Animal production from a Sorghum almum pasture in south-east Queensland

1964 ◽  
Vol 4 (15) ◽  
pp. 326 ◽  
Author(s):  
JJ Yates ◽  
LA Edye ◽  
JG Davis ◽  
KP Haydock
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Close Relation ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
No Production ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Green Material

A grazing experiment on Sorghum almum pastures, one of which received 200 lb nitrogen an acre a year, as urea, was carried out at Lawes in south-east Queensland. Pastures were grazed continuously at three set stocking rates : 1 beast to 1 1/2 acres, 1 beast per acre, and 2 beasts per acre. Grazing commenced 3 1/2 months after sowing and continued for two years. Mean liveweight production over the whole period at the medium stocking rate of one beast per acre was 0.92 lb a head a day. Production was closely related to stocking rate : gain per head decreased and production per acre increased as stocking rate increased. Nitrogen fertilizer increased animal production at the heaviest stocking rate. Seasonal pattern of animal production was influenced by stocking rate, but, in general, a winter--early spring period of small gains or losses of weight was followed by a rapid increase in late spring--early summer, with the rate of gain decreasing from mid-summer onwards. This followed the seasonal pattern of pasture production : little or no production over the cool dry winter, but high yields of forage during summer. No close relation was detected between liveweight gain and green forage available in the period of rapid increase in liveweight. During the phase of declining pasture and animal production, liveweight increment was related to available pasture expressed as green material minus S. almum stem. Crude protein content of unfertilized S. almum varied from 15 per cent for green material in spring to 2.5 per cent for the dry forage available in winter. Urea increased both yield and protein content.

scholarly journals Seasonal patterns of pasture production in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato

1991 ◽  
pp. 67-72
Author(s):  
J.A. Baars ◽  
G.J. Goold ◽  
M.F. Hawke ◽  
P.J. Kilgarriff ◽  
M.D. Rolm
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Climatic Data ◽  
Large Contribution ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Summer Peak ◽  
The Difference

Patterns of pasture growth were measured on 3 farms in the Bay of Plenty (BOP) and at No2 Dairy (Ruakura Agricultural Centre) in the Waikato from 1989 to 199 1. A standardised trim technique with cages and 4-weekly cutting under grazing was used. Long-term seasonal growth patterns, using a predictive pasture model, were also simulated. Simulated pasture growth from long-term climatic data shows that pasture growth rates are higher in winter, early spring and late autumn in the BOP than the Waikato. However, the actual measurements over the 2 years show that pasture growth over the latter periods is lower at the BOP sites than at the Waikato site. In the BOP the spring peak is much later than in the Waikato while an early summer peak, with higher growth rates than in the Waikato, occurred in the BOP. No such summer peak was evident in the Waikato. The difference between the two regions is caused by the large contribution of subtropical grasses to sward production in summer and autumn, The prolific summer growth of subtropical grasses may explain the low ryegrass content and low pasture production in winter. The lower than expected autumn, winter, spring production may also becaused by low clover content, possibly a result of competition from subtropical grasses and a sulphur deficiency. The apparent low amount of nitrogen fixed by clover may explain the low rates of pasture production over the cooler season. Applications of nitrogen fertiliser may substantially increase dry matter production from April to September. Keywords pasture,simulation,subtropical grasses, Paspalum, Digitaria sanguinalis, growth rates

Animal production under a series of Pinus radiata-pasture agroforestry systems in South-West Victoria, Australia

1995 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 1299 ◽  
Author(s):  
PR Bird ◽  
PR Bird ◽  
JD Kellas ◽  
JD Kellas ◽  
GA Kearney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Radiata ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Production Data ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Animal Damage ◽  
South West

Liveweight and greasy wool production data from young wethers were collected for the period autumn to early summer for the years 1986 to 1994 from an on-going Pinus radiata-pasture project at Carngham, Victoria. A plantation established in 1981 on a grazing property was thinned in 1983 to give trees spaced at: (i) no trees (a grazing control), (ii) 8 mx 12 m, (iii) 4 mx9 m, (iv) 4 mx3 m in a 5-row belt then a 10-row pasture gap, and (v) 2 mx3 m (original spacing). By 1989 the density of trees in these systems was slightly reduced by windthrow, animal damage and thinning to (ii) 60 trees/ha, (iii) 200 trees/ha wide-spaced, (iv) 200 trees/ha 5-row belt and (v) 1360 trees/ha. All trees in systems (ii), (iii) and (iv) had been pruned to 6 m by late 1992. The sheep stocking policy was initially based on a set 10 sheep ha-1. Since 1991 the stocking rate has been varied yearly in an attempt to maintain similar production per sheep. The pastures were re-sown in 1989 with perennial rye-grass and subterranean clover cultivars. Since 1991, wool production per ha from the 200 trees/ha wide-spaced system has been consistently less than in systems (i), (ii) and (iv). Wool production among systems differed significantly since 1992. Expressed as a percentage of wool production achieved on open pasture, the relative values for the agroforestry systems from 1990 to 1994 as follows.

