Long-term forage and pasture investigations in the UK

Abstract

The outcome of agronomic investigations on a given pasture species or species mixture is influenced by the interactions which arise between weather, management and the pasture plant varieties chosen. Sward age may also affect agronomic performance through changes which take place in species or genotype composition and their distribution within the sward. Effective formulation of pasture management systems, whether for herbage production or species conservation, or of herbage breeding objectives, depends on an increased awareness of these interactions and the reasons why they occur. The need for experiments which are either repeated or continued over the course of a number of years or both is illustrated by the examples presented in this paper. These examples also show how such experiments can lead to the formulation of better management systems or to a better choice of plant material. Key words: Ryegrass, white clover, weather, pasture management, sward age