Tedera proves its value as a summer and autumn feed for sheep in Mediterranean-like climates

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (12) ◽  
pp. 2269 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Real ◽  
C. M. Oldham ◽  
A. van Burgel ◽  
E. Dobbe ◽  
J. Hardy
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
The Third ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Sheep Production

Tedera (Bituminaria bituminosa C.H Stirt. vars. albomarginata and crassiuscula) is a traditional forage species for goats in the Canary Islands, Spain. It has agronomic characteristics ideally suited to Mediterranean-like climates that allows it to provide high quality green forage for grazing animals during summer and autumn. It can be used to extend the growing season into late spring and early summer and/or to reduce or eliminate the need for expensive hand feeding of grain and hay to sheep to fill the ‘feed gap’ during the dry season in southern Australian farming systems. Three sheep grazing experiments were carried out with the objective to evaluate sheep production during summer and autumn with tedera as the sole diet. A 3-ha site at Dandaragan, Western Australia was grazed during the summer and autumn of 2014–2015 and 2016 and a 2.4-ha site was grazed at Kojonup, Western Australia during the same period in 2016. At each site, two grazing treatments were evaluated, continuous grazing and rotational grazing with six plots (14 days of grazing and 70 days of recovery). The first hypothesis tested was that tedera plants would not survive continuous grazing during summer and autumn. The second hypothesis tested was that without hand feeding, 10 dry sheep equivalents/ha would be able to at least maintain weight and condition score during summer and autumn. The third hypothesis tested was that rotational grazing would improve the production of the sheep (liveweight and condition score) compared with continuous grazing. The first hypothesis was rejected, the population of tedera plants did not significantly decline due to being continuously grazed during summer and autumn. The second hypothesis was confirmed, at the three experimental sites, 10 dry sheep equivalents/ha were able to at least maintain weight and condition score without any hand feeding. The third hypothesis was partially rejected; continuous grazing had a better performance of the sheep than rotational grazing. However, the rotational grazing plots had more tedera on offer in the remaining grazing plots in the rotation with the potential for a longer grazing time. These three experiments clearly demonstrate that tedera can be used to reduce or eliminate expensive hand feeding during summer and autumn using the simplest and least expensive grazing management; continuous grazing.

scholarly journals Determination of management and topographic influences on the balance between resident and ‘Grasslands Huia’ white clover (Trifolium repens) in an upland pasture using isozyme analysis

2000 ◽  
Vol 134 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. HOPKINS ◽  
M. G. LAMBERT ◽  
D. J. BARKER ◽  
D. A. COSTALL ◽  
P. M. SANDERS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Trifolium Repens ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Affected Area ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Upland Pasture

An investigation was made during 1988 to test the hypothesis that ‘Grasslands Huia’ white clover (Trifolium repens L.) could be eliminated under close sheep grazing. The effects of grazing management, topography and fertilizer on the contribution of Huia plants to the white clover population in an 85 ha experimental upland pasture ecosystem in the southern North Island, New Zealand (lat. 40° 20′ S, long. 175° 50′ E, 125–350 m altitude) were quantified 11 years after oversowing. Replicated sampling sites (108 in total) were located on nine combinations of slope and aspect within grazing management treatments comprising rotational grazing with cattle (RC), rotational grazing with sheep (RS) and continuous grazing with sheep (CS), with high and low fertilizer treatments in each case. White clover occurrence, leaf area, phosphoglucoisomerase-2 (PGI-2) allele frequencies and the proportion of Grasslands Huia plants in the white clover population were determined at each site. White clover frequency was lower on steeper slopes. Aspect, slope and grazing management affected area of individual clover leaves. The proportion of Huia plants in the white clover population averaged 54·9, 49·0 and 33·6% for RC, RS and CS, respectively (P < 0·039, 5 D.F.). Fertilizer and topography did not affect the proportion of Huia. It was concluded that although Huia did persist after 11 years of close sheep grazing, its contribution to the total white clover population was unsatisfactory in some cases, and use of better adapted cultivars is suggested.

