Effect of management on nutritive value of meadows

The effects of management intensity on the content of net energy for lactation and crude protein of grass-clover mixtures, cocksfoot ( Dactylis glomerata L.), perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.), white clover ( Trifolium repens L.) were investigated. Increasing cutting frequency from four to five times per year resulted in a higher content of net energy and crude protein of the forage. Nitrogen fertilization of grass-clover mixtures had a slight influence on the content of net energy but decreased the content of crude protein. The net energy content of mixtures, which received 0, 15 or 30 kg N/ha and growth cycle, was lower compared to perennial ryegrass, but the yield of net energy was higher in grass-clover mixtures than in monocultures.