Increasing home-grown forage consumption and profit in non-irrigated dairy systems. 2. Forage harvested

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 234 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Tharmaraj ◽  
D. F. Chapman ◽  
J. Hill ◽  
J. L. Jacobs ◽  
B. R. Cullen
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Winter Cereal ◽  
Experimental Modelling ◽  
Double Cropping ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
Industry Practice ◽  
Silage Production ◽  
Fertiliser Application

A dairy farmlet experiment was conducted at Terang in south-west Victoria, Australia, over 4 years to test the hypothesis that a 30% increase in forage harvested per ha could be achieved in a production system that incorporated a range of Complementary Forages with perennial ryegrass (CF) compared with a well managed perennial ryegrass-only farmlet (‘Ryegrass Max’, RM). The CF farmlet included perennial ryegrass pasture (44% of the farmlet area on average over 4 years), but also incorporated oversowing perennial ryegrass with short-term ryegrasses (average 16% of farmlet area) to increase winter growth, tall fescue-based pasture (average 20% of farmlet area) to increase production in the late spring–summer period, a double cropping rotation (15% of farmlet area) based on winter cereal for silage production followed by summer brassica crops for grazing, and summer crops used in the pasture renovation process (average 5% of farmlet area). The RM and CF farmlets were stocked at 2.2 and 2.82 June-calving cows/ha, respectively and average annual nitrogen (N) fertiliser application rates (pasture only) were 141 and 153 kg N/ha, respectively. The total amount of forage harvested per year was generally less than predicted from pre-experimental modelling of both farmlets. However, the proposed target of a 30% increase in home-grown forage harvest per ha in the CF system compared with RM was exceeded in 2005–06 (+33%), with 21, 16 and 11% higher forage harvest achieved in CF in 2006–07, 2007–08 and 2008–09, respectively (average for all 4 years = 20%). Annual forage harvested in RM ranged between 6.5 and 8.9 t DM/ha compared with 7.9–10.3 t DM/ha in CF. Approximately two-thirds of the increased forage harvest in CF came from higher rates of pasture consumption per ha and one-third from the double cropping component of the system, although the performance of the double crop (mean annual production of 11.5 t DM/ha) was well below the expected 20 t DM/ha based on pre-experimental modelling. The higher per-hectare pasture harvest rates in CF were primarily due to increased perennial ryegrass pasture consumption achieved through higher stocking rates and efficient responses to higher N inputs from both higher fertiliser rates and additional supplementary feeding. In CF, the DM harvested from pastures oversown with short-term ryegrasses was lower than perennial ryegrass, while tall fescue-based pastures were similar to perennial ryegrass. Poor spring rainfall in 2006–07 and 2008–09 likely contributed to the lower than expected DM yields of tall fescue-based pasture and the summer crops within the double cropping component. Home-grown forage harvest rates can be increased by 11–33% above what is currently achieved by best industry practice with perennial ryegrass-only pastures using complementary forages but perennial ryegrass will remain a key component of the forage base for dairy production in southern Australia.

scholarly journals Quantifying the interactions between defoliation interval, defoliation intensity and nitrogen fertiliser application on the nutritive value of rainfed and irrigated perennial ryegrass

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (12) ◽  
pp. 1100 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. G. Pembleton ◽  
R. P. Rawnsley ◽  
L. R. Turner ◽  
R. Corkrey ◽  
D. J. Donaghy
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Leaf Stage ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
Acid Detergent Fibre ◽  
Fertiliser Application

