A comparison of two grazing regimes during lactation for improving the sustainability of Latxa dairy sheep system

Bijeenkomst: EGF2015
Auteur: Mandaluniz N., Arranz J. and Ruiz R.
ISBN: 978-9090-289-61-8
Jaar van uitgifte: 2015
Producttype: Paper
Land use and grazing management practices have changed during the last decades as a result of the intensification of traditional pasture-based systems. These changes have potential adverse environmental consequences. Dairy sheep production in the Basque Country has been based traditionally on a pasturebased farming system with a local dairy breed. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of two grazing management regimes, differing in the number of grazing and rest days per paddock, on pasture and dairy sheep production variables. There was no difference in herbage mass or dairy production variables between the two regimes but the regime with the longer rest periods resulted in greater amounts of herbage being harvested for conservation. The longer rest periods could also reduce the carbon footprint and benefit carbon capture by the pastures.