Seasonal changes in leaf and stem loline alkaloids in meadow fescue

2011 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Patchett ◽  
Ravi Gooneratne ◽  
Lester Fletcher ◽  
Bruce Chapman
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Sharp Decline ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
Accumulation Pattern ◽  
Loline Alkaloids

Leaf and stem loline alkaloid concentration in 10 European meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.) lines grown in a field in Canterbury, New Zealand, were determined in samples collected six times between early spring 2004 and late autumn 2005. Significant differences in loline alkaloid concentrations were noted between lines and between harvest times. Higher total loline alkaloid concentrations (up to 4990 µg g–1) were found in stems compared to leaf (up to 1770 µg g–1). However, the seasonal accumulation pattern of different loline alkaloid concentrations in leaf and stem varied. In most lines, stem loline concentration peaked sharply in late spring and declined during early summer and autumn. The seasonal pattern of leaf loline alkaloid concentration followed the stem concentration except for a sharp decline in early summer followed by an increase in late summer. In most instances, the concentration of N-formyl loline was the highest > N-acetyl loline > N-acetyl norloline > N-methyl loline. The possible role of stem and leaf loline alkaloids to deter pasture-feeding insects is briefly discussed.

scholarly journals A comparison under grazing of pasture production, pasture N content and soil mineral N levels between granular urea and ONEsystem® on two contrasting dairy farms in New Zealand

2015 ◽  
Vol 77 ◽  
pp. 259-268
Author(s):  
B.F. Quin ◽  
A.G. Gillingham ◽  
D. Baird ◽  
S. Spilsbury ◽  
M. Gray
Keyword(s):  
N Uptake ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Total N ◽  
Prilled Urea ◽  
N Efficiency

Field trials under grazing on two contrasting dairy farms in mid-Canterbury (Site C) on a stony silt loam under irrigation, and in rain-fed central Waikato (Site W) on a volcanic ash-derived soil, compared standard granular urea (4-5 mm diameter granules) with ONEsystem®. This uses prilled urea (0.8-2.8 mm diameter prills), passed through a fine water spray (50 litres/ha) that contains the urease inhibitor nbpt (2 gm nbpt/kg N) during application. A nil N control and three rates of each fertiliser were applied to 12 × 25 m plots on four occasions after rotational grazing during spring/early summer 2014. ONEsystem® resulted in extra dry matter (EDM) to N applied compared with granular urea at Site C. At Site W, the initial advantage to ONEsystem® in Period 1 (early spring) was not maintained. To produce EDM of 1250 (±750) kg/ha required 120 and 126 kg N/ha as granular urea at Sites C and W, respectively (giving EDM factors of 10.4 and 9.9 (± 2) kgDM/ kgN applied respectively). This compares with 50 and 74 kg N/ha required with ONEsystem® for higher EDM factors of 24 and 17 (± 5) kg DM/ kg N. Pasture N concentrations were higher at Site C following ONEsystem® application, and total N uptake was increased 3-fold compared to granular urea. At Site W, increases in EDM with ONEsystem® only occurred in the first period. The results of this study have implications for both the economic and environmental efficiency of fertiliser urea use on grazed pastures. Keywords: ONEsystem®, prilled urea, nbpt, granular urea, N efficiency, pasture, N uptake

A long-term study of superphosphate and stocking rate on sheep production and plant and soil characteristics in central west New South Wales

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 433 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Lloyd Davies ◽  
J. D. McFarlane ◽  
O. L. P. de Oliveira ◽  
G. W. King ◽  
J. W. James
Keyword(s):  
Soil Ph ◽  
New South ◽  
Soil Phosphorus ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Sheep Production

