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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

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