The inter-relationships of grazing method and stocking rate in the efficiency of pasture utilization by dairy cattle

1963 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. P. McMeekan ◽  
M. J. Walshe
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Vanishing Point ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Stocking Rates

1. A large-scale grazing management study comparing rotational grazing and continuous grazing with dairy cows at two stocking rates over four complete production seasons is described.2. The four treatments were: (i) controlled grazing, light stocking rate; (ii) controlled grazing, heavy stocking rate; (iii) uncontrolled grazing, light stocking rate; (iv) uncontrolled grazing, heavy stocking rate.Each treatment involved 40 cows for a first 2-year phase and 42 cows for the following 2 years. Each herd had a normal age distribution pattern and seven 2-year-old first lactation heifers (17% of total herd) were introduced each year to maintain this pattern.3. Stocking rate was the more important factor affecting the efficiency of pasture utilization as measured by per acre output of milk and butterfat. In general, high stocking was associated with higher outputs per acre despite lower yields per animal.4. Grazing method was of less importance. In general, controlled rotational grazing was superior to uncontrolled continuous grazing, both per animal and per acre, but the average influence even of these extremes of management was only half that of stocking rate.5. Significant interactions between stocking rate and grazing method existed. Under continuous grazing a point was reached where production per acre declined to the vanishing point with increased stocking rate due to excessive depression of per cow yield: this point was not reached under rotational grazing at the same high stocking levels.6. The results suggest that optimum stocking rate under rotational grazing occurs at a level some 5–10% higher than under continuous grazing. A depression of 10–12% in per cow yield, compared with more lenient grazing, corresponds with optimum stocking level irrespective of the grazing system. This estimate is suggested as a guide line in applying the principles involved.

Influence of end-grazing forage residual and grazing management on lamb growth performance and crop yield from irrigated dual-purpose winter wheat

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 508 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. Miller ◽  
G. J. Dean ◽  
P. D. Ball
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Stem Elongation ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Lamb Growth

The effects of end-grazing forage residual and continuous v. rotational grazing systems on prime lamb performance, grain yield and quality were examined in an irrigated dual-purpose winter wheat (cv. Mackellar) crop in Tasmania. The design was a two end-grazing residual (400 and 800 kg/ha of dry matter (DM) at Zadoks Growth Stage 30, Low and High respectively, 0.2 ha plots) × two grazing system (continuously, or rotationally grazed in four subplots) factorial, replicated three times. Mixed-sex, second-cross lambs [37 kg liveweight (LW), 2.5 body condition score, 45 kg DM/head initial feed allowance] grazed for a total of 46 days before removal. Initial feed availability was 1875 kg DM/ha, with final residuals of 520 ± 57 and 940 ± 70 kg DM/ha for the Low and High treatments respectively. Particularly for the Low residual, in vitro DM digestibility and crude protein at stem elongation were reduced (P < 0.05) by rotational compared with continuous grazing. The weekly lamb growth rate (g/day) during the first 5 weeks of grazing was linearly related to average weekly available DM in kg/ha (GR = 0.35 ± 0.041 × DM – 194 ± 49.0, P < 0.01, R2 = 0.56). Total LW produced (336 ± 11.7 kg/ha), and grain yield (6.9 ± 0.21 t/ha), protein (11.4%), screenings <2.2 mm (10.9%) and 100 grain weights (3.82 g DM) were not different between treatments. There were no advantages of rotational grazing compared with continuous grazing. Irrigated dual-purpose winter wheat can be continuously grazed by lambs up to a 500 kg DM/ha residual at stem elongation without compromising total LW produced, grain yields or grain quality.

The influence of grazing frequency and intensity on the vigour of Lolium perenne L. under subtropical conditions

1996 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 975 ◽  
Author(s):  
FR McKenzie
Keyword(s):  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Lolium Perenne L ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Second Year

Lolium perenne L. (perennial ryegrass) exhibits poor persistence in subtropical environments. Grazing management may enhance the vigour and hence persistence of this species. Perennial ryegrass was subjected to various grazing treatments, and its vigour, indexed by etiolated growth, was evaluated over 2 years. Pasture and individual tiller vigour were monitored under 5 combinations of grazing frequency and intensity, applied rotationally, and 1 treatment of continuous grazing. The vigour of infrequently grazed plots was greater than that of frequently or continuously grazed plots; however, grazing intensity did not influence vigour. Seasonally, vigour declined during mid (December and .January) to late (February and March) summer of the establishment year and from early summer (October) to autumn (May) during the second year. Poor vigour in frequently grazed plots was associated with low growth reserves rather than a lack of active tiller growth points. Towards the end of the second year, however, a lack of active tiller growth points also limited vigour in frequently grazed plots. Tillers from infrequently grazed plots (regardless of grazing intensity) had greater vigour than tillers from the frequently grazed plots. To enhance the vigour of perennial ryegrass in subtropical environments, the frequency of grazing should be reduced, particularly in summer.

