Dry matter yield, nutritive value and tiller density of tall fescue and perennial ryegrass swards under grazing

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dc.citation.volume78
dc.contributor.authorHendricks S
dc.contributor.authorDonaghy D
dc.contributor.authorMatthew C
dc.contributor.authorBretherton M
dc.contributor.authorSneddon N
dc.contributor.authorCosgrove G
dc.contributor.authorChristensen C
dc.contributor.authorKaufononga S
dc.contributor.authorHowes J
dc.contributor.authorOsborne M
dc.contributor.authorTaylor P
dc.contributor.authorHedley M
dc.coverage.spatialTimaru
dc.date.available2016-12-31
dc.date.issued2016-12-31
dc.description.abstractAlternative pasture species with the potential to supply quality forage during summer feed shortages, such as tall fescue (TF), are of interest to dairy farmers. A paddock scale study was undertaken to compare performance of TF managed on a shorter rotation similar to perennial ryegrass (RG) (TF-RG) with TF managed on a longer rotation more consistent with its morphology of 4 live leaves/tiller (TF-TF), and with RG (RG-RG). Accumulated dry matter (DM) yields were similar for the three treatments. Patch grazing was observed during the first spring, with more long patches in TFTF than in either TF-RG or RG-RG. Sown-species leaf area index (LAI) was greater in TF-TF compared with TF-RG and RG-RG (2.25, 1.56 and 0.90, respectively; P<0.05). The proportions of grass weeds were higher in the TF-RG (P<0.05) compared with TF-TF and RG-RG treatments (302, 207 and 164 g/kg DM, respectively). A soil fertility gradient with distance along the paddock away from the farm race was recorded, with Olsen P declining at 0.130 mg/kg/m with distance from the farm race. Tiller density, LAI and yield of sown species and total yield sampled were all positively correlated with Olsen P. Overall, this study highlights the importance of managing TF pastures according to its specific growth habits. However, attaining longer grazing rotations under field conditions whilst trying to maintain cow intakes, is likely to continue to prove elusive.
dc.description.confidentialfalse
dc.description.publication-statusPublished online
dc.format.extent149 - 156
dc.identifier.citationJournal of New Zealand Grasslands, 2016, 78 pp. 149 - 156
dc.identifier.eissn2463-2880
dc.identifier.elements-id352338
dc.identifier.harvestedMassey_Dark
dc.identifier.issn2463-2872
dc.publisherNew Zealand Grassland Association
dc.relation.isPartOfJournal of New Zealand Grasslands
dc.relation.urihttps://www.grassland.org.nz/publications/nzgrassland_publication_2827.pdf
dc.subjectperennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)
dc.subjecttall fescue (Festuca arundinacea)
dc.subjectgrazing management
dc.titleDry matter yield, nutritive value and tiller density of tall fescue and perennial ryegrass swards under grazing
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.notesNot known
pubs.organisational-group/Massey University
pubs.organisational-group/Massey University/College of Sciences
pubs.organisational-group/Massey University/College of Sciences/School of Agriculture & Environment
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