Summary
This field trial examined how forage allowance (12–25 kg DM/cow/day) and sward diversity interact to influence milk yield in early-lactation dairy cows. Cows grazing diverse swards containing perennial ryegrass, white clover, and plantain produced significantly more milk than those on ryegrass monocultures, with peak responses at intermediate allowances (16–18 kg DM/cow/day yielding 1.2–1.3 kg additional milk/cow/day). The findings suggest that optimising both forage allowance and botanical diversity can enhance lactational performance in pasture-based systems.
UK applicability
These results are directly applicable to UK dairy farming, as perennial ryegrass and white clover are dominant forage species in British grasslands, and plantain has been adopted in some UK regenerative farming systems. The study provides quantitative guidance on forage allowance thresholds that could inform grazing management strategies for UK dairy producers seeking to balance milk yield with pasture utilisation.
Key measures
Daily milk yield (kg/cow/day); milk composition; blood metabolites (beta-hydroxybutyrate, non-esterified fatty acids, urea); body weight change; forage dry matter intake; forage species selection differentials
Outcomes reported
The study measured milk yield and composition, blood metabolites, body weight change, forage intake, and species selection patterns in early-lactation dairy cows grazing diverse swards versus monocultures across six forage allowance levels. Results demonstrated that diverse swards (ryegrass, white clover, and plantain mixtures) increased milk yield relative to ryegrass monoculture, with optimal effects at intermediate allowances.
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