
GRAZING MANAGEMENT OF PERENNIAL RYEGRASS/ WHITE CLOVER PASTURE IN-LATE SPRING
Author(s) -
C. J. Korte
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
proceedings of the new zealand grassland association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1179-4577
pISSN - 0369-3902
DOI - 10.33584/jnzg.1982.43.1606
Subject(s) - grazing , pasture , perennial plant , tiller (botany) , agronomy , forage , lolium perenne , biology , leafy
The patterns of herbage accumulation and the tiller dynamics of a "Grasslands Nui" perennial ryegrass dominant pasture were compared under two grazing intensity treatments in late spring. Rank stemmy herbage developed with lax grazing whereas dense leafy pasture developed with close grazing. Dead herbage and uneaten stems in rank pastures shaded photosynthetic tissue. Leafy swards had a higher herbage accumulation rate and a higher tiller density than stemmy swards. Methods of achieving leafy pasture on farms by combinations of hard grazing, forage conservation and mechanical topping are discussed briefly.