Grazed pasture parameters. II. Pasture dry-matter use in a stocking rate and grazing management experiment with dairy cows

1. Dry-matter intake, pasture utilization and grazing pressure were studied over 3 years on a small-scale replica of a dairy cow grazing management x stocking rate trial. 2. The four treatments were: (i) Controlled rotational grazing, light stocking rate (0.95 cow/acre). (ii) Controlled rotational grazing, heavy stocking rate (1.19 cow/acre). (iii) Uncontrolled, set stocked grazing, light stocking rate (0.95 cow/acre). (iv) Uncontrolled, set stocked grazing, heavy stocking rate (1.19 cows/acre). 3. Mean D.M. intakes were: (i) 29, (ii) 21, (iii) 28 and (iv) 21 lb./cow per day. D.M. intake was reduced on average by 7 ± 2.1 lb./cow per day at the higher level of stocking.