The performance and intake of weaned lambs grazing S24 perennial ryegrass, with and without supplementation

1974 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Newton ◽  
N. E. Young
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Target Level ◽  
Target Weight ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Level Increase ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Lamb Growth ◽  
Better Than

SUMMARYTwo forms of supplement, barley or dried grass pellets (G) were given to weaned lambs, set-stocked at pasture, at three stocking rates (43·5, 60 and 87 per hectare). The supplements were given either from weaning or from the time growth rate fell below a target value. The supplements significantly increased the proportion of lambs reaching the target weight (35 kg) and G was significantly better than barley, but slightly more G was given. The substitution value of supplement for herbage was 0·48 ± 0·12 and there was no difference in this value between barley and G. The proportion of lambs reaching the target slaughter weight was not influenced by whether the supplement was offered at weaning or delayed until lamb growth declined below a target level. Increase in stocking rate depressed the herbage intake and growth rate of the unsupplemented control lambs.

A comparison of the sown swards of perennial ryegrass S. 24 and Italian ryegrass RvP in a two-year lamb production system, with different breeds of sheep

1976 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 605-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Newton ◽  
N. E. Young ◽  
R. J. Orr
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
First Year ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Lamb Growth ◽  
Intensive System

SummaryA comparison was made between an intensive system of lamb production based on Italian ryegrass RvP and one based on perennial ryegrass S. 24, over 2 years, each at three stocking rates (14, 17, 20 ewes/ha). More grass was grown in the first year than in the second when the yield of RvP was particularly reduced. The ewes and lambs ate more RvP than S. 24 but there was no difference in lamb growth rate. The lambs grew faster at the low stocking rate from 0 to 18 weeks and from 0 to slaughter than at the medium and high stocking rates, in both years. Ewe intake and lamb growth rate were higher in the second year than the first. The Masham ewes with two lambs ate significantly more grass per unit of body weight than the Finnish Landrace × Scottish Halfbred and Finnish Landrace × Scottish Blackface ewes, and their lambs grew significantly faster. It was concluded that for an intensive system of lamb production from grass, S. 24 was more suitable than RvP.

scholarly journals Can lambs compensate for less milk by grazing more often?

2002 ◽  
pp. 103-105
Author(s):  
C.A.M. Moffat ◽  
J.M. Deaker ◽  
G.J. Wallace ◽  
M.W. Fisher ◽  
P.D. Muir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Milk Supply ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Machine Milking ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Lamb Growth

Lamb behaviour was investigated where varying stocking rates and rearing rank indirectly induced differences in ewe milk production. 24 Romney x Poll Dorset ewes, with either twin or single lambs, were stocked at either 25 or 15 ewes per hectare, three weeks after lambing (2 August ± 1.0 days). Lamb activity (grazing, otherwise active, or inactive) was determined by instantaneous scan sampling at 3-min intervals over 4 hours at 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks of age. Milk production, estimated by machine milking and lamb live weights were also measured at these ages, on the day prior to observations. Ewes with twin lambs produced slightly more milk than ewes with singles (213 vs. 183 ml per 4 hours, respectively). Ewes on the high stocking rate produced an average of 181 ml milk per 4 hours compared with 216 ml per 4 hours in the low stocking rate group. Twin lambs spent significantly more time grazing than did single lambs (52.3% vs. 41.0% overall, respectively) and lambs on the higher stocking rate spent on average 10% more time grazing, than those stocked less densely. These results suggest that lambs with access to less milk spend more time by grazing, but this does not adequately compensate for the lower milk supply which resulted in reduced lamb growth rates. This raises the possibility of enhancing lamb growth rates prior to weaning by providing high quality, lamb-specific forage to the lamb independently of the ewe. Keywords: ewe milk production, grazing, lamb behaviour, lamb growth rate

Effects of grazing management and stocking rate on pasture production, ewe liveweight, ewe fertility and lamb growth on subterranean clover-based pasture in Western Australia

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 161 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Lloyd Davies ◽  
I. N. Southey
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Lamb Growth

