Effect of timing and intensity of grazing on the herbage quality of a Mediterranean rangeland

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to determine the quality of herbage grazed by cattle in hilly Mediterranean grassland under different grazing management systems. The study was conducted at the Karei Deshe experimental farm, located in eastern Galilee (Israel), between the 2003 and 2005 grazing seasons. Treatments comprised stocking rates of 0.9 and 1.8 ha per cow, and systems of continuous and seasonal (early vs late) grazing. Herbage was sampled at four periods during each grazing season. Samples were analysed for digestibility, protein, ADF, NDF and ash contents using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Significant differences in herbage quality were found between periods, years and their interaction. Herbage quality in paddocks grazed continuously or early in the season was significantly higher than in those grazed late in the season. Stocking rate had a relatively minor effect on herbage quality.