2016•Journal of New Zealand GrasslandsOpen access
Dry matter yield, nutritive value and tiller density of tall fescue and perennial ryegrass swards under grazing
S.J. Hendriks, D. J. Donaghy, C. Matthew, Michael Bretherton, NW Sneddon, G.P. Cosgrove, Christine L. Christensen, Salesi Kaufononga, J. R. Howes, M Osborne, P.S. Taylor, M. J. Hedley
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Abstract
Alternative pasture species with the potential to supply quality forage during summer feed shortages, such as tall fescue (TF), are of interest to dairy farmers. A paddockscale study was undertaken to compare performance of TF managed on a shorter rotation similar to perennial ryegrass (RG) (TF-RG) with TF managed on a longer rotation more consistent with its morphology of 4 live leaves/tiller (TF-TF), and with RG (RG-RG). Accumulated dry matter (DM) yields were similar for the three treatments. Patch grazing was observed during the first spring, with more long patches in TFTF than in either TF-RG or RG-RG. Sown-species leaf area index (LAI) was greater in TF-TF compared with TF-RG and RG-RG (2.25, 1.56 and 0.90, respectively; P
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