Summary. The effect of 4 rates of superphosphate application (250 kg/ha. year, 125 kg/ha. year, 125 kg/ha every 2 years or 125 kg/ha every 4 years) and a low and high stocking rate (3.6 and 5.4 ewes/ha, 1980–86; and 4.0 and 7.0 ewes/ha, 1986–89) on sheep liveweight, fleece weight, lamb weaning weight, pasture production and botanical composition, soil pH, soil phosphorus, manganese and aluminium concentrations were measured on a Phalaris aquatica–subterranean clover pasture at Stuart Town, New South Wales. Only when 250 kg/ha of superphosphate had been applied annually was there a higher level of soil phosphorus than with the other 3 systems. None of the treatments affected soil pH, soil manganese or aluminium. There were large year effects and individual plot effects on pasture and sheep production but neither the superphosphate rates nor stocking rate significantly affected pasture or animal production. It was concluded that over a 9-year period the application of 125 kg/ha in alternate years can maintain adequate soil phosphorus levels, and satisfactory pasture and animal production on the central tablelands of New South Wales.

Plant and animal production of an irrigated annual pasture following initial gypsum treatment of a heavy clay soil

1970 ◽  
Vol 10 (42) ◽  
pp. 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
LF/Squires VR Myers
Keyword(s):  
Clay Soil ◽  
Seedling Emergence ◽  
Calcium Sulphate ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
First Year ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Heavy Clay ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Pasture Yield

The response of an irrigated annual pasture to gypsum (calcium sulphate) was assessed in terms of pasture yield and animal production on a heavy clay soil (Riverina clay). Gypsum was either broadcast (4480 lb an acre) before sowing or dissolved (560 lb an acre) in the water at the first irrigation. Both methods of application increased seedling emergence and pasture production. In the first year of grazing at seven sheep per acre the untreated pasture barely survived, whereas the treated pastures were satisfactory. After four years of grazing, spring yields of the untreated pastures equaled gypsum treated pastures, but only when the stocking rate of the controls had been reduced by three sheep per acre for nearly 18 months. The proportion of sown species was still lower than on treated pasture. The large differences in pasture production were reflected in liveweight gains and wool production an acre. In the final phases stocking rates of five sheep per acre on untreated plots and eight sheep per acre on the gypsum treated plots gave the same production per sheep. An estimate of costs and returns from wool alone indicated that an initial gypsum treatment was profitable.

A comparison of levels of production and profit from grazing Merino ewes and wethers at various stocking rates in northern Victoria

1980 ◽  
Vol 20 (104) ◽  
pp. 296 ◽  
Author(s):  
DH White ◽  
BJ McConchie ◽  
BC Curnow ◽  
AH Ternouth
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
Rate Of Decline ◽  
One Year ◽  
Stocking Rates

Merino wethers and breeding ewes were grazed at various stocking rates on an annual pasture in the sheep-wheat zone of Northern Victoria from 1966 to 1973. There was considerable variation between years in botanical composition, the incidence of subterranean clover in the pasture plots varying by up to 80 percentage units between years. Total pasture production was measured in one plot during the last 4 years of the experiment, varying from 2.1 t ha-1 in the drought year (325 mm rain) of 1972, to 8.8 t ha-1 in the higher rainfall (883 mm) year of 1973. The large year-to-year variations in pasture production and botanical composition were reflected in differences between years in sheep production at various stocking rates. Wethers produced about 20% more wool than breeding ewes grazing at the same stocking rate, providing no supplements were fed. August-lambing ewes either lost weight in early spring or gained weight more slowly than wethers of the same age and flock background. The consequence of this was that maximum weights of ewes were consistently about 10 kg less than wethers at the same stocking rate. Both ewes and wethers had similar rates of weight loss from November to March. In one year ewes at 3.7 ha-1 were fed supplements in autumn, since they were lighter than the feeding weight of 41 kg, whereas wethers stocked at 11.1 ha-1, were not. An economic analysis of the experimental data indicated that the most profitable stocking rates of Merino wethers were up to 1.7 times that of August-lambing ewes. This ratio varies with season, and is also likely to vary with changes in lambing date or environment. The most sensitive determinants of optimal stocking rate were the rate of decline of fleece weight, and lambs born relative to ewes joined, with increasing stocking rate. Sheep liveweight at time of sale could also be important.

scholarly journals Animal production, economic results and lessons from nitrogen fertiliser use on dry hill country

