Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-fv566 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-18T05:22:49.175Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The feed intake of grazing cattle. I. Feed intake of dairy cows on strip and free grazing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 1960

W. Holmes  and
H. El Sayed Osman
W. Holmes
Affiliation:
Wye College, University of London, Ashford, Kent
H. El Sayed Osman
Affiliation:
Wye College, University of London, Ashford, Kent
Get access

Extract

1. Eight Ayrshire milk cows were grazed for four 3-week periods from July to October 1957 in a balanced sequence on two strip-grazed and two free-grazed paddocks, each of two acres. Feed intake and digestibility were estimated by the chromic-oxide faecal-nitrogen method.

2. There was no significant difference in average feed digestibility between the treatments. Free grazing cows ate 30·4 lb. dry matter per day and strip grazing cows 28·9 lb. The difference was just significant (p<0·05). There was no significant difference in milk yield, live-weight or live-weight gain per cow.

3. Total feed output per acre was 11% greater on strip grazing when measured by utilised starch equivalent but only 1 % greater when measured by estimated feed consumption. The data suggest that strip-grazed cattle needed less energy for grazing.

4. The results are discussed with reference to their accuracy, their implications on grazing management and their correspondence with estimates of food requirements based on indoor feeding standards.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 2 , Issue 2 , September 1960 , pp. 131 - 139
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1960

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Arnold, G. W., & Holmes, W., 1958. Studies in grazing management. VII. The influence of strip grazing versus controlled free grazing on milk yield, milk composition and pasture utilisation. J. agric. Sci., 51: 248.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Campling, R. C., Maclusky, D. S., & Holmes, W., 1958. Studies in grazing management. VI. The influence of free and strip grazing and of nitrogenous fertilisers on production from dairy cows. J. agric. Sci., 51: 62.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Christian, K. R., & Coup, M. R., 1954. Measurement of feed intake by grazing cattle and sheep. VI. The determination of chromic oxide in faeces. N.Z. J. Sci. Tech. Agric, 36: 328.Google Scholar
Lancaster, R. J., 1950. The estimation of digestibility. Proc. N.Z. Soc. Anim. Prod., 10: 45.Google Scholar
Minson, D. J., & Raymond, W. F., 1957. Sources of error in the use of faecal index relationships. Ann. Rep. Grassl. Res. Inst., 1957: 92.Google Scholar
Mcmeekan, C. P., 1956. Grazing management and animal production. Proc. 1th Int. Grassl. Cong. (New Zealand), 1956: 146.Google Scholar
Raymond, W. F., & Minson, D. J., 1955. The use of chromic oxide for estimating the faecal production of grazing animals. J. Brit. Grassl. Soc, 10: 282.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Raymond, W. F., Minson, D. J., & Harris, C. E., 1956. The effect of management on herbage consumption and selective grazing. Proc. 7th Int. Grassl. Cong. (New Zealand), 1956: 123.Google Scholar
Smith, A. M., & Reid, J. T., 1955. The use of chromic oxide as an indicator of faecal output for the purpose of determining the intake of pasture herbage by grazing dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci., 28: 515.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Swift, R. W., & Bratzler, J. W., 1959. A comparison of the digestibility of forages by cattle and by sheep. Bull. Pa. agric. Expt. Sta., No. 651.Google Scholar
Waite, R., Holmes, W., & Boyd, J., 1952. Studies in grazing management. V. Further determination of the nutrient intake of dairy cows under close folding and rotational methods of grazing. J. agric. Sci., 42: 314.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Walker, D. M., & Hepburn, W. R., 1955. Normal acid fibre. I. The analysis of roughages by the normal acid fibre method and its use for predicting the digestibility of roughages by sheep. Agric. Progr., 30: 118.Google Scholar
Wallace, L. R., 1956. The intake and utilisation of pasture by grazing dairy cattle. Proc. 1th Int. Grassl. Cong. (New Zealand), 1956: 134.Google Scholar
Wallace, L. R., 1959. The nutrients required for milk production at successive stages of lactation—a study with identical twins. Proc. 15th Int. Dairy Cong., 1: 196.Google Scholar
Woodman, H. E., & Norman, D. B., 1932. The nutritive value of pasture. IX. Influence of intensity of grazing on the yield, composition and nutritive value of pasture herbage. J. agric. Sci., 22: 852.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Woodman, H. E., 1954. Rations for livestock. Bull. Minist. Agric. (Lond.), No. 48.Google Scholar