Conditions that favor clover establishment in permanent grass swards

Tracy, Benjamin F.; Schlueter, David H.; Flores, João Paulo Cassol

doi:10.1111/grs.12075

Cited by 6 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…A recent study that evaluated the effect of high-density grazing in grass-legume mixtures found that intense grazing reduced persistence of several planted legumes, but that white clover was negatively impacted the least [32]. Erect-growing legumes such as red clover should be able to compete well with grasses for light [33, 34, 35], and we found that red clover did respond positively to mob stocking (Fig 3). Grazing in late fall, and favorable weather conditions also likely helped to promote clover abundance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 55%

Evaluating mob stocking for beef cattle in a temperate grassland

Tracy

Bauer

2019

PLoS ONE

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Mob stocking is a type of livestock management method where high densities of animals are restricted to a small area of grassland for short periods of time (e.g., 12–24 hr.) before being moved to new forage. Use of mob stocking has generated considerable interest among forage-livestock professionals in recent years, but questions remain about its purported benefits to cattle and forage plants. To address questions about the possible benefits of mob stocking, a 3-yr study (2014–2016) was conducted in Virginia, USA comparing mob, rotational, and continuous stocking methods in a temperate grassland common to that region. The main objective of this study was to evaluate how mob-stocking management affected selected forage variables, cattle performance, and legume/weed abundance. Herbage mass and nutritive value were measured monthly. Cow and calf weights and body condition score (BCS) were used as indicators of animal performance. Legumes (red and white clover) were over-seeded prior to the study, and their abundance along with weeds were evaluated annually thereafter. Mean herbage mass and forage nutritive values were similar across mob, rotational and continuously stocked systems despite extra-long rest periods that allowed grasses to grow tall and over-mature under mob stocking. Cow weights going into winter were lower (P < 0.05) under mob stocking (619 kg) compared with continuous stocking (688 kg) possibly because many tall grasses were trampled and not grazed. Lastly, we found mob stocking can favor establishment of erect-growing red clover (Trifolium pretense L.), but it had no effect on weed abundance. Overall, we found few compelling reasons why mob stocking should be adopted for season-long forage and livestock production over other stocking methods in this environment.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 55%

Evaluating mob stocking for beef cattle in a temperate grassland

Tracy

Bauer

2019

PLoS ONE

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“…In the 125 DD interval, frequent defoliation allowed for greater luminosity at the base of the canopy, and likely also reduced the organic reserves for the cold season forage species, in response to the low leaf area index, and promoting the interaction between warm season species in the canopy. Red clover does not support intense grazing and becomes dominated by other components of the canopy when subjected to frequent cutting (TRACY et al, 2014), which was observed in the 125 DD interval. A high and positive correlation for ryegrass existed according to the percentage of species interaction with red clover and canopy height in all the cut interval, except for 125 DD (250, 375, and 500 DD; r = 0.83; P = 0.019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Canopy structure and morphogenesis of Italian ryegrass intercropped with red clover under cutting intervals determined by thermal sum

et al. 2020

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The canopy structure and morphogenesis of ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) was investigated after it was over seeded with Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) and intercropped with red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). Time intervals between cuts were determined by different thermal sums (125, 250, 375, and 500 degree-days [DD]). Cuts were conducted at a height equivalent to 50% of the average canopy height. Morphogenic and structural data were collected from July to October of 2016 and 2017, from a completely randomized block experimental design. Canopy height, extended tiller height, pseudostem length, and forage mass were fitted to linear equations according to the thermal sums. Interaction of ryegrass with red clover was the highest (12.1%) for longer cut intervals (375 and 500 DD). The leaf appearance rate (0.0080 leaf/DD), phyllochron value (128.8 DD), and senescence rate (0.10 cm/DD) of ryegrass were comparable between the different intervals. The slowest elongation rate (0.06 cm/DD) with the shortest interval duration between cuts (171.6 DD) was observed in the 125 DD interval. According to the findings from this 2-year experiment, the use of a 250 DD cut interval was recommended between grazing events, taking into account the efficiency of forage use, ryegrass leaf, stem ratio, and interactions with red clover in the canopy under rotational stocking.

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“…Successful establishment of clover seedlings into permanent grassland depends on a number of factors and their interactions. For example, [30] points out a large influence of cutting frequency, stubble height and its interaction with P and K nutrition. Indeed, P nutrition in trials with failed WC establishment [19] was lower than in our current study (current trial: P CAL extract 20.3 mg P 2 O 5 100 g −1 , failed WC trial: 11mg P 2 O 5 100 g −1 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of Legumes After Reseeding in Permanent Grassland, as Affected by Nitrogen Fertilizer Applications

2019

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Legumes in grassland can increase locally grown protein in fodder while reducing the nitrogen (N)-fertilizer requirements. Although the benefits of forage legumes are known, there was a decline in their use in the past due to inexpensive N-fertilizer, soya products from abroad, and variable legume persistence. In recent years, mounting environmental concern has sparked new interest in legumes. To quantify the effect of legume reseeding and N-application on permanent grassland on crude protein (CP) and dry matter yield (DM), a multifactorial trial was set up. Factors considered were clover species (red clover, white clover), N-application rate (0–170 kg N ha−1), N-fertilizer type (mineral-N, organic-N), and cutting management (3, 5-cut). Legume percentages were scored, and DM- and CP-yield was measured for three years. Crude-protein gains after legume reseeding were considerable and between 2.5–3.4 after red clover and 0.4–1.7 t CP ha−1 3 years−1 after white clover-reseeding even when compared to the control-high-N treatment. Legume percentages were negatively correlated to N-rates down to rates as low as 42 or 85 kg N ha−1 for a three- or five-cut management, respectively. Nitrogen-applications increased the yield (DM, CP) of control plots, whereas for legume-reseeded plots yield remained unchanged or was reduced. Differences due to N-fertilizer type were small or non-existent. Reseeding of clover was shown to be a viable method to increase crude protein in permanent grassland for about three years (red clover) and possibly beyond (white clover).

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Conditions that favor clover establishment in permanent grass swards

Cited by 6 publications

References 36 publications

Evaluating mob stocking for beef cattle in a temperate grassland

Evaluating mob stocking for beef cattle in a temperate grassland

Canopy structure and morphogenesis of Italian ryegrass intercropped with red clover under cutting intervals determined by thermal sum

Development of Legumes After Reseeding in Permanent Grassland, as Affected by Nitrogen Fertilizer Applications

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