The effect of continuous or rotational stocking on the intake and live-weight gain of cattle co-grazing with sheep on temperate pastures

2001 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 199-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Kitessa ◽  
A. M. Nicol
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Weight Change ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Experimental Animals ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Temperate Pastures ◽  
Clover Pasture

AbstractTwo experiments were conducted to determine if type of stocking system influenced the intake and live-weight gain (LWG) of cattle co-grazed with sheep on sown ryegrass/white clover pasture.In experiment 1 (134 days), yearling heifers (no. = 9) plus ewe hoggets (no. = 27) were co-grazed (1: 1 M0·75) using continuous (C-CS) or rotational (R-CS) stocking. In experiment 2 (126 days), a cattle alone (no. = 9) treatment was included under each stocking system (C-C and R-C). Initial live weight of heifers was 266 (s.e. 4·5) and 232 (s.e. 4·4) kg and that of hoggets was 54 (s.e. 0·9) and 47 (s.e. 0·7) kg in experiments 1 and 2, respectively. In both experiments, the area offered daily to R-CS group was manipulated to promote a weekly live-weight change in sheep similar to that on the C-CS treatment. C-C cattle in experiment 2 were grazed at similar sward surface height (SSH) to C-CS, and R-C cattle at similar pre- and post-grazing SSH to R-CS. SSH was measured daily on all treatments and regulated on the continuously stocked treatments by addition and removal of non-experimental animals. Organic matter intake (OMI) was determined from the ratio of n-alkanes in faeces and herbage. Animals were weighed weekly.Mean SSH on continuously stocked pastures was 5·10 (s.e. 0·03) and 4·26 (s.e. 0·02) cm for C-CS in experiments 1 and 2, respectively, and 4·27 (s.e. 0·02) cm for C-C in experiment 2. The mean pre- and post-grazing SSH for R-CS was 15·9 (s.e. 0·12) and 5·60 (s.e. 0·07) cm, respectively in experiment 1, and 15·2 (s.e. 0·08) and 4·82 (s.e. 0·03) cm, respectively in experiment 2. On R-C swards pre- and post-grazing SSH was 14·9 (s.e. 0·08) and 4·87 (s.e. 0·03) cm, respectively.In experiment 1, cattle continuously co-grazed with sheep grew significantly more slowly than those rotationally co-grazed with sheep (804 (s.e. 41·6) v. 1039 (s.e. 47·7) g/day, P < 0·01). Sheep LWG did not differ between stocking treatments (150 v. 138 g, P > 0·05 for C-CS and R-CS respectively). These findings were confirmed in the second experiment in which C-CS cattle only grew at 0·69 of the daily LWG achieved by R-CS cattle (706 v. 1028, (s.e. 72) g/day; P < 0·05) at similar sheep LWG (155 v. 147, (s.e. 6·5) g/day respectively). LWG of C-C and R-C cattle was similar (916 v. 1022, (s.e. 72) g/day; P > 0·05). LWG per ha in both experiments was higher on R-CS than on C-CS treatments, and on cattle alone than on CS treatments. Treatment effects on OMI and final fasted live weight were similar in pattern to LWG.It is suggested that the observed disadvantage to cattle when co-grazed with sheep under continuous stocking and the lack of effect when rotationally co-grazed reflected a difference in the two stocking systems in providing opportunities for complementary/competitive use of pasture resources.

The energy requirements of sheep for maintenance and gain. I. Pen fed sheep

1962 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. E. Coop
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Energy Requirements ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Rye Grass ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Final Estimate ◽  
The Mean