scholarly journals Management of lucerne in the cool season

1990 ◽  
pp. 41-43
Author(s):  
J.G.H. White ◽  
W.J. Lucas
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Root Reserves ◽  
Medicago Sativa L

The performance of dormant and winter-active lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars was compared under sheep grazing in 2 experiments during the cool season. The objectives were to define the cool season management required for winter active cultivars in sheep farming systems. The 'winter-active cultivars Matador and Rere yielded 1760 and 1220 kg DM/ha compared with 890 and 760 kg from Wairau and Saranac respectively in mid-winter, while the reverse occurred in spring when dormant cultivars yielded 50% more than the winter active. This was related to differing levels of non-structural carbohydrates in roots, which had declined to insignificant levels in Rere and Matador by early spring. June grazing increased spring yields of Wairau by 35% due to control of overwintering aphids, but reduced yield of Rere by 25% due to effects on root reserves. Early September grazing greatly - reduced subsequent lucerne yields at late October and early December grazings, and increased the content of weeds. Our findings show that if farmers graze winter-active lucerne with sheep in winter the advantage in production disappears in spring. Cool-season management which combines the use of dormant and winter-active lucernes is discussed. Keywords winter-active lucerne, dormant lucerne, cool-season grazing, root reserves, lucerne grazing management

WHITE CLOVER OPTIONS FOR SHEEPFARMING IN SOUTHERN REGIONS OF NEW ZEALAND

1989 ◽  
pp. 175-179
Author(s):  
D.L. Ryan
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Trifolium Repens ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Rotational Grazing

Four white clover cultivars 'Grasslands tluia', 'Grasslands Tahora', 'Grasslands Kopu' and 'Grasslands Pit& were evaluated at Grasslands Division, Gore, for 4 years, under 2 grazing managements. Year round rotational grazing was compared with rotational grazing incorporating a 1 P-week period of set stocking during spring. Huia was the best cultivar under both grazing managements. Tahora yields were comparable with those of Huia in spring and summer, and ryegrass yields were best in Tahora wards. The larger leaved and less stoloniferous Kopu and Pitau were not suited to the climatic conditions or the mtensive sheep grazing practices of the region. Keywords: Trifolium repens, Huia, Tahora, Pitau. KOPU, grazing management, stolon morphology, persistence, sheepfarming

Tolerance of Australian lucerne (Medicago sativa) germplasm to grazing by sheep

2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. 1263 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. W. Humphries ◽  
E. T. Kobelt ◽  
W. D. Bellotti ◽  
G. C. Auricht
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Superior Performance ◽  
Tolerance Index ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Grazing Tolerance ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Plant Frequency

The sheep grazing tolerance of a diverse range of lucerne germplasm (Medicago sativa subspp. sativa, falcata and caerulea) was investigated at Roseworthy in South Australia. Lucerne entries were established on a sandy loam soil in 1998 and managed with rotational grazing management for the first 12 months. Continuous grazing by sheep in the following year reduced the plant density of each entry as measured by plant frequency estimates by 2–98%. Lucerne was allowed to recover, then grazed continuously for another 12 months. There was great diversity in tolerance to sheep grazing among the entries tested, with final plant frequency ranging from 0–13% for highly winter-active entries, 7–23% (at least 7–23 plants/m2) for winter-active entries and 11–40% for winter dormant entries. A grazing tolerance index of commercial cultivars was determined by comparing their plant frequency decline under continuous grazing to that under rotational grazing in an adjacent experiment. Australian-bred highly winter-active cultivars displayed a greater level of tolerance than those developed overseas. The superior performance of several breeders’ lines in the continuously grazed trial indicates there is further scope for improvement with selection and breeding.

