scholarly journals Productivity and profitability of forage options for beef production in the subtropics of northern Australia

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 332 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. K. Bowen ◽  
F. Chudleigh ◽  
S. Buck ◽  
K. Hopkins
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Lablab Purpureus ◽  
Sale Price ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
C4 Grass ◽  
Butterfly Pea ◽  
Perennial Legume ◽  
Gross Margins

This study measured forage biomass production, diet quality, cattle liveweight gain, and economic performance of six forage types at 21 sites across 12 commercial beef cattle properties in the Fitzroy River catchment of Queensland during 2011–2014 (28 annual datasets in total). The forages were annual forage crops (oats (Avena sativa), sorghum (Sorghum spp.) and lablab (Lablab purpureus)), sown perennial legume-grass pastures (leucaena-grass (Leucaena leucocephala spp. glabrata + perennial, tropical grass (C4) species) and butterfly pea-grass (Clitoria ternatea + perennial, C4, grass species)), and perennial, C4, grass pastures. The sown forages resulted in 1.2–2.6 times the annual cattle liveweight gain per ha than perennial grass pastures. Annual cattle liveweight gain per ha, forage establishment and management costs, and cattle price margin (sale price less purchase price, $/kg liveweight) all influenced gross margin, however, none was an overriding factor. The average gross margins ($/ha.annum) calculated using contractor rates, ranked from highest to lowest, were: leucaena-grass pastures, 181; butterfly pea-grass pastures, 140; oats, 102; perennial grass, 96; sorghum, 24; and lablab, 18. It was concluded that the tendency towards greater average gross margins for perennial legume-grass pastures than for annual forage crops or perennial grass pastures was the result of the combined effects of lower average forage costs and high cattle productivity.

Root biomass and shoot to root ratios of perennial forage crops in eastern Canada

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 731-737 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Bolinder ◽  
D. A. Angers ◽  
G. Bélanger ◽  
R. Michaud ◽  
M. R. Laverdière
Keyword(s):  
Root Biomass ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Peak Standing Crop ◽  
Perennial Legume

Shoot to root ratios (S:R) at peak standing crop are commonly used to estimate the annual crop residue C inputs to the soil from the root biomass left in the soil at harvest. However, root biomass has often been neglected in field studies and estimates of S:R for many commonly grown forage species are not available. Our objective was to determine root biomass and S:R of seven perennial grass species and two perennial legume species under eastern Canadian soil and climatic conditions. Root biomass in three soil layers (0–15, 15–30 and 30–45 cm) was measured shortly after the second harvest in the first (1995) and second (1996) year of production. Two harvests of aboveground DM were taken each year. The total root biomass (0–45 cm) in the second year of production (average of 1437 g m-2) was twice that measured in the first year of production (average of 683 g m-2). This temporal variation was mainly explained by the increase of root biomass in the 0- to 15-cm layer. The proportion of total root biomass (0–45 cm) in the 0- to 15-cm layer increased from 54 to 71% while that in the 15- to 30-cm layer decreased from 37 to 21%; the proportion of roots in the 30- to 45-cm layer remained constant at about 10% in both years. The S:R of alfalfa for the 0- to 15-cm depth was significantly higher than that for most of the grasses. No significant difference in S:R was observed among grass species. Recognizing that S:R may vary with locations and climatic conditions, our results suggest that average S:R of about 1.30 (values ranged from 1.01 to 1.72) in the first production year and 0.60 (values ranged from 0.43 to 0.87) in the second production year could be used as a first approximation to estimate the amount of root biomass left in the soil to a depth of 45 cm from forage crops in eastern Canada. The S:R of forage crops, particularly grasses, were lower than those of annual crops such as small-grain cereals and corn. Key words: Forage, annual C inputs, soil organic matter, root biomass, shoot to root ratios

scholarly journals The search for alternative temperate perennial pasture species for low to medium rainfall environments in Tasmania

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 275-279
Author(s):  
E.J. Hall ◽  
R. Reid ◽  
B. Clark ◽  
R. Dent
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Cool Temperate ◽  
Perennial Legume ◽  
Perennial Legumes ◽  
Pasture Plants

In response to the need to find better adapted and more persistent perennial pasture plants for the dryland pastures in the cool-temperate low to medium rainfall (500-700 mm) regions, over 1000 accessions representing 24 species of perennial legumes and 64 species of perennial grasses, were introduced, characterised and evaluated for production and persistence under sheep grazing at sites throughout Tasmania. The work has identified four alternative legume species in Talish Clover (Trifolium tumens). Caucasian Clover (T. ambiguum), Stoloniferous Red Clover (T. pratense var. stoloniferum), Lucerne x Yellow Lucerne Hybrid (Medicago sativa x M.sativa subsp. falcata); and two grass species in Coloured Brome (Bromus coloratus) and Hispanic Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata var hispanica). Keywords: persistence, perennial grass, perennial legume

Effect of conserving pasture as silage on the productivity and profitability of grazing steers

