Ryegrass Pasture Research Articles

Investigating the impact of treading damage on the plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) content and performance of a plantain/ perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) pasture over two years.

Investigating the impact of treading damage on the plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) content and performance of a plantain/ perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) pasture over two years.

Predicted methane production from Italian ryegrass pastures with contrasting chemical composition under sheep grazing in Northern Norway

AbstractBackgroundThe Norwegian sheep farming system relies on forages, such as grass silage during winter and grazing cultivated leys and rangeland pastures during summer. Sheep and other ruminants produce enteric methane (CH4), a greenhouse gas of interest, and there is a need for reliable data on gas emissions from sheep capturing both the indoor feeding period and the grazing season. This study utilized an in vitro gas technique (with standard cow rumen fluid) and modeling approach to estimate CH4 production and fermentation patterns based on two different qualities of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) pasture under sheep grazing.ResultsHerbage quality was examined for two 10‐day periods, in July and August. Differences in chemical composition of the herbage during these periods had an impact on herbage digestibility and CH4 production. Total gas production and CH4 levels were significantly higher for lower quality herbage grazed in July than for higher quality herbage grazed in August (p < 0.005). Production of volatile fatty acids in the rumen remained constant between the two periods, but the higher acetate to propionate (A/P) ratio correlated with the higher CH4 production.ConclusionThese findings suggest that pasture quality is an important factor to consider when implementing grazing strategies to reduce enteric CH4 production in sheep.

Energy supplementation of beef steers or inclusion of legumes in temperate pastures in crop-livestock integration area

The most common way of using the crop-livestock integration system in subtropical regions is cultivating soybeans or corn during the summer and temperate pastures in the winter. The objective of this study was to evaluate different beef cattle finishing systems in an area of crop-livestock integration. The inclusion of legumes and supplementation on black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb) and ryegrass pastures (Lolium multiflorum L.) were evaluated. Data from three years of research (2017, 2018 and 2020) were evaluated. Thus, 54 steers (18 per year) were used, with initial age of 22 ± 3 months and 413.08 ± 4.56 kg of initial live weight. They were randomly divided into nine paddocks of 0.7 hectares. The experimental design was randomized blocks with three replicates (paddock with two animals). Supplementation provided greater carrying capacity (1406.0 vs. 1269.6 kg/ha), average daily weight gain (1.4 vs. 1.1 kg/day), and, consequently, greater gain per area (384.5 vs. 302 kg BW/ha). Animals that received energy supplementation presented higher slaughter weight (536 vs. 510 kg), weight (287.1 and 286.2 vs. 266.2 and 265.3 kg), and hot (53.6 vs. 52.1%) and cold (53.4 vs. 52%) carcass yield, as well as higher fat content in the carcass (265 vs. 234 g/kg). The legume in the pasture did not affect the performance or characteristics of the animal carcasses. The supplementation increased the performance and carcass parameters, but did not influence the qualitative characteristics of the meat. In addition to individual performance, supplementation increased the pasture's carrying capacity, improving the system's productivity.

Effects of Mixed Pasture Legume Phytoestrogens on Superovulatory Response and Embryo Quality in Angus Cows.

Ovulation and artificial insemination rates have been observed to decrease in sheep and cows when exposed to dietary phytoestrogens at concentrations greater than 25 mg/kg DM. A grazing trial was undertaken to investigate the effects of coumestrol and other key phytoestrogens on the superovulatory response, embryo numbers and quality in beef cows grazing legume pastures. A 7-week controlled grazing trial was conducted with legume and ryegrass pasture treatments, with cows exposed to legumes at two timed treatments, 4 and 7 weeks. Twenty Angus cows were subjected to a conventional estrus synchronization and superovulation protocol. Embryos were recovered via conventional uterine body flushing 7 days post artificial insemination (AI). Numerous phytoestrogens were identified in both pasture and plasma samples, including coumestrol and formononetin. Concentrations of phytoestrogens in the pasture ranged from 0.001 to 47.5 mg/kg DM and 0 to 2.6 ng/mL in plasma. Approximately 50% of cows produced viable embryos 7 days post AI. A significant interaction between the effect of treatment groups on the embryo stage was observed (p < 0.05). The results suggest that concentrations of >25 mg/kg DM of phytoestrogens less than 20 days preceding AI may negatively affect oocyte developmental competence, reduce progesterone production and thus contribute to early embryonic loss.

