Mineral content of continuous short grass pastures

In a field survey of the Swiss College for Agriculture and a complementary trial at the Swiss Federal Research Station for Animal Production (RAP), the mineral content of grass from continuous short grass pastures and rotational pastures was analyzed. The order of magnitude of the mineral content of investigated continuous short grass pastures and rotational pastures generally corresponds to tabulated values for Swiss herbage (RAP, 1994). There exist only minor differences between feed samples from continuous short grass pastures and rotational pastures. The early regrowths tend to contain less calcium and magnesium than later regrowths. On the other hand, phosphorous content slightly decreases from earlier to later regrowths. These findings are valid for both grazing systems. Compared to the trace element feeding recommendations for dairy cows, herbage from continuous short grass pastures and rotational pastures is short of Cu, Zn and Se but rich in Mn.