Abstract

In Sweden the grazing season only lasts from 2 to 5 months, which means livestock farmers must rely on forage supplies. The intensification of livestock farming has led to an increased use of grass silage. Some Swedish researchers relate this evolution and stress a number of points explored as part of this study Temporary grassland and forage crops represent 45% of utilised agricultural area in Sweden. If grass is harvested at the right stage, grass silage provides forage with a higher nutritional value than hay, while reducing loss. Beef cattle farmers (often smallholder farmers) use haylage, just like horse owners in Sweden. Grass harvested for silage mainly includes timothy, meadow fescue and perennial rye grass, plus a consistent proportion of legumes. A number of experiments have been implemented in order to improve forage quality as well as grassland productivity and perenniality (by increasing winter-hardiness and resistance to parasites).

Keywords

Basic diet; bird's-foot trefoil; cold resistance; dairying; diet; feeding value; grass; horses; legume; ley; meat production; scientific research; silage; Sweden; timothy

Published in

Fourrages
2011, number: 206, pages: 107-117
Publisher: ASSOC FRANCAISE PRODUCTION FOURRAGERE

SLU Authors

• Nilsdotter-Linde, Nilla

  • Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Spörndly, Rolf

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Agricultural Science


Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/46489