Meadow clover is the most important forage crop in the western part of the Non-chernozem zone

Relevance. The task of modern feed production is to increase feed production, as well as improve their quality and energy saturation. A special place in solving this problem belongs to perennial legumes and grasses. At the same time, it is important to use precisely those crops and varieties that have the greatest biological potential.Methods. The objects of research were meadow clover (Pochinkovets variety and Topaz variety), timofeevka meadow (VIC 911 variety), ryegrass pasture (Karat variety and Express variety), for the realization of the biological potential of which solid mineral fertilizers (ammonium nitrate, double superphosphate, potassium chloride) are needed, as well as concentrated liquid complex fertilizers of the series “Ultramagus.”Results. Among the studied species of perennial grasses, meadow clover has the highest yield, so among the clover varieties, the Pochinkovets variety had the greatest potential. Varieties of meadow clover increased the collection of dry matter when applying solid phosphorus-potassium fertilizers and liquid complex fertilizer “Ultramag Combi”. The highest yield was obtained in variants with the combined use of root fertilization with solid fertilizers at the rate of P80K120 and foliar fertilization with liquid complex fertilizer “Ultramag Combi”. The yield of meadow clover, depending on the variety, ranged from 12.05 to 12.46 t/ha. Varieties of meadow clover Pochinkovets and Topaz in the conditions of the Smolensk region form a tall monodominant herbage capable of intensive regrowth during the season and yielding at least two full-fledged mowing under optimal cultivation conditions.

Ingestive behavior of beef calves on oat and ryegrass pasture intercropped with vetch at different seeding rates

The use of winter forage plants constitutes a procedure that optimizes cattle production, particularly in the subtropical region of Brazil. Understanding the relationship between forage species and grazing cattle, as well as their behavior within the environment, becomes crucial for a more efficient use of the forage. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the ingestive behavior of beef calves in intercropped pastures of black oats, ryegrass, and vetch. A randomized block design was employed, with three area replications. The treatments resulted from the combination of ryegrass, black oats, and 0, 20, and 40 kg of vetch seed/ha. Twenty-seven Brangus calves kept under continuous grazing with variable stocking rates were used. Three daytime assessments of ingestive behavior were conducted. The forage systems did not influence the time spent on grazing, rumination, and other activities (P&gt;0.05). However, as the grazing cycle progressed, the calves spent more time grazing and less time on other activities. The introduction of vetch into the forage mixture increased both the time and the number of chews during rumination (P&lt;0.05). Towards the end of the grazing cycle, the calves needed to visit more feeding stations per minute and have a higher bite rate. Calves that grazed in higher vetch densities exhibited a greater number of steps between feeding stations, but only during the second period. The inclusion of vetch in conjunction with grasses only modifies the rumination patterns of calves, while the advancement of the phenological stage of the pasture leads to more evident changes in the ingestive behavior of grazing calves.

Root exudates from weedy ryegrass hybrid type and selected crop plants affect soil microbial communities in two soil types of the Western Cape, South Africa

&lt;p&gt;All growing plant roots have the ability to produce root exudates to which soil microbes are attracted. The objective of this study was to utilise the Biolog EcoPlate™ system to indicate the impact of soil type on soil microbial communities in the rhizosphere following treatment with pot leachates that contain various plant root exudates. A greenhouse experiment was conducted in 2021 and repeated in 2022 from May until July (southern hemisphere) in this winter rainfall area with Mediterranean climatic conditions. This ensured that natural daylight hours in the greenhouse coincided with those experienced in the field by winter-growing crops, from seeding until maturity (May to October). Pot leachate that contained various plant root exudates from six donor plant species (wheat, barley, two lupine cultivars, ryegrass pasture type, and weedy ryegrass hybrid type) was utilised as treatment for respective recipient pots, in which wheat (&lt;em&gt;Triticum aestivum&lt;/em&gt; v. SST 027) was grown as a test plant. Recipient plants were grown in two sets of pots, each with two different soil types. Soil samples from recipient pots were used to inoculate the Biolog EcoPlate™ system, and the carbon utilisation patterns obtained in this process were compared to the soil microbial populations present in the soil samples collected prior to treatments. Pot leachate treatment effects on the two soil types differed. Similarly, the treatments had differential effects on the measured soil microbial populations of the recipient wheat plants. Results indicate that the pattern of substrate utilisation by the Biolog EcoPlate™ methodology indicates changes in the number of colony forming units in the soil. In this regard, it was clear that ryegrass pasture variety and weedy ryegrass hybrid type caused similar effects on the soil bacteria communities in the rhizosphere. It is concluded that the primary impact of soil type is distinct microbial communities as an important factor regulating plant and plant-microbe synergy. Secondly, due to the strong selective forces root exudates have on the soil microbiome, conspicuous microbial communities in the rhizosphere of each plant species will continue to develop over time.&lt;/p&gt;

Response of grassland ecosystem function to plant functional traits under different vegetation restoration models in areas of karst desertification.

