Determination of the digestible energy intake and apparent absorption of macroelements in pasture-fed lactating Thoroughbred mares

AIM: To measure the nutritive value of pasture in terms of digestible energy (DE) intake (DEI) and dry matter (DM) digestibility, and to determine the apparent absorption of macroelements in lactating Thoroughbred mares grazed on pasture. METHODS: DM intake (DMI) and DEI were determined from daily faecal DM output measured in grazing mares, divided by the DM indigestible fraction (1-digestible DM), measured in a digestibility trial using pasture-fed mares. Eight lactating mares and their foals, that had a mean age of 40 days, were grazed separately on 50x100 m areas of pasture and daily faecal DM outputs were recorded for 8 days. Five mares and their foals were then placed in individual bare 20x20 m corrals containing custom-made feeding stations for 14 days to determine the indigestible DM fraction. DM, gross energy content, crude protein (CP), soluble carbohydrate, acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), lipid, and macroelement composition of the pasture offered and faeces were determined and their digestibility and/or apparent absorption calculated. RESULTS: DM digestibility of the pasture was 0.6 and the DMI and DEI of a grazing 560 kg mare in early lactation nursing a foal growing at 1.34 kg/day was 13.6 (SE 0.8) kg/day and 146.9 (SE 8.4) MJ DE/day, respectively. Apparent absorptions of the macroelements measured were: Ca 0.75, P 0.43, Mg 0.63, Na 0.78, and K 0.72. CONCLUSIONS: Good quality ryegrass-white clover pasture that had a DE content of 10.8 MJ/kg DM, and a macroelement composition (g/kg) of Ca 3.33, P 3.0, Mg 1.67, Na 1.67, and K 24.2, will provide adequate DMI, DEI, and macroelement intake to lactating Thoroughbred mares.     

Digestible energy intake, dry matter digestibility and mineral status of grazing New Zealand Thoroughbred yearlings

AIM: To measure the nutritive value of pasture in terms of digestible energy intake (DEI) and dry matter (DM) digestibility, and to determine the effect of Ca, P, Cu, Zn, and Se supplementation on growth rate and degree of physeal swelling in Thoroughbred yearlings grazed on pasture. METHODS: Fourteen yearling horses were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 groups and rotationally grazed on a ryegrass/white clover pasture for 7 months. One group was supplemented daily with a mineral mix. Liveweight changes were recorded at fortnightly intervals and pasture mineral composition determined at monthly intervals. The DM intake (DMI) was determined from daily faecal DM outputs divided by the indigestible DM fraction (1 - digestible DM) determined from a digestibility study. The DEI was determined from the difference between the gross energy intake and the gross energy faecal output. The DM, gross energy content, crude protein (CP), soluble carbohydrate, acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), lipid and mineral composition of pasture offered and faeces were analysed and their digestibility or apparent absorption calculated. RESULTS: The DM digestibility of pasture averaged 0.64 while the daily DMI and DEI of a 350 kg yearling, gaining 0.6 kg liveweight/day, averaged 6.9 kg DM/day and 78 MJ DE/day, respectively. The mineral supplement had no significant effect on the growth of yearlings grazing pasture that had a mineral composition of (g/kg DM) Na 0.17, K 32.8, Ca 3.6, P 3.4, Mg 2.1, S 3.0, and (mg/kg DM) Cu 7.9, Fe 177, Mn 83, Zn 28 and Se 0.016. Plasma Se was elevated (e.g. 40-218 microg/l) by Se supplementation while Cu supplementation had no effect on plasma and liver Cu concentrations. Physeal swelling was observed in all horses, regardless of treatment. CONCLUSION: Good quality ryegrass/white clover pasture that had a DE content of 11.3 MJ/kg DM and adequate mineral composition (as observed in this study, with the possible exception of Se) will provide an adequate intake of nutrients to ensure good growth in yearling horses.     

