bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
THE EFFECT OF A RYEGRASS COMPANION GRASS AND THE VARIETY OF RED CLOVER ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF RED‐CLOVER SWARDS
Authors: Frame J. , Harkess R. D. , Hunt I. V. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTAn experiment was conducted to measure the effects of differrat ryegrass companion grasses and red‐clover varieties on the productivity of red‐clover swards. Three silage harvests per year were taken over a 2‐year period.The addition of a companion grass increased total herbage yields; S24 perennial ryegrass gave the highest herbage yield over the two years, followed by Reveille perennial ryegrass. Because of lack of persistence, Tetila Italian ryegrass yielded poorly the second year. A companion grass had little effect on red‐clover yields in the mixed swards but improved percentage digestibility of the OM of the total herbage and lowered the CP percentage. Its presence also reduced the ingress of unsown species.The variety of red clover used had little effect on total herbage yields or red‐clover yields in the first harvest year. In the second year, Hungaropoly and Tilo persisted better and so gave higher total herbage yields and red‐clover yields than Dorset Marl or Essex. The fall in total herbage yields from the first to the second year was entirely due to a fall in red‐clover yield since yields of the ‘non‐red clover’ fraction of the total herbage increased.A red‐clover/grass sward may have advantages over a pure red‐clover sward nutritionally, for silage‐making and for its effect in diluting the oestrogenic activity of a pure clover sward. A major reappraisal of the role and potential of red‐clover swards in the UK is warranted because of their many valuable attributes, particularly their ability to give high herbage yields of high nutritive value without the addition of fertilizer N. The improved persistency of some of the tetraploid varieties of red clover enhances the value of the plant.
A COMPARISON BETWEEN A PADDOCK SYSTEM AND A ‘WYE COLLEGE’ SYSTEM OF GRAZING FOR MILK PRODUCTION
Authors: Castle M. E. , Watson J. N. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTTwo grazing systems, a paddock system and a ‘Wye College’ system, were compared in two 20‐week experiments nsing 16 and 20 spring‐calved Ayrshire cows in 1970 and 1971, respectively. A sward of S23 perennial ryegrass was used, and an average of 342 kg N/ha (305 lb N/ ac) was applied per annum. The paddock system had 28 separate paddocks; one paddock was grazed each day in rotation and occasionally topped in mid‐season. The Wye College system had 4 plots of equal size and the cows were offered 1/7 of one plot each day; no back fence was used and surplus herbage was neither cut nor topped. The stocking rate on hoth systems was 1 cow per 0.20 ha (0.49 ac) in 1970 and per 0.16 ha (0.40 ac) in 1971. The mean daily milk yields per cow on the paddock and the Wye College systems were 16.2 and 15.3 kg (35.7 and 33.7 lb), respectively, in 1970; and 18.1 and 18.4 kg (39.9 and 40.6 lb) in 1971. The average annual output of milk was 13,500 and 13,150 kg/ha (1200 and 1170 gal/ac) on the paddock and Wye College systems, respectively. The fat and solids‐not‐fat (S.N.F.) contents of the milk were not significantly affected by the grazing system. It is concluded that the Wye College system was as effective as the paddock system in producing a high output of mUk per ha, but at a lower cost and with far fewer management decisions.
THE NUTRITIVE VALUE OF WEEPING LOVEGRASS DURING THE SPRING SEASON
Authors: Vera R. R. , Irazoqui H. , Menvielle E. E. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTA continuous digestibility trial, lasting 50 days with subperiods of 5 days each, was made with the spring regrowth of Eragrostis curvula grown in the semi‐arid region of Argentina. Five sheep were used to measure the digestibility of DM, organic‐matter, cell‐wall contents and N. DM yield was estimated simultaneously. The fall in digestibility of all fractions examined was described by quadratic equations. Cell‐wall digestibility explained 91% of the variation in organic‐matter digestibility. The rate of decrease in crude‐protein digestibility increased with time and was particularly noticeable after about 40 days of growth. Digestible DM yield increased at a decreasing rate as maturity advanced, but digestible crude‐protein content decreased linearly throughout the trial. It is concluded that the optimum stage of maturity for weeping lovegrass utilization depends upon the performance required from the animals that are to utilize it.
