The analysis of reproductive records with use of labelled sequences and its application to a grazing experiment

1975 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 665 ◽  
Author(s):  
WT Williams ◽  
LA Edye
Keyword(s):  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Reproductive State ◽  
Fertilizer Rate ◽  
Dissimilarity Matrix ◽  
Grazing Experiment ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Dry Tropics ◽  
Ordination Techniques ◽  
Townsville Stylo ◽  
Stocking Rates

A new method is described for analysing sequential results from animals in a reproductive situation. The elements of each sequence are labelled according to whether the animal is pregnant or not, and lactating or not; the resulting labelled sequences are used for analysis, and animals are compared only when they are in the same state at the same time. It is suggested that such a method obviates the necessity for correcting for the weight of the foetus, and thus enables animals which are not in exact reproductive synchrony to be directly compared. The method involves the computation of a dissimilarity matrix, which can be subjected to classificatory or ordination techniques and subsequent statistical analyses. The method is applied to a grazing experiment in the dry tropics, and is shown to produce novel and informative results. The fertility and seasonal changes in liveweight of cows grazing a Townsville stylo-spear grass pasture were examined over 32 months. There were four randomized blocks of six treatments, which were factorial combinations of two stocking rates and three rates of superphosphate. Superphosphate significantly affected fertility and liveweight, and the highest fertility was obtained at the intermediate fertilizer rate. Stocking rate affected liveweights only. There were greater liveweight differences between the four reproductive states than between treatments within a reproductive state. The largest treatment differences occurred in nonpregnant, non-lactating cows grazing fertilized as against unfertilized pastures.

Effect of stocking rate and fertilizer on the performance of steers grazing Townsville stylo-based pasture in north Queensland

1974 ◽  
Vol 14 (67) ◽  
pp. 146 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Winks ◽  
FC Lamberth ◽  
KW Moir ◽  
PM Pepper
Keyword(s):  
Grass Species ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Native Grass ◽  
Dry Tropics ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Stylosanthes Humilis ◽  
Native Pasture ◽  
Townsville Stylo ◽  
Stocking Rates

The performance of steers grazing Townsville stylo (Stylosanthes humilis)-native grass pasture, with and without superphosphate fertilizer, was studied at two stocking rate (0.41 and 0.82 beasts ha-1) on the sub-coastal spear grass region of the dry tropics of north Queensland over a period of three and a half years. Fertilizer increased yield and quality of pasture, but invasion of the fertilized areas by annual grass species was occurring by the end of the study. Liveweight gains on fertilized Townsville stylo pastures were greater than on unfertilized Townsville stylo, where performance was similar to that recorded on untreated native pasture at stocking rates of 0.25 and 0.41 beasts ha-1. Liveweight gains at the lighter stocking rate were greater than at the higher level on the Townsville stylo-native grass pasture, but at the stocking rates applied to native pasture there was no significant effect of stocking rate. A stocking rate of 0.41 beast ha-1 on fertilized Townsville stylo was safe in all years. Wastage of material was high owing to mould development on the Townsville stylo which remained as standing hay during the winter.

Fertility and seasonal changes in liveweight of Droughtmaster cows grazing a Townsville stylo-spear grass pasture

1971 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 963 ◽  
Author(s):  
LA Edye ◽  
JB Ritson ◽  
KP Haydock ◽  
Davies J Griffiths
Keyword(s):  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Seasonal Fluctuations ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Townsville Stylo ◽  
Calving Rate ◽  
Stocking Rates

An experiment was conducted to examine the fertility and seasonal changes in liveweight of cows grazing a Townsville stylo–spear grass pasture for over 4 years. There were two replicates of 12 treatments, which were factorial combinations of two stocking rates and three levels of superphosphate with and without conservation of hay. All experimental factors influenced cow liveweight. Cows on the pastures receiving superphosphate were heavier throughout the experiment than cows on unfertilized (F0) pasture; in most years there was little difference between pastures receiving superphosphate at 377 kg/ha (F3) and 126 kg/ha per year (F1). Stocking rate and conservation of hay had smaller but significant effects throughout the experiment. There were also marked seasonal fluctuations in cow liveweight associated with the amount and distribution of rainfall. Superphosphate was the only treatment that significantly affected conception and calving rate (F3 > F1, F0 at P < 0.01). Numerical analyses published elsewhere of average cow liveweight before and after mating and of conception rate strongly indicated a direct effect of superphosphate on conception rate that could not be explained by liveweight differences. This effect was primarily associated with the highest rate of superphosphate (F3), the F1 effect being more equivocal. There were significant differences between the three rates of superphosphate in the rate of change of cow liveweight during the first lactation (F3 > F1 > F0 at P < 0.05) but the differences appeared inadequate to influence conception rate markedly. Without fodder conservation, 1 cow unit to 2.4 ha was a safe stocking rate for fertilized pastures. This is three to four times the carrying capacity of unimproved spear grass pastures in the region.