Kikuyu over-sown with ryegrass and clover: dry matter production,botanical composition and nutritional value

The seasonality of growth and low nutritional value of kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) pasture restrict milk production. The aim of the study was to determine the dry matter yield, botanical composition and nutritional value of irrigated kikuyu over-sown with annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum var. westerwoldicum), white clover (Trifolium repens) and red clover (T. pratense) or a mixture of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) with white and red clovers under intensive grazing conditions with dairy cows. The incorporation of annual ryegrass, perennial clover or perennial ryegrass–clover into kikuyu pasture changed the seasonal fodder flow and increased the spring dry matter (DM) production. The over-sowing of kikuyu with annual ryegrass had no effect on the DM production of kikuyu during the summer and autumn. Kikuyu and kikuyu–ryegrass, fertilised with nitrogen fertiliser, had a higher DM production rate than kikuyu–clover pastures. Kikuyu–ryegrass pasture transformed from ryegrass-dominant in spring to kikuyu-dominant in summer and only kikuyu in autumn. This led to a decrease in metabolisable energy (ME) and increase in neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content of the pasture during spring, summer and autumn as kikuyu became more dominant. The clover content of kikuyu over-sown with clover decreased annually but was still higher than 30% at the end of two years after establishment. As the kikuyu content of the kikuyu–clover pastures increased, the seasonal growth rate changed from a low autumn growth (37.9 kg DM ha^?1 d^?1) in the first year to a higher autumn growth (48.5 kg DM ha^?1 d^?1) in the second year. The over-sowing of kikuyu with clover resulted in lower DM production and NDF values and higher crude protein (CP), ME and calcium (Ca) values. The lowest CP content in kikuyu–ryegrass pasture was during summer and autumn when kikuyu was dominant. The Ca content of the grass pastures (kikuyu and kikuyu–ryegrass) was low. The phosphorus (P) content of both the kikuyu–clover and grass pastures exceeded the requirement needed for dairy production (0.38%). The mean Ca:P ratio of the kikuyu–clover pasture meets the 1.6:1 ratio needed by dairy cows. The kikuyu and kikuyu–ryegrass pasture had a Ca:P ratio lower than 1:1 and Ca supplementation would be needed for dairy cows. The incorporation of annual ryegrass, perennial clover or perennial ryegrass–clover into kikuyu pasture improved the seasonal DM production and nutritional value of the pasture.     

Seasonal grazing capacity of an irrigated grass/legume pasture in the Rûens area of the southern Cape

Seasonal changes in grazing capacity of an irrigated grass/legume mixture consisting of lucerne, red clover, white clover, tall fescue, cocksfoot and perennial ryegrass were determined in the Rûens area of the southern Cape. Applying variable stocking rates and three grazing pressures (1,5; 2,25 and 3,0 kg DM/dry sheep‐unit/ day) in a six‐paddock grazing system, it was found that the mean annual stocking rate for maximum wool yield was 54,4 dry sheep‐units/ha over a period of three years. The seasonal grazing capacity of the pasture varied throughout the year and dry matter availability was most limiting during winter and highest during spring. The clover component of the pasture was depressed by the high grazing pressure and declined with age, while the grass content increased proportionally. The proportional lucerne content of the pasture material was more stable and was promoted by the high grazing pressure, but was not influenced by increased pasture age.     

