The effect of frequency and time of cutting on the production and quality of a barley grass (Hordeum leporinum) dominant pasture

1967 ◽  
Vol 7 (29) ◽  
pp. 528 ◽  
Author(s):  
GE Robards ◽  
JH Leigh

A grazing experiment on a barley grass (Hordeum leporium Link) dominant pasture at Deniliquin, New South Wales, was carried out from May to November 1964. Monthly grazing of this pasture resulted in a greater dry matter yield of both green and total barley grass, and of crude protein, than when grazing occurred less frequently. The greatest stimulus to production was achieved when grazing occurred in August or September when the plants were approaching flowering. Rat's-tail fescue (Vulpia myuros (L.) K.C. Gmel), the other main component of the pasture, was not stimulated to greater total dry matter production by increasing the frequency of grazing. However, significantly more green fescue was harvested from areas grazed most frequently. The quality of both species, as estimated by nitrogen content and in vitro digestibility of barley grass and nitrogen content of fescue, was higher late in the season on the monthly grazed areas than on areas grazed less frequently.

1978 ◽  
Vol 18 (93) ◽  
pp. 520 ◽  
Author(s):  
DA Hedges ◽  
JL Wheeler ◽  
C Mulcahy ◽  
MS Vincent

The composition and relative acceptability to sheep of eight forage sorghum and three forage millet cultivars were assessed in two experiments at Tamworth and Armidale, New South Wales. Millets were consistently superior to sorghums in chemical composition, in vitro digestibility and acceptability. Japanese millet (Echinochloa utilis) which had the highest mean sulphur (0.45 per cent) and sodium (0.03 per cent) contents and a very narrow nitrogen : sulphur ratio (5.7 : 1 ) , was easily the most acceptable. Its disadvantage was its very early maturity with subsequent poor regrowth. In the second experiment, two pearl millets were similar to eight sorghums in terms of dry matter production (means 2.1 vs. 2.0 t ha-1 per cut respectively) but tended to be more acceptable to the sheep and produced forage of superior quality. The eight sorghum cultivars and one maize had very low sodium (0.008-0.01 7 per cent) and sulphur (0.09-0.20 per cent) contents and nitrogen : sulphur ratios (mean 15.9 : 1 ) wider than those of the two pearl millets (13 : 1). Despite quite low cyanide potentials (mean 0.015 per cent HCN) there was a consistent negative association between the cyanide potential and acceptability in the sorghums. The low cyanide cultivar Piper was generally the most acceptable sorghum and compared favourably with the pearl millets in acceptability. The application of 20 kg S ha-1 as gypsum failed to increase significantly the sulphur content of any of the forages, but significantly reduced the nitrogen : sulphur ratio from 14.1 : 1 to 13.3 : 1 in the second year.The solution to the problem of unsatisfactory animal production on summer forages appears to lie in increasing the dry matter production per unit area of millets or the quality of sorghums.


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 124
Author(s):  
Muhammad Askari Zakariah ◽  
Ristianto Utomo ◽  
Zaenal Bachruddin

The objective of this study was to identify the effect of L. plantarum and S. cerevisiae mixed culture inoculation into cocoa pods silage on chemical composition and in vitro digestibility. The four treatments were: 1 kg freshly harvested cocoa pods without inoculants as control (K); K + L. plantarum (KLp); K + S. cerevisiae (KSc); and K + L. plantarum and S. cerevisiae mixture (KLp+Sc) 0.1% dry matter, Cassava meal were added in all treatments. Each treatment was replicated 3 times, and then fermented for 21 days. Parameters observed in current study were gas test production, ruminal fermentation parameter, and in vitro digestibility. The collected data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and followed by Duncan’s new Multiple Range Test for data with significant differences. Result showed that the mixed culture Lp+Sc inoculation increased (P<0.05) chemical quality of cocoa pods by reducing fibre fraction and increase NFE contents, increased degradation rate, degradation theory, reduced rumen pH, and propionate acid production, without affecting acetate to propionate ratio, microbial protein synthesis, and digestibility of cocoa pod silage.


