It is well documented that the main limitation in pasture-based dairy systems is energy intake due to low energy density of pasture and limited intake capacity. As such, modern dairy cows, with high genetic merit, struggle to fulfil their energy requirements from pasture alone. Deficiencies can be met by providing extra nutrient dense feed in the form of a concentrate feed, usually supplied in the dairy parlour. This, however, increases input costs due to the high cost of concentrate ingredients.

    Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) under irrigation is a common forage type for dairy cows in the southern Cape region of South Africa.  Perennial ryegrass is suitable for pasture-based dairy systems due to its high dry matter (DM) production and ability to withstand high grazing pressure.  However, DM intake (DMI) of ryegrass is limited due to its relatively high neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content ranging from 420 to 514 g/kg DM thus decreasing pasture intake.  The NDF content and the digestibility of NDF (NDFd) of a forage determine the rumination time and potential DMI.

    The project to be carried out at the Outeniqua Research farm of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, aims to determine the effects of allocating additional plantain pasture to cows just before the morning milking on pasture intake, grazing behaviour, milk production and response to concentrate feeding.