Novel forages for growth and health in farmed deer

AIMS: This paper reviews recent research on the use of new forages in deer farming that may be useful for increasing growth in weaner deer for venison production, increasing the trace element status of deer, and for developing systems less reliant on chemical inputs, notably of anthelmintics used to control internal parasites. GROWTH: Grazing on pure swards of red clover (Trifolium pratense) or chicory (Chicorium intybus) increased weaner growth during autumn by 26-47% and during spring by 10-14%, relative to red deer (Cervus elaphus) grazed on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) /white clover (Trifolium repens) pasture (0.8/0.2). Pre-weaning growth during lactation was increased by approximately 20%. These increases were due to increased rate of degradation of feed particles in the rumen, leading to higher digestibility and higher voluntary feed intakes (VFI). Red clover and chicory produce a greater proportion of their total dry matter (DM) during late summer and autumn than perennial ryegrass/white clover pastures, and are therefore better aligned with the seasonal feed requirements of deer. Grazing on the legume, sulla (Hedysarum coronarium), in autumn and spring increased the growth of weaner deer by 33% and 10%, respectively, relative to pasture-fed animals. PARASITES: Plants containing substantial concentrations of secondary compounds such as condensed tannins (CT) show promise for reducing problems caused by internal parasites. CT present in some legumes and the presence of low concentrations of both CT and sesquiterpene lactones in chicory are reviewed. Feeding sulla containing 35g CT /kg DM reduced abomasal nematode establishment and tended to reduce lungworm (Dictyocaulis eckerti) larval counts in faeces. Relative to weaner deer grazing pasture, weaner deer grazing chicory during autumn required fewer anthelmintic treatments without depressing growth rates. CT extracted from a range of legumes, and CT and sesquiterpene lactones extracted from chicory reduced the in vitro motility of both lungworm and gastrointestinal nematode larvae. The beneficial effects of CT-containing forages on the ability of young deer to manage internal parasite infections could be due to: indirect effects of CT resulting in increased amino-acid absorption, better meeting demands of the immune system; direct inhibitory effects of CT on parasite larvae and; taller plant morphology, reducing the ingestion of infective larvae. The effects of CT depend upon both their structure and CT Condensed tannins DM Dry matter L1 First-stage larvae L3 Infective third-stage larvae LWG Liveweight gain ME Metabolisable energy OM Organic matter OMD Organic matter digestibility VFIVoluntary food intake concentration in the plant, which vary between growing conditions, plant varieties and species. TRACE ELEMENTS: Chicory contained higher concentrations of copper and cobalt than perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture grown on the same farm, and deer grazing chicory had higher liver concentrations of both copper and vitamin B12. These forages may contribute to maintaining adequate trace element status in deer. CONCLUSIONS: Grazing systems that include legumes and herbs such as sulla, red clover and chicory can be used to substantially increase the growth of weaner deer for venison production whilst maintaining deer health and reducing requirements for chemical inputs. For maximum plant persistence and animal responses, these plants should be grown and managed as special-purpose forages and not used in seed mixtures with perennial grasses.     

The influence of calcium intake on phosphorus digestibility in mature ponies

Literature data show conflicting results on the effect of feeding high calcium (Ca) levels on phosphorus (P) digestibility in ponies. None of the studies reported involved a dose response as to the effect of Ca intake on apparent P digestibility while keeping P intake constant. Thus, the influence of high dietary Ca level on apparent P digestibility was studied in balance trials by feeding six mature ponies three different Ca levels against a constant P intake. The ponies received 148, 316 and 535 mg Ca/kg BW/day with the low, intermediate and high Ca diet. Phosphorus intake was approximately 125 mg P/kg BW and magnesium (Mg) intake was approximately 35 mg Mg/kg BW/day. The intermediate and high Ca level decreased apparent digestibility, renal excretion and retention of P when compared with the low Ca level. However, apparent digestibility and renal excretion of P were not different between the intermediate and high Ca level. The high Ca level resulted in a retention of 66 mg Ca/kg BW/day. The percentage apparent digestibility of Ca was lower for the intermediate and high Ca level compared with the low Ca level. Magnesium digestibility was not affected by high dietary Ca level. In practice, high absolute amounts of Ca should be prevented especially when low amounts of P are fed; P digestibility will be depressed and a negative P balance may occur.     

