
%0 Journal Article
%A Walker, G. P. 
%A Francis, S. A. 
%A Heard, J. W. 
%A Doyle, P. T. 
%T Fatty acid composition of pastures
%J Science Access
%D 2004/01/01
%V 1
%N 1
%P 192-195
%K pastures, long chain fatty acid concentration, long chain fatty acid composition
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/SA0401049
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/SA0401049 
%X The long chain fatty acid (LCFA) concentration and composition of herbage from 3 mixed-species pastures grown at Kyabram, Victoria, were determined for a small number of samples harvested at a nominal grazing height. The 3 pasture types were perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L., 51-61%), Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L., 37-76%) and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L., 39-84%). Based on a small data set, we estimate that cows grazing perennial ryegrass, Persian clover or subterranean clover-type pastures could consume herbage containing 18-22, 14-27 and 20-34 g LCFA/kg DM, respectively, with half to two thirds of this as 18:3 fatty acid. Time of year appeared to be an important factor in determining the total concentration and composition of LCFA in pastures. There was a positive linear relationship between the total concentration of LCFA and concentration of crude protein in harvested herbage, with this relationship apparently independent of botanical composition of pastures. 