Four experiments have been conducted with sheep, housed and fed in pens, to determine the maintenance and live-weight gain requirements of sheep under such conditions.1. Fifteen Corriedale sheep of initial live weight 115 lb. were fed at maintenance for 13 weeks. Daily DOM (digestible organic matter) requirement for maintenance was 0·92 ± 0·07 lb.2. Twelve Romney ewes of mean live weight 106 lb. over the period were fed for 5 months, six on submaintenance and six on super-maintenance levels. Daily DOM requirement for maintenance was 0·99 ± 0·05 lb., and requirement for gain 2·29 ± 0·20 lb. DOM per lb. gain or loss.3. Thirteen Romney ewes of mean live weight 110 lb. over the period were fed at sub- and supermaintenance levels for 8 weeks yielding the result: daily DOM intake for maintenance 1·04 ± 0·13 lb. and for gain 2·25 ± 0·24 lb. DOM per lb. gain.4. Twenty-four Romney ewes of initial live weight 107 lb. were randomized into five groups and fed fresh grass, dried grass, sheep pellets, lucerne hay and rye-grass straw for 11 weeks at slightly below maintenance. There were no significant differences between groups and the mean estimate of maintenance was 1·00 ± 0·11 lb. DOM per day.Converting these estimates to those of a 100 lb. sheep using the ¾ power of live weight, and then taking the mean gives the final estimate for maintenance of a 100 lb. sheep 0·92 lb. DOM, 0·96 TDN or 0·89 lb. SE.

Mixed grazing of cattle and sheep versus cattle only in an intensive grassland system

1981 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Dickson ◽  
J. Frame ◽  
D. P. Arnot
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Annual Total ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Cattle And Sheep

ABSTRACTDuring the period 1974-77 six blocks of a perennial ryegrass/white clover sward were each divided into two for rotational paddock-grazing and silage cutting in alternate years. For each use an annual total of 360 kg nitrogen per ha was applied. Six livestock treatments of cattle only or cattle and sheep were grazed on the blocks. The stocking rates per ha and combinations of cattle (yearling steers) and sheep (ewes nursing twin lambs) respectively were low, 7·5 + 0; medium, 10 + 0, 7·5 + 5, and 5+10; and high, 7·5 + 10 and 5 + 15.The annual quantities of herbage organic matter accumulated (6·6 to 7·2 t/ha) and consumed (5·6 to 6·7 t/ha) did not differ markedly according to grazing treatment during an individual year, nor was there an effect on organic matter accumulation in subsequent conservation years (11·3 to 12·0 t/ha). Between-year effects were significant. As judged by persistence of sown species there was no evidence of sward deterioration over the 4 years.Total live-weight gain per ha increased with increasing stocking rate but with a decreasing increment. The ranges were 106 to 1·42 t/ha within treatments, 102 to 1/45 t/ha within years and 0·97 to 1·8t/ha within treatments × years. Individual gains of cattle (0·67 to 0·88 kg/day) and lambs (0·20 to 0·27 kg/day), and the proportion of lambs ready for slaughter (0·53 to 0·97), were lowest at the highest stocking rate. Mixed grazing compared with cattle-only led to improved cattle gains and improved total gains per ha. The benefits of mixed grazing for a species tended to increase as the proportion of that species in the mix decreased.

The influence of formaldehyde application at ensiling and of supplementation with urea or maize starch on the utilization by calves of ryegrass and red clover silages

1983 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. G. Kaiser ◽  
D. F. Osbourn ◽  
P. England
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Formic Acid ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nitrogen Retention ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Formaldehyde Treatment

ABSTRACTPrimary growths of perennial ryegrass and red clover were ensiled with formic acid (2 1/t fresh crop), o an equal quantity of formic acid together with formaldehyde (46 or 49 g/kg crude protein in the ryegrass or red clover respectively). The four silages were offered ad libitum to 12 groups, each of five British Friesian steer calves, either alone or with urea or maize starch supplements at 18·4 or 185·2 g/kg total dry-matter intake respectively.Digestible organic matter and digestible energy intake, live-weight gain, carcass weight, nitrogen retention and all digestibility measurements were higher on the ryegrass silages than on the red clover silages. However, dry-matter intake was higher on the red clover silages.Formaldehyde treatment reduced lactic and total acid content, and protein degradation in the silages. It also increased intake, live-weight gain and nitrogen retention on ryegrass but not on red clover, the effect being greater when the urea supplement was given. Digestibility measurements were depressed by formaldehyde treatment, although cellulose digestibility was only depressed in the ryegrass silage.Supplementation with starch depressed silage intake and nitrogen and cellulose digestibility, but increased dry matter, organic matter and energy digestibilities, digestible organic matter and digestible energy intakes, live-weight gain and carcass weight. The positive intake, live-weight gain and carcass weight responses were greater on the silages treated with formic acid, while the digestibility and the live-weight gain responses were greater on the red clover silages. Starch supplementation did not improve nitrogen retention.The different animal production responses to formaldehyde treatment on the ryegrass and red clover silages are discussed.

