Bijeenkomst: EGF2015
Auteur: Abbink G.W., Reijneveld J.A. and Linders P.B.J.
ISBN: 978-9090-289-61-8
Jaar van uitgifte: 2015
Producttype: Paper
In the Netherlands, the amounts per ha of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) applied have been reduced by approximately 40% since 1996, due to legislative restrictions. However, as the reductions in N and P fertiliser application have not resulted in a reduction in the dry matter (DM) yield of grassland, we hypothesise that herbage quality is changing. We used a large database (n>350,000) with results of spring forage analyses from dairy farms in the Netherlands. In the period studied (1996-2013), crude protein (CP), crude ash, P, K, Fe, Zn, Mo, Cu and Co content all decreased. In the same period, an increasing content of energy, water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and selenium was found. The decreasing CP levels probably induced the increase in the WSC content of herbage. The increase in Se content can be explained by the increased use of Se containing fertilizers. In conclusion, almost all mineral contents in herbage seem to decrease because of the legislative restriction on N and P input. In order to maintain high animal production levels, farmers need to purchase high-protein feed and minerals for their rations to compensate for the decreasing CP and mineral contents in silage.
yield
Effect of different doses of an amendment and an organo-mineral fertiliser on the production of forage maize
Bijeenkomst: EGF2015
Auteur: Ferreiro-Domínguez N., Rigueiro-Rodríguez A. and Mosquera-Losada M.R.
ISBN: 978-9090-289-61-8
Jaar van uitgifte: 2015
Producttype: Paper
Animal feed is the main cost on dairy farms. Maize can produce quality silage for dairy cattle at less cost than silage from grass, and at the same time increases milk yield and milk protein content. Moreover, supplementation with concentrates can be reduced and profitability is improved. The correct use of amendments and fertilisers could improve maize production and its nutritional content and also reduce costs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on forage maize production of different application rates of an amendment (5, 15, 25 and 35 Mg ha‑1) and an organo-mineral fertiliser (50, 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha‑1) developed with organic matter from industrial wastes and with inorganic sulphur from a refinery, in comparison with the mineral fertilisation usually carried out in the area where the experiment was conducted (Spain). The results obtained did not show a significant effect of the different rates of the amendment on maize production, probably because the amount of N applied to the soil was similar. However, high rates of the organo-mineral fertiliser increased the production of forage maize, probably by the soil fertility improvement associated with this treatment.
PastureBase Ireland – a National Grassland database for Ireland
Bijeenkomst: EGF2015
Auteur: Hanrahan L., Geoghegan A., O’Donovan M., Griffith V., Wallace M. and Shalloo L.
ISBN: 978-9090-289-61-8
Jaar van uitgifte: 2015
Producttype: Paper
PastureBase Ireland (PBI) is a web-based grassland management tool incorporating a dual function of grassland decision support and a central database to collate grassland data. This database facilitates the collection and storage of a vast quantity of grassland data from grassland farmers in Ireland, providing infinite opportunities to increase the understanding around all aspects of grassland production and ultimately utilisation. The database spans across enterprises (dairy, beef and sheep), with grassland data recorded by all enterprise groups. Key questions that PBI can address include the quantification of seasonal and annual grass dry matter (DM) production, establishing the factors that affect production across different enterprises, including for example grassland management, region, and soil type. This database is designed to be functional at the paddock level. PBI has the potential to refocus grassland research in Ireland, while contributing to significant increases in productivity and profitability on grassbased farms. The objective of this paper is to briefly describe PBI and to demonstrate some of the outputs of the model.
Productive longevity of different alfalfa varieties in the Central non-Chernozem region
Bijeenkomst: EGF2015
Auteur: Lazarev N.N. and Starodubtseva A.M.
ISBN: 978-9090-289-61-8
Jaar van uitgifte: 2015
Producttype: Paper
Productive longevity of different alfalfa varieties depends on soil fertility, weather conditions, intensity of use and disease incidence. The pasture-type alfalfa (Medicago varia Martyn.) variety Pastbischnaya 88 was tested for long-term persistence on well cultivated soils. In the 5th and 6th years of use 36-72 plants were left per 1 m2 and dry matter yields reached 5-7 Mg ha‑1. Thinning of the swards was recorded both after unfavourable winter conditions and due to the diseases in the summer period. By the 15-17th year of use the productivity of alfalfa-based swards declined to 2.8-3.12 Mg ha‑1. Being well provided with P and K on the sod-podzolic soil, alfalfa persisted in the mixtures with smooth brome even in its 18th year of use. Presence of 1-7 alfalfa plants per 1 m2 provided significantly higher yields than pure grass stands. Smooth brome is a good companion grass in alfalfa-grass mixtures for long-term twice-a-season use. This species considerably resisted dandelion invasions and did not suppress alfalfa. The key condition of smooth brome persistence in mixtures with other gramineous grasses is annual application of N90. Without mineral nitrogen fertilization the swards were invaded by wild grasses and dandelion, and the share of smooth brome decreased to 10-18%. On moderately rich soils serious thinning of alfalfa-timothy swards was already recorded in the 4th year after sowing. Their productivity declined to a level of 1.58-2.92 Mg ha‑1. Productivity of alfalfa-grass mixtures exceeded that of the single-species timothy crop by 1.8-2.0 times.
The effects of cultivation date and method on the establishment of lucerne in the UK
Bijeenkomst: EGF2015
Auteur: Marley C.L., Scott M.B., Davies J.W., Sanderson R. and Fychan R.
ISBN: 978-9090-289-61-8
Jaar van uitgifte: 2015
Producttype: Paper
Dairy farmers are under increasing pressure to maximise their use of home-grown high-protein forages to achieve sustainable intensification. The use of shallow tillage, such as direct drilling, is one approach farmers could use to reduce the establishment costs when incorporating these forages into high-output pasture-based systems. Lucerne (Medicago sativa) is a high yielding forage with high crude protein concentration which is highly palatable to ruminants. An experiment investigated the effect of establishment date and method on lucerne establishment. Findings showed that competition from grass was the main factor affecting the lucerne establishment. The yield of lucerne, established after either a first or second silage cut, either by ploughing or direct drilling, did not differ among treatments where herbicide was used. If lucerne is to be successfully established without the use of herbicide, it should be sown after ploughing not by direct drilling, and after a first silage cut.
The development of yield and digestibility of a grass mixture during primary growth and regrowth
Bijeenkomst: EGF2015
Auteur: Sairanen A. and Hyrkäs M.
ISBN: 978-9090-289-61-8
Jaar van uitgifte: 2015
Producttype: Paper
Development of yield and digestibility of grass leys was studied in Maaninka, Finland during the 2014 growing season. A field plot of 8 ha was sown in 2013 using a mixture of timothy (Phleum pretense L.), meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). The field was divided into two sectors according to the timing of the first harvest. The early first cut was taken on 10 June and the late first cut on 23 June. Four sampling points were used per sector. Samples were taken around the first cut and during the regrowth approximately every fifth day. Digestibility of grass (D-value) was determined by near-infrared spectrometry. The primary cut produced higher dry matter yield than the regrowth. A low grass growth rate during the regrowth was partly compensated for by using a long growing period. The D-value of grass decreased almost at the same rate in both the primary growth and the beginning of the regrowth period. The D-value of regrowth increased at the end of growing period. Thus the rate of decrease of the D-value of the regrowth depends on the observation period.