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A comparison of two techniques used to estimate the herbage intake of lactating dairy cows in a grazing experiment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

C. R. Stockdale  and
K. R. King
C. R. Stockdale
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, Animal and Irrigated Pastures Research Institute, R.M.B. 3010, Kyabram, Victoria 3620, Australia
K. R. King
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, Animal and Irrigated Pastures Research Institute, R.M.B. 3010, Kyabram, Victoria 3620, Australia
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Extract

Herbage intake by grazing dairy cows can be estimated by measurements on the pasture ('t Mannetje, 1978) or by measurements on the animal (Raymond, 1969; Corbett, 1978). Of the sward sampling techniques, the difference method, based on pre- and post-grazing sampling, has the greatest potential for providing valid estimates of herbage intake, but only when grazing periods are short and stocking densities are relatively high (Pigden & Minson, 1969). Estimates of intake by measurements on the animal are made by the faecal output-indigestibility ratio technique (Raymond, 1969; Corbett, 1978). The most widely used marker for the determination of faecal output is chromic oxide (Cr2O3).

Type
Short Note
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 100 , Issue 1 , February 1983 , pp. 227 - 230
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1983

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