Effect of pasture type and supplementary feeding on the reproductive performance of cattle in the dry tropics of north Queensland

1977 ◽  
Vol 17 (85) ◽  
pp. 197 ◽  
Author(s):  
RG Holroyd ◽  
PJ Allan ◽  
PK O'Rourke
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Dry Tropics ◽  
Stylosanthes Humilis ◽  
Native Pasture ◽  
Conception Rates ◽  
Townsville Stylo

A study was made over a four year period ( 1970-1 973) on the reproductive performance of cows grazing either native pasture stocked at 1 breeder 4.9 ha-1 or native pasture oversown with Townsville stylo (Stylosanthes humilis) and fertilized with superphosphate, stocked at 1 breeder 2.4 ha-1. Animals were supplemented on each pasture type with combinations of molasses, urea and phosphorus at various times of the year. Mating from September 1 to January 31 resulted in animals lactating during the dry season. At double the stocking rate, lactating cows on fertilized pastures had similar conception rates to those on native pasture. During a prolonged dry season, lactating cows on fertilized pasture had twice the conception rate and fewer required survival feeding. Urea compared with non-urea based supplements produced significant increases in conception rates of cows grazing native pasture especially during a dry year. Calves were born earlier, had shorter intercalving intervals and fewer cows had to be fed a survival ration when urea was available. On fertilized pasture, urea based supplements caused only a marginal increase in conception rate except in a dry year, when there was a significant increase. Over the four years, there was a diminishing response in the conception rate of lactating cows grazing native pasture and supplemented with phosphorus during the wet season compared with the control. On fertilized pasture, there was a variable but non-significant response. The addition of phosphorus either as a wet or dry season supplement to urea caused variable responses on each pasture type, but none differed significantly from that of urea.

scholarly journals Key pasture and milksolids production indicators from two Waikato farmlets differing in inputs, stocking rate, pasture allowance and nitrate leaching

2016 ◽  
Vol 78 ◽  
pp. 45-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.G. Roach ◽  
C.B. Glassey ◽  
K.A. Macdonald
Keyword(s):  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Nitrogen Fertiliser ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Pasture Quality ◽  
Winter Grazing ◽  
Stocking Rates

Two DairyNZ farmlets, differing in nitrogen fertiliser inputs, cow genetic merit and autumn/winter grazing management, with stocking rates of 2.6 ('Future') and 3.2 ('Current') cows/ha, were compared for pasture residual and quality over 4 years. Target intakes for lactating cows were 18 and 16 kg DM/cow/day, respectively, with target grazing residuals of 3.5-4 cm (1500 kg DM/ha in late winter/spring, 7-8 clicks on the rising plate meter) for both herds. Measurement of grazing residuals, pasture quality and botanical composition identified small differences between farmlets. Grazing residuals on the Future farmlet averaged 0.2 cm (0.4 clicks on rising plate meter, RPM) (P

scholarly journals FERTILIZER AND STOCKING RATES ON TWO KING COUNTRY SOILS

1973 ◽  
pp. 63-76
Author(s):  
M.B. O'Connor ◽  
P.J. Tonkin ◽  
T.E. Ludecke
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Ash ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Soil Test ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Fertilizer Rate ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Full Utilization ◽  
And Chemical Properties

