This study aimed to evaluate the forage mass and nutritional value (NV) of Guinea Massai grass (Megathyrsus maximus × Megathyrsus infestum) in an open pasture (OP) or silvopastoral system (SPS) at different stages development (SDs). The experimental design was completely randomized, with five replications. treatments were distributed a factorial scheme 2 4, corresponding types systems (OP SPS) ...

The productivity of fodder legumes, based on internal sources N, may be limited due to an insufficient supply nutrients responsible for the efficient use N accumulated by crop during growing season. Production risk occurs soils that are naturally poor or depleted in decisive fixation and utilization N2 alfalfa. This hypothesis was validated basis a field experiment with alfalfa–grass mixture ca...

Accumulating herbage mass to facilitate the extension of grazing season in autumn is commonly practised. The objective current study was investigate effect accumulating varying target masses (THM) and imposing different defoliation dates (DD), on mass, sward quality water-soluble carbohydrates subsequent spring. A 4 × 3 factorial split plot design assigned with four THM (Low ? 500 kg·DM·ha?1, M...

Perennial ryegrass is the most abundant grass species in temperate climates. An increased herbage intake of dairy cows by breeding new cultivars could have a large potential impact on agriculture. The effects of cultivars on sward structure, nutritive value, physical characteristics and disease resistance of perennial ryegrass are discussed. Cultivar differences were found in several studies fo...

Experts were interviewed on the grazing preferences of sheep in upland vegetation types and on the responses of plants to grazing. A qualitative model of direction of change in species abundance given different seasonal sheep grazing management regimes was constructed with the expert information. The model was tested against empirical data of sward responses to summer-only grazing. The approach...

Plantago lanceolata L. is a herb species with a broad distribution in grasslands throughout the temperate world. The leaf is highly palatable to grazing animals, providing a mineralrich forage. The species is rapid to establish, grows on a wide range of agricultural soils and is tolerant of drought and of many common diseases and pests. Two productive upright cultivars of plantain have been bre...

The role of stochasticity and spatial heterogeneity in foraging systems is investigated. We formulate a spatially explicit model which describes the behaviour of grazing animals in response to local information using simple stochastic rules. In particular the model reflects the biology in that decisions to move to a new location are based on visual assessment of the sward height in a surroundin...

Livestock breeding programmes have created resistant (R) and susceptible (S) sheep that differ in their ability to control parasites through their immune function but potentially also their grazing behaviour (i.e. parasite avoidance). Using the Perendale genetic lines, we tested the hypothesis that R-sheep avoid parasites more effectively, reducing their parasite exposure/challenge, compared wi...

Garry oak (Quercus garryana) meadows of the Pacific Northwest are heavily invaded but the dynamics surrounding this ecosystem transformation are poorly understood. Of particular uncertainty is the role of the invasive species in structuring the community, and the potential stability of this invasive-dominated system when disturbed. Clarifying such issues is central to restoration success for Ga...

This study investigated the effects of wilting and Lactobacillus buchneri inoculation on fermentation end products, DM recovery, nutritive characteristics and aerobic stability in organically grown triticale-fava bean intercrop silages. For this purpose, a bi-crop of triticale (× Triticosecale Wittm.) and fava bean (Vicia faba L.) was established on an old low-input mixed sward (Lolium perenne-...