The implications, with respect to production and nutritional value, of different stages of harvesting Eragrostis curvula hay.

Abstract

A small plot cutting trial conducted over a five year period has demonstrated that dry matter production and crude protein content are negatively related when different frequencies of defoliation are applied. Frequent harvesting at a leafy stage produced the most economical "usable protein" but had a detrimental effect on subsequent production.

Keywords: crude protein content; cutting; defoliation; dry matter production; eragrostis curvula; harvesting; hay; nooitgedacht research station; nutritional value; production; protein; south africa