The ability of sheep at different stocking rates to maintain the quality and quantity of their diet during the grazing season

2003 ◽  
Vol 140 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. GARCIA ◽  
P. CARRÈRE ◽  
J. F. SOUSSANA ◽  
R. BAUMONT
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
The Other ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Grazing Season ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Managed Trade ◽  
Stocking Rates

The degree to which grazers maintain the amount (organic matter intake) or the quality (organic matter digestibility) of their diet without adversely affecting the other component was addressed by investigating how sheep managed trade-offs between quantity and quality throughout the grazing season in an upland area of central France. Two groups of five dry ewes, grazing two plots of contrasting areas from April to the end of September 2000, were studied. On the smaller plot (1500 m2), the application of a high stocking rate (HSR) produced a resource of good quality but in low quantity; and on the larger plot (3000 m2), a low stocking rate (LSR) created a sward of low quality but in good quantity. In spring, in both conditions, the sheep maintained their intake of digestible organic matter (OM) at between 1000 and 1250 g/day. Both organic matter intake and digestibility remained high at both stocking rates. In summer, the intake of digestible OM decreased to between 750 and 1000 g/day. On HSR, this was mainly due to a decline of intake in relation to the decrease of intake rate and bite weight. On LSR a decrease in digestibility and to a lesser extent in intake was involved. At both stocking rates, the sheep maximized the digestibility of their diet by selecting the green laminae throughout the grazing season. In spring, the sheep modulated their daily grazing time to compensate the decrease in intake rate and maintained a high daily intake. In summer and autumn, the sheep failed to maintain their daily intake at the same level as previously observed. On both plots they modulated their daily grazing time to cover their needs (730 g/day), but they did not increase it further to maximize daily intake. This may be attributable to the costs involved in selecting (LSR) or taking (HSR) the best components from the sward.

A comparison of the forage value for sheep of buckwheat and sorghum stubbles grown on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales

1979 ◽  
Vol 19 (98) ◽  
pp. 297 ◽  
Author(s):  
JG Mulholland ◽  
JB Coombe
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
New South ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Weight Losses ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Forage Value ◽  
Stocking Rates

Two grazing experiments were conducted to evaluate buckwheat and sorghum stubbles as forage for sheep. The stubbles were stocked by young crossbred wethers at 10 and 20 ha-1 for 55 days on the buckwheat and 81 days on the sorghum. Measurements were made at regular intervals of the availability and composition of plant material, diet selection, the intake of digestible organic matter (DOM) and liveweight change, while wool production was measured over each experimental period. More than one-third of the sheep grazing buckwheat stubble were affected by fagopyrism (buckwheat poisoning) and this probably reduced both liveweight gain and wool production. Buckwheat residues had a similar nitrogen content to sorghum (1 .0% vs 0.87%), but a lower organic matter digestibility (43.7% vs 57.1%). Mature buckwheat plants were not eaten readily. Mean liveweights of sheep on buckwheat stubble declined throughout the experimental period and overall changes were -3.8 and -7.0 kg for the low and high stocking rates, respectively. Corresponding values for sheep on sorghum stubble were 0.3 and -4.6 kg, although weight losses at the higher stocking rate did not occur until after 40 days grazing. For the same length of grazing as the buckwheat (55 days) the liveweight changes for sorghum were 0.2 and -1.2 kg, respectively. Wool growth rate was low for both stubbles but was more than 60% higher for sheep on the sorghum. Values for each stocking rate were 3.86 and 2.67 (g clean dry wool day-1) for the buckwheat, and 5.39 and 4.33 for the sorghum. It was concluded that sorghum stubble is a useful source of grazing for sheep on the Southern Tablelands but buckwheat stubble, because of its low acceptability, poor nutritional value and the risk of fagopyrism, is of very limited value.

scholarly journals Effect of grazing system, stocking rate and season of use on herbage intake and grazing behaviour of stocker cattle grazing alfalfa-grass pastures

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 677-682 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Popp ◽  
W. P. McCaughey ◽  
R. D. H. Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Cattle Grazing ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Stocker Cattle ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Grazing Behaviour

