Effect of sward surface height on intake and grazing behaviour by lactating Holstein Friesian cows

Gibb, M. J.; Huckle, C. A.; Nuthall, R.; Rook, A. J.

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2494.1997.tb02361.x

Cited by 125 publications

(108 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…For Friesian dairy cows, the major determinants of herbage DMI are usually considered to be the morphological characteristics of pastures, such as sward mass or sward surface height, rather than herbage quality (Gibb et al, 1997). However, in the present study, no significant relationship between herbage biomass and daily DMI was found.…”

Section: Adaptation Of Yaks To Harsh Environmentmentioning

confidence: 81%

Seasonal heat production and energy balance of grazing yaks on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau

Ding¹,

Wang²,

Brosh³

et al. 2014

Animal Feed Science and Technology

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Section: Adaptation Of Yaks To Harsh Environmentmentioning

confidence: 81%

Seasonal heat production and energy balance of grazing yaks on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau

Ding¹,

Wang²,

Brosh³

et al. 2014

Animal Feed Science and Technology

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“…The spatial heterogeneity of the sward was found to be a key feature for insect diversity, which is consistent with many other studies of cattle grazing, particularly under continuous grazing (Gibb et al . ; Cid & Brizuela ; Dumont et al . ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Grazing intensity affects insect diversity via sward structure and heterogeneity in a long‐term experiment

Jerrentrup

Wrage‐Mönnig

Röver

et al. 2014

Journal of Applied Ecology

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Summary In the past, insect diversity in grasslands showed a severe decline due to management intensification or abandonment. In this study, we investigate the long‐term influence of grazing and the potential for spatial patterns created by different grazing intensities to enhance insect diversity. In a long‐term experiment (2002–2011), three grazing intensities were applied to 1‐ha paddocks in a triplicate block design: moderate grazing (MC), lenient grazing (LC) and very lenient grazing (VLC, since 2005). The experiment was conducted in a moderately species‐rich grassland at the edge of the Solling Uplands in Lower Saxony, Germany. Orthoptera (grasshoppers) and Lepidoptera (butterflies) on three 50‐m transects per paddock were counted in 2002–2004 and again in 2010 and 2011. Statistics were performed using linear mixed modelling. Grasshopper diversity measures (species richness and abundance) were significantly affected by grazing intensity; abundance increased from 2002 to 2011 more strongly in the LC than in the MC treatment. Butterfly species richness response to grazing intensity varied among years. Data from 2010 and 2011 did not reveal any advantage of the lowest grazing intensity (VLC) compared to the intermediate grazing intensity treatment (LC) in either insect group. Multiple regressions were used to investigate diversity patterns. Along with compressed sward height, spatial patchiness was important for grasshopper species richness and abundance as well as for butterfly species numbers. Butterfly abundance was mainly influenced by vertical sward height heterogeneity in addition to the significant effects of thistle abundance and number of nectar plant species. Synthesis and applications. Cattle grazing intensity affects the proportions and spatial heterogeneity of short and tall sward patches on pastures. The less mobile grasshoppers particularly benefitted from the structural modifications created by cattle at lenient grazing levels (stocking rate 1·14 SLU ha−1, standard livestock unit (SLU) = 500 kg). In the final study years, areas with intermediate grazing intensity revealed high diversity indices and the most distinct patchiness, therefore a further reduction in grazing intensity is not recommended. This indicates that commercial livestock production may be compatible with conservation targets.

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“…When a period of relative starvation precedes grazing, cows' DMI h − 1 increases, as grazing bout length also does (Greenwood and Demment, 1988). Cows tend to adapt quickly to environmental changes, such as shorter grazing time or grass length (Gibb et al, 1997;Barrett et al, 2001). …”

Section: Walking Pattern and Velocitymentioning

confidence: 97%

Dairy cow defecation and urination frequency and spatial distribution in relation to time-limited grazing

2008

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Effect of sward surface height on intake and grazing behaviour by lactating Holstein Friesian cows

Abstract: Minson, 1990). Nevertheless, grazed pasture is an economically attractive major food resource

Cited by 125 publications

References 26 publications

Seasonal heat production and energy balance of grazing yaks on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau

Seasonal heat production and energy balance of grazing yaks on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau

Grazing intensity affects insect diversity via sward structure and heterogeneity in a long‐term experiment

Dairy cow defecation and urination frequency and spatial distribution in relation to time-limited grazing

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