Grazing behaviour and pattern of intake of dairy cows grazing kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) grass pastures in relation to sward height and length of grazing session

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 233 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Dobos ◽  
W. J. Fulkerson ◽  
K. Sinclair ◽  
G. N. Hinch
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Pennisetum Clandestinum ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
Grazing Period ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Strip Grazing

To investigate how grazing time, herbage dry matter intake (DMI) and intake rate (IR) are influenced by intensive grazing management, dairy cows strip-grazing subtropical grass pastures (Pennisetum clandestinum) at two compressed sward heights (10 and 13 cm) and at five grazing durations (1, 2, 4, 8 and 15 h) and replicated over 3 days were studied. The study was conducted in summer and the cows were observed every 20 min from 1600 to 0700 hours to calculate the time spent (min/h) grazing, ruminating and resting. Total time spent grazing was 45 min longer for cows grazing the 13-cm sward than for those grazing the 10-cm sward over the 15-h grazing period. The rate of increase in grazing time was 0.64 h/h grazing duration up to 4 h after introduction to fresh pasture. IR of cows grazing the 13-cm sward was significantly higher than those grazing the 10-cm sward (0.17 v. 0.12 kg DM/min spent grazing). The difference in IRs between sward height treatments resulted from the higher DMI in the 13-cm sward within the first 4 h of grazing compared with the 10-cm sward, although following the first 4-h grazing period IR was similar for both sward heights. Grazing time increased with sward height up to a maximum of 4 h after introduction to fresh pasture and had also maximised herbage DMI by this time. These results have important practical implications for dairy cow grazing management systems because they show that dairy managers could remove cows after 4 h with little compromise in production and will help in developing optimum supplementary feeding strategies when pasture availability limits DMI.

Matching grass supply to grazing patterns for dairy cows under strip-grazing management

1998 ◽  
Vol 1998 ◽  
pp. 49-49
Author(s):  
R.J. Orr ◽  
S.M. Rutter ◽  
P.D. Penning ◽  
N.H. Yarrow ◽  
L.D. Atkinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Production Potential ◽  
Grazed Pasture ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Water Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Strip Grazing ◽  
Friesian Cows

Grazed herbage is the cheapest feed available for dairy cows but total intake of nutrients from grazed pasture alone is generally insufficient to allow high yielding dairy cows to reach their production potential. Cows have their main daily meal following afternoon milking in the period up to sunset (e.g. Rook et al., 1994 ). In addition, both the DM content and water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentration of grass increase over the day (e.g. Orr et al., 1997) due to the loss of moisture and the accumulation of the products of photosynthesis. Based on this evidence, this study tested the hypothesis that dairy cows receiving strip-grazing allocations following the afternoon rather than the morning milking would show higher intake rates and consequently higher milk yields.Twenty Holstein-Friesian cows (median calving date 10 February 1997) were each supplemented with 4 kg concentrates day-1 and strip-grazed a perennial ryegrass pasture in four groups of 5 cows.

Matching grass supply to grazing patterns for dairy cows under strip-grazing management

1998 ◽  
Vol 1998 ◽  
pp. 49-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.J. Orr ◽  
S.M. Rutter ◽  
P.D. Penning ◽  
N.H. Yarrow ◽  
L.D. Atkinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Production Potential ◽  
Grazed Pasture ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Water Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Strip Grazing ◽  
Friesian Cows

Grazed herbage is the cheapest feed available for dairy cows but total intake of nutrients from grazed pasture alone is generally insufficient to allow high yielding dairy cows to reach their production potential. Cows have their main daily meal following afternoon milking in the period up to sunset (e.g. Rook et al., 1994 ). In addition, both the DM content and water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentration of grass increase over the day (e.g. Orr et al., 1997) due to the loss of moisture and the accumulation of the products of photosynthesis. Based on this evidence, this study tested the hypothesis that dairy cows receiving strip-grazing allocations following the afternoon rather than the morning milking would show higher intake rates and consequently higher milk yields.Twenty Holstein-Friesian cows (median calving date 10 February 1997) were each supplemented with 4 kg concentrates day-1 and strip-grazed a perennial ryegrass pasture in four groups of 5 cows.

scholarly journals Effect of Post-grazing Sward Height on Ingestive Behavior, Dry Matter Intake, and Milk Production of Holstein Dairy Cows

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Menegazzi ◽  
Pamela Yanina Giles ◽  
Matías Oborsky ◽  
Oliver Fast ◽  
Diego Antonio Mattiauda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Ingestive Behavior ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Evaluation Period ◽  
Sward Height

