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.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 253-265 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Grass and Forage Science |
Volume | 75 |
Issue number | 3 |
Early online date | 18 Aug 2020 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 01 Sep 2020 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2020 The Authors. Grass and Forage Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Copyright:
Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Keywords
- grazing efficiency
- Lolium perenne L.
- post-grazing sward height
- residual grazed height
- variety
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Agronomy and Crop Science
- Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
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Dive into the research topics of 'An investigation into the grazing efficiency of perennial ryegrass varieties'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Student Theses
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Differential dry matter production, nutritive value and grazing utilisation of perennial ryegrass varieties and mixtures evaluated within intensive grazing regimes
Author: Tubritt, T., Jul 2021Supervisor: C. O’Donovan, M. (External person) (Supervisor) & Gilliland, T. (Supervisor)
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy
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