Optimising sward quality for a higher performance on pastures. 2. Implementation on a Swiss farm | Optimiser la qualité de l'herbe pour plus de performance en pâture tournante. 2. Application à une exploitation suisse
2009
Eastes, D. | Thomet, P., Haute école suisse d'agronomie (HESA), Zollikofen (Switzerland) | Mosimann, E. | Käch Pitt, S. | Pitt, J.
A New Zealand pasture management system was set up in 2008 on a Swiss farm. The use of a pasture wedge, requiring a weekly commitment of two hours, prooved to be very efficient. Post-grazing residuals could be kept under 8 clicks (measured with the Rising Plate Meter RPM, or 4 cm) for 77% of the time.A high stocking rate, constantly matched with grass growth, allowed a high energy content of grass (6.3 MJ NEL/kg DM on average over the whole season). The production, mostly based on this high quality grass, exceeded 27 kg ECM per cow per day on average with only 557 kg live weight cows. Given his advantages, this system could play a role in improving pasture management in Switzerland.
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