2004 ◽  
pp. 35-40
Author(s):  
A.G. Gillingham ◽  
M.H. Gray ◽  
J.D. Morton
Keyword(s):  
Growth Conditions ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Soil P ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Production Economic ◽  
Net Margin ◽  
Fertiliser Use

Over a 7 year period, two trials were conducted on dry, steep hill country near Waipawa, central Hawkes Bay to examine the effects of combinations of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilisers on sheep and cattle production. Four farmlets were established and balanced so that each contained similar proportions of predominantly north and south facing aspects, and easy (0-200) and steep (>200) slopes. For Trial 1 from 1995 to 1999, the 'Low P' farmlets had a soil Olsen P test of 9 ìg/ml, and the 'High P' farmlets had a test of 28 ìg/ml (paddock averages). One each of the Low P and of the High P farmlets received N overall in early to mid winter at 30 kg/ha applied in urea fertiliser. The trial was stocked with an initial ratio of about 65:35 sheep (5 year old Romneys) to cattle (18 month old Friesian/Angus). The stocking rate for each farmlet was individually set to fully utilise the expected pasture growth on each farmlet during winter. Standard costs and returns were used for the economic analysis in all years. High soil P status and use of N fertiliser were not economically worthwhile unless ewe numbers were maximised and spring pasture was fully utilised. This was achieved by having farmlets fully stocked with ewes during winter with cattle introduced in early spring to control additional pasture growth. This strategy was particularly successful in a drought year (1998) when N fertiliser allowed a significantly higher ewe stocking rate during winter. The farmlets receiving N fertiliser averaged $148/ha economic net margin compared with $117/ha from those without N fertiliser. In Trial 2, differential application of P (to easy slopes only) and N fertilisers (to steep slopes only) occurred in two of the farmlets. This provided higher economic returns than in Trial 1. The plus-N farmlets averaged $234/ha compared with $184/ha for those without N fertiliser. A major advantage of the differential fertiliser application approach is that the appropriate N or P fertiliser is applied only to areas that will provide the best responses from that type of fertiliser The success of intensified fertiliser use and stocking of dry hill country is dependent on maximising pasture use while reliable soil moisture and pasture growth conditions prevail i.e. early winter- early spring. Outside this period management options must be flexible enough to cope with drying conditions at any time. Keywords: animal production, economic net margin, hill pastures, nitrogen, phosphorus

Addressing on-farm management to enhance pasture productivity and persistence

2013 ◽  
pp. 241-244
Author(s):  
W.N. Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategies ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Operating Profit ◽  
The North ◽  
The Cost ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Attention To Detail

Following the 2007/08 drought, we experienced poor pasture production and persistence on our dairy farm in north Waikato, leading to decreased milksolids production and a greater reliance on bought-in feed. It is estimated that the cost of this to our farming operation was about $1300 per hectare per year in lost operating profit. While climate and black beetle were factors, they did not explain everything, and other factors were also involved. In the last 3 years we have changed our management strategies to better withstand dry summers, the catalyst for which was becoming the DairyNZ Pasture Improvement Focus Farm for the north Waikato. The major changes we made were to reduce stocking rate, actively manage pastures in summer to reduce over-grazing, and pay more attention to detail in our pasture renewal programme. To date the result has been a reduced need for pasture renewal, a lift in whole farm performance and increased profitability. Keywords: Focus farm, over-grazing, pasture management, pasture persistence, profitability

Grazed pasture parameters. I. Pasture dry-matter production and availability in a stocking rate and grazing management experiment with dairy cows

1966 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.G. Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Dry Matter Production ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Grazed Pasture ◽  
Matter Production

1. Net pasture dry matter production and available pasture dry matter were measured over 3 years in a small-scale replica of the study of the effects of dairy cow grazing management and stocking rate reported by McMeekan & Walshe (1963).2. The four treatments were(i) Controlled rotational grazing, light stocking rate (0.95 cows/acre).(ii) Controlled rotational grazing, heavy stocking rate (1.19 cows/acre).(iii) Uncontrolled, set stocked grazing, light stocking rate (0.95 cows/acre).(iv) Uncontrolled, set stocked grazing, heavy stocking rate (1.19 cows/acre).3. The pasture measurement technique employed measured net pasture production (gains through new growth minus losses from all sources). It is argued that this parameter, rather than absolute pasture production, governs the changes in the dry matter feed supply to the grazing animal.

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