Effect of stocking rate, lambing time and pasture management on wool and lamb production on annual subterranean clover pasture

1976 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 261 ◽  
Author(s):  
RD Fitzgerald
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Optimum Level ◽  
Annual Ryegrass ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Preparation Phase ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Time Of Year ◽  
June July ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Clover Pasture

Border Leicester x Merino ewes mated to Dorset Horn rams grazed subterranean clover and annual ryegrass pasture in a 2 x 2 x 4 factorial arrangement having two stocking rates (8.1 and 12.3 eweslha); two lambing times—winter (May, June, July), and spring (August, September); and four management systems, viz. set stocking (SS), autumn saving and spring hay cut (AS), replacement of half the pasture by oats or lucerne (ISP), and replacement of half the pasture by both oats and lucerne, a quarter each (2SP). The percentage of lambs born to ewes mated was lowest from May lambing and progressively increased up to August–September lambing. However, although July lambing produced marginally fewer lambs with slower growth rates than August–September lambing, the difference was not significant and the extra time available with July lambing for lambs to reach a marketable liveweight before pasture senescence meant that the earlier lambing treatment actually produced more prime lambs. The set stocking and autumn saving systems resulted in greater annual wool and lamb production than the substitute pasture systems. Any extra fodder available from oats or lucerne in those treatments failed to make up for losses in animal production associated with a reduction in available fodder during the crop preparation phase. Deterioration of annual pasture caused by plant losses associated with intermittent grazing may have reduced production further in substitute pasture treatments. The results suggest that in southern Australia on annual subterranean clover pasture the optimum level of stocking and the pasture management strategy for prime lamb production can be assessed by a careful observation of the botanical succession taking place, especially if the pasture is continuously grazed. The results also suggest that optimum fertility should be foregone in favour of an earlier lambing, in order to provide sufficient time before pasture senescence for lambs to reach a marketable liveweight. The optimum time for lambing for prime lamb production for a particular region will depend on the time of year when the pasture in the region normally matures.

The productivity of breeding ewes grazing on lucerne or grass and clover pastures on the tablelands of southern Australia. II. Wool production and ewe weight.

1983 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 537 ◽  
Author(s):  
JR Donnelly ◽  
FHW Morley ◽  
GT McKinney
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Chemical Characteristics ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Weight Losses ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Supplementary Feed ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Pregnancy Toxaemia

Spring-lambing Merino and crossbred ewes grazing on dryland lucerne pastures were generally heavier throughout the year than ewes grazing on phalaris and subterranean clover pastures, even though they experienced greater weight losses during winter. These losses were mostly eliminated by compensatory gains in spring. Annual fleece weights of the Merino ewes grazing on lucerne or phalaris and subterranean clover pastures declined linearly by 146 and 64 g respectively for each additional ewe carried over a range of stocking rates from 9 to 18 ha-1. Corresponding figures for crossbred ewes were 114 and 46 g. In each case the difference between pasture species was significant (P < 0.02). Only at the lowest stocking rates were fleeces from ewes on lucerne heavier (by c. 500 g) than those from ewes on phalaris. At the highest stocking rates, there were no advantages in terms of wool production from grazing breeding ewes on lucerne. Not only was there a greater need for supplementary feed during late pregnancy to avoid losses from pregnancy toxaemia, but the lucerne pastures at all stocking rates proved more sensitive to unfavourable physical and chemical characteristics of soils than did phalaris and subterranean clover pastures. The fleece weights of Merino and crossbred ewes declined, on average, by 70 and 50 g per year for ewes aged between 1+ and 6+ years. Pregnancy reduced fleece weights by 5-10% in Merinos and 5-21% in crossbred ewes, depending on seasonal conditions which varied from year to year. For Merinos only, dry ewes grew about 4% more wool than lactating ewes. No other effects of reproduction on fleece weights were observed.

