Nutrition of grazing cattle. 1. Estimation of protein in pasture selected by grazing cattle

Abstract

A technique for sampling pasture which is representative of pasture selected by grazing cattle is described. Linear regressions of protein percentage in pasture sampled by this technique on protein percentage in organic-matter faeces are developed for six pasture types. A logarithmic regression is fitted to data from all six pasture types. Data derived from this regression agree satisfactorily with similar data calculated from published digestibility trials on pasture grasses. Based on the protein content in organic-matter faeces, the regression equations allow an assessment of the protein content of the pastures selected by grazing cattle.