The utilization of maize silage for intensive beef production: II. The effect of urea on silage fermentation and on the voluntary intake and performance of young cattle fed maize silage-based diets

1975 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 365-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Thomas ◽  
R. F. Wilson ◽  
R. J. Wilkins ◽  
J. M. Wilkinson
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Butyl Rubber ◽  
Dry Matter Content ◽  
Maize Silage ◽  
Total Acid ◽  
Live Weight Gain

SUMMARYMaize was cut at 22·6, 27·0 and 41·6% dry matter and ensiled in 4 kg quantities in polythene bags without additive or after the addition of urea at 0·5, 1·0, 1·5 and 2·0% of the crop dry-matter content. Silos were opened at intervals up to 96 days. Maize of 23·4% dry-matter content was ensiled in 10 t butyl rubber silos without additive or after the addition of urea at 1·0% or fishmeal at 4·0% of the crop dry-matter content.Silages from the polythene bag silos were all well preserved. pH values increased and total acid content fell with increasing maturity of the crop. Addition of urea had little effect on these values. Only with the most mature crop did ammonia content increase markedly with increasing level of urea addition. All silages from the butyl rubber silos were well preserved with low pH values and similar total acid contents.Silages from the butyl rubber silos were used to measure voluntary, intake live-weight gain and efficiency of utilization of young beef cattle. The diets fed were silage without nitrogen supplement or supplemented with urea or fishmeal, added at ensiling, at feeding or included in a concentrate feed. One third of the total dry-matter intake of all cattle was provided by a pelleted concentrate feed consisting of equal quantities of dried grass and rolled barley.The increase in nitrogen content brought about by the addition of urea or fishmeal did not affect total dry-matter or organic-matter intake but was associated with 25% increase in nitrogen consumed. Live-weight gain on all treatments with added nitrogen was 20% higher than for the unsupplemented silage. This improvement in growth rate was accompanied by significant increases in efficiency of utilization of dietary dry matter and organic matter but efficiency of nitrogen utilization was reduced. The results indicate that neither the source nor site of addition of supplementary nitrogen significantly affect live-weight gain, dry-matter intake, organic-matter intake or utilization of dry matter or organic matter. They also demonstrate that urea can be used effectively to provide supplementary nitrogen to young cattle fed a maize silage-based ration.

The effect of oestradiol-17 β implantation on the response in voluntary intake, live-weight gain and body composition, to fishmeal supplementation of silage offered to growing calves

1987 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Gill ◽  
D. E. Beever ◽  
P. J. Buttery ◽  
P. England ◽  
M. J. Gibb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Energy Utilization ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Gross Efficiency ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Voluntary Intake