Sward height is strongly related to the daily dry matter intake of grazing dairy cows, which consequently determines animal performance. Despite that, few studies have explored the potential to increase milk production by managing post-grazing sward height. An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of three defoliation intensities on a Lolium arundinaceum-based pasture on frequency and length of grazing meals and ruminating bouts, daily grazing and ruminating time, feeding stations and patches exploration, and dry matter intake and milk production of dairy cows. The treatments imposed were three different post-grazing sward heights: control (TC), medium (TM), and lax (TL), which were managed with 6, 9, and 12 cm of post-grazing sward heights during autumn and winter, and 9, 12, and 15 cm of post-grazing sward heights during spring, respectively. Thirty-six autumn-calving Holstein cows were grouped by parity (2.6 ± 0.8), body weight (618 ± 48) kg, and body condition score (2.8 ± 0.2) and randomized to the treatments. The pasture was accessed from 08:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 03:00 during spring and no supplement was involved during the evaluation period. Daily grazing time averaged 508 ± 15 min and was not affected by treatment. The reduction of post-grazing sward height increased the length of the first grazing session in the morning and the afternoon. The number of grazing sessions was greater on TL than on TM, with no difference in TC. The number of feeding stations (the hypothetical semi-circle in front of an animal from which the bites were taken without moving the front forefeet) visited was less on TC than on TL, and neither of them differed from TM. Dry matter (DM) intake was lesser on TC than on TM and TL (14.7 vs. 17.8 kg DM). Milk production during the evaluation period was 13.1, 16.2, and 18.7 kg/day for TC, TM, and TL, respectively. The milk fat, protein, and lactose content did not differ between treatments. The cows on TC exhibited a lower intake rate, although they were less selective, probably as a consequence of the sward structure of TC treatment. The cows on TM adopted a compensation mechanism which allowed them to achieve the same dry matter intake as cows on TL, but lower milk production. The cows on TL were more selective than TC and TM resulting in higher digestible dry matter intake and consequently higher milk production. The intensity of defoliation impacts on the animal-plant interaction, and constitutes a valuable management tool that can be used to boost forage intake and milk production. The new developments on information technology would allow researchers to link behavioral data with response variables (e.g., milk production, health, welfare, etc.) at different spatio-temporal scales and support short and long-term management decisions.

scholarly journals The Effect of Frequency of Fresh Pasture Allocation on Pasture Utilisation and the Performance of High Yielding Dairy Cows

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2176
Author(s):  
Jessica G. Pollock ◽  
Alan W. Gordon ◽  
Kathryn M. Huson ◽  
Deborah A. McConnell
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
The Other ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Energy Output ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Utilisation Rate ◽  
High Production ◽  
Grazing Behaviour

Pasture allocation frequency (PAF) can influence pasture availability and grazing behaviour, which subsequently may impact on animal performance. Limited research to-date has investigated grazing management methods to improve the performance of high production dairy cows whilst also achieving high grass utilisation rates. This study evaluated the effect of three different PAF’s (12, 24 and 36 h) on pasture utilisation, the performance of high yielding dairy cows and the interaction with parity. The experiment included two 60-day periods, 90 spring calving dairy cows (27 primiparous animals) in period one and 87 (24 primiparous animals) in period two. The average pre-grazing sward height (11.4 cm) was similar for all treatments in both periods. In period one, pasture utilisation rate was significantly higher (8%) in the 36 h compared to the 12 h treatment. In period two, milk energy output was significantly greater for primiparous animals in the 36 h treatment relative to the other treatments.

Studies in grazing management. VI. The influence of free- and strip-grazing and of nitrogenous fertilizers on production from dairy cows

1958 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Campling ◽  
D. S. MacLusky ◽  
W. Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Fertilizer Nitrogen ◽  
Grazing Season ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Intensive Use ◽  
Grass Sward ◽  
Supplementary Foods ◽  
Strip Grazing

1. An experiment with dairy cows is described in which the production per animal and per acre obtained in three methods of grazing management were compared during 2 years.(A) An intensive method. Strip-grazing daily on heavily fertilized grass sward.(B) A modified intensive method. Continuous, free-range grazing on a heavily fertilized grass sward.(C) An extensive method. Continuous, free-range grazing on a grass and clover sward receiving a basic application of phosphate and potash only.The intensively fertilized swards received a total of 212 lb. fertilizer nitrogen per acre, together with adequate amounts of phosphate and potash throughout the grazing season. No supplementary foods of concentrate type were fed to the cows during the experiment.2. For the comparison of production per animal 3 × 3 Latin-square experimental design, with twelve Ayrshire cows and periods of 3 weeks' duration, was used. Two separate trials were conducted during the grazing season of 1955 and a third trial during 1956.3. The different methods of grazing management and intensive use of fertilizer had little influence on the milk yield and butterfat percentage of the milk of the cows.