Plant functional traits serve as a bridge between plants, the environment, and ecosystem function, playing an important role in predicting the changes in ecosystem function that occur during ecological restoration. However, the response of grassland ecosystem function to plant functional traits in the context of ecological restoration in areas of karst desertification remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we selected five plant functional traits [namely, plant height (H), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), root length (RL), and root dry matter content (RDMC)], measured these along with community-weighted mean (CWM) and functional trait diversity, and combined these measures with 10 indexes related to ecosystem function in order to investigate the differences in plant functional traits and ecosystem function, as well as the relationship between plant functional traits and ecosystem functions, under four ecological restoration models [Dactylis glomerata (DG), Lolium perenne (LP), Lolium perenne + Trifolium repens (LT), and natural grassland (NG)]. We found that: 1) the Margalef index and Shannon-Wiener index were significantly lower for plant species in DG and LP than for those in NG (P<0.05), while the Simpson index was significantly higher in the former than in NG (P<0.05); 2) CWMH, CWMLDMC, and CWMRDMC were significantly higher in DG, LP, and LT than in NG, while CWMSLA was significantly lower in the former than in NG (P<0.05). The functional richness index (FRic) was significantly higher in DG and LP than in NG and LT, but the functional dispersion index (FDis) and Rao's quadratic entropy index (RaoQ) were significantly lower in DG and LP than in NG and LT (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between DG and LP, or between NG and LT (P>0.05); 3) ecosystem function, including ecosystem productivity, carbon storage, water conservation and soil conservation, was highest in LT and lowest in NG; and 4) CWMLDMC (F=56.7, P=0.024), CWMRL (F=28.7, P=0.024), and CWMH (F=4.5, P=0.048) were the main factors affecting ecosystem function. The results showed that the mixed pasture of perennial ryegrass and white clover was most conductive to restoration of ecosystem function. This discovery has important implications for the establishment of vegetation, optimal utilization of resources, and the sustainable development of degraded karst ecosystems.

Plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) content within plantain/ perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) pastures may be limited by livestock treading damage

TThere is evidence that plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) persistence within perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) dominant dairy pastures is usually poor. One factor potentially limiting plantain content and persistence is treading damage, caused by cows grazingpasture while the soil moisture content is high. The impact of treading damage on plantain regrowth and survival was investigated in two field experiments at Massey University, Palmerston North. In a small-plot study, cow treading damage was simulated on separateplantain and perennial ryegrass pastures using a novel treading device. Subsequently, a larger-scale experiment investigated the impact of treading damage by grazing dairy cows on plantain regrowth and survival within a mixed plantain/perennial ryegrass pasture. Damage by the treading device, in late spring, immediately reduced the growth rate of both plantain and perennial ryegrasspastures by 30%, however neither plantain content nor density were reduced. In experiment 2, treading damage reduced the growth rate of the mixed pasture by 50% in early spring but it recovered during late spring. Plantain content and density were both initially reduced by the treading damage treatment but recovered to pretreading levels by autumn. These results suggest that treading damage from cows may be an important cause of reduced plantain content in dairy pastures during spring, however there was no evidence that treading damage reduced plantain persistence.