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of grazing system (continuous and rotational), stocking rate (light, 1.1 steers ha−1; heavy, 2.2 steers ha−1) and season of use on forage intake and grazing behaviour of stocker cattle grazing an approximately 70% alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), 25% meadow bromegrass (Bromus biebersteinii Roem & Schult.) and 5% Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys juncea (Fisch.) Nevski) pasture. To determine organic matter intake, grazed herbage was collected with esophageal fistulated cattle and analyzed for in vitro digestible organic matter while fecal output was determined using chromic oxide. These variables were used to calculate organic matter intake. Daily herbage consumption (g OM kg BW−0.75 d−1 and kg OM d−1) did not differ (P > 0.05) for either grazing system or stocking rate from 1991 to 1993, with the exception of greater (P < 0.05) intakes at light compared with heavy stocking rates (10.9 vs. 8.4 kg OM d−1) late in the 1991 season. Grazing time was usually lower (8.9 vs. 10.3 h (3-yr mean); P < 0.05) in lightly than in heavily stocked pastures. As available herbage increased, cattle spent less time grazing (y = 12.46 − 0.00103 x; r = 0.48, RSD = 2.04, P < 0.001; where y = grazing time and x = herbage mass). Biting rates ranged from 28 to 32 bites min−1, regardless of year, season, grazing system or stocking rate. Rate of intake (g OM kg−1BW−0.75 h−1) did not differ (P > 0.05) for either grazing system, although it tended to be greater (P < 0.10) at light than at heavy stocking rates. As animals in lightly stocked pastures spent less time grazing, herbage was consumed at an increased rate, which was reflected in increased average daily gain (y = 0.28 + 0.067 x; r = 0.86, RSD = 0.14, P < 0.001; where y = daily gain and x = intake rate). Our results suggest that daily herbage consumption was not affected by grazing system or stocking rate; however, at lower stocking rates, grazing time declined and intake rate tended to increase. Key words: Alfalfa, cattle, ingestive behaviour, pasture

The intake and production of lactating Merino ewes and their lambs grazed at different stocking rates

1977 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 133 ◽  
Author(s):  
JP Langlands
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Milk Consumption ◽  
Total Organic Matter ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Maintenance Requirement ◽  
Stocking Rates

Grass and milk consumption and liveweight changes of lambs grazed at stocking rates ranging from 9 to 35 sheep/ha were measured during a 105 day lactation. Grass consumption and wool production of their mothers and of similar ewes without lambs were also determined. The forage and total organic matter intakes of the lamb increased with time while milk consumption declined; all three variables were negatively correlated with stocking rate. The intake of the ewe and its liveweight gain were not sensitive to increasing stocking rate, but wool production declined at higher stocking rates. The maintenance requirement of the ewes was estimated to be 218 kJ metabolizable energy/kg liveweight, and the efficiency with which metabolizable energy was utilized for milk production was 66%. Lactation increased the intake of the ewe but reduced its wool production.

scholarly journals Compost as an Option for Sustainable Crop Production at Low Stocking Rates in Organic Farming

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1078
Author(s):  
Christopher Brock ◽  
Meike Oltmanns ◽  
Christoph Matthes ◽  
Ben Schmehe ◽  
Harald Schaaf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Farming ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Potassium Sulfate ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Internal Resources ◽  
Compost Application ◽  
Stocking Rates

Mixed-crop-livestock farms offer the best conditions for sustainable nutrient management in organic farming. However, if stocking rates are too low, sustainability might be threatened. Therefore, we studied the development of soil organic matter and nutrients as well as crop yields over the first course of a new long-term field experiment with a mimicked cattle stocking rate of 0.6 LU ha−1, which is the actual average stocking rate for organic farms in Germany. In the experiment, we tested the effects of additional compost application to improve organic matter supply to soils, and further, potassium sulfate fertilization for an improved nutrition of fodder legumes. Compost was made from internal resources of the farm (woody material from hedge-cutting). Soil organic matter and nutrient stocks decreased in the control treatment, even though yield levels, and thus nutrient exports, were comparably low. With compost application, soil organic matter and nutrient exports could be compensated for. At the same time, the yields increased but stayed at a moderate level. Potassium sulfate fertilization further improved N yields. We conclude that compost from internal resources is a viable solution to facilitate sustainable organic crop production at low stocking rates. However, we are aware that this option does not solve the basic problem of open nutrient cycles on the farm gate level.

