265 bytes added ,  12:15, 12 July 2011
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==Grass== <!----Write below this line--->
 
==Grass== <!----Write below this line--->
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<gallery>
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File:Grass.jpg
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</gallery>
 
===Characteristics===<!----Write below this line--->
 
===Characteristics===<!----Write below this line--->
 
Typically based on ryegrass, but often mixed swards with cocksfoot, fescues, timothy, and legumes (e.g. clover).  It is present in rough/hill grazing (often with heather, rushes, mosses), permanent pasture and rotational leys, the latter often high yielding italian or perennial ryegrass monocultures.
 
Typically based on ryegrass, but often mixed swards with cocksfoot, fescues, timothy, and legumes (e.g. clover).  It is present in rough/hill grazing (often with heather, rushes, mosses), permanent pasture and rotational leys, the latter often high yielding italian or perennial ryegrass monocultures.
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==Silage and Haylage== <!----Write below this line--->
 
==Silage and Haylage== <!----Write below this line--->
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<gallery>
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File:Haylage.jpg
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</gallery>
 
===Characteristics===<!----Write below this line--->
 
===Characteristics===<!----Write below this line--->
 
Silage is a fermented crop with a low dry matter content.  It is cut at a relatively early stage of development and stored under anaerobic conditions (clamp or big bale).  Haylage is similar to silage but is often cut at a more mature stage and is typically baled.  Haylage has a higher pH and DM than silage and can often be of more variable quality.  With horses haylage is typically preferred (by owners) to silage.
 
Silage is a fermented crop with a low dry matter content.  It is cut at a relatively early stage of development and stored under anaerobic conditions (clamp or big bale).  Haylage is similar to silage but is often cut at a more mature stage and is typically baled.  Haylage has a higher pH and DM than silage and can often be of more variable quality.  With horses haylage is typically preferred (by owners) to silage.
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==Hay== <!----Write below this line--->
 
==Hay== <!----Write below this line--->
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<gallery>
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File:Hay1.jpg
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</gallery>
 
===Characteristics===<!----Write below this line--->
 
===Characteristics===<!----Write below this line--->
 
Hay is dried grass, either naturally or artificially (dependent on the weather).  It is cut at a relatively late stage of maturity and is typically of variable quality in colour and smell, and nutritive value.  There are various types of hay such as ryegrass, meadow, and timothy.  <br>
 
Hay is dried grass, either naturally or artificially (dependent on the weather).  It is cut at a relatively late stage of maturity and is typically of variable quality in colour and smell, and nutritive value.  There are various types of hay such as ryegrass, meadow, and timothy.  <br>
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==Straw== <!----Write below this line--->
 
==Straw== <!----Write below this line--->
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<gallery>
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File:Straw.jpg
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</gallery>
 
===Characteristics===<!----Write below this line--->
 
===Characteristics===<!----Write below this line--->
 
Straw (usually barley or oat for feed) can be treated with alkali, urea or ammonia.  It is commonly used as a roughage source for growing ruminants, and especially animals being reared in cereal beef systems.   
 
Straw (usually barley or oat for feed) can be treated with alkali, urea or ammonia.  It is commonly used as a roughage source for growing ruminants, and especially animals being reared in cereal beef systems.   
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==Whole-Crop Cereal Silage== <!----Write below this line--->
 
==Whole-Crop Cereal Silage== <!----Write below this line--->
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<gallery>
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File:Wholecrop.jpg
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</gallery>
 
===Characteristics===<!----Write below this line--->
 
===Characteristics===<!----Write below this line--->
 
Maize whole-crop silage has high energy concentration while having a low protein concentration.  It is harvested when grain is in the late dough stage.  Barley, oats, wheat, and triticale are also used for whole-crop cereal silage either as monocultures or mixed with legumes (e.g. peas) to improve protein content.  They are also high in energy while low in protein.  Whole-crop cereal silages are fed as sole forage or mixed with grass silage.   
 
Maize whole-crop silage has high energy concentration while having a low protein concentration.  It is harvested when grain is in the late dough stage.  Barley, oats, wheat, and triticale are also used for whole-crop cereal silage either as monocultures or mixed with legumes (e.g. peas) to improve protein content.  They are also high in energy while low in protein.  Whole-crop cereal silages are fed as sole forage or mixed with grass silage.   
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==Clovers and Lucerne==
 
==Clovers and Lucerne==
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<gallery>
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File:Whiteclover.jpg|White Clover
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File:Example.jpg|Caption2
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</gallery>
 
===Characteristics===<!----Write below this line--->
 
===Characteristics===<!----Write below this line--->
   
Clovers are either white or red varieties.  Clovers and Lucerne (aka Alfalfa) have a higher protein concentration and a higher mineral concentration (e.g. calcium) than grasses.  Lucerne can be grazed or conserved as a monoculture.  Lucernes also have a higher protein concentration than grasses.  Legume silages tend to be more difficult to achieve a good fermentation, inoculants are usually required.     
 
Clovers are either white or red varieties.  Clovers and Lucerne (aka Alfalfa) have a higher protein concentration and a higher mineral concentration (e.g. calcium) than grasses.  Lucerne can be grazed or conserved as a monoculture.  Lucernes also have a higher protein concentration than grasses.  Legume silages tend to be more difficult to achieve a good fermentation, inoculants are usually required.     
 
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