A key goal of temperate pasture management is to optimise nutritive value and production. The influence of individual components such as irrigation, nitrogen (N) fertiliser, and grazing interval and intensity has been well researched, yet conjecture remains regarding practices that optimise pasture nutritive value, largely because interactions between inputs and grazing management have not been quantified. A 2-year, split-split-plot experiment was undertaken to investigate these interactions in a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) dominant pasture at Elliott, Tasmania. Irrigation treatments (rainfed or irrigated) were main plots and defoliation intervals (leaf regrowth stage: 1-, 2- or 3-leaf) were subplots. Defoliation intensity (defoliation height: 30, 55 or 80 mm) and N fertiliser (0, 1.5 or 3.0 kg N/ha.day) were crossed within sub-subplots. Herbage samples were collected from each plot four times during the experiment and analysed for concentrations (% dry matter, DM) of neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and crude protein (CP). Metabolisable energy (ME) concentration (MJ/kg DM) was estimated from these values. ME concentration decreased as defoliation height and interval increased for all time points except during winter. Crude protein concentration increased with increasing N fertiliser applications in the plots defoliated at the 1-leaf stage, but only as N applications increased from 1.5 to 3.0 kg N/ha.day for the plots defoliated at the 2- and 3-leaf stages. As N application rates increased from 0 to 1.5 kg N/ha.day, plots defoliated at the 3-leaf stage had greater increases in NDF concentration than plots defoliated at the 1-leaf stage, except during spring. As defoliation height and interval increased, ADF concentration increased in both spring and summer. Although defoliating at frequent intervals (1-leaf stage) and lower heights (30 mm) produced pasture of marginally higher nutritional value, these benefits are mitigated by the previously established, negative consequences of lower pasture yield and poor pasture persistence. Consequently, grazing management that maximises pasture productivity and persistence (i.e. defoliation between the 2- and 3-leaf regrowth stages to a height of 55 mm) should be applied to perennial ryegrass pastures irrespective of input management.

TALL FESCUE FOR FINISHING LAMBS AND FLUSHING EWES IN HAWKES BAY

1985 ◽  
pp. 173-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.F. Wright ◽  
M.W.A. Slay ◽  
G.J. Hamilton ◽  
D.J. Paterson
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Short Term ◽  
The Many ◽  
Better Than

Because of the many problems experienced in Hawkes Bay with traditional ryegrass pastures - drought, grass grub, stem weevil, ryegrass staggers - a research programme to evaluate tall fescue was initiated. Four short term trials have compared the nutritive value for sheep of two tall fescue cultivars (Roa and Demeter) with Nui ryegrass, all sown with white clover. All pasture types had similar quality for finishing lambs, although regrowth after a silage cut was better than previously grazed pastures, especia!!y for Nui. In the droughts of 1982 and 1983, tall fescue pastures were superior to those of Nui in both quantity and quality of feed for ewes prior to mating. This advantage resulted in an average of 18 more lambs being born per 100 ewes mated. Provided it persists, continues to produce well, and does not cause serious animal health problems under intensive sheep grazing, these results show that tall fescue should have an important role to play in Hawkes Bay and similar environments. Keywords: tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, lamb production, ewe production.

Effects of pasture species mixture, management, and environment on the productivity and persistence of dairy pastures in south-west Victoria. 1. Herbage accumulation and seasonal growth pattern

2004 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. N. Nie ◽  
D. F. Chapman ◽  
J. Tharmaraj ◽  
R. Clements
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
The Other ◽  
First Year ◽  
Seasonal Growth ◽  
Short Term ◽  
South West ◽  
Species Mixture

An experiment was conducted on 2 contrasting soil types for 4 years (1998–2001) to determine the effects of plant species mixture, management inputs, and environment on sown species herbage accumulation (SSHA) and seasonal growth pattern of pastures for dairy production. Five pasture types, combined with 3 management treatments, were established in south-west Victoria. Three of the pasture types were based on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.). One pasture type included short-term, winter- or summer-active species in the perennial ryegrass–white clover mixture. The final pasture type was based on the perennial grasses cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), and phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.). The 3 management treatments involved different levels of fertiliser input and weed/pest control. Pasture type had a significant impact on SSHA in 3 of 4 years. In the first year, the mixture based on cocksfoot, tall fescue, and phalaris had the lowest SSHA, but this pasture matched other types from 1999 onwards and yielded the highest in 2000, the year with the driest summer during the experiment. Ryegrass–white clover mixture based on old cultivars had generally lower SSHA than the other types except in the first year. Higher fertiliser inputs increased SSHA by 16–28% in 1998, 1999, and 2001. There was a significant site × pasture type interaction on SSHA in 2000. The mixture based on cocksfoot, tall fescue, and phalaris produced up to 1–2 t DM/ha.year more than the other types in summer and autumn in dry–normal years. The inclusion of short-term species, or more stoloniferous white clover cultivars, in the ryegrass–white clover mixture, had little effect on SSHA, or on the seasonal distribution of pasture growth. Pastures based on perennial grasses other than perennial ryegrass appear to have potential for altering the seasonality of pasture growth in south-west Victoria, although the benefits resulting from changing pasture type will depend on environment. Overall, increasing management inputs usually had a greater effect on SSHA than changing pasture type, but management responses were also affected by environment, particularly through the effects of a dry season on a sandy soil type.