Border Leicester x Merino ewes joined to Dorset Horn rams were grazed for 3 years on subterranean clover-based pastures established on virgin ground at Bakers Hill, Western Australia, at 3 stocking rates and 2 systems of grazing management (viz. continuous grazing compared with a deferred grazing system which was designed to ensure that pasture availability met the nutritional requirements of breeding ewes at critical phases of their reproductive cycle). Both stocking rate and grazing management affected pasture availability: there was always a greater amount of pasture available on offer under the deferred grazing system. However, this extra pasture rarely increased animal production; the effect of the deferred grazing compared with continuous grazing was inconsequential for ewe liveweight in late pregnancy and for lamb growth rate. The deferred grazing system promoted grass dominance at all stocking rates whereas there was only 24% grass under continuous grazing at the high stocking rate. Stocking rate on some occasions affected ewe liveweight at joining but always affected the prelambing weight. The highest stocking rate on some occasions reduced twinning rate. Stocking rate (particularly in 1966) affected lamb growth rate. The combination of the effect of stocking rate on twinning rate, lamb survival and lamb growth rate resulted in a lower proportion of lambs achieving 30 kg liveweight per lamb marked at higher stocking rates (3-year mean low stocking rate 106% lambs marketed; medium stocking rate 95% and high stocking rate 80%). In 1966, total plasma ketones were lower and plasma glucose (measure of ewe metabolic status) was higher on the deferred system than on the continuously grazed system.

scholarly journals Optimising grazing for livestock production and environmental benefits in Chinese grasslands

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warwick B. Badgery ◽  
David Kemp ◽  
Zhang Yingjun ◽  
Wang Zhongwu ◽  
Han Guodong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Alpine Meadow ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Desert Steppe ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Typical Steppe ◽  
Artemisia Frigida ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Lamb Growth

Overgrazing has extensively degraded Chinese grasslands. A reduction in stocking rate of 30–50% below the district averages is required to increase the profitability of livestock production and protect vital ecosystem services such as mitigation of greenhouse gases (GHG). Grazing experiments located in the desert steppe, typical steppe and alpine meadow verified the influence of stocking rate and grazing management on livestock production, grassland composition and associated ecosystem services. The desert steppe experiment found lower stocking rates of ~150 SE (where SE is sheep equivalent, which is a 50kg animal) grazing days ha–1 (1 SE ha–1 over 150 days) enhanced botanical composition, maintained profitable lamb growth rates and reduced GHG emissions intensity. The typical steppe experiment found moderate grazing pressure of ~400 SE grazing days ha–1 (4 SE ha–1 over 100 days) maintained higher lamb growth rates, an average herbage mass >0.5t DM ha–1 that maintained the content of Leymus chinensis above 70% and Artemisia frigida below 10% of the grassland and had the highest level of net carbon sequestration. In the alpine meadow experiment the district average stocking rate of ~16 SE ha–1 (1440 SE grazing days ha–1 over 90 days) was not too high, but extending grazing into the non-growing season had no benefit. The findings of these experiments highlight that many of the benefits to ecosystem services can be achieved with reduced stocking rates which also generate profitable levels of livestock production. In both the desert and typical steppe experiments, the results were optimal when the stocking rates were adjusted to maintain average herbage mass over summer above ~0.5t DM ha–1, whereas herbage mass was higher with the local, conservative stocking rates in the alpine meadow.

scholarly journals Ewe reproductive performance and growth rate of suckling-lambs on endophyte-infected perennial ryegrass pasture

1999 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 19-26
Author(s):  
R.H. Watson ◽  
R.G. Keogh ◽  
M.F. Mcdonald
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
One Year ◽  
Lamb Growth

Two groups (n=39) of Romney breeding ewes were maintained under the same grazing management on either endophyte-infected (E+) or endophytefree (E-) perennial ryegrass pasture for two years (1997-1998) following a one-year equilibration period. The ewes were naturally mated in March each year and ovulation rate at 1st mating was measured, and conception and the number of lambs born and weaned were recorded. All ewes were weighed monthly and lamb growth rates were determined between birth and weaning. Mean mating date was delayed by 1.8 days (P

Effect of management system and stocking rate on the performance of ewes and lambs

1976 ◽  
Vol 16 (83) ◽  
pp. 810 ◽  
Author(s):  
BD Hill ◽  
DG Saville
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Management System ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
The Body ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Lamb Growth

