Effect of Different Grazing Systems on Nutrition of Artificial Pasture and Sheep Weight
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This experiment was carried out in the artificial pasture on grassland demonstration pastoral area of Grassland Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences during June to September in 2010.The experiment was designed as rotational grazing group and continuous grazing group,there were three treatments in both rotational grazing group and continuous grazing group,there were 5 rotational grazing areas in every rotational grazing treatment,rotational grazing period was 30 days.The results showed that the effect of different grazing system on pasture dry matter yield was not significant;and that the effect of different grazing system on the nutrition of forage grass was significant(P0.05).The crude protein content of the forage grass in rotational grazing group was higher than that in continuous grazing group,while the NDF content in rotational grazing group was lower than that in continuous grazing group.There were no significant differences in weight gain of sheep between rotational grazing group and continuous grazing group.Keywords:
Cattle grazing
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Abstract Mellado, M., Olvera, A., Dueñez, J. and Rodríguez, A. 2004. Effects of continuous or rotational grazing on goat diets in a desert rangeland. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 26: 93–100. A one-year experiment with continuous (traditional grazing around a permanent pen, n= 160 goats) anal rotational (grazing around 2 pens, 1.2 km apart, n= 150 goats) grazing was performed in a desert grassland to evaluate the effect of grazing on diet composition and selection in relation to ground cover. Diet composition was determined using microhistological analysis of fresh fecal samples. Continuous grazing resulted in a lower proportion (41.8 vs 65.4% on average throughout the year, P<0.01) of shrubs in the goats diet. Except for the summer, goats in the continuous treatment pasture relied more (P<0.05) on forbs than goats m the rotational treatment (53.1 Us 33.0%, on average throughout the year). The proportion of grasses in the goats' diet did not vary between grazing treatment during the dry season, but during the rainy season goats on the continuously grazed pasture selected more (P<0.01) grasses (7.3 Us 0.7%, average for summer and autumn) than goats in the rotational treatment. Larrea tridentata, the dominating species in the community, was the only plant selected at levels below its ground cover. Results indicate that, under these conditions, goat production would be favoured by alternating the stay of goat flocks between two pens in different sites on the range as goats would depend more on evergreen browse species throughout the year, whereas goats on the traditional grazing system are forced to rely heavily on forbs that made goats more vulnerable to under nutrition during dry periods. Key words: Grazing managementdiet compositionrangelandforage selectivity
Larrea
Dry season
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Summary The effects of short grazing intervals in the early part of the grazing season on the growth and utilization of grass herbage, and the performance of grazing dairy cows, in a rotational grazing system were examined. Seventy‐six cows were allocated to two grazing treatments: a normal rotation treatment (20‐d rotations for the first 60 d) and a short rotation treatment (12‐, 8‐, 8‐, 8‐, 12‐ and 12‐day rotations). Thereafter, both treatments had the same grazing interval and over the season as a whole both treatments received the same amount of nitrogen fertilizer and were stocked at the same rate. The short rotation treatment significantly reduced pre‐ and post‐grazing sward heights and pre‐grazing herbage mass in May and June. Total herbage production was significantly lower on the short than the normal rotation treatment as a result of a significant reduction in the growth rate of herbage in May and June. The short rotation treatment had a significantly lower milk output per cow. Grazing shorter swards, as a result of shorter rotations, significantly reduced herbage intake, reflecting reductions in intake per bite, grazing time and total bites per day. Treatment had no significant effect on herbage quality or pre‐ and post‐grazing sward height in August and September, despite the increased grazing severity in May and June with the short rotations. The severity of rotation length in this instance had a detrimental impact on animal performance, whereas a more modest reduction in grazing interval may control herbage production, without reducing animal performance.
Cattle grazing
Rotation system
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The performance of wether lambs on crownvetch (Coronilla varia L.) pasture was determined for three seasons under five grazing procedures. These included continuous grazing and rotational grazing with a 7‐day period‐of stay and periods‐of‐absence of 7, 21, 35 or 49 days. Performance was the same with all five systems. Supplementary measurements involving oesophageal‐fistula samples and quadrat harvests indicated that the quality and amount of grazable herbage in the different systems were similar. Weeds increased noticeably in the third season and were more prevalent with continuous and near‐continuous grazing. The grazing capacity for a five‐month grazing season was estimated at 3.0–3.5 LSU (about 30–35 weaner lambs) ha−1. Under local conditions, livemass gains in the order of 20 kg lamb−1 in a period of 130–160 days can be achieved.
