Feeding Systems with Legumes to Intensify Dairy Farms - cgiar
Feeding Systems with Legumes to Intensify Dairy Farms - cgiar
Feeding Systems with Legumes to Intensify Dairy Farms - cgiar
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Percentage<br />
70<br />
60<br />
50<br />
40<br />
30<br />
20<br />
10<br />
0<br />
Figure 2. Average percentage of neutral detergent fiber in forage of Cratylia<br />
argentea harvested at two ages of regrowth and three cutting<br />
heights (Esparza, Costa Rica).<br />
Conclusions<br />
60 days regrowth<br />
90 days regrowth<br />
30 60 90<br />
Cutting height (cm)<br />
The following conclusions can be reached:<br />
• At 60 days regrowth, C. argentea produces good quality forage,<br />
regardless of the cutting height. Plant CP content was not affected by<br />
cutting height, but NDF content was. At greater regrowth age, dry<br />
matter production was higher, protein content was lower, and<br />
percentage NDF was greater.<br />
• C. argentea cut at 90 days regrowth and at a height of 90 cm produces<br />
good DM production of acceptable quality.<br />
• Soil OM content at sites where C. argentea is established increased by<br />
1% between 1996 and 1999.<br />
• Because of the high forage production of this legume during the rainy<br />
season, a uniformity cut should be performed at the beginning of<br />
season <strong>to</strong> ensilage material and use it during the dry season. In case<br />
this is not feasible, a uniformity cut should be performed at the end of<br />
59