The Quantities of Herbage Eaten by Grazing Dairy Cows

1955 ◽  
Vol 1955 ◽  
pp. 45-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. S. MacLusky
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Sampling Methods ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Chemical Marker ◽  
Faecal Analysis ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Grazing Period ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Grazing Dairy Cows

The herbage dry matter intake of grazing animals may be estimated by chemical marker and faecal analysis methods (Raymond, 1954) or by pasture sampling methods.Pasture sampling methods generally involve two main difficulties. The first is the low precision resulting from the variability of pasture yields. When intake is estimated from the difference between the yields of herbage on a given area sampled before and after the grazing period, the estimate bears the error variances of both the sample means. The second difficulty lies in ensuring that the estimated difference in yields is the true difference due to consumption. The samples must be cut below the level to which the animal can graze, and the amount of herbage growth during the grazing period must be estimated and allowed for. Growth can be estimated from the difference between the yield of herbage before grazing and the yield of protected herbage at the end of the grazing period.

Frequency distribution of sward height of kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) grass pastures intensively grazed by dairy cows

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (7) ◽  
pp. 574 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Dobos ◽  
K. Sinclair ◽  
G. N. Hinch ◽  
W. J. Fulkerson
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Normal Distribution ◽  
Frequency Distribution ◽  
Information Criteria ◽  
Skewed Distribution ◽  
Height Measurement ◽  
Pennisetum Clandestinum ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Log Normal ◽  
Log Normal Distribution

Swards that are grazed continuously by cattle can become heterogeneous in structure, such that frequencies of height measurements have a skewed distribution. This structure has been best described by the double-normal, gamma and Weibull distributions rather than by the more common single-normal distribution. Limited analysis of the frequency distribution of sward height under dairy cattle grazing management is available. The current paper reports the frequency distribution of sward height under intensive dairy cow grazing of kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) in a subtropical environment. Frequencies of sward height were collected during an experiment designed to investigate the effects of compressed sward height and grazing duration on grazing behaviour of dairy cows. There were two compressed sward heights (10 and 13 cm; Earle and McGowan 1979) and five grazing durations (1, 2, 4, 8 and 15 h). The frequency of height measurements taken were then fitted to four distributions – single-normal, log-normal, gamma and Weibull – to determine if treatments influenced the structure of the sward as grazing duration progressed. The frequency of sward height measurement was best described by the log-normal distribution. However, no one distribution described the frequency of height measurements consistently as grazing duration progressed, as determined by Akaike information criteria. The present analysis did not provide unequivocal evidence for either bimodal or unimodal distributions describing the height measurements for 10- and 13-cm compressed sward height treatments as grazing duration progressed.

Pattern of herbage intake rate and bite dimensions of rotationally grazed dairy cows as sward height declines

2001 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 362-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. D. Barrett ◽  
A. S. Laidlaw ◽  
C. S. Mayne ◽  
H. Christie
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Herbage Intake

scholarly journals Management of Lotus corniculatus under dairy cow grazing

2007 ◽  
pp. 47-51
Author(s):  
E.M.K. Minneé ◽  
S.J. Bluett ◽  
S.L. Woodward ◽  
P.G. Laboyrie
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Forage Quality ◽  
Lotus Corniculatus ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Sward Height

The effect of lax or hard dairy cow grazing (residual stubble height of 10 and 5 cm) and grazing frequency (grazing when sward height reached 35 or 20 cm) on persistence, productivity and forage quality of pure pastures of Lotus corniculatus was evaluated over two growing seasons. Keywords: Lotus corniculatus, dairy cows, grazing management

Effect of duration of fasting period on short-term intake rates of lactating dairy cows

1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 299-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Patterson ◽  
D. A. McGilloway ◽  
A. Cushnahan ◽  
C. S. Mayne ◽  
A. S. Laidlaw
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Fasting Period ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Biting Rate ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Grazing Period ◽  
Fasting Duration

AbstractThe effects of duration of fasting on the short-term feeding behaviour of 12 grazing and 12 silage-fed lactating Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were examined. Four groups of three cows were rotated around fasting treatments of 1, 3, 6 or 13 h following a balanced Latin-square design. Herbage intakes for each treatment group were assessed over al-h period.As intended there were no significant differences in sward characteristics between the experimental plots grazed by cows from different treatment groups. However, total dry-matter (DM) intake, biting rate and DM intake per bite, measured over the 1-h grazing period, increased significantly when the duration offasting was extended from 1 to 6 or 13 h (P < 0·05). There were only minor differences in grazing behaviour following fasting durations ofl and 3, or 6 and 13 h.In a parallel study, undertaken to assess the influence offasting duration on appetite independently of grazing, four groups of three cows were housed indoors and offered 30 kg of a high quality grass silage. Silage DM intakes, measured over a 1-h period, increased significantly with extended fasting periods (P < 0·01), though silage DM intake was considerably lower than that of grazing cows for each fasting treatment.These results suggest that dairy cows grazing on good quality swards may be able to compensate for increased degree of hunger by increasing both biting rate and DM intake per bite to increase DM intake rate. Although the DM intakes of silage and grazed grass followed similar patterns of increasing intake with extended fasting duration, DM intake rates were considerably higher in grazing cows for each fasting treatment.

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