THE EFFECT OF CUTTING HEIGHT AND NITROGEN LEVEL ON THE YIELD, IN VITRO DIGESTIBILITY AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF ITALIAN RYEGRASS SWARDS
Authors: Binnie R. C. , Harrington F. J. , Murdoch J. C. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTThree cutting heights, 2±5, 7±6 and 12±7 cm (1, 2±5 and 5 in.) and three levels of fertilizer N, 168, 280 and 392 kg N/ha (150, 250 and 350 Ib N/ac) were imposed on a sward of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) cv. Irish. Lowering the cutting height and increasing the level of applied N increased the yield of herhage DM. Increasing the level of applied N had a greater effect on the chemical composition of the herbage than altering the cutting height
STUDIES OF RESPONSE TO FERTILIZER NITROGEN
Authors: Hunt I. V. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTThe uptake of N was measured in 2 successive regrowths harvested on 12 June and 13 Aug. following harvests of primary growths 8, 12, 16, 23, 29, 45 and 57 (12 June) days after applying N at 59, 118 or 177 kg N/ha on 16 Apr.Residual responses were obtained to both increments of N, leading to high apparent recoveries of fertilizer N, especially to the higher increment. This increased availability of soil N when high rates of N are applied is shown to vary with date of harvest of primary growth, reaching a maximum equivalent to 151% apparent fertilizer N recovery 23 days after N application.In the second regrowth, percentage N in the herbage showed a negative response to N applied to the primary growth. This appears to reflect a reduction in available soil N brought about by its increased availability and uptake in primary growth and first regrowth.The possibilities of improving the efficiency of fertilizer N by exploiting soil N are considered against the possible reduction in available N for future regrowths.
A COMPARISON OF SPRING‐ AND AUTUMN‐PRODUCED DRIED GRASS FOR MILK PRODUCTION
Authors: Gordon F. J. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTAn experiment designed to compare the nutritive values for milk production of dried grasses harvested in spring and autumn is described. The DM digestibility of the spring‐ and autumn‐dried grass was 67±7 and 66±0%, respectively. Both dried grasses were fed at two levels, 0±4 and 0±5 kg/ kg milk (4 and 5 Ib/10 Ib milk), to lactating cows in a randomized‐block design experiment using 24 animals. Each animal was also given 2±5 kg hay/day (5±5 Ib) and in addition sufficient of the dried grass under investigation to meet maintenance requirements.Milk yield, milk energy output, live‐weight gain and the solids not fat (SNF) and protein contents of the milk increased with feeding level. Season of dried grass harvesting had no effect on milk yield, milk energy output or live‐weight change. The spring‐harvested dried grass resulted in a significantly higher milk SNF content than the autumn‐dried grass and also tended to reduce milk butterfat level.
A COMPARISON OF THE YIELDS OF FORAGE MAIZE GROWN FOR SILAGE IN 1972 AND 1973 AT THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH IN DAIRYING
Authors: Phipps R. H. , Connell J. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTThe DM production from INRA 200, an early maturing hybrid maize grown for silage, was 10±6 and 14 5 t/ha in mid‐October 1972 and 1973 (4±2 and 5±8 tons/ac). The plant population in both years was approximately 112,000/ha (45,320/ac). Whole‐crop and cob DM percentages were 18±2 and 21±3 for 1972 and 39±9 and 53±0 for 1973, respectively. The cob yields were 49 and 10±4 t/ha (2±0 and 4±1 tons/ac) in 1972 and 1973 and cob in the two years accounted for 46 and 72% of total yield. At harvest the 1973 crop was 4–6 weeks more mature than the 1972 crop. These differences were attributed to the difference in accumulated temperature recorded from May till October, which was 567°C days in 1972 and 817 in 1973. Whole‐crop DM content, yield of cob and yield of cob as a percentage of total yield were studied against seasonal temperature accumulation. In the case of DM percentage there was a highly significant linear regression which showed that 627°C days were needed to mature maize to 24% DM content.
NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF GRASS AND FORAGE CROPS*
Authors: Elliott J. G. , Squires N. R. W. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTIn the management of British grassland lay there appears to be a marked divergence between the policies advocated by grassland science and general grassland practice. While science places emphasis on monocultures of sown species (mainly perennial ryegrass), heavily fertilized and intensively stocked, grassland farmers for the most part rely on lonstablished or indigenous swards composed of a variety of species and receiving modest applications of fertilizer. Since the gap between the two approaches is both substantial and of long duration the subject appears to be worth fresh attention. The purpose of this paper is to examine the current situation in relation to improvement in botanical composition and to suggest new approaches to that end.