1980 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 807-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. FULKERSON

Midas marrowstem kale (Brassica oleracea L.) was grown in different row width associations with United 106 corn (Zea maize L.) in two studies and ensiled in different moisture blends with corn stover in another. Highest dry matter yields were obtained where a single row of kale was grown at 30 cm to the side of a corn row. This combination also provided the lowest moisture content feed and the highest in vitro digestibility and crude protein content. Changing the corn row width had no significant effect upon yield, plant height, in vitro digestibility, kale leaf or corn ear content. Blending kale with corn stover to provide a silage of about 70% moisture increased the digestibility and protein content of the feed and provided a silage that kept well in storage.


1981 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 625-632 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. FARIS ◽  
H. BAENZIGER ◽  
R. P. TERHUNE

Alfalfa dry matter production, plant height, protein content, and in vitro digestibility (IVD) were measured in first- and second-year plantings of six alfalfa cultivars grown under natural potato leafhopper infestation with and without methoxychlor treatment for control of the pests. All treated plots yielded more dry matter than the untreated check, except Angus in 1978. Plant height and protein content were higher and IVD was less in the treated plots. All cultivars were susceptible to leafhopper infestation; however, Angus was the least affected. Leafhopper injury was season-specific and damage carry-over from one season to another occurred but was less than from one cut to the next.


1974 ◽  
Vol 14 (71) ◽  
pp. 790 ◽  
Author(s):  
JV Lovett ◽  
EM Matheson

In field experiments conducted over three years at Armidale, New South Wales, the total winter forage production by barley, oats, wheat and rye was similar. However, barley and rye tended to outyield wheat and oats at early harvests, the reverse applying at late harvests. It is suggested that these characteristics of the cereals could be exploited to meet specific seasonal requirements for dry matter production more effectively than is possible with a single species. Response to high seeding rates in forage production was similar in all cereals and was confined to a late sowing. Significant differences in in vitro digestibility over the winter period were recorded and differences were also apparent in subsequent grain yield.


2005 ◽  
Vol 48 (spe) ◽  
pp. 161-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lúcia de Fátima Araújo ◽  
Ariosvaldo Nunes Medeiros ◽  
Américo Perazzo Neto ◽  
Líbia de Sousa Conrado Oliveira ◽  
Flávio Luiz Honorato da Silva

The microbial protein bioconversion of cactus pear by yeast in solid medium was studied. Three cultivation variables used were: inoculum's concentrations (5, 10 and 15 %), substrate layer thickness (2, 4 and 6 cm) and temperature (30, 34 and 38 ºC). The rate of dry matter production and total protein were determined. Results obtained were variance analysis, gross energy and in vitro dry matter digestibility. The maximum protein amount achieved for the conditions studied in the present work was higher than 26 %, which was compatible or greater than those of conventional concentrates of protein supplements used for animal feed. The protein concentrate of cactus pear had a higher in vitro digestibility index (95.8 %) and did not show any changes in the gross energy value when compared to that of the cactus pear in natura.


1991 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 639 ◽  
Author(s):  
PL Milthorpe ◽  
PR Dann

In 1985, experiments were conducted at 4 localities in south-eastern and central New South Wales, to assess the production potential of tagasaste. The results were disappointing: 2 experiments failed to establish because of soil waterlogging, while production from the other 2 sites was only intermittent. Annual dry matter production did not exceed 3 t/ha at Condobolin or 5 t/ha at Yass. Although survival of established plants was good, production was limited by prolonged dry periods at Condobolin and by low temperatures during winter at Yass. Tagasaste is costly to establish (up to $A500/ha) and difficult to manage. In our environments, conventional pastures or fodder crops which require simpler management would probably out-produce tagasaste at most times during the experimental period.