Parent materials such as volcanic ash and sedimentary siltstone and sandstone form soils which differ markedly in their physical and chemical properties. In stocking x fertilizer rate trials on two families of soils, Te Kuiti-Tumutumu (volcanic ash) and Mahoenui-Mangatea (siltstonesandstone) , the former showed marked response to increasing rates of superphosphate in terms of pasture availability and animal production but -the latter showed negligible response above :the lowest rate (250 kg/ha). Responses to superphosphate were apparent on Te Kuiti-Tumutumu only at the high stocking rate. Sward composition showed no measurable improvement with the application of superphosphate. Manage ment practices were undoubtedly important in this respect. Differential 'topdressing should be practised where feasible. When soil test levels for phosphate are medium to low, Te Kuiti-Tumutumu soils should receive at least 500 kg/ha/yr of superphosphate, Mahoenui-Mangatea soils 250 kg/ha/yr. Stocking rates and management practices must be such as to allow full utilization of the additional pasture grown.

Botanical and chemcial composition of a Townsville stylo-spear grass pasture in relation to conception rate of cows

1971 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 993 ◽  
Author(s):  
JB Ritson ◽  
LA Edye ◽  
PJ Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Phosphorus Content ◽  
Sodium Content ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Yield Attributes ◽  
The Third ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Annual Grasses ◽  
Townsville Stylo

A previously described experiment designed to study the effect of stocking rate, superphosphate, and conservation of hay on the fertility of cows had shown that only superphosphate significantly increased the conception rate. The present paper discusses the nutritional adequacy of the pastures for breeding cows. All experimental factors significantly influenced yield and botanical composition. Pastures at the lower of two stocking rates remained dominated by perennial grasses while those at the higher rate became dominated by Townsville stylo and annual grasses. Conservation of hay increased annual species, and superphosphate increased Townsville stylo in lightly grazed pastures. Pasture yield was adequate at the lower stocking rate but became limiting at the higher rate. Superphosphate increased pasture yields during the third and fourth year. Superphosphate increased the phosphorus and sulphur contents of the three major components —Townsville stylo, perennial grasses, and annual grasses, the nitrogen content of Townsville stylo, and the sodium content of perennial and annual grasses. Stocking rate affected chemical composition in the third and fourth year: the high stocking rate increased the nitrogen contents of the three major components, the phosphorus and sulphur contents of Townsville stylo and perennial grasses, and the sodium contents of perennial and annual grasses. Cow conception rate was significantly and positively correlated with the phosphorus contents of the three major components, the sulphur content of Townsville stylo, and three yield attributes of annual grasses (dry matter, phosphorus, and nitrogen yield). The phosphorus content of all three components was less than 0.15% for much of the year at the two lower rates of superphosphate; only at the highest rate did the pastures approach an adequate phosphorus content for pregnant and lactating cows. Phosphorus and sulphur deficiency could have limited the utilization of Townsville stylo protein by cattle on unfertilized pastures. Superphosphate at a rate of 126 kg/ha a year was adequate for maintaining Townsville stylo above the critical plant value for phosphorus, but inadequate to satisfy the phosphorus requirements of pregnant and lactating cows.

Wet season grazing of Townsville stylo pasture at Katherine, N.T

1970 ◽  
Vol 10 (47) ◽  
pp. 710 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJT Norman ◽  
LJ Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Nitrogen Yield ◽  
Stylosanthes Humilis ◽  
Townsville Stylo ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Stocking Rates

At Katherine, N.T., stocking rates of 1.33, 1.00, and 0.67 Shorthorn steers an acre for a period of 18 weeks in the wet season beginning January were imposed on established pastures sown to Townsville sty10 (Stylosanthes humilis) alone but subsequently invaded to varying degrees by annual grasses. The experiment was repeated over three years. There were no significant differences in mean liveweight gain per head over three years ; hence liveweight gain per acre at the heaviest stocking rate was approximately twice that at the lightest rate. The mean dry matter yield of grass increased significantly with decreasing stocking rate, but there were no significant differences between stocking rates in Townsville stylo dry matter yield, nitrogen yield, or phosphorus yield. Correlation coefficients were calculated using data from individual paddocks and years. There was a highly significant positive correlation between liveweight gain per head and pasture nitrogen yield, and between liveweight gain per head and pasture phosphorus yield.