Control of the nematode associated with annual ryegrass toxicity

1983 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 403 ◽  
Author(s):  
AC McKay ◽  
JM Fisher ◽  
AJ Dube
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Good Control ◽  
Parasitic Fungus ◽  
Annual Ryegrass ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Legume Growth ◽  
Annual Ryegrass Toxicity

To control the nematode Anguina funesta (considered by some to be A. agrostis), the vector in annual ryegrass toxicity, pasture management treatments were applied before and after gall initiation. Before gall initiation, the herbicides paraquat and diclofop methyl were used to remove ryegrass. These treatments gave good control of the nematode, but reduced pasture production in winter when feed is generally scarce. Diclofop methyl had no detrimental effect on legume growth, and was more effective on actively growing ryegrass than was paraquat, which severely retarded subterranean clover. Desiccating the ryegrass heads, with mechanical topping or the desiccant herbicide paraquat, after gall initiation, but before hatching of the second-stage juveniles ( J2s ) , gave good control of the nematode population. The main limitations with mechanical topping are that the ryegrass heads must be tall enough to cut before the J2s hatch and not all paddocks are suitable for topping. With paraquat, the main limitations are that treated material was susceptible to weathering and there was less regrowth to set seed. Oxamyl, a systemic nematicide applied after gall initiation, had no effect on the nematode, nor had spraying pasture with the nematode parasitic fungus Verticillium sp.

The performance of young sheep grazing pastures sown to combinations of lucerne or subterranean clover with ryegrass or phalaris

1972 ◽  
Vol 12 (56) ◽  
pp. 240 ◽  
Author(s):  
KFM Reed ◽  
RW Snaydon ◽  
A Axelsen
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Legume Species ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
High Production ◽  
Supplementary Feed ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Clover Pasture

Young sheep were rotationally grazed, at two stocking rates, on pasture sown to combinations of two legume species (lucerne or subterranean clover) and two grass species (a mixture of annual and biennial ryegrass or phalaris) at Canberra. Liveweight gains were 45 per cent greater, and wool production was 10 per cent greater, on the lucerne dominant pasture (87 per cent lucerne) than on the grass dominant subterranean clover pasture (8 per cent subterranean clover). The differences were maximum during summer, but also occurred during spring. Mortality and supplementary feed requirement on grass dominant pasture was double that on lucerne pasture. Liveweight gains were 13 per cent greater on pasture sown to ryegrass than on pasture sown to phalaris. Sheep mortality was eight times greater on the phalaris than on the ryegrass pasture, and survival feed requirements at least double. The superior animal production from lucerne pasture was due mainly to the ability of lucerne to grow during periods of low rainfall and to maintain a high production of legume in the pasture.

Studies in pasture management for the breeding ewe. I. Effects on ewe liveweights, incidence of pregnancy toxaemia, lamb birth weights, and neo-natal mortality

1968 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 605
Author(s):  
HL Davies
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Natal Mortality ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Pregnancy Toxaemia

Breeding ewes were run under three systems of pasture management on sown pastures (based on subterranean clover) at Canberra. The ewes lambed from mid August to late September. The three management treatments were: (i) Continuous grazing (treatment CG). (ii) Ewes were confined to one-third of the whole area available in early pregnancy, so that feed was autumn-deferred for late pregnancy (treatment DP).(iii) Ewes were confined to a portion (one-third in 1956, one-half in 1957) of the area for the whole of pregnancy in order to ensure an adequate amount of feed for lactation (treatment DL). Two stocking rates and two breeds of ram were compared (Merino and Border Leicester). Treatment DL resulted in unsatisfactory liveweight gains during pregnancy, a far higher incidence of pregnancy toxaemia, reduced lamb birth weight, and increased neo-natal mortality. At the low stocking rate there were no significant differences between treatments CG and DP. At the high stocking rate, treatment DP reduced liveweight gain in early pregnancy and ensured an adequate liveweight gain in late pregnancy. The incidence of pregnancy toxaemia was lower at the high stocking rate in 1957 on treatment DP compared with CG. At the higher stocking rate, ditocous ewes on treatment DP gained more weight in late pregnancy than those on CG or DL.

