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Dry matter (DM) production of multispecies swards compared to perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne; PRG) swards under intensive grazing warrants investigation as it is relatively unknown. A 5 × 2 factorial experiment, with five sward types and two defoliation methods, was used to investigate the effect of grazing versus cutting on dry matter (DM) production of multispecies and PRG‐only swards. Five sward types were established namely: a PRG‐only sward, receiving 250 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ (PRG250), and a PRG‐only sward (PRG90), a two‐species sward with PRG and white clover (Trifolium repens; PRGWC), a six‐species sward (6S) and a nine‐species sward (9S), each receiving 90 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. Cutting plots measured 1.95 × 10 m and grazing plots measured 10 × 10 m. All plots were harvested concurrently every 21–30 days from April‐November for two years (2015 and 2016). A strip from the grazing plots was cut for DM yield determination prior to turning in cattle for grazing. There was an interaction between sward type and defoliation method (p

A complete randomized design was used to investigate the effect of increasing pasture species on herbage production, chemical composition and utilization under intensive sheep grazing. Four experimental farmlets were established, namely perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) only, receiving 163 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ (PRG); a perennial ryegrass and white clover (Trifolium repens) sward (PRGWC); a six species sward containing two grasses, two legumes and two herbs (6S); and a nine species sward containing three grasses, three legumes and three herbs (9S), each receiving 90 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. Ewes (12.5 ewes ha⁻¹) and lambs rotationally grazed each farmlet from turnout post‐lambing until housing. Target pre‐grazing herbage mass (above 4 cm) was 1,200 kg dry‐matter (DM) ha⁻¹, Target post‐grazing sward height was 4 cm for all rotations. Herbage samples were collected for DM yield, botanical and chemical composition determination at each grazing. Annual DM production of the 6S, 9S and PRG swards was similar (10.3, 9.9 and 9.9 ± 0.5 t DM ha⁻¹, respectively) despite differences in N application. The 6S sward, however, had greater annual DM production compared to the PRGWC sward (9.1 t DM ha⁻¹, p

The objective of this study was to identify and understand grassland management practices employed on dairy farms in the Republic of Ireland, including grazing-season length, concentrate-feed input, uptake of new grassland-management technologies and frequency and methods of sward renewal. The sample population for the survey was chosen from a proportionate representation of all milk suppliers taken from three of the largest dairy processors in the Republic of Ireland. The sample was subsequently broken down into three stocking rate (SR) and three size categories of milk quota (Qcat) to investigate their effects on the survey variables. Both SR and Qcat had significant effects on the proportion of participants adopting grass-based technologies and on the amount of supplementary feed offered. Grazing-season length increased from 228 d in Qcat1 to 249 d in Qcat 3 but was unaffected by SR (241 d; s.d. 3·05). The proportion of the grazing area reseeded annually was significantly affected by SR, increasing from 0·044 to 0·095 of the grassland area as SR increased from SR1 to SR3, with no effect of Qcat (0·068). The results show that on-farm grass utilization is low, with significant potential for expansion and increased efficiency through increased SRs, greater adoption of grassland-management technologies and higher levels of sward renewal.

Implications The Global Farm Platform was conceived and established to explore multidisciplinary strategies for optimising the sustainability of ruminant livestock systems around the world. International sustainability issues are common, but the solutions are often region-specific; therefore, our farms, situated across all major agroclimatic zones, are a unique resource worldwide. Each farm is following ?steps to sustainable livestock? to improve their production system(s), thereby developing robust metrics to progress economic, environmental and social viability. The consortium works collaboratively to improve the sustainability of ruminants, which we argue are a vital component of global food systems, delivering both human and planetary health. Made available in DSpace on 2021-11-05T19:00:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TakingSteps.pdf: 21431595 bytes, checksum: 032590d403d7e48f19472a6ad4fb2337 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2021