASTURE EVALUATION IN THE TROPICS
Authors: Joblin A. D. H. 
Published: April 2006

The use of grazing‐time records for the estimation of grass species consumption was investigated in the context of two small‐plot grazing trials. It was found that sampling errors were significantly lower than those involved in the cutting techniques used and that a high level of repeatability of results could be obtained.The overall correlations between fresh‐weight yield estimates from sample cuts and grazing records for individual plots were found to be 0·57*** and 0·72*** in the two trials. The bias that was introduced into some of the estimates of species yield appeared to be corrected through the use of palatability data.It is concluded that the use of grazing‐time records for yield estimation amongst species of broadly similar growth habit may have a definite potential in tropical Africa, but that the method requires further testing before being widely adopted.
THE EFFECT OF WHITE CLOVER AND NITROGENOUS FERTILIZER ON THE PRODUCTION OF A SWARD
Authors: Cowling D. W. 
Published: April 2006

Three‐year leys of cocksfoot/white clover and cocksfoot alone were dressed with 0, 35, 105 and 210 lb N per acre every year to provide information on the effect of clover and N on production.Data from the grass‐alone swards allowed an estimate to be made of the effect of N on production at different cutting dates. This was compared with the effect of clover.The effect of N was greater than that of clover in the mid‐ and late‐season cuts. Clover made its greatest contribution, both directly and indirectly, at the first cut, taken in May.Under very dry conditions (1959), N was more effective than clover in maintaining production and the proportional response was large in relation to that produced under moist conditions.The results are discussed with reference to the present seasonal use of N on grassland and an argument is advanced for increasing its use in mid‐season.
THE APPRAISAL OF GRASS VARIETIES BY THE STUDY OF SPACED PLANTS, 1950–58
Authors: Thomson J. R. , Sutton W. G. 
Published: April 2006

General conclusions are drawn from the study of spaced plants of 29 varieties of Lolium perenne, 23 of Dactylis glomerata and 26 of Phleum pratense.Highly significant correlations are established in each species between date of ear emergence and each of the characters, growth habit, stem length and aftermath shooting.The classification of varieties proposed on the basis of the earlier trials by the spaced‐plant method is reviewed and revision in certain respects is proposed.For each species the varieties are listed in order of ear emergence. New varieties tend to fill the gaps in such a sequence and in time there may be continuity from the earliest to the latest varieties. In such circumstances classification into clearly delineated groups would become impossible.
THE USE OF THE FORAGE HARVESTER IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF ROUGH GRAZING
Authors: Chippindale H. G. , Davies T. H. 
Published: April 2006

Considerable improvement has been achieved in rough grazings by fairly frequent close mowing with the forage harvester or flail mower, particularly when combined with manuring and surface seeding.The implement has proved capable of tackling very tough vegetation and converting it into grazing swards of fair value and good botanical composition. Undesirable species have been largely eliminated by treatment over two growing seasons.The method is believed to compare favourably in cost with sward renovation by cultivation or by herbicides.
FERTILIZER USE ON GRASSLAND IN ENGLAND AND WALES
Authors: Boyd D. A. , Church B. M. , Hills Mary G. 
Published: April 2006

The paper describes the use of fertilizers on grassland in England and Wales, as shown by surveys of fertilizer practice carried out during 1957–60.About a third of the total consumption of N and K and almost half the total consumption of P is on grassland. Fertilizer use on leys has increased rapidly in recent years and the overall average rate of application is now of the order of 0·3 cwt N, P2O5 and K2O per acre per annum; permanent grass receives about half as much P and very much less N and K than the leys.Generally speaking, consumption of N and K per acre of grassland was higher in arable districts than in livestock‐farming areas, and on dairy farms than on rearing and feeding farms. However, rearing and feeding farms received more P per acre of grass (in particular, more basic slag) than arable farms. Little farmyard manure was used on grassland in the arable districts, whereas in the dairy counties of the western half of England and in Wales it formed a substantial part of the total plant nutrients supplied to grassland, particularly on fields mown for hay.The paper also gives information on types of fertilizers used and the timing of fertilizer applications to grassland. All but about a fifth of the nitrogen used on grassland was applied between February and April.
THE USE OF RUMEN‐FISTULATED STEERS IN THE DIRECT DETERMINATION OF NUTRITIVE VALUE OF INGESTED HERBAGE IN GRAZING EXPERIMENTS
Authors: Tayler J. C. , Deriaz R. E. 
Published: April 2006

A rumen‐fistulated steer was used for the manual collection of samples of freshly swallowed herbage, in a grazing‐management experiment on a perennial ryegrass sward. Diurnal and seasonal changes in the in vitro digestibility of the herbage selected by the grazing animal were studied under both strip‐ and continuous‐grazing methods of management.There was no appreciable change in digestibility as the sward was grazed down from upper to lower layers under strip‐grazing management in April and May. In June to October a within‐day fall in digestibility was found, much of which was attributable to an increase in the amount of old dead herbage grazed from the lower regions of the sward. Dead herbage taken in by the grazing steer was considerably lower in digestibility in August than in May. The in vitro digestibility of herbage samples, cut to ground level before and after grazing in a strip‐grazed treatment, fell markedly as the proportion of dead herbage in the sample increased, giving a high negative correlation.In a continuous‐grazing management there was no pattern of diurnal variation, and the seasonal variation in digestibility of the ingested herbage was less than in strip grazing. The implications of these results are discussed in relation to indirect methods of digestibility determination (faecal‐index technique), the measurement of herbage intake, and to some aspects of grazing management.
STUDIES ON THE MAGNESIUM CONTENT OF MIXED HERBAGE AND SOME INDIVIDUAL GRASS AND CLOVER SPECIES
Authors: Jones Edryd 
Published: April 2006

