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Milk from grass

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

F. J. Gordon
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland
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Extract

In general the energy supply is the main factor limiting the output of milk by the dairy cow from most food sources. Under Northern Ireland conditions grass produces a greater energy output per unit area than any of the other major crops grown there. Furthermore Lowe (1970) has estimated the relative production costs per unit of dry matter for cereals and root crops to be twice and eight times respectively those incurred with grass. Therefore it is apparent that both on a basis of energy output per unit area, and per unit cost input, grass must continue to provide the maximum possible proportion of the food supply for the dairy industry within Northern Ireland.

Type
54th Meeting, Coventry, 27 to 29 March 1972 Symposium: Animal Production From Grassland
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Production 1972

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References

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