Five-year old diversified pasture delivers greater lamb liveweight gain than a standard perennial ryegrass-white clover pasture

This study investigated liveweight gain of lambs grazing five-year-old pasture of either Italian ryegrass, red clover and plantain (Diversified) or perennial ryegrass and white clover (Standard). Coopworth lambs were born to either diversified or standard pasture and reared there until weaning in December (early summer). Liveweight gain (LWG) from tailing to weaning was 23% higher in lambs on diversified pasture (0.335 kg LWG/lamb/day) compared to those on standard pasture (0.272 kg LWG/lamb/day). From summer to autumn (December to May), liveweight, pasture mass, botanical composition and nutritive quality was measured as weaned lambs progressed through rotationally grazed paddocks of either diversified or standard pasture. Similar lamb liveweight gain betweenpasture types was observed over summer and autumn, with both groups averaging 0.187 kg LWG/lamb/day. From December to May, dry matter intakes (DMI) and feed conversion efficiencies (FCE) were similar between lambs grazing on either diversified or standardpasture. Average final lamb liveweight off diversified pasture was 4.2 kg higher than off standard pasture. The higher pre-weaning liveweight gain and subsequent greater weaning liveweight off diversified pasture was maintained throughout the summer and autumn.

Chemical, Physical, and Degradation Characteristics of Ryegrass Cultivars Grown in Autumn and Winter for Dairy Cows.

During winter and early spring, pasture supply is usually lower than the demand in New Zealand dairy farming systems and thus the 'autumn saved pastures' (stockpiling) are introduced to fill the gap. This study aimed to investigate the chemical, physical, and degradation characteristics of ryegrass pastures, the predominant forage in New Zealand, grown in autumn and winter. To serve as 'autumn saved pasture', nine ryegrass cultivars, comprising three types (three perennial, three hybrid, and three Italian), were grown in late autumn (Autumn) and early winter (Winter) and harvested after 7 and 9 weeks of regrowth, respectively. The experiment had two experimental factors: ryegrass type (or cultivar) and harvest season. These experimental factors were in a randomised block design with the forage plot as the experimental unit. The degradation characteristics were assessed in the rumen of fistulated cows using the in situ incubation technique. Perennial ryegrass had a greater neutral detergent fibre (NDF) concentration (468 g/kg dry matter (DM)) than the hybrid (435 g/kg DM) or Italian (414 g/kg DM) ryegrasses. Italian ryegrasses had the greatest soluble fraction of DM (64.2% vs. 46.7% and 40.7%) and the greatest degradation rate of an insoluble but degradable fraction of DM (0.221 vs. 0.189 and 0.145/h) than the hybrid and perennial ryegrasses. Compared with the Winter ryegrass, the Autumn ryegrass had a greater crude protein concentration (246 vs. 208 g/kg DM) and a greater NDF concentration (486 vs. 392 g/kg DM) but a lower calculated soluble carbohydrate concentration (152 vs. 263 g/kg DM). It is concluded that there are notable variations among the cultivars, highlighting distinctions in parameters, such as NDF concentration, soluble fractions, degradation rates, and nutrient content among the perennial, hybrid, and Italian ryegrasses, as well as the seasonal variations observed between autumn and winter growth. These findings will not only facilitate enhanced nutrition for dairy cows as they undergo the transition phase but also have practical implications for future research and dairy cow nutrition.

Shoot nitrogen concentrations required for optimal herbage growth of multiple perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) cultivars relative to modern summer‐active cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) cultivars

AbstractOne possible approach for improving the nitrogen (N)‐use efficiency of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) pastures and reducing environmental N losses is to select cultivars or incorporate alternative pasture species with lower shoot N concentrations. Viability of this strategy depends on herbage production not being unduly compromised. A pot experiment compared the shoot N concentration requirements of a diverse range of perennial ryegrass cultivars to achieve 90% and 99% of the herbage yield maxima achievable within a 20 day regrowth cycle. This research was undertaken to quantify if and what effect Australasian breeding programs have had on the N nutrition of perennial ryegrass. Our experiment found minimal genetic variation in the shoot N concentration requirements for vegetative perennial ryegrass swards to achieve near‐maximum herbage yields of living biomass. Across evaluated cultivars, swards achieving 90% and 99% of herbage yield maxima required minimum shoot N concentrations (on a dry matter basis) of 2.56% and 2.87%, respectively. Our experiment also evaluated the shoot N concentration requirements of modern summer‐active cocksfoot (syn. orchardgrass; Dactylis glomerata L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) ecotypes. We found their shoot N concentration requirements to achieve optimal herbage growth to be similar to those of perennial ryegrass. Taken together, our results suggest that within the perennial ryegrass genome, and among similar high yielding temperate perennial grasses, there may be limited scope for selecting plants with lower shoot N concentration requirements.

