ALFS, L30: Principles of Nutrition 2 - NEED TO EDIT

Given definition, answer w/ term

Grass

What is the primary source of feed for livestock in the uK?

Natural grasslands and cultivated grasslands

List the 2 kinds of grasslands

Natural grasslands

1 of the 2 Types of Grasslands

• Definition: Rough/hill grazing on unimproved land (i.e. mountains, hills, and moors)

• Plant Species: Low quality grasses (heather, rush, and moss),

• Provides: Maintenance diet for sheep

• Management:

  • Grazing

  • Prescribed burns

Cultivated grasslands

1 of the 2 Types of Grasslands

• Definition: Improved pasture, categorized as either permanent or rotational

• Plant Species: More palatable and nutritional grass

• Provides: Sheep, beef/dairy, and horses

Permanent and rotational

List the 2 kinds of cultivated grasslands

Permanent

1 of the 2 Types of Cultivated Grasslands:

• Definition: Forms the backbone of UK livestock industry

• Plant Species: Older grasses (meadowgrass, ryegrass, cocksfoot, fescue, and timothy)

• Used For: Sheep, beef/dairy, and horses grazing

• Management: Able to maintain without re-seeding

Rotational

1 of the 2 Types of Cultivated Grasslands:

• Plant Species: More palatable, nutritious, and younger grasses (e.g. ryegrass, clover, & legumes)

• Used For: Grazing and silage

• Management: Sown every few years, usually as part of arable crop rotation; higher effort

Clover and lucerne

What are the 2 primary legume species in rotational, cultivated grasslands in the UK?

Crude protein and calcium; bloat

Legumes:

Clover and lucerne are advantageous as they have greater levels of _______ and ________ compared to grasses, but they can lead to _______ and phytoestrogens if levels are excessive

Time of year, environment, soil status, grass species, general management, and cutting and grazing strategies

List the 6 factors that affect grass growth

Time of year

1 of the 6 Factors that Affect Grass Growth:

• Growth is rapid in the spring and early summer, often outpacing what animals are capable of consuming. Pasture is cropped for conservation/silage in spring

• Used for grazing in the summer

• Less growth in autumn

• Very little growth in winter, animals are housed inside and fed conserved forages from the spring and early summer

MAKE OTHER FLASHCARDS BASED ON THIS

Environment

1 of the 6 Factors that Affect Grass Growth:

• Season:

  • Reduced growth when temperatures are below 5˚C

  • Fastest growth occurs during April to June

• Climate, topography, and soil type

• Light, temperature, and water – increased productivity in warm, wet conditions

Soil status

1 of the 6 Factors that Affect Grass Growth:

• Composed of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium

• Nitrogen fixing plant species

• Soil pH

Acid pH

Most grasses thrive on slightly _______ (acidic/basic) pH; this generally improves availability of nutrients

Lime to increase pH

pH Manipulation:

If the soil is acidic, use _______ to _______ pH

Sulphur to reduce pH

pH Manipulation:

If the soil is alkali, use _______ to _______ pH

Grass species

1 of the 6 Factors that Affect Grass Growth:

• Some grasses are higher yielding (e.g. ryegras), while others are lower yielding (e.g. timothy, fescue, and cocksfoot)

General management

1 of the 6 Factors that Affect Grass Growth:

• Includes practices like:

  • Fertilizing – Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium enhancement based on soil testing results

  • Drainage – essential for sward productivity

  • Conserving/ensilaging

Cutting and grazing strategies

1 of the 6 Factors that Affect Grass Growth:

• Mechanical treatment – harrowing, rolling, and topping

• Grazing strategies – continuous stocking, rotational grazing, mixed/alternative grazing, and integrated conservation and grazing

List the 4 grazing strategies

3 week rest

For every 1 week of intensive grazing, a piece of land requires _______ week rest

Stage of growth, plant species, soil type, and environmental conditions

Describe the factors affecting the productivity

and nutritional value of grass

Stage of growth

What is the most important factor that affects the productivity and nutritional value of grass?

April-June

Example MCQ:

• When is grass growth typically most productive in the UK? :

  • March-May

  • April-June

  • May-July

Stage of growth

Example MCQ:

• What is the single most important factor that determines the nutritional value of grass?

  • Stage of growth

  • Environmental conditions

  • Species

Contains more lignin

Example MCQ:

• Why does nutritional value of grass decrease with growth?

  • Contains more non-structural carbohydrates (NSC)

  • Contains more starch

  • Contains more lignin