Matching grass supply to grazing patterns for dairy cows |
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| Authors: | R J Orr S M Rutter P D Penning & A J Rook |
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| Institution: | Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, North Wyke, Okehampton, UK |
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| Abstract: | Four groups of five spring-calving Holstein–Friesian cows were given a daily grass allowance in a strip-grazing system after either morning (AM; two groups) or afternoon (PM; two groups) milking over a 10-week period. The dry-matter (DM) concentration of the grass tended to be higher after afternoon milking AM, 178 vs. PM, 197 g DM (s.e.d. 5·32) kg–1 fresh matter], and water-soluble carbohydrate concentrations were significantly higher AM, 175 vs. PM, 204 g kg–1 DM (s.e.d. 6·67)]. Although the total times spent grazing (AM, 461 vs. PM, 462 min day–1) were similar for both groups, cows receiving their allocation in the afternoon had a longer evening meal (>4 h duration) compared with those receiving their allocation in the morning (2–3 h), which also spent more time ruminating AM, 454 vs. PM, 433 min day–1 (s.e.d. 1·80)]. This short-term study demonstrated how a relatively simple change in management practice in strip-grazing systems could benefit milk yield and pasture utilization. This is because the DM and water-soluble carbohydrate contents of the herbage are higher in the evening than in the morning, and this is when grazing animals concentrate much of their daily grazing activity. |
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| Keywords: | perennial ryegrass dairy cows strip grazing water-soluble carbohydrate intake |
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