Partial replacement of a total mixed ration with annual ryegrass herbage: effects on dairy cow dry matter intake and milk production

ABSTRACT Studies with dairy cows receiving mixed ration and grazing annual pastures, which have low tiller density, are scarce. This study examined the effect of partial replacement of a total mixed ration (TMR) with annual temperate pasture. Treatments were ad libitum TMR (TMR100), 75% ad libitum TMR + ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum ‘Maximus’) (pTMR75), and 50% ad libitum TMR + ryegrass (pTMR50). Twelve multiparous Holstein and F1 Jersey × Holstein cows were divided into six groups (experimental units), taking account of milk production (26.6 ± 4.55 kg/day), days-in-milk (129 ± 50.8) and body weight (546 ± 30.6 kg). Treatments were compared using two 3 × 3 Latin square arangements, comprising three 21-day periods (measurements during final 5 days). Herbage DM intake increased from 4.8 kg/day with pTMR75 to 6.7 kg/day with pTMR50. Total DM intake decreased from 19.4 kg/day (TMR100), to 18.1 and 15.8 kg/day (pTMR75 and pTMR50, respectively). Milk production, energy corrected milk production (ECM), and milk fat content were similar between treatments, averaging 25.6, 28.4 kg/day and 44.6 g/kg, respectively. Ryegrass pastures were able to replace up to 50% of TMR offered to mid lactation dairy cows with no adverse effects on ECM production.

AGROTECHNOLOGY FOR FEED CULTIVATION AND CREATION OF HAYFIELDS AND PASTURES IN THE FOREST AND STEPPE ZONE OF NORTHERN KAZAKHSTAN

A high-quality feed base is a must to ensure the growing of numerous animals via selecting promising high-yielding crops that can provide livestock with feeds at the entire production stage. This study purposed to develop new technologies for reinstating a balanced use of pastures in Kazakhstan’s steppe and forest-steppe zones. Several investigations succeeded in 2019–2022 at the Service-ZHARS Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) production fields of District Kyzylzhar, North Kazakhstan. Five chosen pasture combinations created multifactor pasture lands, as follows: common alfalfa + Festulolium; awnless brome + yellow sweet clover; common alfalfa + pasture ryegrass + Festulolium; white sweet clover + awnless brome + Timothy grass, and sainfoin + Festulolium + pasture ryegrass + Timothy grass. For haymaking and pasture chain construction, the following grass combinations selected comprised two-pasture grasses (previous years' brome and Timothy grass + common alfalfa + sainfoin) and seven hay grasses (vetch + oats, Sudan grass, sorghum-Sudan grass hybrid + sorghum, corn for silage, sorghum, peas + oats + barley + wheat, and peas). The use of droughtresistant legumes, cereals, and arable crops and their mixtures positively impacted intensifying the feed base and reducing the pasture areas’ degradation. Thus, in the first experiment, the green mass collection was higher than 3.33 t ha-1 , while in the second one, it was below 4.75 t ha-1 , which fully bestowed the physiological needs of animals. The species diversity of pasture vegetation has improved because of beans’ inclusion, possibly enhancing the protein ratio in green feed and hay as the main component of the farm animals' diet.

Evaluation of the Relationship between Cultivar, Endophyte and Environment on the Expression of Persistence in Perennial Ryegrass Populations Using High-Throughput Phenotyping

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is a commonly grown pasture species in temperate agriculture, mainly serving as a primary energy source for dairy cows. However, its limited persistence often leads to missed production potential and early resowing, especially in countries that experience summer drought, e.g., Australia and New Zealand. Therefore, understanding the factors influencing perennial ryegrass pasture persistence is crucial for sustainable land management and climate resilience in pasture-based animal production systems. Significant gaps in knowledge exist regarding the factors influencing pasture persistence, as the number of conducted studies in this area remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing the expression of persistence in perennial ryegrass populations using airborne and ground-based sensors. A field experiment was conducted in the southwest region of Victoria, Australia, involving ten commercial perennial ryegrass cultivar–endophyte combinations in two different populations. Persistence was evaluated using sensor-based and conventional pasture measurements over two consecutive autumns. The results revealed significant fixed effects of cultivar, endophyte, and environment and their interactions on persistence traits of perennial ryegrass. Cultivars Alto, Samson, and One50 exhibited high levels of persistence when infected with novel endophyte strains. Furthermore, prolonged environmental stresses were found to drive directional selection within pasture populations. The findings emphasise the importance of selecting appropriate cultivar–endophyte combinations and early detection of signs of poor persistence to optimise sward longevity and financial returns from pasture-based animal production systems. This study fills a knowledge gap regarding the factors influencing pasture persistence and provides valuable insights for sustainable pasture management strategies.