SummaryThe effect of oestradiol-17β on the response to fishmeal supplementation of grass silage was studied in young growing cattle. Voluntary intake and live-weight gain were recorded over 63 days with 36 British Friesian male castrates (initial live weight (LW) 119 kg) offered silage alone (C) or with 50 (FM1), 100 (FM2), or 150 (FM3) g fishmeal/kg silage dry matter. Twelve calves were allocated to each of treatments C and FM3 and six to treatments FM1 and FM2. Half of the calves on each treatment were ear-implanted with oestradiol-17β (Compudose 365) at the start of the experiment. The calves on treatments C and FM3 were slaughtered after 75 days and chemical analysis conducted on half of each carcass. The silage had an organic-matter digestibility in vivo of 0·794 and was well-fermented, with a pH of 3·7. Intake averaged 24·2±0·42 g D.M./kg LW over all the treatments and live-weight gain was 0·77 kg/day on the silage alone. There was a significant (P < 0·05) interaction between fishmeal and oestradiol-17β, such that response to the hormone was observed only in the presence of fishmeal at 100 or 150 g/kg silage D.M. A similar interaction was apparent between fishmeal at 150 g/kg silage D.M. and oestradiol-17β in the final weights of empty body and carcass. This level of fishmeal also increased protein gain from 96 to 147 g/day and this was further increased to 179 g/day in the implanted animals receiving fishmeal. However, the overall effect of oestradiol-17β on protein gain was not significant. Gross efficiency of energy utilization was significantly (P < 0·01) increased by fishmeal supplementation suggesting an improved balance of nutrients compared with the silage alone diet.

The production of fattening cattle and extension of autumn grazing following three rates of application of nitrogenous fertilizer to a rye-grass/white clover sward

1960 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Tayler ◽  
J. E. Rudman
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Nitrogenous Fertilizer ◽  
Rye Grass ◽  
Nitrogen Treatments

1. Three levels of a nitrogenous fertilizer, supplying 0,104 and 208 lb. N per acre were applied in 1955 and 1956 to a rye-grass/white clover sward in its fourth and fifth harvest years on a loam soil overlying chalk.2. Levels of animal production were measured using fattening cattle maintained on the plots at a stocking rate of 1⅓ per acre: excess herbage was conserved and fed back to them later.3. Low rainfall in 1955 seriously affected yields of herbage and response to fertilizer, and severely reduced the clover content in all treatments.4. Rate of live-weight gain per head was not reduced by the application of fertilizer at either level. Vigour of the sward was maintained by fertilizer application in a dry spring period in 1956, whereas, in the control treatment, which was low in clover, gains per head were markedly reduced because of inadequate dry-matter production.5. By applying two-thirds of the fertilizer in late summer, a considerable extension of grazing time was obtained, particularly when rainfall was adequate. At the highest level of fertilizer application in 1956 the grazing season was extended from 6 months to 7½, and the cattle continued on conserved feed to a total of 8½ months. Response to the medium and high levels of application on grazed herbage only was 12 and 15 bullock-days per acre, respectively, in 1955. In 1956 the response was 46, and 67/59 (the two high nitrogen treatments). In terms of total live-weight gain per acre the response in 1955 to medium and high levels was 23 and 32% above control, up to 427 lb. per acre: in 1956 it rose to 51 and 52/55% with the highest treatment reaching 657 lb. per acre. Greater financial returns than are indicated by live-weight gain should result from the rising price per pound of carcass as the supply of fresh beef dwindles in early winter.6. Carcass data indicated that both greater rate of gain and the extra time spent on fertilized herbage and conserved feed increased carcass weight and maturity in the normal pattern of development, fat most rapidly, muscle next and bone least. No significant differences in conformation due to treatment was detected by analysis of grouped joints.

Estimates of the energy required for maintenance by adult sheep 1. Housed sheep

1963 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Langlands ◽  
J. L. Corbett ◽  
I. McDonald ◽  
J. D. Pullar
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Functional Relationship ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Heat Emission ◽  
Daily Weight Gain ◽  
Direct Calorimetry ◽  
Adult Sheep ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
The Mean

SUMMARYEight adult ewes were fasted for 114 hr. During the last 48 hr. the heat emission of each sheep was measured by direct calorimetry and was found to be 35·2 kcal./kg.0·87/24 hr., that is, 973 kcal./24 hr. for a sheep of 45·4 kg. (100 lb.) live-weight. From this value it is estimated that the 100 lb. sheep would require daily 0·79 lb. digestible organic matter (DOM) from pasture herbage for maintenance.In a second experiment, 49 adult sheep were kept indoors and fed on fresh herbage for a period of 72 days. Measurements were made of the mean daily DOM intake (D), mean live-weight (W) and mean daily weight gain (G) of each sheep. The regression of D on Wk and G, and the underlying or functional relationship between D, Wk and G were both estimated for k = 0·73 and k = 1·0. From the underlying relationships, the preferred equations, the maintenance requirement of a 100 lb. sheep was estimated to be 0·82 lb. DOM daily. This value and those calculated for other live-weights are approximately two-thirds of the corresponding values given in ‘Rations for Livestock’ (Evans, 1960).

