Assessing the agronomic benefit of noninversion tillage for improving soil structure following winter grazing of cattle and sheep

S. Laurenson; D. J. Houlbrooke

doi:10.1111/sum.12144

The grazing preferences of cattle and sheep

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600022437 ◽

1960 ◽

Vol 54 (2) ◽

pp. 257-265 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

S. J. Cowlishaw ◽

F. E. Alder

Keyword(s):

White Clover ◽

Lignin Content ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Soluble Carbohydrate ◽

Meadow Fescue ◽

Red Fescue ◽

Rye Grass ◽

Preference Rank ◽

Winter Grazing ◽

Cattle And Sheep

Factors affecting the grazing habits of ruminants are discussed in relation to the attractiveness and nutritive value of herbages and the observed preferences of cattle and sheep at different times.Methods of measuring stock preferences are considered and it is concluded that, while frequent eye estimates of the quantity of each species appear to provide an adequate method, continuous observations and herbage sampling are useful adjuncts to it.The results of five experiments are given. Four were carried out in 3 years' winter grazing and one on spring, summer and autumn grazing over 2 years. In the latter experiment herbage samples were chemically analysed and a relationship with the observed preferences was calculated.In the winter grazing trials the greener grasses tended to be selected first, i.e. timothy, white clover, rough-stalked meadow grass, perennial and Italian rye-grass. Cocksfoot, Phalaris, red fescue and meadow fescue were not generally relished. Meadow foxtail, smooth-stalked meadow grass, tall fescue and sometimes the different varieties of rye-grass and timothy varied in rank from year to year as a result of differential frost damage and fungal attacks.In the summer grazing trials lucerne and white clover were found palatable in all the 1956 trials; in 1957 lucerne remained so, but white clover was less well liked, especially in June and July. The amount of grass growing with the clover seemed to affect attractiveness, mixtures being preferred to either species by itself. Meadow fescue and timothy were always ranked high, perennial rye-grass and cocksfoot usually next. Agrostis and red fescue were lowest. For the grasses, preference rank was positively correlated in 1957 with water-soluble dry matter, water-soluble ash, water-soluble carbohydrate and negatively correlated with lignin content.Results are compared with those of other investigators and they show a marked degree of similarity. Variability in the data for sheep is possibly due to limitations in technique. The results for sheep and for cattle are compared; and it was generally found that cattle were fonder of meadow fescue than sheep, and less fond of cocksfoot.Stock appear to graze those plants which will most readily supply their requirements for salts and energy (carbohydrates). Factors like dung, fungal attack, accessibility, density and toughness may interfere with this relationship.

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Adaptive changes of the hair coat of the horses of zabaykalsky aborigenous breed

Siberian Herald of Agricultural Science ◽

10.26898/0370-8799-2019-4-11 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 49 (4) ◽

pp. 101-105 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

G. M. Shkyratova ◽

B. Z. Bazaron ◽

T. N. Khamiruev ◽

S. M. Dashinimaev

Keyword(s):

Seasonal Changes ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Skin Thickness ◽

Summer Period ◽

Hair Coat ◽

Skin Fold ◽

Winter Grazing ◽

Shoulder Blade ◽

Quantitative Indicators

The seasonal changes in the skin thickness and structure of the horses’ coat, as signs of adaptation to environmental factors, were studied. The experiment was carried out with the livestock kept in a herd using winter-grazing technology without additional feedings in the climatic conditions of the Trans-Baikal Territory. The objects of the research were adult mares of Zabaikalsky breed of horses of the same age, class and fatness. The studies were carried out in the middle of each season (May, July, October, February). The length of the coat was measured with a caliper, the coat itself with the determination of the ratio of hair (ﬂ uffy hair, heterotype hair and coarse hair) and the thickness of the skin fold were measured in accordance with the approved methodological recommendations. The minimum skin thickness in winter was detected in mares on the back and shoulder blade – 4.3 and 4.4 mm, the maximum – on the side and thigh – 4.5 4.6 mm. When compared with the summer period, the increase on the side was 0.8 mm, whereas on the back, shoulder blade and thigh – 0.4 mm (p ≤ 0,001). In spring, thickening of the skin was noted within 0.1-0.3 mm in the same topographic areas, compared to autumn. The quantitative indicators of the coat changed depending on the season of the year. In winter, the coat contained more ﬂ uffy hair (23.10%), and less coarse hair (68.24%), in summer there was a lower content of ﬂ uffy hair (4.33%), but more coarse hair (94.01%.) Sharp seasonal changes were noted with regard to the length of the hair. The longest hair was found in winter and spring – 4.96 and 4.26 cm, whereas the shortest – in summer and autumn – 0.94 and 1.90 cm, respectively.

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