1984 ◽  
Vol 24 (125) ◽  
pp. 236
Author(s):  
GK McDonald ◽  
BG Sutton ◽  
FW Ellison

Three winter cereals (wheat varieties Songlen and WW 15, triticale variety Satu) were grown after cotton or summer fallow under three levels of applied nitrogen (0, 100 and 200 kg N/ha) at Narrabri, New South Wales. The cereals were sown on August 7, 1980 and growing season rainfall was supplemented by a single irrigation. Leaf area, total shoot dry matter production and ears per square metre were lower after cotton than after summer fallow, while grain yields of cereals sown immediately after cotton were 33% lower than those sown after fallow. Adding nitrogen increased leaf area, dry matter and grain yields of crops grown after cotton and fallow, but significant increases were not obtained with more than 100 kg/ha of applied nitrogen. Crops grown after cotton required an application of 100 kg N/ha for leaf and dry matter production at anthesis to equal that of crops grown after fallow with no additional nitrogen. The corresponding cost to grain yield of growing cotton was equivalent to 200 kg N/ha. The low grain yield responses measured in this experiment (1 8 and 10% increase to 100 kg N/ha after cotton and fallow, respectively) were attributed to the combined effects of late sowing, low levels of soil moisture and loss, by denitrification, of some of the applied nitrogen. The triticale, Satu, yielded significantly less than the two wheats (1 99 g/m2 for Satu c.f. 255 and 286 g/m2 for Songlen and WW 15, respectively), and did not appear to be a viable alternative to wheat in a cotton rotation.


1969 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alastair McLean ◽  
S. Freyman ◽  
J. E. Miltimore ◽  
D. M. Bowden

Seasonal changes in the quality of pinegrass (Calamagrostis rubescens) on native forest range in southern British Columbia included declines in crude protein content and in vitro digestibility of dry matter and increases in content of lignin, acid-detergent fiber, and ash. The decline in average daily gains of beef heifers was more rapid than changes in quality of the pinegrass over the grazing period from June to October.Pinegrass contained adequate nutrients for the rapid growth of yearlings or for maintaining weanling calves until August 1, whereupon protein and phosphorus supplementation were required. Nutrient requirements of pregnant cows and replacement heifers were adequately met until September 1.Copper and zinc were inadequate throughout the season. Calcium, iron, and manganese contents, however, were satisfactory. Silica was high and must be considered a potential problem in pinegrass utilization.Digestible dry matter gave a high positive correlation with crude protein and phosphorus and a high negative correlation with lignin, acid-detergent fiber, and total ash.Crude fiber, crude fat, and total soluble carbohydrate contents of pinegrass did not closely follow changes in either animal gains or in vitro digestible dry matter.Crude protein, phosphorus, and acid-detergent fiber appear to give a good indication of animal yields on pinegrass and could be used to evaluate pinegrass quality where animal data are not available.


1979 ◽  
Vol 19 (99) ◽  
pp. 437 ◽  
Author(s):  
AC Andrews ◽  
FC Crofts

Four ecotypes of hybrid Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) were compared with common couch (C. dactylon) and kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) at five sites in coastal districts of New South Wales. The sites were Grafton and Coaldale (Lat. 30�S), Mitchells Island (Lat. 32�S) and Richmond and Badgerys Creek (Lat. 34�S). Hybrid Bermudagrass ecotypes 6389 and 692 were established quickly at all sites while ecotypes 71 9 and 632 were satsifactory. Kikuyu was strong at all sites except Grafton but the rate of establishment of common couch was poor. At the frost-free sandy site of Mitchells Island, Bermudagrass ecotypes 719, 692, 6389, and 632 outyielded kikuyu by 75, 65, 65 and 35%, respectively. However, at Grafton and Coaldale, the highest yielding Bermudagrass ecotype, 719, had only 35% higher production than kikuyu. At the frost prone southern sites of Richmond and Badgerys Creek, the annual production of kikuyu was equal to that of ecotypes 719, 6389, 692 and 632. Common couch yields were equal to kikuyu at all sites except at Richmond. At Mitchells Island, the hybrid Bermudagrasses outyielded kikuyu in spring, summer and early autumn but in the late autumn kikuyu had equal and sometimes higher growth rates than the best Bermudagrasses. In winter, the growth of both species was negligible, although kikuyu, unlike the Bermudagrasses, did produce some new shoots at the base of the sward. Data on persistence under grazing were collected from only three of the sites but trends were similar to establishment. Ecotype 6389 had the highest persistence rating of the Bermudagrasses. Kikuyu failed at the poorly drained sandy site of Grafton but remained strong at the other sites. It was concluded that hybrid Bermudagrasses were of potential value for pastures in New South Wales, especially for sites with sandy soils and low frost incidence.


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