Effects of fertilizer and stocking rate on pasture and beef production from sown pastures in north Cape York Peninsula. 2. Beef production and its relation to blood, faecal and pasture measurements

1977 ◽  
Vol 17 (85) ◽  
pp. 187 ◽  
Author(s):  
WH Winter ◽  
LA Edye ◽  
WT Williams
Keyword(s):  
Inorganic Phosphorus ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Panicum Maximum ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Fertilizer Rate ◽  
Guinea Grass ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Phosphorus Levels

The animal production from two grass/legume pastures was measured over three years. The pastures were grazed at four stocking rates and annually received one of three maintenance rates of phosphorus fertilizer. The animals were given a phosphorus supplement at two rates. The grasses were either Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk or Panicum maximum (common guinea grass) each sown with Stylosanthesguyanensis cv. Endeavour and Macroptilium atropurpureum cv. Siratro. The grasses had little effect on animal production although three Panicum pastures at higher stocking rates became overgrazed and required destocking during the experiment. Even though 73.5 kg ha-1 of phosphorus was used to establish the pastures, the maintenance rate of 40 kg ha-1 gave higher production than the 10 kg ha-1 rate in the first two years. In the third year, production was similar for each fertilizer rate. There was a concomitant rise in faecal phosphorus level with fertilizer rate but no such effect with blood inorganic phosphorus levels. Over the three years of the experiment the liveweight gain per hectare was similar (mean of 0.54 kg per day) at 1.7 and 1.9 beasts ha-1 but was significantly less at lighter stocking rates. In the last two years stocking rate did not significantly affect liveweight gain per head. At the highest stocking rate, gains were greater during the wet season and losses greater during the dry season than those at the lowest stocking rate. The phosphorus supplement did not affect animal production but increased blood inorgainc phosphorus levels. The relationships of animal production with blood and faecal compositions and with the pasture measurements described in a previous paper are discussed.

scholarly journals Performance of Holstein Cows Grazing on Intensively Managed Tropical Grass Pastures at Three Stocking Rates

1969 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-327
Author(s):  
M. Antoni-Padilla ◽  
J. Fernández-Van Cleve ◽  
J. A. Arroyo-Aguilú ◽  
R. Quiñones-Torres
Keyword(s):  
Holstein Cows ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Tropical Pastures ◽  
Maintenance Costs ◽  
Concentrate Supplementation ◽  
Grazing Experiment ◽  
Agricultural Experiment ◽  
Intensively Managed ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Tropical Grass

In a grazing experiment at the Gurabo Agricultural Experiment Substation we measured the performance of Holstein cows at stocking rates of 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 cows per ha. All cows received concentrate feed at the rate of 1.0 kg per 2.0 kg of milk from the first to the 180th day of lactation and of 1.0 kg per 4.0 kg of milk thereafter. Results suggest that when a relatively high concentrate supplementation is given, well-fertilized tropical pastures may sustain grazing cows at the stocking rate of 5.0 cows per ha, as economically and safely as at the stocking rate of 2.5 cows/ha. The stocking rate of 5.0 cows per ha may be recommended for those regions where land and land maintenance costs are high.

The effects of sheep treading and grazing on pasture and soil characteristics of irrigated annual pastures

1979 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 741 ◽  
Author(s):  
PA Witschi ◽  
DL Michalk
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Soil Characteristics ◽  
Combined Effect ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Grazing Experiment ◽  
Wimmera Ryegrass ◽  
Stocking Rates

The two experiments reported examined the effects of sheep treading on pasture growth and soil characteristics on autumn-irrigated subterranean clover-Wimmera ryegrass pastures and their subsequent influence on winter production. Treading only (experiment 1) increased the bulk density of soil by 40% as the stocking rate increased from 0 to 39.2 sheep ha-1. This caused a 33% reduction in late winter production (July), the decline (675 kg ha-1) being due mainly to a reduction in the proportion of ryegrass in the pasture. The combined impacts of treading and grazing (experiment 2) proved more detrimental to subsequent pasture recovery. At the July measurement, treading reduced production by 20% when the stocking rate was increased from 0 to 19.6 sheep ha-1, while the combined effect produced a 58% loss in yield. In addition to stocking rate, the length of the pre-grazing establishment period proved critical, with greater compaction evident in plots stocked 24 h after irrigation. This compaction affected the botanical composition, significantly more ryegrass being present in compacted plots, although increased tillering was encouraged by intense defoliation at high stocking rates which intensified this effect.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document