The Impact of Rotational Pasture Management for Farm-Bred Fallow Deer (<i>Dama dama</i>) on Fodder Quality in the Context of Animal Welfare
Extensive breeding of farmed cervids, similarly to other livestock, affects the vegetation of grasslands in different seasons. For this reason, the impact of the rotational grazing of fallow deer on the chemical and species composition of the pasture sward was assessed, along with the possibility of...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/4/1155 |
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| author | Mariusz Kulik Katarzyna Tajchman Antoni Lipiec Maciej Bąkowski Aleksandra Ukalska-Jaruga Francisco Ceacero Monika Pecio Żaneta Steiner-Bogdaszewska |
| author_facet | Mariusz Kulik Katarzyna Tajchman Antoni Lipiec Maciej Bąkowski Aleksandra Ukalska-Jaruga Francisco Ceacero Monika Pecio Żaneta Steiner-Bogdaszewska |
| author_sort | Mariusz Kulik |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Extensive breeding of farmed cervids, similarly to other livestock, affects the vegetation of grasslands in different seasons. For this reason, the impact of the rotational grazing of fallow deer on the chemical and species composition of the pasture sward was assessed, along with the possibility of using these animals for grasslands conservation. The species composition of the pastures was analysed through the botanical-weight method. A quality index and mineral concentration test by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were used to evaluate the feed. The highest proportion of valuable grasses, such as <i>Dactylis glomerata</i>, <i>Poa pratensis</i> and <i>Lolium perenne</i>, was recorded in the summer pens (65.7–66.1%), while the smallest proportion was recorded in the control area (46.1%). The estimated yield potential was relatively large, from 5.74 to 7.02 t ha<sup>−1</sup> dry matter. The lowest total protein content occurred in the control area in the spring and autumn. The summer pens, including the sown one, had a better fodder quality, depending on the species composition. All pens were characterised by a high production potential and similar floristic composition, without the participation of undesirable plant species, which confirms the hypothesis that, under extensive grazing conditions, fallow deer can be used for grassland conservation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:19:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-66e6aec78c8b44abae8382c033a69606 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:19:54Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj.art-66e6aec78c8b44abae8382c033a696062023-11-17T17:58:24ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952023-04-01134115510.3390/agronomy13041155The Impact of Rotational Pasture Management for Farm-Bred Fallow Deer (<i>Dama dama</i>) on Fodder Quality in the Context of Animal WelfareMariusz Kulik0Katarzyna Tajchman1Antoni Lipiec2Maciej Bąkowski3Aleksandra Ukalska-Jaruga4Francisco Ceacero5Monika Pecio6Żaneta Steiner-Bogdaszewska7Department of Grassland and Landscape Planning, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 15, 20-950 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Animal Ethology and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, PolandInstitute of Animal Nutrition and Bromatology, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, PolandInstitute of Animal Nutrition and Bromatology, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Soil Science Erosion and Land Protection, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, State Research Institute, Czartoryskich 8, 24-100 Puławy, PolandDepartment of Animal Science and Food Processing, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 00 Praha-Suchdol, Czech RepublicDepartment of Soil Science Erosion and Land Protection, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, State Research Institute, Czartoryskich 8, 24-100 Puławy, PolandInstitute of Parasitology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Research Station in Kosewo Górne, 11-700 Mrągowo, PolandExtensive breeding of farmed cervids, similarly to other livestock, affects the vegetation of grasslands in different seasons. For this reason, the impact of the rotational grazing of fallow deer on the chemical and species composition of the pasture sward was assessed, along with the possibility of using these animals for grasslands conservation. The species composition of the pastures was analysed through the botanical-weight method. A quality index and mineral concentration test by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were used to evaluate the feed. The highest proportion of valuable grasses, such as <i>Dactylis glomerata</i>, <i>Poa pratensis</i> and <i>Lolium perenne</i>, was recorded in the summer pens (65.7–66.1%), while the smallest proportion was recorded in the control area (46.1%). The estimated yield potential was relatively large, from 5.74 to 7.02 t ha<sup>−1</sup> dry matter. The lowest total protein content occurred in the control area in the spring and autumn. The summer pens, including the sown one, had a better fodder quality, depending on the species composition. All pens were characterised by a high production potential and similar floristic composition, without the participation of undesirable plant species, which confirms the hypothesis that, under extensive grazing conditions, fallow deer can be used for grassland conservation.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/4/1155grazingungulatesproteinsummer penwinter pen |
| spellingShingle | Mariusz Kulik Katarzyna Tajchman Antoni Lipiec Maciej Bąkowski Aleksandra Ukalska-Jaruga Francisco Ceacero Monika Pecio Żaneta Steiner-Bogdaszewska The Impact of Rotational Pasture Management for Farm-Bred Fallow Deer (<i>Dama dama</i>) on Fodder Quality in the Context of Animal Welfare Agronomy grazing ungulates protein summer pen winter pen |
| title | The Impact of Rotational Pasture Management for Farm-Bred Fallow Deer (<i>Dama dama</i>) on Fodder Quality in the Context of Animal Welfare |
| title_full | The Impact of Rotational Pasture Management for Farm-Bred Fallow Deer (<i>Dama dama</i>) on Fodder Quality in the Context of Animal Welfare |
| title_fullStr | The Impact of Rotational Pasture Management for Farm-Bred Fallow Deer (<i>Dama dama</i>) on Fodder Quality in the Context of Animal Welfare |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Impact of Rotational Pasture Management for Farm-Bred Fallow Deer (<i>Dama dama</i>) on Fodder Quality in the Context of Animal Welfare |
| title_short | The Impact of Rotational Pasture Management for Farm-Bred Fallow Deer (<i>Dama dama</i>) on Fodder Quality in the Context of Animal Welfare |
| title_sort | impact of rotational pasture management for farm bred fallow deer i dama dama i on fodder quality in the context of animal welfare |
| topic | grazing ungulates protein summer pen winter pen |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/4/1155 |
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