Forage Crops Production and Grassland Management Czech University

Forage Crops Production and Grassland Management Czech University of Life Sciences Prague Department of Forage Crops and Grassland Management

Introduction Importance of forage crops: - feed production for animal nutrition (25 % of land) - environmental function of forage swards (erosion, diversity, …)

Legume species Basic legumes: - lucerne (Medicago sativa L. ) - red clover (Trifolium pratense L. ) Other legumes: crimson/white/ alsike clover, bird‘s foot trefoil Importance of legumes: - production of rich-protein forage - nitrogen fixation, positive balance of carbon

Grass species Basic genus of grasses: - Lolium (e. g. L. perenne) - Festuca (e. g. F. pratensis) - Phleum (e. g. P. pratensis) - Dactylis (e. g. D. glomerata) Other grass genus: Poa, Alopecurus, Trisetum… Importance of grasses: - production of quality forage - retention of water, anti-erosion function

Maize (Zea mays L. ) Characteristic: - one of the most important annual grasses - hybrid form of variety - GMO - susceptible to erosion Importance of maize: - production of rich-starch forage - economic benefit due to high yield and quality

Forage quality Components of cell wall: celulose, hemicelulose, protein, fenol compounds

Harvest Term of harvest is a compromise among: - yield - quality - sward persistence (perennial crops)

Changes in forage during silage process NFC NFE Dry matter loss WSC, starch Fermentation acids NDF NFC the rest of WSC, starch NDF CP CP protein, NPN, amonia, amine, . . fat ash fat Energy loss fiber ash Changes of nitrogen forms

What is a permanent grassland ? association of plants, animals, … Agro-botanical compounds grasses legumes other species

Relationships in permanent grassland Yield and quality Environmental function of grassland Stable characteristics of locality (altitude, soil, …) Botanical composition is a function of locality Variable characteristics of locality (humidity, nutrients in soil, . . ) Sward management (cut x pasture, frequency)