Studies in grazing management II. The amount and chemical composition of herbage eaten by dairy cattle under close-folding and rotational methods of grazing

Abstract

1. An attempt has been made to measure the amount of herbage eaten by groups of milking Ayr shire cows when grazing under two different systems, (a) close-folding and (b) rotational.2. Under close-folding the daily consumption of dry matter varied from 18 to 27 lb. per cow. Long herbage reduced the amount eaten. Considerable increases in the weight of herbage offered resulted in only slightly increased consumption. On good leafy pasture the dry-matter intake was about 24 lb. per cow per day.3. Under the rotational system the intake was more constant at about 28 lb. dry matter per cow per day. Some abnormally low results were obtained which were associated with the difficulty of obtaining a representative sample of herbage, particularly after grazing.4. Frequent chemical analysis of the pasture before and after grazing on the close-folding system were made, and the intake of the major grass constituents calculated. A comparison of nutrient intake as calculated from these results with that theoretically required has been made.