1989 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 343
Author(s):  
KD Greathead ◽  
DJ Barker ◽  
R McTaggart ◽  
F Scott
Keyword(s):  
Interest Rates ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Sale Price ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Poor Growth ◽  
Low Weight ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Gross Margins ◽  
Stocking Rates

The productivity and economics of annual land use systems were evaluated by studying beef steers, continuous grazing and spring feed conserved as silage. One treatment measured the production of steers grazing annual pasture continuously from weaning in December until slaughter 12 months later. In the other treatment, cattle grazed similar pasture from December until slaughter in July at 15 months of age but in autumn were fed silage made from the spring growth on the same area. There were 2 stocking rates (0.4 and 0.5 ha per steer) and 2 replicates of the 4 treatments; the experiment ran continuously for 3 years. In all years the pasture only system cost less and produced, on average, 100 kg more carcass per ha than did the silage system and at current values was more profitable. Only when autumn pasture growth was greater than normal did the profitability of the silage system approach the pasture only system. In both biological and economic terms the pasture only system was less variable than the silage system because of the buffering effect of consistently abundant spring pastures. In years of poor growth of pasture in autumn, the silage treatment did not achieve the objective of producing premium carcasses in July, owing to their low weight and fatness. There were wide variations among years in patterns of pasture growth, and hence gross margins. Gross margin analyses were most sensitive to changes in sale price of cattle and then to changes in the cost of making and feeding silage; they were least sensitive to interest rates.

Farmers’ preference for improved grasses and legume forage species in six mixed farming system districts of southern region of Ethiopia

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-27
Author(s):  
Mergia Abera ◽  
Tekleyohannes Berhanu
Keyword(s):  
Vigna Unguiculata ◽  
Vegetative Growth ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Elephant Grass ◽  
Lablab Purpureus ◽  
Forage Legumes ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Forage Species ◽  
Herbage Yield ◽  
Chloris Gayana

Participatory on-farm evaluation of improved forage crops was conducted in six mixed farming system districts of Southern Ethiopia with the objective to identify farmers preferred forage crops (legumes and grasses). Two annual forage legumes (Vigna unguiculata L. (cow pea) and Lablab purpureus (L.), two perennial legumes (Medicago sativa (L.) (alfalfa) and Desmodium intortum (Mill.) Urb. (green-leaf)), and three perennial grasses (Chloris gayana Knuth (Rhodes grass) and two Pennisetum purpureum Schumach (elephant grass) accessions (No.16800 and 16798)) were evaluated in the study. The major farmers’ criteria considered in the evaluation of forage species were vegetative growth, herbage yield, tillering, protection of soil erosion, palatability, perfor- mance under dry weather conditions, performance in marginal area under low input management, multipurpose use (conservation and soil fertility) and fast growing condition. The study showed that elephant grass accession No. 16798, 16800 and Chloris gayana adapted well and farmers preferred them for their higher herbage yield, vegetative growth, tillering ability and drought resistance. Even though the annual forage legumes Lablab purpureus and Vigna unguiculata were superior in their forage yield, the farmers preferred the perennial forage legumes (Desmodium intortum and Medicago sativa) mainly for their performance under dry weather condi- tion due to their longer growth period. Therefore, the consideration of farmers’ preference for forage crops is crucial for increased adoption of improved forage crops in the region.

Hymenachne acutigluma (Steud.) Gilliland in GBS 20:314 - An exceptionally important perennial grass for anatomy and indigenous practice.

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (04) ◽  
pp. 4958
Author(s):  
Dulal De
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Secondary Growth ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Stem Anatomy

Hymenachne acutigluma (Steud.) Gilliland, a robust rhizomatous perennial grass spreads on moist and swampy land and also floating in water. Being a grass species, they do not have any cambium for secondary growth. A peculiarity in stem anatomy especially the spongy pith of secondary tissues found in absence of the cambium. The origin and development of the parenchymatous pith tissues has been investigated in the present study. Economically this spongy pith is of very much potent for its high absorbing and filtering capacity and also used as a good fodder.

The germinable soil seedbank of Eucalyptus victrix grassy woodlands at Roy Hill station, Pilbara district, Western Australia

2004 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Graham ◽  
S. K. Florentine ◽  
J. E. D. Fox ◽  
T. M. Luong
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Surface Areas ◽  
Hill Station ◽  
Soil Seedbank ◽  
Germinable Seed