Manipulation of buried seed reserves by timing of soil tillage in Mediterranean-type pastures

1986 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 71 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Forcella ◽  
AM Gill
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Soil Tillage ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Annual Ryegrass ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Polygonum Aviculare ◽  
Red Brome ◽  
Bromus Rubens

Environmental requirements for seed germination and seedling growth vary appreciably among pasture species. Therefore, it is possible that the botanical composition of pastures may be manipulated by timely seasonal exposure of the soil-seed reserve to conditions that promote germination differentially. This possibility was examined in two Mediterranean type pastures in which plots were tilled once per year, each in a different month, for 2 years. For several pasture species, effects were estimated with respect to numbers of soil seeds, numbers of emergent seedlings and canopy coverage. Individual species showed specific behaviour patterns. Seeds of sorrel (Rumex acetosella) and wireweed (Polygonum aviculare) maintained abundant seed in the soil, those of annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) were less persistent, and seeds of red brome (Bromus rubens) and silvergrass ( Vulpia spp.) occurred only seasonally in the soil-seed pools. Mature plants of red brome, silvergrass and subterranean clover attained dominance only in summer and early autumn-tilled plots. Annual ryegrass was more abundant when soil was cultivated in late autumn and early winter, whereas sorrel and wireweed were significant only in plots ploughed in winter. Thus botanical composition may be altered radically by time of tillage, and this has several practical implications for pasture management and weed control.

Pasture management and animal production in Quebec: A review

1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 715-724 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hélène V. Petit
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Fertilizer Requirement ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Native Pastures ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
High Fertilization

Twenty percent of forage farmland was devoted to seeded and native pastures in 1991. Common white clover is widely found in native pastures but ladino clover is the main legume recommended. Timothy is the most popular grass for seeded pasture and its yield is increased by N fertilization. More than 30% ladino in pasture decreases the N fertilizer requirement. High fertilization of pasture where beef steers are kept at high stocking rates and moderately fertilized pasture where beef steers are kept at low stocking rates result in similar average daily gains. Excessive steer stocking rates can result in decreased herbage production at the end of the growing season which results in decreased weight gain. However, feeding concentrate can compensate for herbage shortage and maintain weight gain of steers with a high stocking rate similar to that of unsupplemented animals on pasture with a low stocking rate. The difference in total beef production per hectare between heavily and moderately fertilized pastures is only 10% higher for the former when herbage surpluses conserved as silage and hay are fed to steers during winter. When herbage allowance is not limiting, there appears to be no advantage in supplementing grazing cattle with concentrate or protein. Key words: Pasture, grazing, dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep

Time of first autumn irrigation and the yield and animal production of a subterranean clover-annual ryegrass pasture

1970 ◽  
Vol 10 (44) ◽  
pp. 279 ◽  
Author(s):  
LF Myers ◽  
VR Squires
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Annual Ryegrass ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Seed Yields ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Clover Content

In two experiments at Deniliquin, New South Wales, the length of the prewinter growing season of an irrigated pasture was controlled by varying the date of the opening autumn irrigation : Irrigation began in February, March, or April for treatments T1, T2, and T3 respectively. In the first, winter yields of ungrazed pasture (July) fell by approximately 1500 lb DM/acre for each month that the first irrigation was delayed after February. Clover content of the pasture was progressively less as the opening irrigation was delayed. Seed yields were unchanged by length of growing season, but increased markedly with increased phosphate supply. In the second experiment, which was grazed at three stocking rates (5, 7, and 10 sheep/acre), the response to treatments was less than in the first (ungrazed) experiment. Pasture yield (available feed) and liveweight gain were similar on treatments T1 and T2. However, at the 10 sheep/acre rate, T1 plots survived for 14 months longer than T2plots. There was no evidence that a stocking rate of 7 sheep/ acre could not be maintained indefinitely on the treatment T1. Annual production exceeded 68 lb clean wool (90 lb greasy) an acre and the plots were supporting a total liveweight exceeding 1000 lb/acre. The influence of autumn rains on the response to early autumn irrigation and the practical implications of the results are discussed briefly.

