Ryegrass and clover establishment and production in two regions of the Colombian’s highlands

Colombian dairy systems are based on grasslands; therefore, it is necessary to define forages response under different environmental conditions. The objective of this study was to assess the establishment and production of five perennial ryegrass and three clovers into two regions of Colombian highlands (Tuta, Boyacá and Mosquera, Cundinamarca). Three 8 m2 plots of each species were established. Establishment variables were evaluated twice a month during the initial five months. The variables of production and nutritional quality were evaluated in rainy (April and May) and drought (June and July) season. The variables were analyzed through a randomized complete block with repeated measures, between November 2015 and July 2016. During the establishment period, ryegrass and clovers coverage and adaptation degree were greater between the days 45 and 60, and 105 and 150, in Tuta and Mosquera, respectively. Maturity increase reduced the lactation net energy (between 7% and 15%) and increased the daily dry matter production per hectare (between 20 and 78 kg). Evaluation day presented a greater influence regarding the variety and the rainy season on the evaluated establishment and regarding the production variables in ryegrass and clover forages, in the Colombian highlands.