Relationship of rumen fill and fermentation to diurnal and seasonal variation of herbage intake in dairy cows grazed on perennial ryegrass pasture

To clarify the effect of digesta weight in the reticulorumen on diurnal and seasonal fluctuations in herbage intake, six ruminally cannulated, non‐lactating dairy cows were grazed on perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture during morning and evening sessions in spring and autumn. The digesta weight of fresh matter, dry matter (DM) and fiber in the reticulorumen at the beginning and the end of each grazing session was lower in spring than in autumn (P < 0.01). Although the digesta weight was similar between the sessions at the beginning of grazing, it was greater for the evening than for the morning at the end of grazing (P < 0.01). The large particles proportion in the digesta was lower for the morning than the evening (P < 0.01), and it was lower in spring than in autumn (P < 0.01). The concentrations of volatile fatty acids in rumen fluid were generally higher in spring compared with autumn. The herbage DM intake during the evening was greater compared with the morning in both seasons (P < 0.01). However, there was no difference in herbage DM intake between seasons. The results showed that the rumen digesta fill was not the sole factor explaining diurnal and seasonal variation of herbage intake in grazing dairy cows.     

Digestibility, intake and mineral utilization of combinations of grasses and legumes by lambs

Defined mixtures of two grass (orchardgrass, perennial ryegrass) and two legume (alfalfa, red clover) hays, harvested in two cuttings in 2 yr, were fed in digestibility, intake and mineral balance trials to wether lambs. Each mixture was fed in ad libitum amounts to six crossbred wether lambs weighing 35 to 45 kg. The effect of increasing proportion of legume in mixtures on dry matter digestibility (DMD), neutral detergent fiber digestibility (DNDF) and digestible dry matter intake (DDMI) differed with species combination. For all combinations, a quadratic regression (P less than .05) for DMD and DNDF indicated a small, negative associative effect for mixtures of grasses and legumes compared with pure species. Dry matter intake (DMI) showed a quadratic increase with level of legume inclusion, indicating a positive associative effect. The observed increase of DMI was approximately 6 to 7% over predicted values with 25 or 50% legume in the mixture. Intake of NDF also showed a quadratic response to level of legume, but lambs tended to eat to a fairly constant intake of 42 to 43 g NDF/kg wt.75. Mineral utilization (apparent absorption, retention) differed (P less than .05) with cutting but not species combination, and generally improved with increasing legume content in the mixture. With the exception of calcium retention (negative quadratic effect), there was little evidence for significant associative effects between grasses and legumes in mineral utilization.     

不同放牧制度和强度下奶牛生产性能的研究──1.放牧对牧草采食量及营养摄入量的影响

本文作者在湖南南山牧场研究了两种放牧制度（分区轮牧和连续放牧）和三种放牧强度（0．467，0．667和0．867ha／头）对处于泌乳中后期的黑白花奶牛在多年生黑麦草／由三叶人工草地上的放牧来食量、采食植物组成、营养摄入量的影响。结果表明：轮牧制奶牛的采食量低于连续放牧制，但其口粮组成中黑麦草和白三叶的比例高于连续放牧，故粗蛋白质、总能、钙和磷的日摄入量也低于轮牧制奶牛。随放牧强度的增加，奶牛的来食量、以及粗蛋白质、酸性洗涤纤维、总能、钙和磷的摄入量均有所增加，但三种放牧强度间差异并不显著。放牧强度越大，家畜日粮组成中黑麦草和白三叶的比例越大，而枯草和杂草所占比例越小。这说明在南山试验条件下，放牧制度和放牧强度对奶牛的采食量及各种营养物质的日摄入量有一定影响。     

Effects of supplement type on animal performance, forage intake, digestion, and ruminal measurements of growing beef cattle

