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A Comparison of Orchardgrass-Ladino Clover and Orchardgrass as Pasture for Milking Dairy Cows¹

Department of Dairy Science

H. M. Austenson

Department of Agronomy, Western Washington Experiment Station, Puyallup

ABSTRACT

This study indicated higher average daily production of 4% FCM and greater returns over concentrate and fertilizer costs from a mixed pasture of orchardgrass and Ladino clover than from orchardgrass heavily fertilized with nitrogen. Differences in production of FCM between the two pastures averaged 5.0, 3.1, and 2.8 lb/cow/day for years 1955, 1956, and 1957, respectively. Likewise, differences in average returns over concentrate and nitrogen costs were $0.31, $0.23, and $0.18/cow/day for the same years. The progressive decline in differences in production and returns between pasture treatments by years appeared to be related to a similar decline in the percentage of clover in the mixed stand. Returns per acre were greater for the grass and clover mixture by $47.33 in 1955 (a short pasture season) and by $55.85 in 1956. In 1957, returns from orchardgrass pasture exceeded those from the mixed pasture by $5.61 per acre. However, 41 more cow days were required per acre to produce this added return from orchardgrass.

¹ Scientific Paper No. 1828, Washington Agricultural Experiment Stations, Pullman. Project No. 1269.