The influence of size of animal and stocking rate on the herbage intake and grazing behaviour of cattle

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Abstract
SUMMARY: Twenty-four Friesian cattle classed as large, medium or small and from 776 to 163 kg initial live weight (LW) were grazed over two successive 8-week periods. Two stocking rates were imposed and there were four replicates. Trios of animals, including one of each size, grazed in each paddock. Cattle changed stocking rate in mid-season. Herbage intake, live-weight gain and grazing behaviour were recorded.The stocking rates resulted in large differences in herbage allowance and consequent differences in intake, live-weight gain and grazing behaviour. The large cattle were least able to compensate for the higher stocking rate by increasing grazing time or frequency of biting. Average herbage organic-matter (OM) intakes ranged from 13 g OM/kg LW for large animals to 28 g OM/kg LW for the small animals.

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