Author
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Gregorini, Pablo |
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Soder, Kathy |
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Submitted to: Trade Journal Publication
Publication Type: Trade Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 8/20/2007 Publication Date: 9/15/2007 Citation: Gregorini, P., Soder, K.J. 2007. Continuous Or Daily Strips… How Shall We Graze. Lancaster Farming magazine. p. E-6. Interpretive Summary: An interpretive summary is not required. Technical Abstract: There exist significant variations in chemical composition of pasture throughout the day. These changes result in an increase in pasture digestibility and energy concentration as the day progresses. A recent work demonstrates that cattle may have adapted/evolved their distributions of diurnal grazing bouts around this variation to focus their most intensive grazing at dusk. Experiments conducted in Argentina have demonstrated that afternoon pasture allocation (PM) increases animal performance. However, a direct comparison between continuous grazing management and PM grazing management is still lacking. This technical note shows the results of a study with grazing beef heifers under such a comparison. When heifers were PM grazed, they reduced daily grazing time, but proportionally increased grazing time during the dusk grazing bouts. Notwithstanding, such alteration of grazing pattern was not enough to significantly impact animal performance. Continuous grazing appears more beneficial by reducing the need for frequent cattle movements. Without denying the advantages of continuous grazing managements, it must be said that rotational grazing is known to easily facilitate the control of pasture intake and slightly increase pasture production. Moreover, studies carried out by the University of Arkansas and in Argentina demonstrate that strategically planned rotational grazing (i.e. PM grazing) managements can be directed to increase nutrient supply when compared with other conventional rotational grazing methods; ultimately, nutrient supply is what graziers want to manage. |