The relationship between apparent retention time in the rumen, voluntary intake, and apparent digestibility of legume and grass diets in sheep

1973 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 889 ◽  
Author(s):  
RF Thornton ◽  
DJ Minson
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Retention Time ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Apparent Digestibility ◽  
Jaw Movements ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Voluntary Intake ◽  
The Relationship

Eight grasses and six legumes were fed ad libitum at hourly intervals to wethers fitted with large rumen fistulas to determine voluntary intake, apparent digestibility, and the apparent retention time of organic matter in the rumen, as well as the quantity of rumen digesta and the organic matter content of the rumen digesta. The voluntary intake of legumes was 28% higher than that of equally digestible grasses. This difference was caused by a shorter retention time (17%) and a higher amount of organic matter (14%) in the rumen digesta from legume diets than from grass diets. The weight of wet digesta in the rumen of sheep fed on legumes was 7% lower than from those fed on grass. Neither the quantity of digesta nor the quantity of organic matter in the rumen was related to the voluntary intake, digestibility, or retention time of organic matter in the rumen. Number of jaw movements each day and rate of cotton thread digestion were not related to the retention time of the diets either. Daily intake of digestible organic matter (DOMI, g/day) was closely correlated with retention time (RTOM, hr) for the feeds in this study (r = –0.93) and the same relation applied to both temperate and tropical feeds, viz. DOMI = 1276–50.7 RTOM (r=0.96) Differences in voluntary intake between grasses and legumes were attributed to differences in retention time and the density to which the food was packed in the rumen.

Effect of time of joining and rate of stocking on the production of Corriedale ewes in southern Victoria. 3. Wool growth and the composition and availability of pasture

1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (73) ◽  
pp. 159 ◽  
Author(s):  
PA Kenney ◽  
IF Davis
Keyword(s):  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
The Other ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Brome Grass ◽  
Stocking Rates

A study was made during a three year period (1 968-1 970) of wool production by a flock of 540 ewes grazing annual pasture at Werribee, Victoria. The ewes were stocked at three rates (5, 7 1/2 and 10 ewes ha-1) and lambed between July 6 and August 20 or between September 10 and October 29 each year. Fibre diameter and length of wool samples were measured in 1968, 1969 and 1970 ; in 1970 growth of greasy wool was calculated from staples of dye-banded wool. Wool growth was reduced in all ewes during late pregnancy and early lactation but was not affected during late lactation in ewes lambing in September. The proportion of tender fleeces from all ewes was greater in 1970 and the weight of fleeces from only those ewes bearing single lambs was less in all years for ewes lambing in July than for ewes lambing in September. More ewes were barren and fewer ewes had twins in July and consequently the mean fleece weights of all ewes from both groups were similar. Fleeces from ewes stocked at 10 ha-1 were lighter, shorter and finer than fleeces from ewes stocked at 5 and 7 1/2 ha-1, but the proportion of tender fleeces did not differ between the groups. Wool production of ewes stocked at 5 and 7 1/2 ha-1 increased from 1968 to 1970, whereas that of ewes at 10 ha-1 did not. This was associated with differences in pasture availability and composition. At 10 ewes ha-1 less pasture was present in winter and spring in 1970 than in 1968, whereas at the other stocking rates it was greater. In 1970 the density of weeds in autumn was greater and in spring more silver grass (Vulpia spp.) and less brome grass (Bromus spp.) was available at the high stocking rate.

scholarly journals Influence of stocking rate and advancing season on forage intake, digestibility, and ruminal fermentation in steers supplemented with dried distillers grains with solubles while grazing northern Great Plains rangelands1

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kayla E Chilcoat ◽  
Matthew S Crouse ◽  
Michael R Undi ◽  
Joel S Caton ◽  
Bryan W Neville
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Ruminal Fermentation ◽  
Grazing Season ◽  
Distillers Grains With Solubles ◽  
Ruminal Ph ◽  
Stocking Rates

