Fernández-Núñez, EstherPires, JaimeFernandes, AdelaidePires, JoãoAguiar, CarlosGalvão, LurdesMoreira, Nuno2014-10-092014-10-092012Fernández-Núñez, E.; Pires, Jaime; Fernandes, Adelaide; Pires, João; Aguiar, Carlos; Galvão, Lurdes; Moreira, Nuno (2012). Grazing regimes and fertilisation rates: effects on dry matter yields, crude protein content and digestibility of meadows in the Northeast of Portugal. In 24th General Meeting Grassland Science in Europe. 17, p. 311-313http://hdl.handle.net/10198/10775The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two grazing regimes: the usual for the area and late spring grazing, and three rates of N fertilisation, on dry-matter (DM) yields and nutritive value in three mountain meadows (Anthemido-Cynosuretum cristati, Gaudinio-Agrostietum cristati and Bromo-Cynosuretum cristati). The results showed that the lowest DM yield was obtained on Bromo-Cynosuretum cristati meadow. Dry matter yields increased significantly with N fertilisation in all meadows, independent of grazing regimes. The highest nutritive values occurred at the beginning of spring, and decreased during the year as a result of maturation. This effect was favoured by N fertilisation and it was independent of grazing regimes. Nutritive values were sufficient to meet the daily requirements of beef cattle during the study.engGrazing managementFertilisationNutritive valueGrazing regimes and fertilisation rates: effects on dry matter yields, crude protein content and digestibility of meadows in the Northeast of Portugalconference paper