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.

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 Persistence of Grazing Tolerant Lucernes under Australian Conditions

2011 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 187-190
Author(s):  
J.C. Sewell ◽  
R.D. Hill ◽  
J. Reich
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiment ◽  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Late Spring ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Grazing Tolerance ◽  
Winter Activity ◽  
Grazing Period ◽  
Better Than

Recent experiments have demonstrated that lucerne (Medicago sativa) varieties selected for grazing tolerance will persist far better when grazed for extended periods than varieties not selected for grazing tolerance. A field experiment, with lucerne varieties representing a range of winter activity ratings, was conducted at Ballarat. After 2.5 years of rotational grazing the experiment was continuously grazed for 173 days from late spring to early autumn at a stocking rate equivalent to 50 sheep/ha. This intensity is not considered much higher than some farmers would adopt during a drought. Ground cover of some varieties had significantly declined by the end of the grazing period but further decline occurred throughout the following winter months while livestock were excluded. The grazing tolerant lines persisted better than most standards, even those within the same dormancy category, with some standards almost completely dead while the grazing tolerant lines were over 60% alive. Keywords: grazing tolerance, lucerne (Medicago sativa), persistence

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.

scholarly journals The Roles of Labor and Profitability in Choosing a Grazing Strategy for Beef Production in the U.S. Gulf Coast Region

2008 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 301-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey M. Gillespie ◽  
Wayne Wyatt ◽  
Brad Venuto ◽  
David Blouin ◽  
Robert Boucher
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Coast ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Time And Motion ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Labor Requirements ◽  
Gulf Coast Region ◽  
Coast Region ◽  
The U.S

Comparisons are made concerning labor required and profitability associated with continuous grazing at three stocking rates and rotational grazing at a high stocking rate in the U.S. Gulf Coast region. A unique data set was collected using a time and motion study method to determine labor requirements. Profits are lowest for low stocking rate–continuous grazing and high stocking rate–rotational grazing. Total labor and labor in three specific categories are greater on per acre and/or per cow bases with rotational-grazing than with continuous-grazing strategies. These results help to explain relatively low adoption rates of rotational grazing in the region.

The design and conduct of experiments to measure animal and herbage production responses to fertilizer nitrogen under cutting and grazing managements

1985 ◽  
Vol 104 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. V. Large ◽  
J. M. Cobby ◽  
R. D. Baker
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Continuous Systems ◽  
Linear Extrapolation ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Response Curves ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Consistent Manner ◽  
Fourth Experiment

SummaryTwo experiments were conducted to provide information on the precision of herbage sampling, the degree of replication and the logistics of managing rotational and continuous grazing experiments. In a third experiment the possibility of estimating herbage growth, during the rotational grazing of paddocks for 4 days, by linear extrapolation of measured growth estimates made during the interval between grazings was investigated. A fourth experiment was then conducted to investigate animal and herbage production responses to nitrogen applied at five levels over the range 80–900 kg N/ha with three replicates per treatment.Results from Expts 1 and 2 showed that similar precision could be obtained under both rotational and continuous systems of grazing with the same number of replicates and samples of herbage. There was little advantage in having more than three replicates and four samples per paddock or two replicates and eight samples per paddock. Under continuous grazing a 3-weekly sampling and movement of exclosure cages was indicated. It was also found, from Expt 3 that, under rotational grazing, linear extrapolation of growth from 0–24 days did not reflect growth to 28 days in a consistent manner. Six animals per treatment, permanently in the paddocks, proved adequate for the estimation of live-weight gain.Experiment 4 confirmed that response curves could be fitted with an acceptable degree of precision if there was one low, one very high, and two intermediate levels of nitrogen. Adjustment of the number of animals to maintain sward height at between 5 and 7 cm ensured similar sward conditions and rates of live-weight gain across all treatments.The problems associated with the measurement of herbage production under grazing are discussed.

Relative performance of white clover (Trifolium repens) cultivars and experimental synthetics under rotational grazing by beef cattle, dairy cattle and sheep

2021 ◽  
Vol 72 (11) ◽  
pp. 926
Author(s):  
M. Z. Z. Jahufer ◽  
J. L. Ford ◽  
G. R. Cousins ◽  
D. R. Woodfield
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Trifolium Repens ◽  
Genotypic Variation ◽  
Relative Performance ◽  
Seasonal Growth ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Average Performance

