Continuous and Rotational Grazing for Beef Production

Two grass–alfalfa mixtures were compared for seven consecutive years when continuously and when rotationally grazed by yearling Hereford steers. The productivity of rotationally grazed pastures as affected by annual application of fertilizers was also determined. Intermediate wheatgrass (Agropyron intermedium L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) compared favorably with the standard mixture of bromegrass (Bromus inermis L.) and alfalfa for pasture purposes. Production of dry matter ranged from approximately 2.5 to 0.5 tons per acre in the first and seventh year respectively. Precipitation in these two years was 20.7 and 7.7 in. respectively. Rotational grazing did not increase beef production. Fertilization of bromegrass–alfalfa with 20 lb of N per acre and with 20 lb of N + 40 lb of P2O5 per acre resulted in average yearly increase of 18 and 32 lb of beef per acre respectively. Fertilization of intermediate wheatgrass– alfalfa resulted in comparable increase of 1 and 26 lb of beef per acre respectively.

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A simulation model of bull beef production under rotational grazing in the Waikato Region of New Zealand

Agricultural Systems ◽

10.1016/0308-521x(89)90024-3 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 247-278 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

C.J. Doyle ◽

J.A. Baars ◽

A.C. Bywater

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Simulation Model ◽

Beef Production ◽

Rotational Grazing

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BEEF PRODUCTION FROM LUCERNE AND LUCERNE/PRAIRIE GRASS SWARDS ON THE PUMICE SOILS OF THE TAUPO REGION

Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association ◽

10.33584/jnzg.1977.39.1483 ◽

1977 ◽

pp. 53-60

Author(s):

K. Marsh ◽

L.F.C. Brunswick

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Significant Interaction ◽

Animal Production ◽

Stocking Rate ◽

Beef Production ◽

Rotational Grazing ◽

Grazing System ◽

Prairie Grass ◽

Grazing Period ◽

Stocking Rates

Lucerne and lucerne/prairie grass swards were compared at three stocking rates using yearling beef cattle. A 35 day rotational grazing system was used and the experiment ran for 130 days from early October, 1976. Pasture DM yields were higher on the mixed sward but animal production was greater on the lucerne only sward, particularly from December onwards. Increasing stocking rate tended to reduce herbage DM yield and per-animal production. There was no significant interaction between sward type and stocking rate on either sward or animal yield. Lucerne and lucerne/ prairie grass swards on pumice soil compared favourably with fertile Waikato permanent pastures in terms of carcass gain per hectare over the grazing period.

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