The effect of frequency and time of cutting on the production and quality of a barley grass (Hordeum leporinum) dominant pasture

Abstract

A grazing experiment on a barley grass (Hordeum leporium Link) dominant pasture at Deniliquin, New South Wales, was carried out from May to November 1964. Monthly grazing of this pasture resulted in a greater dry matter yield of both green and total barley grass, and of crude protein, than when grazing occurred less frequently. The greatest stimulus to production was achieved when grazing occurred in August or September when the plants were approaching flowering. Rat's-tail fescue (Vulpia myuros (L.) K.C. Gmel), the other main component of the pasture, was not stimulated to greater total dry matter production by increasing the frequency of grazing. However, significantly more green fescue was harvested from areas grazed most frequently. The quality of both species, as estimated by nitrogen content and in vitro digestibility of barley grass and nitrogen content of fescue, was higher late in the season on the monthly grazed areas than on areas grazed less frequently.