Performance of red deer grazing pure white clover or perennial ryegrass swards

Abstract

Farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus) are highly seasonal animals, showing a marked winter inappetance followed by excellent growth from turnout in spring. The quality of grazed herbage has been demonstrated to have a significant impact upon growth during the grazing season. For example, performance is improved by the provision of a sward surface height of 8 - 10 cm compared with a sward height of 5 - 6 cm (Davies et al, 1998). The objective of this study was to assess whether deer performance could be further enhanced by providing white clover (Trifolium repens) swards (C) either in early, late or throughout the grazing season compared with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) swards (G).