Detection of RFLPs in Perennial Ryegrass, Using Heterologous Probes from Tall Fescue

Crop Science ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1366-1370 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. W. Xu ◽  
David A. Sleper ◽  
S. Chao
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue

scholarly journals 111 Metsulfuron and variable nitrogen application rates on infected tall fescue: effects on stocker performance, forage yield, nutritive value, ergovaline concentration and botanical composition

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 31-31
Author(s):  
Kevin R Meng ◽  
Eric Bailey ◽  
Josh Zeltwanger ◽  
Hannah Allen ◽  
Mikaela Adams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Ergot Alkaloids ◽  
Fertilization Rate ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Nitrogen Application ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Seed Head ◽  
Application Rates

Abstract Chemical seed-head suppression of endophyte infected tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) improves stocker cattle performance but may decrease forage yield. Spring nitrogen application increases tall fescue growth with a concomitant increase in ergot alkaloids, produced by the symbiotic endophyte Epichloë coenophiala. We hypothesized that greater amounts of nitrogen applied to tall fescue would increase forage yield and offset losses in forage production from chemical suppression of seed-heads with metsulfuron without effect on alkaloid concentration. Ninety-six steers (270 ± 20 kg) were randomly assigned to one of sixteen paddocks (1.8 ha) on April 18 and continuously grazed for 57 d. Paddocks were blocked by previous use (n = 4) and randomly assigned to one of four treatments; no metsulfuron, no nitrogen (NEGCON), metsulfuron with 0 (MET0), 67 (MET67), or 134 (MET134) kg/ha of ammonium nitrate, applied March 11. Steers grazing MET0 paddocks were removed 17 d early due to insufficient forage availability. Steer weight, forage yield, forage nutritive value and ergot alkaloids in forage samples were measured monthly. Seed-head frequency and species composition were determined in June. Metsulfuron application reduced (P < 0.01) tall fescue seed-heads by 80%. Metsulfuron decreased (P = 0.03) ergovaline but ergovaline increased (P < 0.01) at each monthly sampling across treatments. Nitrogen had no impact on ergovaline concentration (P = 0.50). Forage yield tended to be least (P = 0.07) for MET0, intermediate for NEGCON and MET67, and tended to be greatest for MET134 (P = 0.08). Steer ADG was not affected by treatment (P < 0.80). Metsulfuron decreased NDF (P=0.02) regardless of fertilization rate. Forage CP increased with fertilization (P < 0.01) and no differences were detected between NEGCON and MET0 (P = 0.45). Species composition was not impacted (P >0.07) by treatment. Metsulfuron decreased seed-head growth and ergovaline concentration in tall fescue. Additional nitrogen fertilizer ameliorated forage yield lost to metsulfuron application but did not impact steer gain.

Invasion Resistance of Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinaceae) and Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne) to Kikuyugrass (Pennisetum clandestinum)

1997 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clyde L. Elmore ◽  
Victor A. Gibeault ◽  
David W. Cudney
Keyword(s):  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Invasion Resistance ◽  
Seeding Rate ◽  
Pennisetum Clandestinum ◽  
Stolon Length

Overseeding established kikuyugrass swards with tall fescue or perennial ryegrass reduced kikuyugrass cover. Renovation prior to seeding did not aid in the establishment of these two species. Increasing the seeding rate from 79 to 157 kg/ha improved the establishment of perennial ryegrass but not tall fescue. When kikuyugrass plugs were introduced into established turf, tall fescue reduced the invasion of kikuyugrass stolons more than perennial ryegrass. Tall fescue reduced percent kikuyugrass cover, number and spread of stolons, and biomass (compared to perennial ryegrass). The newer turf-type tall fescue cultivars ‘Bonsai,’ ‘Falcon,’ and ‘Olympic’ were more effective than the older tall fescue cultivar ‘Fawn’ in reducing kikuyugrass invasion by reducing stolon number, stolon length, and biomass.

