• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.1383-1388
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• 2001

To explore the factors restricting animal performance in relation to sward structure under a strip-grazing system, measurements of sward factors, herbage intake and milk production at 3 levels of herbage allowance were made on perennial ryegrass (Latium perenne L.) sward for 3 experimental periods. About 29%, 36% and 52% of the biomass offered was removed by grazing in high $(42kg\;OM{\cdot}day^{-1}{\cdot}head^{-1})$, medium $(30kg\;OM{\cdot}day^{-1}{\cdot}head^{-1})$ and low $(18kg\;OM{\cdot}day^{-1}{\cdot}head^{-1})$ herbage allowance plots. Live leaf material was much more affected by grazing under different herbage allowance levels than dead material or leaf sheath. Grazing with a low herbage allowance decreased the proportion of live lamina by 93% and live lamina density by 96% before grazing. The density of dead material plus sheath was decreased by 17% after grazing at a low allowance, while it slightly increased or remained constant in the plots applied with high and medium allowances, respectively. The highly significant (p<0.01) correlations between herbage allowance and proportion (r=0.94) and density (r=0.91) of live lamina in residual sward after grazing were observed. Daily herbage intakes in the plots with high and medium levels of herbage allowance were not significantly different at $15.3kg\;OM{\cdot}head^{-1}$ in average, whereas with low level it decreased to $13.9kg\;OM{\cdot}head^{-1}$. Daily milk production was significantly (p<0.05) declined from $22.3kg{\cdot}head^{-1}$ (at high herbage allowance) to $19.7kg{\cdot}head^{-1}$ (at low herbage allowance). The data obtained clearly indicated that herbage intake and milk production were highly affected by the characteristics of residual sward, which were closely related to the level of herbage allowance.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.147-151
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• 1988

The preference, chemical composition, intake, digestibility and chewing efficiency of collected herbage sample from sheep using esophageal fistula and fecal collection method were compared to those of offered herbage samples on the native and improved pastures at the 3rd flush stage(25 cm grass height). Experimental field was treated by one plot design and the begining of September 1987, at Chungnam National University, Daejon. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. Preference indices were not different among herbage species on improved pasture, while those on in native pasture were markedly different and this difference seemed to depend on diet selection. 2. Chemical compositions of collected herbage samples were different from those of offered herbage samples. Crude protein content was significantly high on native pasture, but NDF, cellulose and lignin content were significantly low on improved pasture (p < 0.01). 3. DM intake, digestibility and herbage utilization percent on improved pasture were significantly higher than those on native pasture (P < 0.01). 4. Eating rate, ruminating and chewing efficiency were influenced by the amounts of NDF intake. Therefore, eating rate, ruminating and chewing efficiency on improved pasture tended to be higher than those on native pasture (p <0.01).

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.110-119
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• 1994

Measurements of hehage intake and milk yield were made on high yielding dairy cows, which were strip-grazed on Loliurn perenne sward at three levels of herbage allowance in three experimental periods. The contents of nitrogen, chrome and ash in the faeces slightly decreased with the progress of growth period of experimental sward, and the decrease of herbage allowance. There were small difference in herbage digestibility among periods or the levels of herbage allowance with falling from 82.7% to 79.1% from period 1 to period 3 and from 81.6% to79.9% from high to low level of herbage allowance. Daily herbage intake was 15.8 and 15.9 kg OMIcow at the high and medium levels of hecbage aljowance, but reduced significantly to 14.6 kg OM/cow at the low level. Herbage intakes in three periods were shown a slight decrease. Daily milk yield in terms of 4% FCM significantly decreased from 23.6 to 20.6 kg/cow from period 1 to period 3. Milk yield at the high and medium levels of herbage allowance were 23.5 and 22.2 kg/cow at the low level of herbage allowance. The highly significant (P<0.01) correlations between the level of herbage allowance and herbage intake (r=0.88), or milk yield (r=0.81) were obtained.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.577-582
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• 1996

In order to investigate the relationship between daily herbage allowance (DHA) and daily herbage intake (DHI) on the points of leaf and stem masses, grazing experiments were carried out on the pasture of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). The experiments consisted of four 3-days' grazing periods which were from August 14 to 17, August 17 to 20, October 12 to 15 and October 15 to 18 in 1990. The value of DHA was 32.1 to 84.3, and the value of DHI was 9.9 to 27.0. The index of leafiness (leaf to stem ratio, LSR) was 0.74 to 3.06. The relationship between DHI and DHA was quadratic. Both relationship of daily leaf intake (DLI) to daily leaf allowance (DLA) and that of daily stem intake (DSI) to daily stem allowance (DSA) were likely to be asymptotic forms, although DHI did not show any significant relationships to DLA nor to DSA. The relationship between DLI and LSR was quadratic, and a negative relationship was found between DSI and LSR. From the relationship of DLI to LSR and that of DSI to LSR, the relationship of daily intake of leaf and stem (DLSI) to LSR was derived as quadratic and the LSR value at which the maximum DLSI was attained was estimated. The DHA, DHI, DLA, DLI, DSA, DSI and DLAI were expressed as the same unit of g/kg live body weight/day.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.823-829
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• 2003

