Abstract

Mixed grazing experiments require decisions on the equivalence or interchangeability of grazing species. Often equivalence is based on an assumption of the relative feed intake of the species concerned. Another approach is to equate the species in terms of the effect they have on the pasture e.g. removal of herbage mass. In this experiment the species response to given sward conditions was investigated by controlling the rate of disappearance of herbage mass so that the equivalence of the species in terms of intake was derived rather than assumed. An autumn/winter ryegrass/white clover sward was grazed separately by growing castrate cattle (320kg), sheep (28kg) and goats (17kg). Plot area and animal numbers were adjusted as necessary (on a daily basis) to achieve the same rate of dry matter (DM) disappearance for each species. The 2 rates of DM disappearance for each species were achieved over 4 and 10 days and were 522 (

JV, Johmundsson

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 46, , 111-116, 1986