Evaluation of Oriental Mustard (Brassica juncea) Seed Meal for Weed Suppression in Turf

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 440-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T. Earlywine ◽  
Reid J. Smeda ◽  
Travis C. Teuton ◽  
Carl E. Sams ◽  
Xi Xiong
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Methyl Bromide ◽  
Untreated Control ◽  
Seed Meal ◽  
Mustard Seed ◽  
Annual Bluegrass ◽  
Oriental Mustard ◽  
Large Crabgrass

Oriental mustard seed meal (MSM), a byproduct generated by pressing the seed for oil, exhibits herbicidal properties. In turfgrass, soil fumigants such as methyl bromide are used to control weeds prior to renovation of turf. Environmental concerns have resulted in deregistration of methyl bromide, prompting the need for alternatives. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of MSM on the establishment of selected turfgrass weeds as well as inhibitory effects on establishment of desirable turfgrasses. Greenhouse experiments were conducted in 2006 and 2007 at the University of Missouri. MSM was amended in soil at 0, 1,350 (low), 2,350 (medium), and 3,360 kg ha−1(high) concentrations. Weed species included annual bluegrass, large crabgrass, buckhorn plantain, white clover, and common chickweed. Turfgrass species included: Rembrandt tall fescue, Evening Shade perennial rye, and Riviera bermudagrass. All species were seeded into soil amended with MSM and either tarped or left untarped. All treatments were compared to dazomet (392 kg ha−1), a synthetic standard. Plant counts and biomass of all species were recorded 4 wk after seeding. Overall, tarped treatments suppressed weed emergence 27 to 50% more compared to untarped treatments, except for large crabgrass. High rates of MSM suppressed emergence of all weeds ≥ 63%. Compared to the untreated control, the density of buckhorn plantain, white clover, and common chickweed was reduced by ≥ 42% at low rates of MSM. Biomass of buckhorn plantain, annual bluegrass, common chickweed, white clover, and large crabgrass was reduced from 37 to 99% at high rates of MSM. MSM at high rates reduced stand counts of tall fescue and perennial ryegrass up to 81% and 77% respectively, compared to the untreated control. Regardless of MSM rates or tarping, suppression of common bermudagrass emergence did not exceed 30%; tarped treatments actually increased bermudagrass emergence by 22%. The biomass for tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, and bermudagrass was reduced by 85, 68, and 10%, respectively, at high rates of MSM. For tall fescue, MSM at all rates strongly suppressed seed germination by 7 d after planting (DAP) (up to 100%), with additional germination observed through 14 DAP, but not thereafter. In both trials, dazomet completely suppressed emergence of all weeds. MSM appears to suppress emergence and growth of a number of weeds common in turf, with potential selectivity for bermudagrass.

Increasing home-grown forage consumption and profit in non-irrigated dairy systems. 1. Rationale, systems design and management

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 221 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. F. Chapman ◽  
J. Hill ◽  
J. Tharmaraj ◽  
D. Beca ◽  
S. N. Kenny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Systems Design ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Winter Cereal ◽  
Dairy Systems ◽  
Milk Solids

The profitability of dairy businesses in southern Australia is closely related to the amount of feed consumed from perennial ryegrass-dominant pasture. Historically, the dairy industry has relied on improvements in pasture productivity and utilisation to support profitable increases in stocking rate and milk production per hectare. However, doubts surround the extent to which the industry can continue to rely on perennial ryegrass technology to provide the necessary productivity improvements required into the future. This paper describes the design and management of a dairy systems experiment at Terang in south-west Victoria (780-mm average annual rainfall) conducted over four lactations (June 2005–March 2009) to compare the production and profitability of two forage base options for non-irrigated dairy farms. These options were represented by two self-contained farmlets each milking 36 mixed-age, autumn-calving Holstein-Friesian cows at peak: (1) well managed perennial ryegrass pasture (‘Ryegrass Max’, or ‘RM’); and (2) perennial ryegrass plus complementary forages (‘CF’) including 15% of farmlet area under double cropping with annual species (winter cereal grown for silage followed by summer brassica for grazing on the same land) and an average of 25% of farmlet area in perennial pasture based on tall fescue for improved late spring–early summer feed supply. The design of these systems was informed by farming systems models (DairyMod, UDDER and Redsky), which were used to estimate the effects of introducing different forage options on farm profitability. The design of the CF system was selected based on modelled profitability increases assuming that all forage components could be managed to optimise forage production and be effectively integrated to optimise milk production per cow. Using the historical ‘average’ pasture growth curve for the Terang district and a mean milk price of $3.71 per kg milk solids, the models estimated that the return on assets of the RM and CF systems would be 9.4 and 15.0%, respectively. The objectives of the experiment described here were to test whether or not such differences in profitability could be achieved in practice, and to determine the risks associated with including complementary forages on a substantial proportion of the effective farm area. Key results of the experiment are presented in subsequent papers.

