Studies on the Hyparrhenia Veld of Zambia. VII. The effect of Cattle Grazing Veld and Dambo at different stockinǵ-rates

1966 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-57
Author(s):  
C. A. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Compensatory Growth ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Linear Effect ◽  
Weight Losses ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
Stocking Rates

The effect of stocking-rate was measured on growth of indigenous oxen grazing Hyparrhenia veld and dambo. Stocking-rate had a relatively small effect on weight gain per ox in the rainy season when veld was relatively nutritious, but had a significant linear effect and a lesser quadratic effect on weight loss per ox in the dry season. Oxen stocked leniently on veld in the dry season lost less weight than heavily stocked oxen. Oxen fed a protein supplement, maintained or gained weight when grazing veld in the dry season even at high stocking-rates.In long-term trials, compensatory growth so affected cattle weight gains that heavily stocked oxen which had large weight losses in the dry season compared with leniently stocked oxen, had greater weight gains in the following rainy season. Stocking-rate had a highly significant, linear effect on cumulative weight gain per ox, which was more evident on dambo grazing than on Hyparrhenia veld.

Stocking rate trials in Ankole, Uganda: I. Weight gain of Ankole steers at intermediate and heavy stocking rates under different managements

1974 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 497-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. N. Harrington ◽  
D. Pratchett
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Brachiaria Decumbens ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Stocking Rates

SUMMARYA series of stocking rate trials running for differing periods between 1961 and 1972 are summarized. Weight gains of steers grazed at 2·4, 1·2, 0·8 and 0·6 ha/300 kg animal on Cymbopogon/Hyparrhenia/Themeda pasture are detailed. Subtreatments included continuous and rotational grazing and the removal of the unpalatable Cymbopogon afronardus.Weight gains at 0·6 ha/animal were higher than a linear relationship between stocking rate expressed as animals/ha and weight gain would predict. This was ascribed to the dominance of the high quality grass Brachiaria decumbens at this grazing pressure.Rotational grazing was less productive than continuous grazing, because C. afronardus increased more rapidly under this management, but there was less soil erosion. Removal of C. afronardus increased cattle growth rates and gains/ha by over 40% at 0·6 ha/animal. The cost of clearing this weed should be recovered in 2 years from a commercial cattle ranch. A grazing pressure of ca. 0·8 ha/animal is expected to maximize long-term profits on C. afronardus-free Ankole rangeland and in 3 years in this trial average gains of 0·29 kg/day/animal were achieved. This was an annual production level of 131 kg/ha/annum, which compared with 53 kg/ha at 2·4 ha/animal and 143 kg/ha at 0·6 ha/animal.

The effect of different stocking rates on the weight gain of Ankole steers on natural grassland in Western Uganda

1971 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. D. Thornton ◽  
G. N. Harrington
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Capital Investment ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
Western Uganda ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Natural Grassland

SUMMARYStocking rates of 3, 6 and 9 acres per 2- to 3-year old steer on Acacia-Cymbopogonj Themeda complex pasture in Ankole, Uganda, demonstrated that 3 acres per head gave significantly lower individual live-weight gains, but that there was little difference between 6 and 9 acres over a 6-year period. Although cattle grazed at 3 acres averaged only 175 lb per head per annum, compared with 207 lb at 6 acres per head, the income was Sh. 34 per acre compared to only Sh. 20–50 at 6 acres per head. At 9 acres/head the return was Sh. 13–50 an acre.A comparison of a 2 paddock/1 herd system with continuous grazing revealed no differences in production, despite the heavier capital investment involved in the former system. Growth rates at all three stocking rates were similar for most of the year, but in the dry season when all the cattle lost weight those stocked at 3 acres per head suffered the greatest losses (50–60 lb) and those at 9 acres per head the least (20–30 lb).

Compensatory growth in Belgian Blue bulls previously grazed at two stocking rates: animal performance and meat characteristics

1998 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 427-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Hornick ◽  
P. Raskin ◽  
A. Clinquart ◽  
I. Dufrasne ◽  
C. van Eenaeme ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Compensatory Growth ◽  
Initial Period ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Normal Growth ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Muscle Type ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
Double Muscle ◽  
Beet Pulp ◽  
Stocking Rates

AbstractA comparison was made between fattening systems with Belgian Blue bulls of the double-muscle type, in order to assess the reponse in terms of compensatory growth when the bulls were grazed at a high stocking rate. Two groups of eight bulls were grazed on Lolium perenne and Trifolium repens pasture during an initial period of 135 days (period I). One group grazed at a stocking rate of six animals per ha allowing for normal growth at pasture (NGP); the other group grazed at stocking rate of 10 animals per ha (low growth at pasture, LGP). Both groups were then finished indoors (period II) with a concentrate based on dried sugar-beet pulp. Eight control bulls were also fattened indoors on the concentrate diet during periods I and II (CG). The bulls were slaughtered according to similar finishing fattening state. Live-weight gains were 1·47, 1·10 and 0·52 kg/day (P < 0·002) during period I in CG, NGP and LGP groups respectively. Corresponding live-weight gains during period II were 1·22, 1·37 and 1·50 kg/day (P > 0·05). The LGP group had lower food conversion ratios, slaughter weights (P < 0·05) and dressing proportions (P < 0·01). The meat from the grazed bulls had lower cooking losses (P < 0·05) and tended to have lower drip losses (P > 0·05) and higher tenderness (P > 0·05). It also had a higher cholesterol (P < 0·05) content. Large differences were observed in the fatty acid composition according to fat location (subcutaneous, intermuscular or intramuscular). The proportions of mono and polyunsaturated acids were increased in the fats of the animals previously grazed (P > 0·05, P < 0·05).

