Abstract

Allocating spatially separated forage choices to grazing animals overcomes constraints inherent in mixed pastures and sustainably delivers the required diet composition, satisfies their desire for mixed diets, and so offers a simple way to enhance the delivery of the benefits of current and novel forage attributes. Sheep offered grass and clover in this way increased daily dry matter intake by 265 g/day (25%, P<0.05) compared with conventional pasture and sustained 60-70% clover in their diet. Milk production by cows was boosted by 11% (2.4 kg/cow/day, P<0.01).

GP, Cosgrove, AJ Parsons, DM Marotti, SM Rutter, and DF Chapman

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 61, Christchurch, 16-19, 2001