A grazing experiment was conducted at Cowra, on the western slopes of New South Wales, on a pasture consisting of lucerne (Medicago sativa) and annual species including capeweed (Arctotheca calendula), barley grass (Hordeum leporinum). wimmera ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) . The performance of Border Leicesterx Merino ewes mated to Dorset Horn rams and the growth of their progeny was compared under rotational and set stocked grazing management systems, with and without a 20 per cent area of lucerne saved for grazing when additional feed was required. There was one stocking rate (8.7 ewes ha-1) in 1966 and two (8.7 ewes ha-1 and 13.0 ewes ha-1) in 1967 to 1969. Rotational grazing decreased the lamb growth rate but increased the number of lambs born. The management system did not affect the body weight or wool production of the ewes. Lucerne was quickly eliminated from the set stocked areas and was greatly reduced in the rotational systems. Capeweed became dominant in the set stocked areas. Saving increased the number of lambs born at the high stocking rate in 1967 to 1969. In 1966 saving reduced lamb growth, ewe body weight and wool growth in the rotational system. The high stocking rate increased wool production per hectare, but decreased the number of lambs born and, in 1967, the lamb growth rate.

Fertilization and Predator Control to Improve Trout Angling in Natural Lakes

1955 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 210-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. W. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
New Brunswick ◽  
Brook Trout ◽  
Predator Control ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Natural Lakes ◽  
Natural Reproduction ◽  
Stocking Rates

A significantly faster growth rate by native and planted eastern brook trout followed the addition of commercial fertilizers in sufficient quantities to provide potential additional concentrations of 0.39 mg. P, 0.21 mg. N and 0.27 mg. K per litre in Crecy Lake (20.4 ha.; mean depth, 2.4), New Brunswick. Largely because trout planted as fingerlings attained suitable angling size when yearlings, the rate of capture and the yield by weight to anglers approximately doubled. The improved growth rate, but not yields, persisted into the second and third years after fertilization. Coincident was an increase in predation by fish-eating birds and mammals. With predator control and the same stocking rates, the yield of trout flesh produced in the lake increased from 0.9 to 5.9 kgm. per hectare over the next two-year period. With predator control extended to trapping eels in the lake, a second comparable fertilization with respect to concentrations of P, N and K, and a doubling of the stocking rate, a yield of 9.7 kgm. per hectare was realized. The growth rate was somewhat depressed with the heavier stocking, notwithstanding a second fertilization. Facilities for natural reproduction were poor and planted trout (fingerlings and yearlings) sustained the fishery. Maximum survivals of planted trout (all marked) to anglers' catches were 20 per cent for fingerlings and 88 per cent for yearlings. Cropping of trout of age II was thorough. For the most part, movements of planted trout (trapped in outlet) from the lake would have occasioned minor losses.Neighbouring Gibson Lake (24.0 ha.; mean depth, 4.0 m.) was fertilized with one-half of the concentrations of P, N and K applied to Crecy. Stocking with trout was at comparable rates but no predator control was exercised. Little improvement was noted in the growth of the trout. Only when yearlings were planted late in the fall and angled early in the spring was there any improvement in the anglers' catches.

Tactical versus continuous stocking in perennial ryegrass-subterranean clover pastures grazed by sheep in south-western Victoria. 1. Stocking rates and herbage production

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
pp. 1099 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Waller ◽  
P. W. G. Sale ◽  
G. R. Saul ◽  
G. A. Kearney
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Soil Fertility Status ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
Terminal Sire ◽  
Autumn And Winter ◽  
Stocking Rates