Effects of sheep grazing management on cocksfoot herbage mass and persistence in temperate environments

2000 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 185 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. Avery ◽  
D. L. Michalk ◽  
R. P. Thompson ◽  
P. Ball ◽  
T. Prance ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Linear Time ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Commercial Farms

Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) is among the most important perennial grass species sown in temperate Australia. Newly sown cocksfoot pastures were established on 5 commercial farms (sites), in the temperate high-rainfall (>600 mm annual rainfall) zone of eastern Australia. Experiments were located on these commercial farms, and were measured from September 1993 to August 1996, to compare the effect of seasonal sheep grazing management strategies with continuous grazing (control treatment) on cocksfoot herbage mass and plant frequencies. Each experiment had 8 common grazing treatments and up to 5 local treatments, with 2 replicates and 2 years of start for treatments. Cocksfoot herbage mass under continuous grazing declined at 2 sites, remained stable at 2 sites and increased at 1 site. No single grazing strategy had a significant linear (time) effect on cocksfoot herbage mass across sites and at the completion of monitoring in 1996 there were few treatments with a significant increase in fitted values for cocksfoot herbage mass compared to the continuously grazed control. Under moderate grazing pressure (8–10 dry sheep equivalents) cocksfoot pastures appeared to be relatively stable and unresponsive to grazing management and therefore continuous grazing seems to be appropriate. High grazing pressure in summer (herbage mass below 1000 kg/ha) can reduce cocksfoot persistence and in drought stock should be removed from cocksfoot pastures. Summer seasonal closure increased cocksfoot frequency at all sites, except Four Mile Creek and Dundee. These studies have shown it is possible to improve cocksfoot herbage mass through the implementation of strategic grazing practices, particularly over summer and early autumn.

Pastoral Development and Research in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia.

1980 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 115 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Suijdendorp
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Fire Regime ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Vegetation Changes ◽  
Market Forces ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Subsequent Research ◽  
Pastoral Development ◽  
Domestic Livestock ◽  
Rangeland Condition

This article describes the pastoral development in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, first for sheep grazing and more recently for cattle. Vegetation changes due to the grazing regime and to a changed fire regime were profound. In coastal lands these vegetation changes are non-reversible but inland the disclimax rangeland has responded to a cycle of summer fires and grazing defer ments. This research on grazing management has led to more nutritious pastures and subsequent research on sheep management has led to enhanced reproduction. However, market forces have worked to claim the increase in rangeland productivity for cattle. The interaction between domestic livestock, rangeland condition and certain of the native fauna is discussed.

scholarly journals Climate Effects on Tallgrass Prairie Responses to Continuous and Rotational Grazing

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuting Zhou ◽  
Prasanna H. Gowda ◽  
Pradeep Wagle ◽  
Shengfang Ma ◽  
James P. S. Neel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tallgrass Prairie ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
The United States ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Grazing Systems

Cattle grazing is an important economic activity in the tallgrass prairie systems in the Great Plains of the United States. Tallgrass prairie may respond differently to grazing management (e.g., high and low grazing intensity) under variable climate conditions. This study investigated the responses of two replicated (rep a and rep b) tallgrass prairie systems to continuous (C) and rotational (R) grazing under different climate conditions over a decade (2008–2017). The enhanced vegetation index (EVI) and gross primary productivity (GPP) were compared between grazing systems (C vs. R), while EVI was compared among paddocks under rotational grazing to show the impacts of time since grazing. The average EVI in rep a was usually higher than that in rep b which could be explained by different land characteristics (e.g., soil types) associated with different landscape positions. Similar to EVI, GPP was usually higher in rep a than rep b. The average growing season EVI and GPP were higher in rotational grazing than continuous grazing in rep b but not in rep a. The average EVI of paddocks in rotational grazing systems only converged in the growing season-long drought year (2011). In other years, EVI values varied from year to year and no paddock consistently outperformed others. The variations in EVI among rotational grazing paddocks in both reps were relatively small, indicating that rotational grazing generated an even grazing pressure on vegetation at annual scale. Overall, climate and inherent pasture conditions were the major drivers of plant productivity. However, the stocking rate in continuous grazing systems were reduced over years because of deteriorating pasture conditions. Thus, the results indirectly indicate that rotational grazing improved grassland productivity and had higher stocking capacity than continuous grazing systems under variable climate conditions. Adaptive grazing management (adjustment in stocking rates and season of use to adapt to changing climatic conditions) instead of a fixed management system might be better for farmers to cooperate with changing climatic conditions.

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