The effects of method of processing on the intake and digestibility by lambs of dried perennial rye-grass and tall fescue

1974 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Tetlow ◽  
R. J. Wilkins
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Live Weight Gain

SUMMARYCobs and pellets which differed in particle size (modulus of fineness, MF) were prepared from dried perennial ryegrass and tall fescue and given to sheep. The MF values of the feeds were 2·45,1·09,0·81 and 0·74 for perennial ryegrass and 2·28,0·84,0·67 and 0·57 for tall fescue. Organic matter digestibility was similar for the two grass species when measured in vivo, but when measured in vitro values for perennial ryegrass were about 3 units higher than those for tall fescue. Voluntary intake and live-weight gain were higher for sheep given tall fescue, the difference in live-weight gain being just significant at P < 0·05. The response to change in particle size was similar for the two grass species. Intake was lowest and digestibility highest for the feeds with the highest MF, but differences between the three finely-ground forms of each species were not significant. There was a tendency for the intake of digestible organic matter to be lower for the feeds with lowest MF than for those with intermediate values for MF. The rate of passage of undigested particles was slower for cobs with the highest MF than for the other feeds, which did not differ significantly one from another.

Impact of grazing intensity on herbage quality, feed intake and live weight gain of sheep grazing on the steppe of Inner Mongolia

2013 ◽  
Vol 152 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. MÜLLER ◽  
U. DICKHOEFER ◽  
L. LIN ◽  
T. GLINDEMANN ◽  
C. WANG ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Inner Mongolia ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Live Weight Gain

SUMMARYThe grassland steppe of Inner Mongolia is traditionally used for sheep grazing. However, overgrazing reduced vegetation cover in winter, thereby increasing soil erosion and consequently, degradation of the steppe vegetation. Grazing intensity (GI) is still the most important factor in pasture management. Hence, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of GI on grassland and sheep performance. A grazing experiment was conducted from July until September in 2005, 2006 and 2007 in which six different GI ranging from very light (GI 1), light (GI 2), light-moderate (GI 3), moderate (GI 4) and heavy (GI 5) to very heavy (GI 6) were tested. Each GI treatment comprised two adjacent plots that were alternately used for grazing or hay-making each year. Variables measured included herbage mass (HM) and chemical composition, digestibility of ingested organic matter (dOM), organic matter intake (OMI) and live weight gain (LWG) of sheep. The HM decreased significantly with increasing GI from 1·01 t (GI 1) to 0·45 t dry matter (DM)/ha (GI 6). There were only minor effects of GI on chemical composition and digestibility of standing herbage. Moreover, dOM, OMI and hence, digestible OMI did not differ between GI. Across all study years, LWG of sheep was not influenced by GI so that LWG per hectare increased with increasing GI, reaching a maximum of 730 g/d at GI 6 compared with 181 g/d at GI 1. However, a strong decrease in LWG per sheep with increasing stocking rate was found in 2005 when annual rainfall was less than half of the long-term average, resulting in a similar LWG per hectare across the range of tested stocking rates. The results therefore show that intensive grazing does not reduce growth of individual animals in most years, but increases LWG per unit of land area and thus, income of farmers. The alternating use of pastures for grazing or hay-making might have mitigated the negative effects of heavy grazing on herbage and animal performance. Nevertheless, high GI may negatively affect grassland productivity in the long term and the lack of HM on offer on heavy grazed pastures in dry years will require supplement feeding at the end of the vegetation period or the untimely sale of animals.

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