A 4-year field experiment was carried out in south-western Victoria to determine whether tactical stocking might improve perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) persistence and prime lamb production, compared with the more common practice of year-around continuous stocking. Tactical stocking consisted of variable length summer, autumn and winter rotations and continuous stocking in spring. The 2 grazing strategies were compared on 2 contrasting pastures: an upgraded pasture, sown with newer cultivars of perennial ryegrass and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) with 26 kg phosphorus/ha.year, and a more typical naturalised perennial ryegrass pasture receiving 6 kg phosphorus/ha.year. Paddocks were grazed by Border Leicester x Merino ewes, which were mated to a terminal sire to lamb in September. The effects of the grazing systems and pasture treatments on herbage production and stocking rate are presented in this paper. Herbage production was similar between the treatments, but tactical stocking significantly increased herbage mass during the growing season (P<0.05) compared with continuous stocking. In spring each year, the herbage mass generally exceeded 3000 kg dry matter/ha in tactically stocked paddocks and averaged 500–900 kg dry matter/ha higher than the mass on continuously stocked paddocks. This enabled the year-round stocking rate to be increased by an average of 9% over the 4 years of the experiment. We considered that the stocking rates could not be further increased, despite the higher herbage mass in spring, as stock reduced the dry herbage to a low residual mass by the opening rains in autumn. In contrast, stocking rates averaged 51% higher on the upgraded pasture compared with the typical pasture over the 4 years of the experiment. This indicates that pasture improvement and soil fertility status have a much greater impact on productivity than changes to grazing method. However, tactical stocking was able to increase the sustainability of prime lamb production on upgraded pastures in a dry summer climate, by maintaining herbage cover on the paddocks over the summer–autumn period.

Productivity of grazed Makarikari grass-lucerne, Rhodes grass-lucerne and lucerne pastures in the northern wheat belt of Australia

1983 ◽  
Vol 23 (123) ◽  
pp. 383 ◽  
Author(s):  
DL Lloyd ◽  
JG Nation ◽  
TB Hilder ◽  
PK O'Rourke
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Clay Soil ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Rhodes Grass ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Dry Conditions ◽  
Chloris Gayana ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Grain Farms ◽  
Better Than

Three Makarikari grasses (Panicum coloratum var. makarikariense) viz. 0.4634, cv. Pollock and cv. Bambatsi and Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) cv. Pioneer, each grown with lucerne (Medicago sativa) cv. Hunter River, and sward lucerne were compared for productivity and stability in a rotational grazing system at three stocking rates (22.2, 14.8 and 7 . 4 Merino wethers/ha for grasslucerne pastures; 14.8, 11.1 and 7.4/ha for lucerne swards) on a cracking clay soil on the Darling Downs, Queensland over four years. There were no differences between the Makarikari grass cvv. Pollock and Bambatsi pastures. However, each produced more dry matter and animal liveweight, and persisted better, than Rhodes grass pasture during dry conditions that occurred during the first two years. Rhodes grass nevertheless recovered during two subsequent wet summers. During those two dry years, wool production from sward lucerne was equal to that of the grass-lucerne pastures at both 14.8 and 7.4 animals/ha. Animal liveweight from lucerne was greater than from grass-lucerne pastures at 7.4 animals/ha only. Wide variation, both between and within seasons, was measured in the quantity of feed produced by pastures in this study. This is discussed in relation to the concept of stocking rate of pasture grown on limited areas of grain farms in the northern wheat belt, and to the provision of a continuing feed supply in integrated crop-pasture systems.

Effects of superphosphate fertiliser and stocking rate on the nutritive value of perennial ryegrass and subterranean clover herbage

1999 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 537 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. R. Saul ◽  
G. A. Kearney ◽  
P. C. Flinn ◽  
C. L. Lescun
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Infertile Soils

The effect of superphosphate fertiliser on digestible dry matter (DDM) and crude protein (CP) percentages of perennial ryegrass and subterranean clover was assessed on a long-term, grazed experiment in western Victoria. CP of both species increased significantly (3–6 units) where long-term average phosphorus (P) applications were 33 kg/ha.year compared with 1 kg/ha.year. CP of herbage was also greater on paddocks grazed at higher (9–23 ewes/ha) than lower (5–13 ewes/ha) stocking rates (1–3 units). DDM of subterranean clover significantly increased (8–10 units) with higher superphosphate applications but there was little effect on the DDM of perennial ryegrass. Long-term applications of superphosphate were associated with larger increases in both DDM and CP than if the same rate was applied in autumn of the year of measurement. For subterranean clover, 30 kg/ha of P applied to infertile soils (Olsen P 5 mg/kg) in autumn increased the DDM of herbage collected in September by only 4–6 units. The nutritive value of most volunteer pasture species also increased with higher superphosphate applications but the DDM of these species was usually inferior to perennial ryegrass. The results highlight the importance of monitoring nutritive value, pasture composition, and herbage production to quantify fully the likely effect of fertiliser applications on animal production.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document