THE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN HEIGHTS OF CUTTING AND GROWTH ON THE DIGESTIBLE ORGANIC MATTER PRODUCTION AND BOTANICAL COMPOSITION OF PERENNIAL PASTURE
Authors: Clark Jennifer , Kat C. , Santhirasegaram K. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTIrrigated plots of a mixed sward of Lolium perenne, Paspalum dilatatum, Bromus unioloides, Dactylis glomerata and Trifolium repens were used in 2 experiments during 4 years. In the first experiment, die treatments comprised factorial combinations of heights of cutting of 3, 6 and 10 cm (1.2, 2.4 and 3.9 in.) above ground level, and heights of growth of 5, 13 and 20 cm (20, 5.1 and 8.0 in.) above the height of cutting. In the second experiment, 8 combinations of dose (3 cm or 1.2 in.) or lax (10 cm or 3.9 in.) cutting were applied at various times during each year.In the first experiment, DM production for cutting heights of 3, 6 and 10 cm was 50, 44 and 43 t/ha (198,17.5 and 171 ton/ac), respectively; the DOM production was 37, 32 and 32 t/ha (147, 12.7 and 12.7 ton/ac). DM production for growth heights of 5, 13 and 20 cm was 45, 46 and 48 t/ha (17.9, 183 and 191 ton/ac), respectively. DOM production, 34 t/ha (13.5 ton/ac), was not affected by height of growth.Percentages of protein (26, 22 and 20) and DOM (76, 72 and 71) declined as the height of growth was increased; but cutting height produced no significant effects in them. As cutting height was increased the percentage of clover declined (40, 31 and 23) and that of grasses increased (52, 66 and 72); diere were smaller changes with changes in height of growth.Hie second experiment showed that the difference between close and lax cutting became significant only when lax cutting was applied for at least half of the cuts each year. DM production was similar for treatments witii the same number of close or lax cuts, regardless of the time of year at which the two heights of cutting were applied.
THE INFLUENCE OF TYPE AND LEVEL OF SUPPLEMENTARY FEED ON INTAKE AND PERFORMANCE OF BEEF CATTLE ON PASTURE
Authors: Umoh J. E. , Holmes W. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTTwo experiments, each of 6 weeks dehydration, were conducted in 1972. In Expt 1, 24 cattle were grazed in individnal paddocks during July and August and received one of 4 treatments over a 6‐weeks period: no supplements; straw ad lib; 3.3 kgj. day sugar‐beet pulp; 4.0 kg/day molasses. Mean daily live weight gains were significantly increased by the sugar‐beet pulp and molasses supplements; which also increased OM and DOM intake significantly. The increase in total OM intake per kg OM in the supplement was 0.48 for sugar‐beet pulp and 0.67 for molasses.In Expt 2, 18 cattle grazed in groups of 3 during November and December. Two groups each received 0.5, 3.5 or 6.5 kg/day sugar‐beet pulp over a 6–weeks period. There was no significant difference in live weight gain between treatments, and no significant difference in total intake. Intake from pasture declined with increasing level of supplement, so that the average increase in OM intake per kg OM in the supplement was 0.28.Hie results are discussed in relation to availability of pasture and the effects of the supplements on intake.
FURTHER COMPARISONS BETWEEN A RIGID ROTATIONAL WYE COLLEGE' SYSTEM AND OTHER SYSTEMS OF GRAZING FOR MILK PRODUCTION
Authors: Castle M. E. , Watson J. N. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTIn two 20‐week grazing experiments, a rigid rotational system of grazing termed the ‘Wye College’ system was compared with a flexible paddock‐grazing system in 1972 and with strip grazing and set‐stocking in 1973. Eight spring calved Ayrshire cows were used on each treatment at a stocking rate of 5 cows/ha (2 cows/ac). The mean daily milk yields per cow were 17·7 and 17·0 kg(39·0 and 37·5 Ib) on the Wye College and the paddock systems, respectively, in 1972; and 17·9, 17·7 and 16·4 kg (39·4, 38·9 and 36·2 Ib) on the Wye College, strip, and set‐stocking systems in 1973. The average annual output of milk varied from 11,500 kg/ha (1030 gal/ac) on the set‐stocking system to 12,500 kg ha (1120 gal/ac) on the Wye College system, but none of the differences was significant. The most rapid decline in daily milk yield occurred on the set‐stocking system in August and September as the amount of available herbage declined. This system requires further investigation. It is concluded that the Wye College system, with its rigid and pre‐determined grazing cycle was as effective as either a one‐day paddock or a daily strip‐grazing system in producing high yields of milk.