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of supplement type on the rate of gain by heifers grazing bermudagrass and on the intake, apparent total-tract OM digestibility, ruminal fermentation, digesta kinetics, in situ DM digestibility, and forage protein degradation by steers fed prairie hay. In Exp. 1, 45 heifers (284+/-24 kg) grazed a bermudagrass pasture for 91 d in the late summer to determine the effects of no supplement (CON), or one of four individually fed monensin-containing (150 mg/[heifer x d]) supplements (MINCS; 0.1 kg of mineral mix with 0.2 kg [DM] of cottonseed hulls as a carrier/[heifer x d]), a pelleted protein supplement (PROT; 1 kg of DM, 242 g of degradable intake protein [DIP]/[heifer x d]), or high-fiber (HF) and high-grain (HG) (2 kg of DM, 243 and 257 g of DIP, respectively/[heifer x d]) pelleted energy supplements. In Exp. 2, four ruminally cannulated steers (311+/-22 kg) with ad libitum access to low-quality (4% DIP, 73% NDF, 40% ADF) prairie hay were individually fed monensin-containing (200 mg/[steer x d]) treatments consisting of 1) mineral mix + corn (MINCR; 0.1 kg of mineral and 0.4 kg of cracked corn [DM] as a carrier, 19 g of DIP/[steer x d]), 2) PROT (1.4 kg of DM, 335 g of DIP/[steer x d]), 3) HF, or 4) HG (2.9 kg of DM, 340 and 360 g of DIP, respectively/[steer x d]) in a 4 x 4 Latin square with 14-d adaptation and 6-d sampling periods. In Exp. 1, the HF-, HG-, and PROT-supplemented heifers had greater (P < 0.01) rates of gain than CON heifers, and the HF- and HG-supplemented heifers tended (P < 0.11) to gain more weight than those fed PROT. In Exp. 2, steers fed PROT consumed more (P < 0.05) hay OM than HF and HG, or MINCR. Total OM intake was greater (P < 0.01) by supplemented steers than MINCR-fed cattle. Hay OM digestibility was not affected (P = 0.19) by treatment, but total diet OM digestibility was greater (P < 0.01) for HF- and HG- than for MINCR- or PROT-fed steers. The rate of in situ DM digestibility was greater (P < 0.01) for HF, HG, and PROT than for MINCR. Results from these studies indicate that feeding milo- vs fiber-based energy supplements formulated to provide adequate DIP did not result in different forage intake, OM digestibility, or in situ DM digestibility, whereas both increased ADG in heifers consuming low-quality forages compared with unsupplemented or mineral- or protein-supplemented cattle. An adequate DIP:TDN balance decreased the negative associative effects often observed when large quantities of high-starch supplements are fed with low-quality hay.     

Herbage intake,milk production and sward utilization of dairy cows grazing grass/white clover swards at low,medium and high allowances

Abstract

Herbage intake (HI), milk production and sward utilization of Norwegian Red Cattle dairy cows in mid-lactation, rotationally grazing grass/white clover swards at low, medium and high allowances (HA), were examined in three experiments (I, II and III). The daily target allowances per cow were 18 and 36 kg DM in Experiment I and 12, 18, and 24 kg DM in Experiments II and III. The cows were grazing in groups of seven (Experiments II and III) to ten (I) individuals. The proportions of white clover in the swards averaged 12%, 40% and 46% in Experiments I, II and III, respectively. In addition to pasture, the cows were fed concentrate mixtures in varying amounts (0–6.8 kg) with the highest amounts offered to the highest yielding cows. HI was estimated using the n-alkane technique. No effect of HA on HI was obtained in Experiment I. In Experiment II, and for II and III combined, there was a significant positive effect of HA on HI. The average increase in HI was 0.24 kg DM per extra kg DM on offer. The utilization of the sward (measured at 3 cm above ground level) decreased from 72% at the lowest HA to 51% at the highest HA in Experiment II and III. HA did not affect milk yield or milk composition significantly (P>0.05).     

Influence of sward height, daily timing of concentrate supplementation, and restricted time for grazing on forage utilization by lactating beef cows

