Ghulam Qasim Khan
Research Scientist
(+47) 462 59 705
ghulam.khan@nibio.no
Place
Steinkjer
Visiting address
Ogndalsveien 2, 7713 Steinkjer
Abstract
The study evaluated the effects of replacing whole-plant grass silage with ensiled grass pulp on dairy cow performance and enteric methane emissions. Using a controlled feeding experiment with 40 cows, the results showed reduced dry matter intake but maintained milk production and similar methane intensity due to improved feed efficiency in cows fed pulp. These findings highlight the potential for grass pulp as a viable forage component in green biorefinery value chains.
Abstract
Video om fôring av melkekyr med graspulp
Abstract
In Norway, red and white clover dominate as forage legumes, but lucerne and bird’s foot trefoil are gaining interest for their high nutritive value. This study aimed to quantify the effects of various forage legumes in mixtures with timothy on dry matter yield (DMY), nitrogen (N) fixation, and yield of extractable crude protein (CP) via a green biorefinery process. A field experiment was established in 2023 at NIBIO Tuv, Steinkjer (63.9°N, 11.4°E) using timothy pure stands and six timothy-based mixtures incorporating red clover, white clover, blue lucerne, yellow lucerne, and bird’s-foot trefoil. The forages were harvested three times in 2024. The DMY and forage quality were measured, and N-fixation was calculated. Extractable CP from press juice of forage samples was measured. Although lucerne varieties initially established well, unfavourable winter conditions substantially reduced the number of lucerne plants. Clover containing mixtures achieved the highest DMY, averaging 12.8 Mg/ha and fixed up to 213 kg N/ha, about 3.6 times more than bird’s foot trefoil. Red clover mixture resulted in the highest CP yield at first cut. These findings underscore the effectiveness of clover-based mixtures in enhancing forage production and protein extraction both in organic and conventional farming.