The paper reports soil seedbank species composition, of Eucalyptus victrix grassy woodlands, of the upper Fortescue River in the Pilbara District, Western Australia. In this study, our objectives were to investigate germinable soil seedbanks and species composition in response to three simulated seasons, using emergence. Variation in seed density from three depths was tested. Four field sites were sampled. Thirty samples were collected in late spring, after seed rain and before summer rainfall. From each sample spot, three soil depths (surface, 1–5, and 6–10 cm) were segregated from beneath surface areas of 100 cm2. Samples were later incubated in a glasshouse to simulate three different seasonal conditions (autumn, winter and spring). Germinating seedlings were recorded on emergence and grown until identified. Forty-one species germinated, comprising 11 grasses (7 annuals and 4 perennials), 25 annual herbs and 5 perennial herbs. Distribution patterns of germinable seed in both the important annual grass Eragrostis japonica and the perennial Eragrostis setifolia (a preferred cattle fodder species), suggest that seedbank accumulation differs among species and between sites. In part, this may be associated with the absence of grazing. Species with most total germinable seed were E. japonica (Poaceae; 603/m2), and the annual herbs Calotis multicaulis (Asteraceae; 346/m2), and Mimulus gracilis (Scrophulariaceae; 168/m2). Perennial grass seed was sparse. Spring simulation gave most germination (1059), followed by autumn (892) and winter (376) sets. Greatest species diversity was produced from the spring simulation (33 species), followed by autumn (26), and winter (22). Of the total germination, 92% came from 17 species that were represented in all three simulations. Of the 1227 grass seedlings counted, most were recruited from the surface soil (735), followed by the 5 (310) and 10 (182) cm depths. Marginally more grass seedlings germinated from the spring simulation (558) than the autumn set (523). Only 11.9% of grass germinants came from the winter simulation. All grass species recruited from the soil seedbanks had a C4 photosynthetic pathway. Except for Cenchrus ciliaris all grass species are native to Australia. Of the four sites sampled, one fenced to exclude cattle five years earlier had significantly more germination than the three unfenced sites. Seedbank sampling produced several new records for plants in the areas sampled.

scholarly journals Economic analysis of smallholder maize farmers: implications for public extension services in Eastern Cape

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
I. K. Agbugba ◽  
M. Christian ◽  
A. Obi
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Sampling Procedure ◽  
Land Acquisition ◽  
Smallholder Farmer ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Profitability Analysis ◽  
Household Heads ◽  
Multistage Sampling ◽  
Gross Margins

ABSTRACT This study sought to determine the economics of maize farmers in Amatole District, Eastern Cape. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select hundred and nine (109) smallholder farmers (homestead and irrigators). Descriptive statistics and gross margin analysis were used to determine the economics and profitability of maize in the study area. Findings indicated that majority (66 per cent) of them were men with an average age of 61 years old, majority (69 per cent) were married, with mean household size of 4 persons and household heads having some primary education. Moreover, majority (76 per cent) of the farmers depended on irrigation technology; majority (33 per cent) of the famers spent between 9 and 11 years of experience in farming; majority (89 per cent) of the respondents in the study area were dependent on farming as their major occupation and livelihood. Pertaining to land acquisition, majority (48%) of the farmers believed that the traditional or community leaders set rules and regulations regarding land acquisition. From the profitability analysis, smallholder farmer irrigators generated significantly higher yield, total revenues and gross margins more than the homestead gardeners at 5, 10 and 5 per cent levels, respectively. Moreover, homestead gardeners spent more money in purchase of inputs and this may have contributed to their low gross margins. On the other hand, smallholder-farmer irrigators who incur less input costs have higher chances of benefiting from price discounts and transport offer by input suppliers than the homestead gardeners. This results in smallholder farmer irrigators wielding more profits, thereby creating more income and wealth which is pivotal in the improvement of farmers' livelihoods. Keywords: Economics, profitability, Maize farmers, Extension service, Eastern Cape.

scholarly journals Growth and Physiological Traits Associated with Drought Survival and Post-drought Recovery in Perennial Turfgrass Species

2010 ◽  
Vol 135 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Chai ◽  
Fang Jin ◽  
Emily Merewitz ◽  
Bingru Huang
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Drought Stress ◽  
Osmotic Adjustment ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Physiological Traits ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Cell Wall Elasticity ◽  
Drought Recovery ◽  
Drought Survival

The objective of this study was to determine physiological traits for drought survival and post-drought recovery upon re-watering in two C3 perennial grass species, kentucky bluegrass [KBG (Poa pratensis)] and perennial ryegrass [PRG (Lolium perenne)]. Plants were maintained well watered or exposed to drought stress by withholding irrigation and were then re-watered in a growth chamber. KBG had significantly higher grass quality and leaf photochemical efficiency, and lower electrolyte leakage than PRG during 20 days of drought. After 7 days of re-watering, drought-damaged leaves were rehydrated to the control level in KBG, but could not fully recover in PRG. KBG produced a greater number of new roots, while PRG had more rapid elongation of new roots after 16 days of re-watering. Superior drought tolerance in KBG was associated with osmotic adjustment, higher cell wall elasticity, and lower relative water content at zero turgor. Osmotic adjustment, cell wall elasticity, and cell membrane stability could play important roles in leaf desiccation tolerance and drought survival in perennial grass species. In addition, post-drought recovery of leaf hydration level and physiological activity could be associated with the accumulation of carbohydrates in leaves and rhizomes during drought stress and new root production after re-watering.

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