EFFECT OF SOME GREEN‐CROP‐DRYING PROCESSES ON THE DIGESTIBILITY AND VOLUNTARY INTAKE OF HERBAGE BY SHEEP
Authors: Marsh R. , Murdoch J. C. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTThe effect of artificial drying under commercial conditions on the digestibility and voluntary intake of herbage by sheep was studied, using either van den Broek (900°C inlet temperature) or Swiss Combi (1100°C inlet temperature) triple‐pass drum‐type driers. Organic‐matter digestibility of chopped dried herbage was 8·3, 5·8 and 5·3% lower than that of fresh herbage in Experiments 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Packaging chopped dried grass into ‘cobs’ caused a further reduction in OM digestibility of up to 2·8%. Pre‐milling plus packaging (i.e. ‘pelleting’) depressed OM digesti bility of chopped dried grass by 5 to 6 percentage units. Digestibility of dried grass in its various physical forms was further reduced when offered ad lib.; the greatest fall (9·4%) occurred with pellets and the smallest fall (0·8−1·3%) with loose chopped material; cobs were intermediate at 4·3−7·0%.
THE EFFECTS ON DAIRY COWS OF GRAZING PASTURE CONTAINING HIGH LEVELS OF NITRATE‐NITROGEN
Authors: Phipps R. H. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTTwo paddocks each received a total of 412 kg N/ha (371 lb/ac) between April and July in four equal applications. The paddocks were grazed four times for four days by two groups of 5 Friesian cows starting 14 and 21 days after each N applica tion.The nitrate‐N content of the herbage DM reached a peak of 0·76 % in the third grazing 14 days after N application. There was a significant (P < 0·001) correlation (r =0·67) between water soluble carbohydrates and nitrate‐N in the herbage DM.No marked changes occurred in eitber the methaemoglobin or packed cell volume of the blood samples from either group.No detrimental effects on animal health or production were recorded during the experiment.
THE EFFECT OF INCLUDING DRIED GRASS IN THE SUPPLEMENT GIVEN TO LACTATING COWS AT PASTURE
Authors: Gordon F. J. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTAn investigation into the effect of including dried grass in the supplement given to dairy cows at pasture is reported. Supplements containing 0, 50 and 100% dried grass were used in the investigation which was carried out in two parts. In the first part 12 high‐yielding cows with unrestricted access to pasture were used in an experiment with a change over design to assess the effects of feeding 5 kg/day of each supplement on milk yield and composition. In the second part 8 steers, housed in stalls and given cut herbage from the same sward as that grazed hy the cows, were used in a change over experiment to assess the effects of the three supplements on herhage and total DM intake. No significant differences in milk yield between supplements were ohtained, the mean yields being 23·9, 24·5 and 23·9 kg/day for the supplements containing 0, 50 and 100% dried grass, respectively. Milk composition was also not significantly affected by including dried grass in the supplement. In the indoor feeding trial using the steers, the addition of 3·5 kg DM from the supplement resulted in an increase in total DM intake of only 1·3 kg/day. There was no significant difference hetween supplements on herbage and total DM intake.
EFFECTS OF FOLIAR APPLICATION OF COPPER SULPHATE ON THE COPPER CONTENT AND YIELD OF HAY
Authors: MacPherson A. , Voss R. C. , Moon F. E. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTFoliar application of CUSO4 to mature grass to increase the Cu content of the hay crop was markedly affected by rainfall within 24 h of the time of application. The mean Cu concentration of hay treated with 5·6 and 11·2 kg CuSO4/ha was 100 and 208 ppm, respectively, when no rainfall occurred during this period, but only 24 and 41 ppm when rain fell within 24 h. Rain 4 or 5 days after spray application had no effect on the ultimate Cu concentration of the hay. It is suggested that sheep could safely graze the aftermath as, with one exception, concentrations of Cu found were only from 11·4 to 20·6 ppm. l±l kg CuSO4/ha applied in dry conditions was sufficient to raise Cu concentrations in hay to levels which should preclude the occurrence of Cu deficiency when fed to cattle in winter. Reductions in hay yield following CUSO4 applications in dry weather suggest a need to examine the use of more dilute sprays, or other means for increasing the Cu content of hay.
