The effect of stocking rate on milk production from kikuyu grass pastures fertilized with nitrogen

Abstract

Dairy production was measured over two lactations on kikuyu grass pastures fertilized with 336 kg N ha-1year-1, at stocking rates from 2.47 to 4.94 cows ha-1. Mean butterfat production per cow was low, varying from 72 to 109 kg, and declined by 6.1 kg per cow (P < 0.05) for a unit increase in stocking rate. Annual production per hectare was high, reaching a maximum of 448 kg butterfat and increasing by 72.6 kg ha-1 (P < 0.01) for a unit increase in stocking rate. A supplement of crushed oats was fed at the highest stocking rate during early lactation. This increased production by up to 20 per cent. The stability of the system is discussed in relation to pasture productivity, soil fertility and animal production.