The magnesium contents of mixed herbage and four individual grass and clover species were studied under four treatments—control, magnesium sulphate, magnesian limestone and carboniferous limestone.The magnesium values were lowest in the spring and early summer and then increased to maximum values by the autumn. The seasonal variations, however, differed appreciably from year to year.The effect of magnesian limestone on the magnesium content of mixed herbage was relatively small in the year of application, but increased during the following years and reached a maximum in the fourth year after application. The increase in magnesium uptake from the magnesium sulphate treatment was small after the first year, whilst carboniferous limestone slightly depressed the magnesium content. This depression, however, was very small and probably of no practical significance.The magnesium content of red clover was about 50% higher than that of Italian ryegrass, cocksfoot and white clover. In the second year after application magnesian limestone had a much greater effect on the magnesium content of the clovers than on that of the grasses.
APPLICATIONS OF THE TWO‐STAGE IN VITRO DIGESTIBILITY METHOD TO VARIETY TESTING
Authors: Dent J. W. 
Published: April 2006

The in vitro digestibility method described by Tilley and Terry (5) has been applied to varieties of kale, rape, flat poll cabbage, clover, lucerne and silage maize in trials at the National Institute of Agricultural Botany. Several small modifications of the method are described. The method was developed originally for grass and had not previously been used for the brassicas and maize. Steps taken to check in vitro against in vivo results are described briefly in the appendix.The digestible dry‐matter content of the leaf in kale and rape was constant at about 80% but that of the stem varied over a wide range. Varietal differences were found, while a significant negative correlation was established between digestible dry matter and crude fibre. Some difficulties were encountered in applying the method to maize.
THE INFLUENCE OF FERTILIZER ON THE WINTER SURVIVAL OF INTERMEDIATE WHEATGRASS FOLLOWING A LONG PERIOD OF DROUGHT
Authors: Lawrence T. 
Published: April 2006

In Saskatchewan, intermediate wheatgrass (Agropyron intermedium Host. Beauv.) suffered severe winter injury during the 1961–2 winter season, which followed a series of drought years, the most severe being 1961. In two tests, designed to study fertilizer effects, the extent of severe winter injury increased with the rate of application. The killing ranged from 4% where no fertilizer was applied to 90% where 66 lb of N per acre were applied. Slightly more winter‐killing occurred after applications of ammonium phosphate/sulphate (16‐20‐0) fertilizer than after ammonium nitrate (33·5‐0‐0).The grass growing in rows 36 in. apart killed out to a greater extent than that growing in rows 18 in apart Less winter injury occurred after spring applications of fertilizer than after application in the fall.
THE EFFECT OF IRRIGATION AND STOCKING RATE ON THE OUTPUT FROM A SWARD
Authors: Bone J. S. , Tayler R. S. 
Published: April 2006

The dairy‐cow results are presented from an experiment in which the response to grass irrigation was measured at two stocking rates. The method and herbage results have already been described (1).Over two years, with an average application rate of 5·5 in of water per year, the main effect of irrigation was to increase the number of grazing days obtained by 35%. Neither yield per cow nor milk quality was significantly affected by the treatments.The data emphasize the importance of high stocking rates for the full exploitation of irrigation. The practical implications of the results are discussed; they suggest that in the right circumstances of herd potential and grassland management, irrigation for milk production can be highly profitable.
GÜLLE AS AGRASSLAND FERTILIZER
Authors: Herriott J. B. D. , Wells D. A. , Crooks P. 
Published: April 2006

A further report is made of work on the fertilizer value of gülle for grassland. Organic N had an efficiency in grass production about 84% of that of inorganic N.The gülle used in this trial was particularly rich in available N and K. The abundance of K in gülle may require balancing with supplementary N in order to achieve efficient utilization of plant nutrients. Potassium/magnesium relationships in the nutrition of the grass plant are discussed.
THE USE OF GRAZING CONTROL FOR INTENSIVE FAT‐LAMB PRODUCTION
Authors: Broadbent P. J. 
Published: April 2006

Three grazing managements (set stocking, 4‐paddock rotation, 8‐paddock rotation), each with an undivided lateral creep area, were studied. Each of these managements carried 2 stocking rates (6 ewes and twin lambs per acre, 10 ewes and twin iambs per acre) and the sub‐divided managements were grazed at 2 severities of grazing.Stocking rate had a major effect upon the lambs' liveweights but did not significantly affect the ewes’ liveweights. Lambs on set‐stocking managements had a significantly higher rate of liveweiglit gain than lambs on managements with sub‐divided ewe areas. Under lax grazing, for much of the experimental period, the lambs had a significantly higher rate of liveweight gain and the ewes had significantly higher liveweights than under severe grazing.
ANIMAL PREFERENCE IN RELATION TO THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND DIGESTIBILITY OF VARIETIES OF COCKSFOOT
Authors: Bland B. F. , Dent J. W. 
Published: April 2006

Assessments of animal preference (measured as mean % herbage removed) were made on varieties of cocksfoot in Yorkshire and in Scotland, and parallel chemical analyses were carried out. A similar range of varieties were examined at progressive stages of spring growth at Cambridge. In vitro digestibility tests were made also. In the Yorkshire trials, a significant positive relationship was established between soluble carbohydrates and animal preference and a negative correlation between fibre and animal preference. In Scotland, the relationship between soluble carbohydrate and animal preference was less pronounced. Animal preference in the spring was for the early varieties which have thick and succulent stems up to the stage of ear emergence. In the aftermath animal preferences were less marked.In trials at Cambridge, the early varieties, notably Scotia, were higher than the late varieties both in digestibility and in soluble carbohydrates. This tendency was also present in Scotland but was less pronounced.