Quadrat
Cattle grazing
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[Objective]The paper was to study the effect of different grazing intensities on vegetation characteristics of artificial pasture by plot rota- tion grazing experiment. [Method]Grazing intensity was divided into 2 treatments of heavy grazing and light grazing,and each treatment contained 6 plots,with randomized complete block design. A blank control was set near test plot. Ninety disease-free and healthy 2-year-old Yunling Black Goats with consistent body condition were selected and divided into 2 groups: heavy grazing ( 55) and light grazing ( 35) . The goats were conduc- ted rotation grazing in 6 plots,and the average stocking rates were 12. 6 and 8 goat /hm 2 . The plant height,coverage,underground biomass and pasture plant nutrition of 2 treatments were measured,respectively. [Result]The cocksfoot height had significant difference with control under graz- ing conditions ( P 0. 05) ,while the heights of ryegrass and white clover in control plot had no significant difference with that in grazing plot ( P 0. 05) . Grazing intensity had different effects on coverage of different plants; grazing utilization reduced the coverage of cocksfoot and ryegrass, which had little impact on coverage of white clover; viewed from the whole plant communities,the coverage in control plot was greater than that in grazing plot. The underground biomass in 0 -20 cm soil depth in grazing plot accounted for about 90%; with the increase of grazing intensity,un- derground biomass was decreased. The crude protein ( CP) and crude fat ( EE) content of forage decreased,while acid detergent fiber ( ADF) and neutral detergent fiber ( NDF) increased. [Conclusion]The research provided scientific basis for determination of suitable grazing system and sus- tainable utilization of pasture resources.
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Abstract The objective of this study was to compare the grazing efficiency of 30 perennial ryegrass varieties, differing in ploidy and heading date. Plots were grazed by lactating dairy cows and managed under a rotational grazing system with 19 grazing events occurring over two years. Pre‐grazing and post‐grazing compressed sward heights were measured with a rising plate meter. A mixed model was used to predict the post‐grazing sward height of each variety based on year, grazing event, block and pre‐grazing sward height. Residual grazed height (RGH) was derived as the difference between the actual and predicted post‐grazing sward height and was used as the measure of grazing efficiency. Negative RGH values indicated that the actual herbage removed was greater than that predicted and so indicated a superior grazing efficiency. Varieties differed in their level of grazing efficiency ( p < .001), with RGH values ranging from −0.38 to +0.34 cm. Tetraploid varieties exhibited significantly greater grazing efficiency performance than diploids ( p < .001), with average RGH values of −0.13 and +0.13 cm respectively. A significant difference in grazing efficiency was found among recommended perennial ryegrass varieties that are not being recorded by mechanically harvested simulated grazing protocols. A variety reappraisal that included grazing efficiency could identify varieties capable of improving on‐farm livestock productivity from grass.
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Abstract The production of an irrigated grass/legume pasture was determined using Merino ewes on rotational and continuous grazing systems. The clover content of the pasture declined, while the grass content increased under both systems. The lucerne content of the rotationally‐grazed pastures did not change, but lucerne failed to persist under continuous grazing. Rotational grazing resulted in a lower clover content and, consequently, in a lower production per individual animal at low stocking rates during two seasons, but in a higher pasture production and grazing capacity, than under continuous grazing. At high stocking rates the individual animal production was, however, highest under rotational grazing, resulting in a higher animal production per ha than under continuous grazing.
Stocking rate
Cattle grazing
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The objective was to determine forage on-offer and residual and live-weight gain in lambs when grazing on an alfalfa-orchard pasture at different intervals. In a rotational grazing three intervals: 21, 28 or 35 days were tested. Grazing period was 7 days and daily herbage allowance was 5% on all treatments. Experimental design was a complete block with three replications. Only in the third grazing cycle differences (P < .05) in forage on offer and residual among grazing frequencies were found. The highest forage on-offer was at the 35 days interval, while the highest residual forage was at the 21 days interval. The higher amount of residual forage at the 21 day interval was of lower quality and then live-weight at 90 days of grazing and live-weight gain were the lowest at this grazing interval.
