Evaluation of mixed sward of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) for labor-saving grazing in Hokkaido [Japan], 1: Animal performance under the condition of continuous grazing
2006
Saigusa, T.(National Agricultural Research Center for Hokkaido Region, Sapporo (Japan)) | Tejima, S. | Ogawa, Y. | Takahashi, S.
This study evaluated continuous grazing of a mixed sward of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) as a labor-saving management in the central region of Hokkaido. Performance of Holstein steers (mean initial body weight, 200kg; age, 6 months) continuously grazing the sward (target plant length, 10-20 cm) was compared with that under rotational grazing. By maintaining herbage mass above 50kg per 100kg of body weight, animal performance under continuous grazing (daily body weight gain of 0.8-0.9kg and body weight gain per hectare of 800-900kg) was comparable to that under rotational grazing. For body weight of 500kg, grazing capacity of 500-600 cow-days/ha should be possible.
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