The effect of different supplementary feeding rates for grazing cattle on high-altitude pastures dynamics was evaluated. A field experiment was carried out during three years in a subalpine pasture area of the Eastern Alps. The investigated pasture area was 40 ha, located between 1820 and 2230 m a.s.l. Two paddocks were chosen in the experiment and two herds of 12 cattle each were kept in the two enclosures for 5 weeks. For the first herd (HS), the supplementary feeding rate was 4.8 kg OM head−1 per day, while for the second herd (LS), the rate was 1.6 kg OM head−1 per day. The amount of herbage consumed by each cattle was determined using the n-alkane technique. To monitor the pasture vegetation dynamics, eight metal exclusion cages were placed in each paddock to determine herbage growth, utilization rates, vegetation composition and animal grazing selectivity. Grazing behaviour of dairy cattle, in terms of herbage intake and species selection was affected by the different feeding rates. Cattle grazing Paddock HS consumed 1.9 kg OM day−1 of herbage less than Paddock LS. In the LS paddock, cattle grazed higher phytomass rates. When the animals were fed by higher concentrate rates, a more selective grazing seemed to significantly increase the pasture necromass component. The lower grazing selectivity favoured the development of species as Nardus stricta and Deschampsia caespitosa, which are well known for their low palatability. Distinct vegetation dynamic patterns were observed, with a reduction of hair grass and an increase of legumes in the Paddock LS.

Gianelle, D.; Romanzin, A.; Clementel, F.; Vescovo, L.; Bovolenta, S. (2018). Feeding management of dairy cattle affect grassland dynamics in an alpine pasture. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY, 16 (1): 64-73. doi: 10.1080/14735903.2017.1420372 handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10449/46499

Feeding management of dairy cattle affect grassland dynamics in an alpine pasture

Gianelle, D.
Primo
;
Vescovo, L.;
2018-01-01

Abstract

The effect of different supplementary feeding rates for grazing cattle on high-altitude pastures dynamics was evaluated. A field experiment was carried out during three years in a subalpine pasture area of the Eastern Alps. The investigated pasture area was 40 ha, located between 1820 and 2230 m a.s.l. Two paddocks were chosen in the experiment and two herds of 12 cattle each were kept in the two enclosures for 5 weeks. For the first herd (HS), the supplementary feeding rate was 4.8 kg OM head−1 per day, while for the second herd (LS), the rate was 1.6 kg OM head−1 per day. The amount of herbage consumed by each cattle was determined using the n-alkane technique. To monitor the pasture vegetation dynamics, eight metal exclusion cages were placed in each paddock to determine herbage growth, utilization rates, vegetation composition and animal grazing selectivity. Grazing behaviour of dairy cattle, in terms of herbage intake and species selection was affected by the different feeding rates. Cattle grazing Paddock HS consumed 1.9 kg OM day−1 of herbage less than Paddock LS. In the LS paddock, cattle grazed higher phytomass rates. When the animals were fed by higher concentrate rates, a more selective grazing seemed to significantly increase the pasture necromass component. The lower grazing selectivity favoured the development of species as Nardus stricta and Deschampsia caespitosa, which are well known for their low palatability. Distinct vegetation dynamic patterns were observed, with a reduction of hair grass and an increase of legumes in the Paddock LS.
Alpine pastures
Dairy cattle
Supplementary feeding
Plant selection
Grassland dynamic
Pascoli Alpini
Selezione delle specie
Dinamica delle praterie
Settore AGR/05 - ASSESTAMENTO FORESTALE E SELVICOLTURA
2018
Gianelle, D.; Romanzin, A.; Clementel, F.; Vescovo, L.; Bovolenta, S. (2018). Feeding management of dairy cattle affect grassland dynamics in an alpine pasture. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY, 16 (1): 64-73. doi: 10.1080/14735903.2017.1420372 handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10449/46499
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