New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts

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Improved grass cultivars increase milk and meat production--a review

K. F. M. REED

Department of Agriculture
Pastoral and Veterinary Institute
Private Bag 105, Hamilton, Vic 3300
Australia

Abstract  Plant breeding and the merit-testing of grass cultivars in multi-site small-plot studies should be supported with some animal production trials if plant improvement is to maintain credibility and remain focussed on feasible, commercially relevant goals. Lactating animals are the most sensitive test animals. Animal production results from cultivar comparisons are considerably influenced by the system(s) of management used. Between-cultivar differences are rarely detected unless pasture is utilised to a high degree. The economic benefits flow mainly from a reduced need for supplementary feed, or in increased carrying capacity. A range of rates of stocking, or a variable stocking policy dependent on minimal sward height or some other objective basis needs to be employed. Where animal production trials have been conducted, they have mainly focussed on cultivars emanating from those plant improvement programmes aimed at improving nutritive value. Given this limitation the reports reviewed provide evidence that grass improvement programmes have raised the feeding value of pasture considerably.

Keywords  grass cultivars; plant improvement; merit-testing; nutritive value; endophyte; animal production; liveweight gain; milk production; grazing management

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 1994, Vol. 37: 277-286

0028-8233/94/3703-0277 $2.50/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand 1994

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (864K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

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