Forage Biomass Estimated with a Pre-Calibrated Equation of a Rising Platemeter in Pastures Grown in Tropical Conditions

Accurate estimates of forage biomass allow for better adjustments of stocking rate, carrying capacity, and dry matter intake in livestock operations. Among the most common methods to estimate biomass are platemeters, for which specific calibration equations have been developed for temperate conditions. However, platemeters are not commonly used in tropical livestock operations where their goodness of fit to estimate forage biomass remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to compare three methods (the rising platemeter, Botanal®, and hand-clipping) to estimate forage biomass throughout one year on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), Kikuyu (Cenchrus clandestinus), and African stargrass (Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst) pastures in Costa Rica. Estimates of forage biomass were consistently greater with the platemeter than with the Botanal® and clippings across the three grass species evaluated. In Ryegrass pastures, the residual standard deviation (1845 kg DM ha−1) of forage biomass estimated with the platemeter was two- and four-fold with respect to Stargrass and Kikuyu pastures (935 and 447 kg DM ha−1), respectively. Although platemeters are straightforward methods for biomass estimation in pastures, our data suggest that their use and implementation in tropical pastures may lead to overestimating indicators such as stocking rate and carrying capacity. We suggest developing calibration equations specific for tropical conditions that consider our findings as an input to adjust the sampling procedure necessary to improve the accuracy of platemeters and foster greater adoption among livestock producers.

Festulolium and annual ryegrass pastures associated with white clover for small-scale dairy systems in high valleys of Mexico

O Background: The implementation of polyphytic pastures composed of grasses and legumes is an important component of agricultural systems in temperate zones, since grazing pastures which can reduce feed costs— are a viable option for small-scale dairy systems (SSDS). Objective: To evaluate the continuous grazing of dairy cows in Festulolium pastures associated with annual and perennial ryegrass and with clover in two farmrs. Methodology: Two experiments were carried out. The first experiment was established in the municipality of Almoloya of Juárez using eight cows that were divided into two groups of four; the cows grazed on two pastures with Festulolium associated with annual ryegrass and they were fed with 3.6 kg DM/cow/day of commercial concentrate, for 16 weeks. The second experiment was carried out in the Northwest of State of Mexico; six multiparous cows grazed on two pastures, under a cross over design arrangement; one pasture features Festulolium cv Spring Green and the other, annual ryegrass. Milk and body condition ere measured every 3 and 12 d, respectively. Variables from both experiments were analyzed using a split-plot experimental design. Results: Neither experiment recorded significant differences for the net accumulation of forage, the height of the pastures, and their chemical composition (P&gt;0.05). No significant differences between treatments (P&gt;0.05) were recorded regarding the yields and chemical composition of the milk. Study Limitations/Implications: The study of mixed pastures can be an alternative for feeding grazing cows, helping to reduce costs in SSDS. Findings/Conclusions: Festulolium/annual ryegrass pastures with white clover are a viable forage alternative for small-scale dairy systems.

