Defoliation dynamics, pasture intake and milk production of dairy cows grazing lucerne pastures in a partial mixed-ration system
K. A. D. Ison A B C , D. G. Barber A , M. A. Benvenutti A , N. Kleinitz B , D. Mayer A and D. P. Poppi BA Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Agri-Science Queensland (Dairy), University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, John Mahon Building 8105, Lawes, Qld 4343, Australia.
B School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Animal Science Group, University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Natural and Rural Systems Management Building 8117A, Lawes, Qld 4343, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: Kieran.Ison@daf.qld.gov.au
Animal Production Science 60(1) 175-179 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN18535
Submitted: 27 September 2018 Accepted: 3 May 2019 Published: 11 July 2019
Abstract
The effect of lucerne pasture allocation on defoliation dynamics, pasture intake and animal production was investigated in a subtropical partial mixed-ration dairy system. The study took place at the Gatton Research Dairy, south-eastern Queensland, with a 28-day adaptation period followed by an 8-day treatment period during November and December 2016. Twenty-four multiparous Holstein Friesian dairy cows were offered 11 kg of dry matter (DM)/cow.day as partial mixed-ration dairy system, and four levels of daily pasture allocation measured to 5-cm residual pasture height (averaging 30.6, 20.5, 15.1 and 10.9 kg DM/cow.day). Cows with lower allocations were forced to graze further down the vertical plane and pasture intake and milk yield significantly (P < 0.001) declined. Cows grazed the top grazing stratum (TGS) across 80% of the pasture area before re-grazing another area of the paddock, regardless of the allocation level. Pasture intake (kg DM/ha) of the TGS was at least 2.9 times higher than that of the lower strata, regardless of allocation level. Therefore, the decline in pasture intake is explained by the transition from grazing the TGS to grazing lower strata. When the horizontal utilisation of the TGS approached 100%, the proportion of ungrazed, uncontaminated pasture approached 0% of the area, and intake and milk production declined. Grazing management strategies for lucerne should allocate pasture to lactating dairy cows to achieve horizontal utilisations approaching 0% for proportion of ungrazed, uncontaminated pasture to maximise intake and production. Secondary grazing herds or mechanical methods should be used to remove residual pasture to the ideal height for pasture regrowth.
Additional keywords: alfalfa, grazing dynamics, grazing management, Medicago sativa.
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