Dry matter yield, nutritive value and tiller density of tall fescue and perennial ryegrass swards under grazing
Loading...
Date
31/12/2016
DOI
Open Access Location
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
New Zealand Grassland Association
Rights
Abstract
Alternative 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.
Description
Keywords
perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), grazing management
Citation
Journal of New Zealand Grasslands, 2016, 78 pp. 149 - 156