Abstract The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of stocking rate and advancing season on diet chemical composition, intake, digestibility, and ruminal fermentation in steers supplemented with distillers grains with solubles [0.3% of body weight (BW)] while grazing northern Great Plains rangelands. Angus cross beef steers (n = 188; 320 ± 30.3 kg initial BW) were used to establish targeted stocking rates, and 12 ruminal cannulated steers (272 ± 20.0 kg initial BW) were used for diet sampling while cograzing with the noncannulated animals on 12 pastures (n = 3 per treatment). Stocking rates were set to target 65%, 50%, 35%, and 20% of an average annual above-ground biomass remaining at the end of the grazing season (May–September). Five 10-d collection periods were conducted for May 13–22, June 10–19, July 8–17, August 5–14, and September 2–11. There was no difference in steer BWs or average daily gain during any of the collection periods or between stocking rate (P ≥ 0.10). Organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber of forage masticate samples were not affected (P ≥ 0.25) by stocking rate. Crude protein, and all N fractions of forage masticates also did not differ between stocking rate treatments (P ≥ 0.18). Forage OM intake (grams per kilogram of BW) increased cubically across the entire grazing season (P = 0.05). Organic matter digestibility decreased quadratically (P &lt; 0.01) from May to September. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility showed a cubic effect (P &lt; 0.01) across the grazing season, increasing from May to June, then decreasing till September. Crude protein digestibility decreased linearly (P &lt; 0.01) as the season advanced. Ruminal ammonia and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were affected by stocking rate × period interactions (P ≤ 0.02). Ruminal pH, ammonia, and VFA concentrations were not affected by the stocking rate (P &gt; 0.13) but were impacted by the advancing season (P &lt; 0.01). Ruminal pH increased quadratically (P ≤ 0.01) with advancing season (6.3 to 6.6 ± 0.05 from May to September, respectively). The results of this study demonstrate that intake, fermentation, and digestibility of northern Great Plains forages were influenced more by seasonal factors associated with forage maturity than stocking rate under the conditions of this study.

The influence of package size and density on the intake of dried grass wafers fed to lambs

1972 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 335-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Tetlow ◽  
R. J. Wilkins
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
The Other ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Package Size ◽  
Unit Density ◽  
Voluntary Intake

SUMMARYWafers made from dried ryegrass were fed to castrated male lambs in two experiments of 40 and 30 days' duration. In the first experiment, wafers of chopped feed were prepared which varied in unit density from 0·7 g/ml to 1·0 g/ml. In the second experiment, coarsely ground forage was passed through a ram press with a die of 5 cm diameter and the extruded material was then split into quarter and half wafers or left unsplit as whole wafers. Voluntary intake was measured throughout each experiment.For the wafers with density of 1·0 g/ml the daily intake of organic matter was 75 g/kg LW0·75 as compared with 64 g/kg LW0·75 for the wafers with density of 0·7 g/ml but this difference was not significant. There was a significant (P < 0·05) interaction between wafer density and sub-period of the experiment. The daily intake of low-density wafers, expressed in g/kg LW0·75, increased throughout the experiment, whereas that of the higher density wafers did not change.There was no overall effect of package size on organic matter intake, but the interaction between package size and sub-period of the experiment was significant (P · 0·001). The intake of the whole wafers was initially lower than that for the other treatments, but increased throughout the experiment, whereas the intake of the quarter and half wafers remained steady.

A note on the effect of dentition and age in sheep on the intake of herbage

1983 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Newton ◽  
Caroline Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
The Other ◽  
Intermediate Group ◽  
The Difference

ABSTRACTThe intake of ten 5-year-old Masham ewes with good teeth, five 7-year-old Mashams with poor teeth and nine 10-year-old ewes with poor teeth was measured when they were offered long (35·1 cm) or short grass (3·8 cm) outdoors or poor quality hay indoors. The young ewes ate significantly more grass and hay than the old ewes, but the difference in daily intake was greater with long grass (1473 v. 751 g organic matter per head) and with hay (895 v. 421) than with short grass (617 v. 407). The intermediate age ewes ate as much of the long grass and of the hay as the young ewes, but less of the short grass. This suggests that age influenced intake more than did tooth condition, except when short grass was offered.Within the oldest but not within the intermediate group of ewes, there was a significant correlation between the number of incisors and organic matter intake, except with the long grass, but there was no correlation between the number of cheek teeth and intake. When offered hay, the only group with a reduced in vivo digestibility was the intermediate group of ewes, the other two groups having a similar digestibility.There was no correlation between number of incisors or number of molars and in vivo digestibility.

Studies in the wool production of grazing sheep. 4. Variation between sheep in intake, wool production, and efficiency

1966 ◽  
Vol 6 (20) ◽  
pp. 96 ◽  
Author(s):  
WR McManus ◽  
GW Arnold ◽  
ML Dudzinski
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Grazing Sheep ◽  
Stocking Rates

The results of a three-year experiment with Merino wethers grazed at four stocking rates were examined. There were consistent differences between individual sheep at all times of the year in their intake of digestible organic matter (DOMI), clean wool production (WP), and in their efficiency of conversion of food to wool (E). Within stocking rates there were no consistent relationships between DOMI and WP.

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