Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-lj6df Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-13T07:16:33.806Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Management of natural Kentucky bluegrass-white clover pasture

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2009

William M. Murphy ,
Joshua P. Silman ,
Lisa E. McCrory ,
Sarah E. Flack ,
Abdon L. Schmitt  and
Nthoana M. Mzamane
William M. Murphy
Affiliation:
Professor of Agronomy, Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05446-0082.
Joshua P. Silman
Affiliation:
Research Technician, Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05446-0082.
Lisa E. McCrory
Affiliation:
Graduate Students, Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05446-0082.
Sarah E. Flack
Affiliation:
Graduate Students, Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05446-0082.
Abdon L. Schmitt
Affiliation:
Graduate Students, Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05446-0082.
Nthoana M. Mzamane
Affiliation:
Assistant Professor of Agronomy, Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05446-0082.
Get access

Abstract

Management recommendations are needed f or low-input (no N fertilizer) Kentucky bluegrass-dominant/white clover swards, particularly to increase or maintain white clover content. We applied treatments involving different amounts of forage present pre- and postgrazing, with and without harrowing and soil aeration, to a well-established, naturally seeded pasture grazed by dairy cows. Pregrazing dry matter was 2350 or 2700 kg/ha (about 10 or 15 cm tall). Postgrazing dry matter was 1100 or 1575 kg/ha (about 2.5 or 5 cm tall). The sward was composed mainly of Kentucky bluegrass, orchardgrass, quackgrass, timothy, white clover, dandelion, and chicory. Soil aeration and harrowing did not affect botanical composition, plant components, or forage yield. Pre- and postgrazing mass (total forage dry matter per unit area) did not affect botanical composition or plant components, but did influence total forage yield. White clover tended to increase under all pasture-mass treatments. During the second year the lowest postgraz- ing mass produced the most forage (mean: 6685 kg DM/ha). Forage quality of all treatments was excellent (seasonal means: 26% crude protein; 1.6 Meal net energy lactation/kg DM).

Keywords

management intensive grazingnatural swardssward dynamicssoil aerationharrowing, forage production
Type
Other Articles
Information
American Journal of Alternative Agriculture , Volume 12 , Issue 3 , September 1997 , pp. 140 - 142
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1997

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Collins, R.P., Glendining, M.J., and Rhodes, I.. 1991. The relationships between stolon characteristics, winter survival, and annual yields in white clover (Trifolium repens L.). Grass and Forage Science 46:51–61.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2.Curll, M.L., and Jones, R.M.. 1989. The plant-animal interface and legume persistence—an Australian perspective. In Marten, G.C., Matches, A.G., Barnes, R.F., Brougham, R.W., Clements, R.J., and Sheath, G.W. (eds). Persistence of Forage Legumes. Amer. Soc. Agronomy, Madison, Wisconsin, pp. 339–359.Google Scholar
3.Davies, A., Adams, W.A., and Wilman, D.. 1989. Soil compaction in permanent pasture and its amelioration by slitting. J. Agric. Science. 113:189–197.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4.Flack, S. 1994. The relationship of light and plant response in a complex pasture sward with particular emphasis on white clover. Masters' thesis, Dept. of Plant and Soil Sci., Univ. of Vermont, Burlington.Google Scholar
5.Frame, J. 1985. Do not scorn the secondary grasses. Grass Farmer 23:7–11.Google Scholar
6.Frame, J. 1991. Herbage production and quality of a range of secondary grass species at five rates of fertilizer nitrogen application. Grass and Forage Science 46:139–151.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7.Harkess, R.D., and Frame, J.. 1986. Efficient use of fertilizer nitrogen on grass swards: Effects of timing, cutting management and secondary grasses. In van der Meer, H.G., Ryden, J.C., and Ennik, G.C. (eds). Nitrogen Fluxes in Intensive Grassland Systems. Martinus Nijhoff, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, pp. 29–37.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8.Harris, W. 1978. Defoliation as a determinant of the growth, persistence and composition of pasture. In Wilson, J.R. (ed). Plant Relations in Pastures. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Melbourne, Australia, pp. 67–85.Google Scholar
9.Jones, C.E. 1984. Animal feed. In Williams, S. (ed). Official Methods of Analysis. Assoc. Official Analytical Chemists, Arlington, Virginia, p. 153.Google Scholar
10.Kore, C.J., Chu, A.C.P., and Field, T.R.O.. 1987. Pasture production. In Nicol, A.M. (ed). Feeding Livestock on Pasture, ew Zealand Soc. Animal Production, Hamilton, New Zealand, pp. 7–20.Google Scholar
11.McLaughlin, N. 1985. Harrow plays vital role in pasture management. Beef (May):54–55.Google Scholar
12.Nation, A. 1996. Vermont graziers get pasture management tips from Ireland. Stockman Grass Farmer 53(10):8.Google Scholar