To establish the effect of sward height, concentrate feeding time, and restricted time for grazing on forage utilization by grazing cattle, 32 crossbred beef (24 Angus and eight Hereford) cows (632 kg BW) and calves (104 kg BW) were grouped by weight and calving date. They were assigned randomly to two sward height treatments (4 to 8 or 8 to 12 cm), replicated four times. The herbage comprised mainly Kentucky bluegrass, orchardgrass, some forbs, and white clover. The cows were restricted to 12 h/d grazing (0700 to 1900) or unrestricted to 24 h/d grazing and fed a concentrate supplement (4.1 kg DM.cow(-1).d(-1), approximately 0.65% of BW or 33% of total DMI) either at 0700 or 1800. The experiment was repeated over three 15-d periods in May, June/July, and August 2000. The herbage on high sward height pasture was higher (P = 0.06) in NDF and ADF and lower (P < 0.01) in CP than low sward height herbage. For cows restricted to 12 h/d grazing, supplementing at 0700 as opposed 1800 resulted in greater (P = 0.04) forage DMI (8.6 vs. 8.1 kg/d), whereas cows that were unrestricted showed little change (8.2 kg/d at 0700 vs. 8.4 kg/d at 1800). Supplementing at 1800 as opposed to 0700 resulted in greater (P = 0.03) herbage DM digestibility (67.7 vs. 64.5%) for cows on high sward height, whereas cows on low sward height exhibited minimal differences (65.4% at 1800 vs. 66.3% at 0700). Cows restricted to 12 h/d grazing and supplemented at 0700 as opposed to 1800 resulted in greater (P = 0.06) digestible DMI (5.0 vs. 4.7 kg/d), whereas unrestricted cows exhibited the opposite response (4.6 kg/d digestible DMI at 0700 vs. 4.9 kg/d at 1800). Supplementing at 1800 as opposed to 0700 increased the time spent grazing to a greater (P = 0.09) extent for restricted than for unrestricted cows. When forage availability or grazing time was limiting (due to a low forage allowance and restricted access to forage, respectively) supplementing concentrates at 0700 resulted in greater forage utilization and intake rate because of increased forage DMI, DM digestibility, and digestible DMI. However, when forage or grazing time was not limiting, supplementing concentrates at 1800 resulted in greater forage utilization because of increased forage DM digestibility.     

不同类型藏羊消化率与采食量的比较研究

采食量是放牧家畜生产性能的重要影响因素,在草地生态系统中起重要作用。夏季在甘南夏河分别选取不同生理类群(羔羊、1岁母羊、2岁母羊、3岁母羊、4岁母羊、羯羊和种公羊)的欧拉型、甘加型和乔科型藏羊各4只进行试验。采用二氧化钛指示剂法与粪氮指数法分别测定藏羊排粪量和牧草有机物质消化率,从而计算放牧采食量,并对特征间的相关性进行研究。结果表明:欧拉型、乔科型和甘加型藏羊的平均放牧采食量分别为1031.93、834.59和956.15 g·d^-1,乔科型藏羊放牧采食量显著(P<0.05)小于欧拉型和甘加型藏羊。3个类型藏羊的每kg代谢体重采食量和干物质采食量占体重比差异均不显著(P>0.05)。欧拉型、乔科型和甘加型藏羊对夏河天然草地牧草的平均有机物质消化率分别为50.79%、47.22%和55.58%。欧拉型、乔科型和甘加型藏羊的平均排粪量分别为561.26、484.06和466.74 g·d^-1,其中欧拉型藏羊的排粪量显著高于其他两个类型。试验在高寒地区天然草地研究不同类型藏羊的排粪量、有机物质消化率和放牧采食量,旨在为该地区放牧藏羊的科学饲养与管理提供理论依据。     

Voluntary intake of several planted pastures by sheep and an assessment of NDF and IVDOM as possible predictors of intake

The aim was to study the quality and quantity of pasture selected by sheep on various planted pastures. A further aim was to assess NDF and IVDOM as easy measurable parameters for use in equations to predict intake. Pasture samples were collected using oesophageal‐fistulated sheep and from knowledge of the in vitro digestibility of these samples and the total faeces voided as measured with faeces bags, intake was calculated. Pastures observed included ryegrass, cocksfoot, C. dactylon, Smuts finger, triticale, E. curvula, Eragrostislucerne combination, lucerne and sainfoin. Nitrogen content of oesophageal samples varied between 2,3 and 5,1%, NDF between 33 and 65% and IVDOM between 50 and 80%. Intake of grass DOM varied from 24,4 to 43,3 g/kg W^0,75/day for lambs and from 29,0 to 37,4 g/kg W^0,75/day for mature wethers. DOM intake on the two legumes was generally poor and varied between 13,7 and 22,9 g/kg W^0,75/day. Although some of the variation in voluntary intake is accounted for by the variation in NDF and IVDOM, these two parameters are of limited value as general predictors, but may be used in selection indices.     