Allowance (engineering)
Orchard
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The objective of this study was to determine whether rotational grazing generates horse, pasture, or cost benefits over continuous grazing. The study established two replicates (1.57 ha each) of rotational (R; four grazing sections and a stress lot per replicate, where horses were fed a moderate quality grass hay at 2% of body weight when not grazing) and continuous (C) grazing systems (treatments). Twelve Standardbred mares were grazed for an overall stocking rate of 0.52 ha/horse (n = 3 in each pasture). Recommended management practices for each grazing system were followed for 27 mo including three grazing seasons. Samples were collected monthly between 0800 and 1000. Results were analyzed in SAS (V9.4) using mixed model repeated-measures analysis of covariance, chi-square tests of association, and two-sample t-tests. Alpha level was set at P < 0.05. The C horses were maintained on pasture for 100% of the study duration (844 d; August 1, 2014 to November 22, 2016), while R horses had access to pasture for approximately half of this time (408 ± 33 d). The average length of grazing bout per rotational grazing section during the grazing season increased numerically each year from 7.88 ± 0.76 d in 2014, 10.0 ± 0.61 d in 2015, and 10.9 ± 0.80 d in 2016. Average horse body condition score (BCS) and body fat differed by treatment, with C horses (BCS 6.3 ± 0.05, 17.9 ± 0.15% body fat) greater than R horses (BCS 5.9 ± 0.05, 16.8 ± 0.15% body fat). Both sward height and herbage mass were greater in R (11.8 ± 0.1 cm tall; 1,513 ± 41 kg/ha) than C pastures (6.9 ± 0.1 cm tall; 781 ± 35 kg/ha). The R pastures had higher proportions of vegetative and total cover, planted grasses (tall fescue and orchardgrass), and weeds but lower proportions of grass weeds (nonplanted grasses) and other (rocks, litter, bare ground, etc.) as compared with C pastures. Digestible energy, acid detergent fiber, and calcium were higher in R vs. C pastures; however, crude protein was lower in R vs. C pastures. There were no significant differences between treatments for average monthly amount of hay fed (C, 597 ± 34.1 vs. R, 659 ± 34.1 kg) or average monthly pasture maintenance cost (C, $17.55 ± 3.14 vs. R, $20.50 ± 3.14). This study is one of few replicated experiments comparing the effects of rotational and continuous grazing for horses on pasture quality, horse condition, and production costs. The results here support the recommendation of rotational grazing for production, environmental, and ecological purposes.
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The grazing behavior,intake rate and diet digestibility of Boer goats grazing in sowed ryegrass pasture in a replicated 2×2 factorial experiment were studied.Overnight access to ryegrass pasture was designed into two treatments(no grazing in night and continuous grazing) and the forage availability was designed into two treatments as well(6.0 and 3.0 cm of community height),represented high and low availability.Regardless of forage availability,the grazing time of grazing time restricted Boer goats was significantly shortened and on the contrast,their grazing bouts significantly increased,and the total daily grazing time significantly reduced compared with that of unrestricted Boer goats.In response to time grazing restriction,the Boer goat had a significantly higher instantaneous intake rate mainly by larger bite.The grazing time unrestricted Boer goats could not maximize their instantaneous intake rate.The behavioral responses to time grazing restriction were able to counteract the reduction in daily grazing time only where forage availability was high.In contrast,the time grazing restriction led to a reduction in total daily intake while the forage availability was low.The results from four experimental treatments generally supported the hypothesis that total daily grazing time was a key constraint on daily intake in lower vegetation height.
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The present study was carried out in order to evaluate on-offer and residual forage of alfalfa (Medicago sativa)-orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata) pasture in the summer-fall period, subjected to three types of rotational grazing: a) mixed with heifers and ewe-lambs; b) heifers only; c) ewe lambs. The experimental design was completely randomized with an arrangement of split plots and four replications; the experimental unit was a pasture. The main plot was grazing type and the sub-plot grazing period. Stocking rate was equal in the three grazing types, with 1 d of occupation and 30 d rest; three grazing periods were evaluated. The amount of on-offer and residual forage varied (p≤0.05) with grazing type and period; ewe lambs grazing had the lowest values and mixed grazing showed intermediate values. The latter presented 24% less (p≤0.05) residual forage in areas contaminated with heifer feces than grazing with heifers only. It was concluded that the grazing type influenced on some characteristics of alfalfaorchard grass pasture, and mixed grazing promoted a more homogenous harvest than grazing with heifer only, due to lower rejection of dung-contaminated forage.
Orchard
Stocking rate
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