Abstract
Four groups of five spring‐calving Holstein–Friesian cows were given a daily grass allowance in a strip‐grazing system after either morning (AM; two groups) or afternoon (PM; two groups) milking over a 10‐week period. The dry‐matter (DM) concentration of the grass tended to be higher after afternoon milking [AM, 178 vs. PM, 197 g DM (s.e.d. 5·32) kg–1 fresh matter], and water‐soluble carbohydrate concentrations were significantly higher [AM, 175 vs. PM, 204 g kg–1 DM (s.e.d. 6·67)]. Although the total times spent grazing (AM, 461 vs. PM, 462 min day–1) were similar for both groups, cows receiving their allocation in the afternoon had a longer evening meal (>4 h duration) compared with those receiving their allocation in the morning (2–3 h), which also spent more time ruminating [AM, 454 vs. PM, 433 min day–1 (s.e.d. 1·80)]. This short‐term study demonstrated how a relatively simple change in management practice in strip‐grazing systems could benefit milk yield and pasture utilization. This is because the DM and water‐soluble carbohydrate contents of the herbage are higher in the evening than in the morning, and this is when grazing animals concentrate much of their daily grazing activity.
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