Effects of fallen snow on the voluntary intake and grazing behavior of Hokkaido native horses in winter woodland with underlying Sasa senanensis

The intake, digestibility, and grazing behavior of Hokkaido native horses were investigated in winter woodland with underlying Sasa senanensis. Twenty Hokkaido native horses were grazed in a woodland (8.52 ha) for 14 days in December (snowy; 20 cm of snow fall) and in November (non‐snowy) of the next year. Three mares (360 kg of average bodyweight) were used in each experiment. The fecal collection, used to investigate the intake and digestibility by the double‐indicator method, and behavioral observations were carried out for 24 h on the 6th day in each experiment. During the snowy and non‐snowy periods, the dry matter intakes of sasa foliage were 7.3 and 9.6 kg/d, respectively, which is 2.1 and 2.7% when expressed as a percentage of bodyweight. The apparent digestibility of nutrients and energy released during the snowy and non‐snowy periods were similar. The proportions of digestible energy intakes to maintenance requirement in the mares were 119 and 164% during the snowy and non‐snowy periods, respectively. Their bodyweight remained constant during the non‐snowy period; however, a slight loss in their bodyweight was observed during the snowy period. The duration of grazing on sasa foliage was 416 and 544 min/d during the snowy and non‐snowy periods, respectively, the daily grazing area of the mares during these periods was 2.0 and 5.1 ha, respectively. In other words, the area during the snowy period was smaller than that during the non‐snowy period (P < 0.05). Fallen snow, even with a depth of approximately 20 cm, inhibited the grazing behavior and intake of sasa foliage by Hokkaido native horses grazing in winter woodland pasture.     

Digestible energy content of pasture species in growing European wild boar (Sus scrofa L.)

The objectives were to determine the apparent energy digestibility of six pasture species frequently grazed by European wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) and to estimate the digestible energy (DE) consumption from pasture by grazing wild boar. Seven diets were prepared; a base diet (BD) which did not contain any pasture species, diets D1 to D5 which included 75% of the BD and 25% of the dried pasture species Lolium perenne (D1), Festuca arundinacea (D2), Agrostis capillaris (D3), Bromus staminius (D4) or Trifolium repens (D5) and D6 which contained 85% BD and 15% dried Plantago lanceolata. Seven purebred European wild boar (initial liveweight 24.4 ± 0.8 kg, average ± SEM) were given access to the diets following a Latin Square design. The animals received each diet for eight days, with faecal sampling on days 6, 7 and 8. The total apparent DE consumption from pasture by grazing wild boar was estimated using previously collected pasture consumption data from wild boar. The digestibility coefficients and DE contents of the pasture species ranged from 0.29 to 0.65, and 5.8 to 12.6 MJ/kg DM respectively, with L. perenne and P. lanceolata having the greatest digestibility coefficients and DE contents. The wild boar were estimated to satisfy between 52% and 142% of their maintenance energy requirements through pasture consumption. Grazing wild boar are able to utilise an important proportion of the energy present in pasture species.     

不同放牧强度对多年生黑麦草—白三叶草地群体密度的影响

在中、高放牧强下黑麦草分蘖密度略有下降，而在低放牧强度下则有所上升。白三叶枝条密度受放牧强度影响较小。秋季的重牧使黑麦草分蘖密度极显著下降（P＜0．01）。6月份随着放牧强度的增强黑麦草案死亡数显著减少（P＜0．05），草地群体密度亦随之减少（P＜0.05）。在秋季随着放牧强度的增大黑麦草单蘖重明显减少（P＜0．05）。黑麦草和白三叶的单菜（枝）重与其密度均呈强负相关（P＜0．01）。白三叶的单枝重与生物量呈正相关（P＜0．05）。以上分析表明，中等放牧强度（70％利用率）有利于保持合理的草地群体密度和较高的生物量。     

