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.