Assessment of the relative performance of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) cultivars, using multi-year and multi-location seasonal growth trials, is key to identification of material with specific and broad adaptation. This paper is based on a multi-year and multi-location study of 56 white clover entries comprising 14 commercial cultivars and 42 experimental synthetic lines evaluated for seasonal growth under rotational grazing across four locations in New Zealand over 4years. The four locations (and animals grazing) were: Kerikeri (beef cattle), Aorangi (beef cattle), Ruakura (dairy cattle), Lincoln (sheep). Significant (P&lt;0.05) genotypic variation among the 56 entries, and genotype × year, genotype× location and genotype× season interactions, were estimated. We were able to identify cultivars and experimental synthetics with specific and broad adaptation to the three grazing management types. Cvv. AberDance, Apex, Demand, Prestige, Quartz and Riesling, with leaf size ranging from small to medium–large, showed highly above-average performance under sheep grazing. Synthetic lines 15 and 45 also had highly above-average performance under sheep grazing. Cvv. Legacy and Kopu II showed above-average performance under cattle and dairy grazing. Synthetics 15, 48, 49, 44, 22 and 18 and cv. Quartz had above-average performance under all three grazing managements. Synthetics 27, 33 and 38 had highly above-average performance across all three grazing managements and were superior to all 14 cultivars evaluated. Several of these superior synthetics are being tested across multiple grazing environments. Among the 14 cultivars evaluated, Legacy and Quartz showed superior seasonal growth performance across the three grazing managements. Quartz is being evaluated in several on-farm trials across temperate regions of the world.

Rotational grazing management of forage peanut

2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 495-505
Author(s):  
Lucas da Rocha Carvalho ◽  
Lilian Elgalise Techio Pereira ◽  
Sila Carneiro Da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Period ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Dry Matter Accumulation ◽  
Adaptation Period ◽  
Forage Grasses ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Grazing Tolerance ◽  
Tropical Forage

AbstractThe perennial forage peanut is a stoloniferous, perennial tropical legume with potential for use in pastures. Based on the hypothesis that under intermittent stocking herbage accumulation would follow a similar pattern to that described for tropical forage grasses, the objective of this study was to evaluate canopy characteristics and herbage accumulation of forage peanut subjected to strategies of rotational grazing management. Treatments corresponded to all possible combinations of two grazing frequencies (regrowth interrupted at 95% and maximum canopy light interception – LI95% and LIMax) and two grazing severities (post-grazing canopy heights (CHs) equivalent to 40 and 60% of the pre-grazing heights). Treatments were imposed to experimental units during an adaptation period (from November 2014 to January 2015) and the subsequent experimental period lasted from February 2015 to April 2016, comprising two consecutive pasture growing seasons with no interruption between them (summer I to summer II). The pre-grazing targets of LI95% and LIMax corresponded to CHs of 13 and 18 cm, respectively. Forage peanut showed high grazing tolerance as pre-grazing leaf area index (except during summer I and autumn/winter), total herbage, and leaflet dry matter accumulation varied only with seasons. Higher rates of herbage production were recorded during summer I and summer II, followed by those during late and early spring and autumn/winter. Since there was no difference in the pattern of herbage accumulation between LI95% and LIMax and stolons predominated at the bottom of the canopies, forage peanut may be rotationally grazed with greater flexibility than most tropical forage grasses. Recommended pre-grazing CHs are within 13 and 18 cm, and post-grazing heights between 40 and 60% of the pre-grazing height.

Evaluating alfalfa cultivars and germplasms for pastures using the mob-grazing technique

1994 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Bittman ◽  
D. H. McCartney
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Rest Period ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Smooth Bromegrass ◽  
Grazing Tolerance ◽  
Grazing Intensities ◽  
The Media ◽  
Growth Habits ◽  
Northern Alberta

There is growing evidence that alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. sensu lato) germplasms that perform well in trials that are mechanically clipped may not persist well under grazing. This trial assessed the persistence of nine alfalfa germplasms under grazing over a period of 4 yr in northeast Saskatchewan. The germplasms included registered cultivars and experimental strains of M. sativa ssp. media Pers. and M. sativa ssp. falcata (L.) Arcang. with a range of growth habits and winterhardiness. Each paddock was seeded with all entries in mixture with smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) and grazed repeatedly for 1- to 2-d periods, using high stocking rates, to ensure that all entries were grazed uniformly. Three grazing intensities — light, moderate and intense — were set by varying the rest period between grazings. Ground cover of all the currently recommended alfalfa cultivars of the media ssp. declined during the trial; the germplasms of falcata ssp. increased; and two media ssp. strains from northern Alberta maintained fairly constant ground cover. Grazing intensity affected rate of stand decline but not final ranking of germplasms, so there was no grazing × germplasm interaction. Seeded and volunteer smooth bromegrass maintained better stands under light than intense grazing, whereas volunteer bluegrass (Poa spp.) performed better under intense grazing. Ground cover of alfalfa germplasms was generally correlated with their annual yield and proportion of total dry matter yield. The results suggest that falcata germplasms should be included in seed mixes for long-term pastures and that mob grazing be used to assess the persistence of alfalfa germplasms before they are recommended for use in pastures. Key words:Medicago sativa L., Medicago sativa ssp. falcata (L.) Arcang., persistence, grazing tolerance.

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.

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