Agronomic studies on irrigated soybean in southern New South Wales. II. Broadening options for sowing date

2011 ◽  
Vol 62 (12) ◽  
pp. 1067 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. G. Gaynor ◽  
R. J. Lawn ◽  
A. T. James
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Sowing Date ◽  
Plant Population ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Higher Plant ◽  
Winter Cereal ◽  
Double Cropping ◽  
South Wales

The response of irrigated soybean to sowing date and to plant population was evaluated in field experiments over three years at Leeton, in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA) in southern New South Wales. The aim was to explore the options for later sowings to improve the flexibility for growing soybean in double-cropping rotations with a winter cereal. The experiments were grown on 1.83-m-wide raised soil beds, with 2, 4, or 6 rows per bed (years 1 and 2) or 2 rows per bed only (year 3). Plant population, which was manipulated by changing either the number of rows per bed (years 1 and 2) or the within-row plant spacing (year 3), ranged from 15 to 60 plants/m2 depending on the experiment. Two sowings dates, late November and late December, were compared in years 1 and 3, while in year 2, sowings in early and late January were also included. Three genotypes (early, medium, and late maturity) were grown in years 1 and 2, and four medium-maturing genotypes were grown in year 3. In general, machine-harvested seed yields were highest in the November sowings, and declined as sowing was delayed. Physiological analyses suggested two underlying causes for the yield decline as sowing date was delayed. First and most importantly, the later sown crops flowered sooner after sowing, shortening crop duration and reducing total dry matter (TDM) production. Second, in the late January sowings of the medium- and late-maturing genotypes, harvest index (HI) declined as maturity was pushed later into autumn, exposing the crops to cooler temperatures during pod filling. Attempts to offset the decline in TDM production as sowing was delayed by using higher plant populations were unsuccessful, in part because HI decreased, apparently due to greater severity of lodging. The studies indicated that, in the near term, the yield potential of current indeterminate cultivars at the late December sowing date is adequate, given appropriate management, for commercially viable double-cropping of soybean in the MIA. In the longer term, it is suggested that development of earlier maturing, lodging-resistant genotypes that retain high HI at high sowing density may allow sowing to be delayed to early January.

scholarly journals Impact of Bispyribac-sodium Application on Annual Bluegrass Control and Brown Patch Severity in Tall Fescue

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 195-200
Author(s):  
Matthew Cutulle ◽  
Jeffrey Derr ◽  
Adam Nichols ◽  
David McCall ◽  
Brandon Horvath
Keyword(s):  
Rhizoctonia Solani ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Iron Supplementation ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Control Field ◽  
Brown Patch ◽  
Annual Bluegrass ◽  
Application Rates

Annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) is a problematic weed in tall fescue [Festuca arundinacea (Schreb.) S.J. Darbyshire], with limited options available for postemergence control. Field research was conducted to evaluate bispyribac-sodium application rates (37 or 74 g ai·ha−1) (0.033 or 0.066 lb ai·A−1) and timings (March, April or May) as well as iron supplementation on brown patch (Rhizoctonia solani) severity, annual bluegrass control, and tall fescue quality. In general, applying bispyribac-sodium to tall fescue did not result in significantly more brown patch than in untreated plots in field trials. Applying bispyribac-sodium in March or April resulted in significantly higher annual bluegrass control than applications in May. In greenhouse experiments, bispyribac-sodium at 37 and 74 g ai·ha−1 (0.033 or 0.066 lb ai·A−1) was applied to brown patch-inoculated tall fescue plants. Under conditions of high inoculum and humidity in those greenhouse studies, applications of bispyribac-sodium increased the number of brown patch lesions relative to untreated plants. Tall fescue plant height was initially reduced after being treated with bispyribac-sodium; however, six weeks after application tall fescue plants in treated with herbicide were taller than the nontreated plants.

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