NITROGEN AND ITALIAN RYEGRASS
Authors: Wilman D. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTThis paper describes the regrowth of Italian ryegrass, following a cut in late April, measured by recording DM yields at weekly intervals up to 14 weeks. There were 4 levels of applied N: 25, 75, 125 and 175 Ib/ac (28, 84, 140 and 196 kg/ha). Rate of growth up to 10 weeks was compared with that recorded in similar experiments in Cambridge in earlier years and was found to be generally similar. The highest yields of DM and digestible organic matter were recorded after 11 weeks; beyond this stage there was a fall in yield. There was a large response to 75 Ib N compared with 25, a moderate response to 125 Ib compared with 75 (greater during the last 7 weeks than during the first 7 weeks), and little response to 175 Ib compared with 125. The time‐saving value of N is noted. DM content was appreciably lower than in Cambridge, apparently because of both surface and internal moisture, but showed similar trends. In some of the early weeks, especially at high N, the crop appeared to be supplying water well in excess of livestock needs. In vitro digestibility was much affected by stage of growth and little affected by level of N.
THE EFFECT OF FEEDING RED CLOVER CONSERVED BY DRYING OR ENSILING ON REPRODUCTION IN THE EWE
Authors: Thomson D. J. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTForage diets were prepared from ryegrass (non oestrogenic control) and from red clover as pellets or as unwilted silage. Each diet was fed to separate groups of 20 Border Leicester × Cheviot ewes for three weeks prior to the introduction of the ram, and for two cycles after mating. Subsequently, all three groups of ewes were fed in a similar manner until lambing and the reproductive performance of the ewes was measured. The control diet was prepared by barn drying a primary growth crop of perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne cv S23. Tetraploid red clover, Trifolium pratense cv. Hungarpoly, was harvested as a first regrowth crop and the pelleted diet prepared by high temperature drying, grinding (2 mm screen) and pelleting. The silage was prepared without wilting. The level of formononetin in the red‐clover silage was three times that in the dried red‐clover pellets.Compared with the control grass diet, the feeding of red clover in either form significantly reduced (P<0·001) the number of lambs born. The incidence of barrenness was higher (P<0·001) for ewes fed red‐clover silage compared with red‐clover pellets and the control diet. The rate of twinning was significantly (P<0·001) higher for the ewes fed the control grass diet than for either of the red‐clover diets. The resultant lambing percentages were 190,165, and 100% for the control grass, red‐clover pellet and red‐clover silage treatments. In flock management, both the grazing of red clover and the feeding of red‐clover pellets or silage, prior to and during mating, should be avoided.
THE AUTOMATIC RECORDING OF THE GRAZING BEHAVIOUR OF DAIRY COWS
Authors: Castle M. E. , Macdaid Elizabeth , Watson J. N. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTA technique for the automatic recording of the grazing behaviour of dairy cows was investigated, using ‘Vibracorders’ which transmit grazing movement via a pendulum and stylus to a 24 h recording chart. The total labour input was 2 h/day for 6 cows, which gave 144 h of results. In 2 months, 3312 h of recording were obtained. Total grazing time per cow in 24 h was 559 min. on a rigid rotational system of grazing and 638 min. on a system of set stocking. Grazing time was significantly and negatively related to the yield of available herbage DM. It is concluded that if the Vibracorders are sealed and fitted correctly, they are simple, reliable and accurate instruments for automatically measuring the grazing behaviour of dairy cows.
THE POTENTIAL VALUE OF BIRDSFOOT TREFOILS (LOTUS SPP.) FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF NATURAL PASTURES IN SCOTLAND.
Authors: Charlton J. F. L. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTA New Zealand selection of marsh birdsfoot trefoil proved more productive than white clover when oversown on wet upland pasture in the west of Scotland and exposed to close grazing during 1966–70. A number of introductions were assessed simultaneously at lowland and upland sites as spaced aggregate clumps in 1970–71 and showed variations in growth habit and time of flowering. These collections out‐yielded clover control varieties at the upland site during both harvest years, Chilean material being the most promising in terms of DM yield and recovery after defoliation.Three New Zealand selections were compared with local material in two new experiments sown on the same day at the same sites and in a spaced‐clump experiment at the upland site. Establishment was adversely affected by prolonged dry weather after sowing, but at the lowland site, probably aided by the germination of hard seed, the plants developed sufficiently to allow DM yields to be determined. The induced tetraploid variety Grasslands Maku was high in seedling vigour and subsequently yielded well at both trial sites, whereas normal diploid varieties established less rapidly, yet produced similar DM yields in the second harvest year. The species clearly shows promise as an oversown legume for improving livestock feed in wet upland pastures.