Studies of the nutritive value of New Zealand dairy pastures

Abstract

The results of 89 mineral balance trials are reported, in which the intake and utilization of K, Na, Ca, P, and N were examined with lactating dairy cows fed exclusively on fresh pasture herbage. Between Sept. 1959 and April 1960 6 Jersey crossbred cattle were stall-fed measured quantities of freshly cut herbage. The period covered by the trial extended from approximately the 10th week after calving until the cows were dried off. Excretion of each element was measured by total collection, representative sampling, and analysis of the dung and urine voided and the milk secreted.