Beef production from native pastures sown to fine-stem stylo in the Burnett region of south-eastern Queensland

1979 ◽  
Vol 19 (97) ◽  
pp. 140 ◽  
Author(s):  
EJ Bowen ◽  
KG Rickert
Keyword(s):  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Management Options ◽  
North West ◽  
Heteropogon Contortus ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Native Pastures ◽  
Stocking Rates

At Gayndah, south-eastern Queensland, a native Heteropogon contortus pasture, sown to fine-stem stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis var. intermedia), and invaded by red natal grass (Rhynchelytrum repens), was grazed by weaner steers from June 1 in three treatments : heavy and light put-and-take grazing for five years from 1971, and set-stocked at 1.37 animals ha-1 for two years from 1974. Weight gains in the put-and-take treatments were not significantly different. The mean annual liveweight gain was 167 kg animal-1 at a mean equivalent stocking rate of 1.47 animals ha-1. Over the same period unsown native pasture, cleared of timber, gave a gain of 62 kg animal-1 at 0.62 animals ha-1. In all seasons except summer, weight gains declined linearly with stocking rate and in 1972-73, with a mean equivalent stocking rate of 2.66 animals ha-1, the annual gain was almost halved. When equivalent stocking rates were 0.9, 0.9, 1.8 and 1.2 animals ha-1 in winter, spring, summer and autumn, the respective gains were 4, 73, 65 and 45 kg animal-1. The set-stocked treatment had a mean annual gain of 147 kg animal-1. At another site 116 km north-west of Gayndah, two paddocks of Heteropogon contortus and fine-stem stylo were set-stocked with weaners over four years. One paddock had four applications of superphosphate of 250 kg ha-1. The mean annual liveweight gains were significantly different, being 154 and 143 kg animal-1 in the fertilized and unfertilized paddocks at mean stocking rates of 0.83 and 0.74 animals ha-1, respectively. In a grazing protection experiment the density of fine-stem stylo declined exponentially with an accumulation of pasture dry matter in spring and summer. Heavy continuous grazing, an annual hay cut and an accidental fire all increased the density of fine-stem stylo. Management options to maintain the density of fine-stem stylo and the relative importance of the legume and grass to animal production are discussed.

The effect of winter food level on compensatory growth of weaned, suckled calves grazed at two sward heights

1986 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Wright ◽  
A. J. F. Russel ◽  
E. A. Hunter
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Compensatory Growth ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Food Level ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Subsequent Performance ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Winter Food ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
Winter Feeding

ABSTRACTTwo experiments were conducted with weaned, suckled calves to investigate the effect of feeding level during the post-weaning winter on their subsequent performance when continuously grazed on pasture maintained at two sward heights. Low, medium and high levels of winter feeding resulted in winter live-weight gains of 0·31, 0·58 and 0·79 (s.e. 0·027) kg/day (P < 0·001) during the 152-day winter in experiment 1 and 0·44, 0·69 and 0·84 (s.e. 0·029) kg/day (P < 0·001) for 189 days in experiment 2. During summer (93 days in experiment 1 and 87 days in experiment 2) there was a significant effect of winter food level on performance when live-weight gains were 1·10, 1·02, 0·87 and 1·35, 1·23 and 1·19 (s.e. 0·060) kg/day for the low, medium and high winter food levels on the short and tall swards respectively in experiment 1 (P < 0·01) and 0·86, 0·66, 0·51 and 1·26, 1·18 and 0·91 (s.e. 0090) kg/day in experiment 2 (P < 0·001). The cattle showing compensatory growth had higher herbage intakes and it is postulated that this occurred because of a negative association between body fat and herbage intake. Sward height had a large positive effect on herbage intake and live-weight gain and it is concluded that for maximum intake on ryegrass swards, herbage height should be at least 8 cm. Lower levels of winter live-weight gain delayed the time to slaughter, but allowed cattle to achieve heavier carcass weights at a fixed level of fatness.It is concluded that there is no single optimum winter food level for weaned, suckled calves but that the choice will depend upon several factors, including availability of winter and summer food resources, the length of the winter feeding period, the desired date of slaughter and type of carcass to be produced.