Reducing phosphorus inputs for grazing Holstein steers

A 2-yr study was conducted to confirm that managed pastures can provide Holstein steers adequate P to meet their daily requirement. Treatments offered were trace mineralized salt with or without additional P. In the first year, 80 Holstein steers (248 kg of BW) were assigned to 4 grazing groups. Treatments were trace mineralized salt only or a 67:33 mixture of trace mineralized salt and dicalcium phosphate. Steers rotationally grazed a cool-season grass/legume mixture for 137 d. Fecal bags were placed on 3 steers from each grazing group (n = 12) over a 4-d period for estimation of forage DMI and forage contribution to daily P intake twice during the grazing season. Analyzed pasture samples contained 3.28 mg of P/g of DM. During the second year, 72 Holstein steers (297 kg of BW) were blocked into 2 BW groups and subsequently assigned to 1 of 4 pasture groups. Steers rotationally grazed the same forage base as the first year for 126 d. Pasture samples contained 3.27 mg of P/g of DM. No significant differences (P > 0.10) were detected for BW, ADG, or free-choice supplemental mineral intake. Forage provided 126% of the recommended NRC P requirement. Thus, supplemental phosphorous was not required for Holstein steers grazing mixed, cool-season, grass/legume pastures.     

Effect of exogenous fibrolytic enzyme on ruminal fermentation and digestibility of alfalfa and rye-grass hay fed to lambs

This experiment was carried out to study the effect of a directly fed exogenous fibrolytic enzyme on intake and digestion of DM, OM, protein, NDF, ADF, and hemicellulose of alfalfa and ryegrass hay by sheep. Four diets were randomly assigned to four ruminally cannulated lambs using a 4 x 4 Latin square design, repeated in time, with a factorial arrangement (2 x 2) of diets: 1) alfalfa hay; 2) alfalfa hay + exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (enzyme); 3) ryegrass hay; and 4) ryegrass hay + enzyme. Lambs consumed more DM and OM from alfalfa than from ryegrass hay (P < 0.001). The ADF intake was not different between the hays, but NDF intake was lower for alfalfa (P < 0.001). For both hays, the enzyme increased intake of DM (P < 0.01), as well as OM and CP (P < 0.05); however, NDF and ADF intake were not changed. Alfalfa hay had higher apparent digestibility of DM, OM, and CP (P < 0.001), but lower digestibility for NDF, ADF, and hemicellulose. The enzyme increased apparent digestibility of CP, hemicellulose (P < 0.05), and NDF (P < 0.10) for alfalfa. Also, for both hays, the enzyme improved N balance because lambs retained more N (P < 0.05). The enzyme increased (P < 0.05) total VFA concentration (3 and 6 h) for both hays. Results from this trial indicate that directly fed exogenous fibrolytic enzymes may change ruminal fermentation, intake, and digestibility of forages with different nutritive value.     

Nutrient sufficiency in beef cows grazing on a dwarf bamboo‐dominated forestland pasture in Japan

The nutritional status of cows grazing on a 120‐ha public alpine forestland pasture dominated by the dwarf bamboo Sasa senanensis located in central Japan was evaluated over the course of 2 years. Data were collected during grazing seasons in three periods: early (June), mid‐ (August) and late (late September–early October) periods. During these periods, the number of experimental Japanese Black cows varied between three and six. With the exception of the dry matter (DM) intake in 2005 and the crude protein (CP) digestibility in 2006, the DM and CP intake and digestibility were lower in the mid‐ and late periods than in the early period for both years (P < 0.05). Metabolizable energy intake was slightly insufficient for the requirement of the cows in the late period of 2005; in the mid‐ and late periods of 2006, the metabolizable energy intake was 0.4 to 0.5 times the requirement. These results suggest that the energy intake of cows grazing on forestland pasture dominated by S. senanensis would not satisfy their requirements starting in the mid‐period (August) grazing, even though the pasture had abundant herbage resources during these periods.