33 Supplementation Level Effects on Early-Weaned Beef Calves Receiving Annual Ryegrass

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of concentrate supplementation levels on performance and DM intake of early-weaned beef calves consuming annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorium). The experiments were conducted at the UF/IFAS Range Cattle Research and Education Center, Ona, FL from January to May 2022. In experiment 1, treatments were two levels of concentrate supplementation (0.75% or 1.0% of BW) distributed in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Concentrate was fed daily and had 18% CP and 78% TDN. Thirty-two Angus crossbred calves were weaned with 90 ± 14 kg BW at 76 ± 10 d of age and allocated to 1 of 8 annual ryegrass pastures (experimental units; 0.3 ha/pasture; 4 calves/pasture) with a continuous and fixed stocking rate. Herbage mass and nutritive value were estimated every 14 d and calves were weighed every 28 d. There was no difference in herbage mass (mean = 1.300 kg DM/ha; P = 0.44; SE = 0.46), herbage allowance (mean = 0.86 kg DM/kg LW; P = 0.66; SE = 0.03), CP (mean = 24.4%; P = 0.46; SE = 0.78), and in vitro digestible organic matter (mean = 77%; P = 0.49; SE = 1) concentration between treatments. There was a treatment × month interaction on ADG and the interaction occurred because calves receiving 1% BW had greater ADG than 0.75% BW in April (1.0 vs. 0.8 kg/d; P = 0.04; 0.03) but there were no differences between treatments in February, March, and May. In experiment 2, treatments were supplementation with 0.75% or 1.0% BW concentrate distributed in a complete randomized design with seven replicates. Fourteen steers calves (166 ± 17 kg BW) from experiment 1 were maintained in the same treatment, transferred to a drylot (1 steer/pen), and evaluated for forage and total DM intake, and in vivo DM digestibility. Ground annual ryegrass hay (11% CP, 58% IVDOM) was offered and adjusted to allow 10% refusals. There was no difference in forage DM intake (mean = 1.8 kg DM/d; P = 0.3; SE = 0.06) between treatments but calves receiving 1.0% BW had greater total DM intake (2.7 vs. 2.5 kg DM/d; P = 0.05; SE = 0.06) and in vivo DM digestibility (77 vs. 75%; P &amp;lt; 0.01; SE = 0.53) than 0.75% BW. Decreasing concentrate supplementation level from 1.0 to 0.75% BW may be a viable management practice to reduce cost of developing early weaned beef calves grazing annual ryegrass.

Selective grazing behavior of Coopworth sheep in New Zealand

This study focused on confirming the grazing selectivity of sheep, more and less selective, in pasture in New Zealand, under two different phenological stages of forage. Two experiments were conducted: 1) Comparison of selective and non-selective sheep in pasture irrigated with perennial ryegrass and white clover. 2) A comparison was performed with selective and non-selective sheep in pasture with a high rate of senescence composed of perennial ryegrass, barley and barnyard grass. The botanical composition of the forage was studied using the point analysis method. The forage canopy height and forage mass were measured using a disk meter. There was no significant difference between treatments in the variables analyzed. In the first experiment there was a lower clover ratio and increased litter ratio for the botanical composition and point analysis. With regards to height, there was a decrease in grazed clover pasture and grazed ryegrass pasture, as well as the forage mass. In the second experiment the grass ratio, clover height and forage mass decreased and the proportion of litter and grazed grass increased. Despite the differences in the botanical and morphological aspects of the pasture, the selective and non-selective sheep showed similar grazing behavior.

Effects of production stage and fertility traits on milk production of pasture-grazed Holstein and Jersey cows in a Mediterranean-type climate region

The aim of this study was to compare the milk production of Holstein and Jersey cows on pasture as affected by parity, lactation stage, calving season, age at first calving, and calving interval. Test-day lactation records of 122 Holstein and 99 Jersey cows, varying from parities 1 to 6, were collected using standard milk recording procedures. Cows were managed and kept as one herd on kikuyu over-sown with ryegrass pasture and received 7 kg of concentrate (as fed) containing 170 g/kg crude protein per day. Across parities, the means for milk yield, milk fat, milk protein, dry matter intake, and body weight were 23.8 ± 6.2 and 17.9 ± 4.4 kg/day; 3.89 ± 0.03 and 4.66 ± 0.03%; 3.17 ± 0.02 and 3.59 ± 0.02%; 17.8 ± 2.6 and 14.4 ± 2.1 kg/day; and 567 ± 3.49 and 411 ± 3.84 kg for Holstein and Jersey cows, respectively. Milk yield increased by 26.5% in Holsteins and 23.7% in Jerseys from first to fourth lactation. Mean lactation number was 2.5 ± 0.15 and 3.0 ± 0.17; test-day milk yield for summer was 21.2 ± 0.28 and 16.5 ± 0.31 kg/day; and winter was 21.3 ± 0.28 and 16.4 ± 0.32 kg/day; age at first calving was 26.4 ± 0.3 and 26.2 ± 0.3; and inter-calving period was 13.9 ± 0.18 and 13.2 ± 0.17 months, for Holstein and Jersey cows, respectively. With inter-calving periods of 13 months, 13.1 to 15.0 and above 15 months, the 305-day Holstein cow milk yield was 7324 ± 181, 7768 ± 193, and 7927 ± 211 kg, whereas that of Jerseys was 5400 ± 135, 5621 ± 244, and 5724 ± 234 kg, respectively. In this study, Jerseys performed better than Holsteins in lactation number and calving interval. Holsteins, however, had a higher increase in milk yield from first to fourth lactation, whereas age at first calving did not differ.