Long-Term Effects of Early Pruning and Thinning Treatments on Growth of Natural Longleaf Pine

1980 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-79
Author(s):  
Robert C. Sparks ◽  
Norwin E. Linnartz ◽  
Harold E. Harris
Keyword(s):  
Longleaf Pine ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Pinus Palustris ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Natural Stand ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Pruning Intensity

Abstract Pruning and thinning a young natural stand of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) in southwest Louisiana had little influence on height. However, diameter growth was reduced substantially as pruning intensity or stocking rate increased up to 25-percent live crown and 200 stems per acre, respectively. Improved diameter growth at lower stocking rates was not sufficient to equal the total basal area increment of 200 trees per acre.

scholarly journals Impact of Climate Change on Livestock Returns and Rangeland Ecosystem Sustainability in the Southwest

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 336-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory L. Torell ◽  
Katherine D. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Current Method ◽  
Adaptive Methods ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Climate Projections ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Stocking Rates

Climate change will increase variability in temperature and precipitation on rangelands, impacting ecosystem services including livestock grazing. Facing uncertainty about future climate, managers must know if current practices will maintain rangeland sustainability. Herein, the future density of an invasive species, broom snakeweed, is estimated using a long-term ecological dataset and climate projections. We find that livestock stocking rates determined using a current method result in lower forage production, allowable stocking rate, and grazing value than an economically efficient stocking rate. Results indicate that using ecology and adaptive methods in management are critical to the sustainability of rangelands.

The effect of systems of grassland management and winter feeding on the productivity of an 18-month grass-cereal beef system

1978 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-107
Author(s):  
J. B. Moran ◽  
W. Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Grassland Management ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Field System ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Stocking Rates

ABSTRACTExperiments in two successive years with 24 cattle compared a six-paddock grazing system with a simpler two-field system. In each system the whole area was cut for conservation once during the season. The two systems were stocked each at 3·9 or 6·5 cattle/ha. In the following winters the cattle were offered grass silage (1974) or dried lucerne pellets (1975) ad libitum with two levels of barley.Daily gains on pasture were depressed by the higher stocking rate but there was no difference between grazing systems. The yield of conserved grass was least on the high stocking rate two-field system. The estimated output of utilized metabolizable energy per hectare was highest on the high stocking rate paddock grazing system but the output from the low stocking rate two-field system was almost as high. It was concluded that the latter system was valuable in many practical situations. Cattle that had been grazed at low stocking rates finished earlier in winter. There was some evidence of winter compensation in cattle weight gain on diets with dried lucerne pellets but not on grass silage diets.

scholarly journals Joint monitoring of livestock stocking rates and rangeland vegetation of Hombori district in Mali during the 2010-2011 dry season

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1941-1956
Author(s):  
Mamadou Oumar Diawara ◽  
Pierre Hiernaux ◽  
Eric Mougin ◽  
Sory Sissoko ◽  
Laurent Kergoat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dry Season ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Rangeland Ecology ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Water Point ◽  
Exploitation Rate ◽  
Joint Monitoring ◽  
Herd Mobility ◽  
Stocking Rates

and wide seasonal and interannual variations. Pastoral livestock systems adapt to these patchy and variation resources by herd mobility and some supplement feeding that only partially overcome seasonal forage shortages in dry years. This study aimed at analyzing the relationship between livestock stocking rates and forage availabilities during the 8-9 month dry season at the scale of the Hombori district. Stocking rates were estimated by monthly count of livestock by species, sex and age classes at the main pastoral water points. Herbaceous forage over the district was assessed at the onset of the dry season over using NDVI-MODIS remote sensing calibrated with in situ measurements. In addition, forage availabilities were monitored monthly in the service area of three selected water points as a function of distance from the water point up to 12 km. The results indicated that despite the large numbers of livestock and the weak mobility of the resident herds, the overall stocking rate in the Hombori district remains low, as it entails an average grazing exploitation rate of only 9.4% of the fodder resource during the dry season. The grazing exploitation rate invalidates the statement of widespread 'overgrazing' of forage resources by livestock in the Sahel often advanced in rangeland ecology and management projects. Keywords: Rangelands, stocking rate, dry season, degradation rate, overgrazing, Sahel.

scholarly journals The effects of parturition season and suckling mode on the puerperium of Santa Ines ewes and on the weight gain of lambs

2013 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 857-864 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.E.F. Oliveira ◽  
H.L.L. Sousa ◽  
A.C.B. Moura ◽  
W.R.R. Vicente ◽  
L.F.S. Rodrigues ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Santa Inês ◽  
Amazonian Region

Seventy-seven ewes were randomly divided into groups according to parturition season and suckling mode [Rainy season: continuous (n=14) and controlled (n=13); Dry season: continuous (n=25) and controlled (n=25)]. The controlled suckling mode, in both seasons, resulted in a decrease in variables, intervals between parturition and first estrus (reduction of 27.11 and 11.46 days for rainy and dry season, respectively; P<0.05) and between parturition and estrus of conception (reduction of 12.81 and 13.58 days, for rainy and dry season, respectively; P<0.05). As to the lambs, the weight gain was higher in animals subjected to controlled suckling in relation to continuous, especially when lambing occurred in the rainy season (17.83±0.56 vs. 13.95±0.52kg for Lambs' weight at 90 days old, respectively; P<0.05). Therefore, it was concluded that controlled suckling management is better indicated for the Amazonian region, since it allows the ewes to have a shorter puerperium period and the lambs exhibit higher weight gain.

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