scholarly journals Pasture production and liveweight gain from cocksfoot-subterranean clover pastures grazed at two stocking rates and closed at different times during spring

2008 ◽  
pp. 225-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Ates ◽  
R.J. Lucas ◽  
G.R. Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Dactylis Glomerata ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Seedling Density ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Closing Date ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Clover Pasture

The effect of stocking rate (8.3 (low) and 13.9 (high) ewes + twin lambs/ha) and time of closing in spring on lamb liveweight gain, pasture production and subterranean clover seedling densities was monitored over 2 years for a dryland cocksfoot-subterranean clover pasture in Canterbury. Keywords: cocksfoot, Dactylis glomerata, closing date, liveweight gain, seedling density, sheep grazing, stocking rate, subterranean clover, Trifolium subterraneum

A comparison of four pasture types for the wheat belt of southern New South Wales

1979 ◽  
Vol 19 (97) ◽  
pp. 216 ◽  
Author(s):  
RD FitzGerald
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Annual Grass ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
South Wales ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Stocking Rates

Four pasture types: subterranean clover/annual grass, subterranean clover/phalaris, lucerne/ subterranean clover, and lucerne/phalaris/subterranean clover were grazed by dry ewes at two stocking rates (8.9 and 13.3 sheep ha-1) from August 1969 until May 1973. Sheep on pasture containing lucerne were an average 2.4 kg heavier than sheep on subterranean clover with phalaris or annual grass. The difference increased to as much as 7 kg in summer and was usually maintained over the winter. Sheep on subterranean clover/phalaris pastures were heavier in favourable seasons and lighter in poorer seasons than those on subterranean clover/annual grass. Generally, these liveweight effects were reflected in wool production.

Competition among seedlings of perennial grasses, subterranean clover, white clover, and annual ryegrass in replacement series mixtures

2000 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 377 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. Lodge
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Plant Competition ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Maximum Likelihood Estimates ◽  
Annual Ryegrass ◽  
Replacement Series ◽  
Successful Establishment

Seedlings of 3 perennial grasses, Danthonia linkii Kunthcv. Bunderra, D. richardsonii Cashmore cv. Taranna(wallaby grasses), and Phalaris aquatica L. cv. Sirosa,were each grown in replacement series mixtures with seedlings ofTrifolium repens L. (white clover),Trifolium subterraneum L. var. brachycalycinum (Katzn.et Morley) Zorahy & Heller cv. Clare (subterraneanclover), and Lolium rigidum L. (annual ryegrass). Plantswere sown 5 cm apart in boxes (45 by 29 by 20 cm) at a density of 307plants/m2. Maximum likelihood estimates were usedto derive parameters of a non-linear competition model using the dry matterweights of perennial grasses and competitors at 3 harvests, approximately 168,216, and 271 days after sowing. Intra-plant competition was examined inmonocultures of each species, grown at plant spacings of 2, 5, and 8 cm apartwith plants harvested at the above times.Competition occurred in all perennial grass–competitor mixtures, exceptin those of each perennial grass with white clover and thephalaris–subterranean clover mixture (Harvest 1) and those withD. richardsonii and phalaris grown with white clover(Harvest 2). For D. richardsonii (Harvests 1 and 2) andD. linkii (Harvest 1 only) grown with white clover andthe phalaris–subterranean clover (Harvest 1), the two species in themixture were not competing. In the phalaris–white clover mixture, eachspecies was equally competitive (Harvests 1 and 2). These differences incompetition and aggressiveness reflected differences in individual plantweights in monocultures where there was an effect (P < 0.05) of species ondry matter weight per box, but no significant effect of plant spacing.These data indicated that for successful establishment,D. richardsonii and D. linkiishould not be sown in swards with either subterranean clover or white clover,or where populations of annual ryegrass seedlings are likely to be high.Phalaris was more compatible with both white clover and subterranean clover,but aggressively competed with by annual ryegrass.

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