Pasture Yield and Sward Intake by Suckler Cows in the Extended Grazing Season

Recent advancements in grazing management have shown opportunities to extend the grazing season in late autumn (Hennessy et al. 2006). The increase in the grazing season length will have profound effect on the overall system through reducing the quantity of slurry to be stored, reduction in the quantities of silage and hay required for winter feeding and reductions in the energy associated with sward harvesting and conservation. Also, in Central Europe the extending of grazing season has become highly desirable in the recent years (Opitz v. Boberfeld et al. 2006; Skladanka et al. 2010), because it can reduce the cost of cattle keeping. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of late autumn and early winter grazing of suckler cows on pasture yield, residual mass, sward utilization rate and sward intake.