Four different types of silage from new cultivars of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), cv. NG 1 and NG 2, were fed to eight wethers in order to evaluate their preference and intake by sheep. The silages were prepared from direct-cut NG 1 herbage; pre-wilted NG 1 herbage; NG 1 herbage with maize meal (5% inclusion) and NG 2 herbage with maize meal (5% inclusion). All silages were palatable to sheep. Maize-treated silage had high quality fermentation, characterized by high Fleig scores and low pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA) and ammoniacal nitrogen contents. The pH, Fleig score, in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOMD) and ammoniacal-N contents for maize-treated cv. NG 1 silage were 3.7, 78, $540g\;kg^{-1}$ dry matter (DM ) and $0.18g\;kg^{-1}$ DM whereas, in maize-treated cv. NG 2 they were 3.6, 59, $^458g\;kg{-1}$ DM and $0.18g\;kg^-1$ DM, respectively. The superior quality of maize-treated silages made them more preferable to sheep. Among the maize-fortified silages, palatability and intake were significantly (p<0.001) greater with cv. NG 1. Although direct-cut silage had better fermentation quality compared to wilted silage, wilted silage was significantly (p<0.001) more preferable to sheep. However, there were no significant differences (p<0.05) in the levels of preference and intake of wilted silage compared to maize-treated cv. NG 2 silage, even though the latter tended to be more palatable. There were indications that high pH (4.6 vs 3.5) and IVDOMD content (476 vs $457g\;kg^{-1}%$ DM) of wilted silage contributed to higher intake, compared to direct-cut silage. It was generally concluded that pre-wilting and treatment of Napier grass with maize meal at ensiling enhances intake and palatability.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.1754-1759
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• 2002

A study was carried out to investigate the nutritive value and utilization of hybrid sorghum and perennial grass species viz. setaria (Setaria anceps) and hybrid napier when intercropped with soybean by growing Jersey crossbred heifers. Fifteen growing crossbred heifers (Jersey${\times}$Red Sindhi) of between 7-10 months age and pre-trial average body weight of 49-50 kg were divided on the basis of weight in to three treatment groups viz. $T_1$-hybrid sorghum+soybean, $T_2$-setaria+soybean and $T_3$-hybrid napier+soybean in a completely randomized block design. Intercropped forages were harvested fresh, chaffed and mixed before they were offered to the heifers. Chemical composition of the herbage, dry matter intake (DMI), body weight gain and nutrient digestibility co-efficients were estimated. The herbage mixtures had crude protein (CP) content in the range of 11.87 to 13.86% and ether extract (EE) contents were 2.91 to 3.11%, respectively. The herbage mixtures were rich in minerals (ash). The gross energy (kcal/g DM) was higher in hybrid napier+soybean, while hybrid sorghum+soybean and setaria+soybean herbage mixtures had lower value for gross energy. The hybrid sorghum+soybean and setaria+soybean herbage mixtures had higher contents of NDF, ADF, cellulose, lignin and silica as compared to that of hybrid napier+soybean herbage mixture. The heifers fed hybrid napier+soybean herbage mixture had significantly (p<0.05) higher $DMI\;g/kg\;W^{0.75}$ ($97.41{\pm}4.34$) as compared to hybrid sorghum+soybean ($88.31{\pm}2.66$) and setaria+soybean ($79.29{\pm}1.06$) herbage mixtures. Nutrients digestibility, DCP percent, DCP intake and nitrogen balance were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the heifers fed on hybrid napier+soybean herbage mixture. There was a significant (p<0.05) difference among different herbage mixtures in TDN. The heifers on setaria+soybean herbage mixture had lower average body weight gain (g/day) than those on hybrid sorghum+soybean and hybrid napier+soybean herbage mixtures. Data obtained in this experiment demonstrated that herbage mixture of hybrid napier+soybean was better than hybrid sorghum+soybean and setaria+soybean herbage mixtures in the nutrition of growing heifers. It had highest nutritive value, better digestibility co-efficients which showed better growth rate and higher feed efficiency. In ranking, hybrid napier+soybean herbage mixture was better followed by hybrid sorghum+soybean and setaria+soybean in nutritive value in the parameters studied. For future wasteland development program in humid-sub tropics of Himachal Pradesh hybrid napier and its intercropping with soybean is recommended for general adoption because of its better adaptability and higher nutritive value.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.161-168
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• 2000

The experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of extension of grazing duration in late autumn on grass growth in following spring, in order to improve the rate of self-sufficiency for roughage feed. Plant height, total biomass and litter production of herbage were increased when the grazing was finished early in late autumn. The proportions of clover and litter, and amounts of animal intake were decreased, with extended grazing duration in late autumn. But when the grazing was finished late in autumn, the contents of crude protein (CP, %) of herbage were increased, contents of acid detergent fiber (ADF, %), neutral detergent fiber (NDF, %) and crude ash (%) were decreased in pasture after grazing, therefore the contents of total digestible nutrients (TDN, %) and relative feed value (RFV) of herbage were improved. The early end grazing showed that plant height, total biomass and litter production of herbage in following spring were higher than those in late end grazing. However, increased yields were not significantly different among end grazing treatments (0.12-0.15 tonha), except for the final end grazing in late autumn (0.01 tonha). With extended grazing duration in late autumn, the contents of CP of herbage in following spring were increased, contents of ADF, were decreased, and RFV were improved. (Key words : Extension of grazing duration, Plant height, Biomass, Amount of intake, Increased yield, Crude protein, TDN) rll\ulcorner c# qiil x i 9 ~ 1 a% * (College of Natural Resources, Taegu Univ., Kyongsan, 71 2-714, Korea) * $4 4 qiil 34 qq(Co1lege of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Yonsei Univ., Wonju, 220-701, Korea) '* 8 * jL@%ft@ &@%(Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido Univ., Sapporo, 060 Japan)

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.209-214
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• 1999

Grazing preference, voluntary dry matter intake, stocking rate and digestibility of forage were investigated or sheep grazed in mature oil palm plantations in Malaysia. Dry matter intake (DMI) was estimated using the chromium sesquioxide marker method. The sheep were allowed to graze about 5 hours/day in oil palm plantations of age ranging from 9 to 21 years old. The crude protein, crude fibre and ash contents of selected herbage were 13.1 %; 24.6 %; and 8.3 %, respectively, while the gross energy (GE) and the metabolisable energy (ME) were 16.9 and 6.0 MJ/kg DM, respectively. Broad leaf plants and grasses were normally found in plantation of all ages. Legumes and oil palm seedlings formed the smallest group in the whole mixture. Fern content increased in older plantations. Legumes, oil palm seedlings, fern, broad leaves and grasses were 0.4, 1.3, 11.4, 28.0 and 59.0 %, respectively of total herbage. Grasses showed the highest preference index followed by broad leaf plants, legumes, oil palm seedlings and ferns in that order. The DMI and the metabolisable energy intake (MEI) of sheep at 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 months of age were 64.8, 65.0, 65.3, 65.6 and 67.4 g/kg $W^{0.75}$ (p<0.05) and 0.39, 0.40, 0.40, 0.40 and 0.41 MJ/kg $W^{0.75}$, respectively. The average stocking rate was 4.3 sheep/ha. It was concluded that the performance of the sheep could be improved by increasing the daily grazing period and also by appropriate concentrate supplementation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.211-217
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• 1992

This experiment was conducted over a 3-year period (1990-1992) to evaluate the production and quality of orchardgrass (Potomac)-red clover (Kenland) mixture when orchardgrass + red clover mixture was sown at seed rates of 20+0. 18+2, 16+4, 14+6 and 12+8 kg/ha. Total herbage dry matter, crude protein and digestible organic matter production and organic matter intake were markedly affected by increasing rcd clover seed rate, those increased with increasing red clovcr seed rate due to the cnhancernent of red clover percentage of total herbagc in all 3-year. but significant differences occured between the orchardgrass alone and orchardgrass-red clover mixture with a seed rate of 4,6 and 8 kg/ha red clover (P<0.01). But on the other hand increasing red clover seed rate increased red clover percentage in total herbage, the mean red clover percentage of total herbage at the last cutting ranged from 54 to 65% in first year. 58 to 60% in second year, and 62 to 69% in third year, particularly it was observed that red clover was sown at seed rates of 6 and 8 kg/ha for red clover sown dominated strongly as the cutting times were progressed. Considering the maintenance of good botanical composition balance and the enhancement of production and quality of herbage, the optimized seed rate for orchardgrass-red clover mixtures, 16 kg/ha orchardgrass and 4 kg/ha red clover seems to be considered adequate.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.99-109
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• 1994

The objective of this study was to examin some animal and sward factors which determine the daily herbage intake of high yielding dairy cows at different levels of daily herbage allowance. In this paper, the principal data relevent to the changes of sward characteristics after five days of daily strip grazing at three experimental peliods were summarized. The pregrazing herbage mass and extended height increased significantly from 5,047 kg OM/ha and 341 mm in period 1 to 6,877 kg OM/ha and 446 mm in period 3, while there was not a significant difference among herbage allowance treatments(average 6,068 kg OM/ha and 410 mm). The live leaf material in the residual herbage showed a greater reduction than the dead material and leaf sheath in terms of extended height, proportion and density. The decreased rates after grazing were higher when the level of herbage allowance decreased. Live leaves were vertically distributed to 50 cm of sward height before grazing. All live lamina distributed to 25 cm were grazed in the high and medium, and to 20 cm in the low levle of herbage allowance after grazing. The depth of grazing and grazed volume of forage material were heighly affected by the levels of hehage allowance. The biomass after grazing in the high, medium and low daily herbage allowance decreased 35, 36 and 52%, respectively, compared to before grazing level. The highly significant correlations between herbage allowance and extended tiller height(r=0.79), proportion of live lamina(r=0.94) and density of live lamina(r=O.91) after grazing, respectively, were observed.