Studies in the wool production of grazing sheep. 5. Observations on teeth wear and carry over effects

1966 ◽  
Vol 6 (20) ◽  
pp. 101 ◽  
Author(s):  
GW Arnold ◽  
WR McManus ◽  
IG Bush
Keyword(s):  
Live Weight ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Grazing Sheep ◽  
Carry Over ◽  
Stocking Rates

Merino wethers were grazed for four years on Phalaris-subterranean clover pastures at four stocking rates. Measurements over two years showed that wear of incisor teeth increased substantially with stocking rate. This wear was closely associated with intake of silica by the sheep. After the experiment marked carry-over effects in wool production and live weight were observed in adult wethers. Significantly more wool was produced by sheep previously grazing at high stocking rates. Possible reasons for this effect are discussed.

Stocking intensity and pastoral production: III. Wool production, fleece characteristics, and the utilization of nutrients for maintenance and wool growth by Merino sheep grazed at different stocking rates

1973 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Langlands ◽  
I. L. Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Live Weight ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Unit Increase ◽  
Rate Of Decline ◽  
Stocking Rates

SummaryWool production and wool characteristics are reported for a 5-year period in which sheep grazed Phalaris tuberosa–Trifolium repens pastures at stocking rates ranging from 2·5 to 37·1 sheep/ha. The utilization of nutrients for maintenance and wool production were calculated over shorter periods.Maximum wool production/ha was always recorded at the highest stocking rate attained. The highest annual maximum was 111 kg clean wool/ha in 1963–4. The decline in wool production/sheep/unit increase in stocking rate was greatest during winter and the amplitude of the seasonal rhythm in wool production increased with stocking rate.At high stocking rates wool count increased, staple length and character declined, colour and handle improved, soundness tended to decline and fibre entanglement (cotting) to increase particularly during drought. Live-weight gain/sheep also declined with stocking rate, the rate of decline being greatest during drought. Maximum live-weight change/ha was attained at a lower stocking rate than maximum wool production/ha.The maintenance requirement of grazing sheep was estimated to be 58·3 kcal metabolizable energy/day/kg live weight and did not vary consistently with stocking rate. The value was 79% greater than the requirements for penned sheep estimated from fasting heat production.Efficiency of wool production was defined as wool grown/100 g digestible organic matter intake (ED) and as wool grown/100 g nitrogen intake (EN). EN declined linearly with increasing stocking rate but the intercepts differed between months, and were least in late winter and early spring. En declined with stocking rate in winter and increased during summer. At low stocking rates, ED showed some variation throughout the year but this was much greater at high stocking rates.

Studies in the wool production of grazing sheep. 2. Variation in wool characteristics with season and stocking rate

1964 ◽  
Vol 4 (15) ◽  
pp. 404 ◽  
Author(s):  
WR McManus ◽  
GW Arnold ◽  
JR Paynter
Keyword(s):  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Annual Growth ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Grazing Sheep ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Staple Length

A four-year study of the variation in wool characteristics of both periodic midside fleece samples and whole fleeces is reported. The wools are derived from an experiment (Arnold, McManus and Bush 1964) in which Merino wethers were continuously grazed on improved pastures at four widely different stocking rates. Despite very large differences in pasture availability and nutritional patterns between treatments the fleeces were essentially similar in staple length, fibre diameter, clean scoured yield, wax and suint content, in quality count and subjective characteristics of soundness, handle, colour, and character. The value of the fleeces was similar for all treatments. Staple length and fibre diameter were lowest in late summer and late winter, when feed quantity and quality, respectively, were also lowest. On all treatments over half the fleeces exhibited 'trade tenderness' attributable to undernutrition in summer. Winter shearing minimises the effects of undernutrition in winter on the soundness of the fleeces. The staple length on the tattoo midside was 21 per cent greater than annual growth on the alternate midside region. Possible reasons for this increase are discussed.

Some variables influencing production of prime lamb and wool from pasture

1971 ◽  
Vol 11 (52) ◽  
pp. 498
Author(s):  
GW Arnold ◽  
A Axelsen ◽  
HR Gharaybeh ◽  
HW Chapman
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Reproductive Rate ◽  
Bromus Inermis ◽  
Early Winter ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Brome Grass ◽  
Stocking Rates

In an experiment at Canberra, A.C.T., extending over four years, crossbred and Merino ewes were grazed at three stocking rates on pastures of either phalaris (Phalaris tuberosa), phalaris combined with separate paddocks of brome grass (Bromus inermis), and cocksfoot (Dactyllis glomerata), or separate paddocks of brome grass and cocksfoot. Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) was present in all pastures. One-, two-, and three-paddock systems and two times of lambing were also compared. Pasture availability and animal productivity were measured. Early lambing resulted in more prime lambs although the later lambs had slightly higher rates of gain. At the highest crossbred stocking rate studied (seven ewes per acre) wool production per acre was still increasing, but number of prime lambs and lamb liveweight gain did not increase above stocking rates of five ewes per acre. More feed was available to ewes during late pregnancy on treatments allowing feed rationing in autumn and early winter, but neither rationing nor including brome grass and cocksfoot in the system increased animal productivity beyond that achieved by grazing phalaris continuously. At stocking rates up to six ewes per acre, animal production was greatest from phalaris grazed continuously. Stocking rates were designed to provide similar weights of either Merino or crossbred ewes per acre at each stocking level. Because more lambs were born to crossbred ewes they had less feed than Merinos in spring and summer at all stocking rates. Lambs from crossbred ewes were heavier at birth and grew faster than lambs from Merino ewes. More prime crossbred lambs were produced per acre at all stocking levels. The reproductive rate and lamb production of Merino ewes dropped sharply with increased stocking rate. Fleeceweights were similar for both breeds, particularly at low stocking rates. Wool production per acre increased with stocking rate and was higher from Merinos at each level.

Studies in the wool production of grazing sheep. 1. Seasonal variation in feed intake, liveweight and wool production

1964 ◽  
Vol 4 (15) ◽  
pp. 392 ◽  
Author(s):  
GW Arnold ◽  
WR McManus ◽  
IG Bush
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
First Year ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Annual Grasses ◽  
Stocking Rates

A four year experiment is described in which Merino wethers were continuously grazed on Phalaris- subterranean clover pasture containing some annual grasses, at three rates for a year and at four rates in subsequent years. For the first year of the experiment a pasture of annual grasses and subterranean clover was also studied at three stocking rates. From the time that the eco-systems that were established reached an equilibrium there was rarely less than 2500 lb of herbage dry-matter an acre available on the lowest stocking rate and rarely more than 1000 lb an acre on the highest stocking rate. There was a significant difference in wool cut per head only in the first year ; over the last three years of the experiment it was slightly lower on the highest and lowest stocking rates than on the intermediate stocking rate. Wool production per acre was proportional to stocking rate. Large seasonal fluctuations were recorded in estimated digestible organic matter intake, liveweight, and wool production. Peaks of intake, liveweight gain, and wool production occurred in autumn and spring but at different dates at different stocking rates. At all but the highest stocking rate, wool production per unit time was lower in summer than in winter. Estimated herbage intake increased with decreasing availability of pasture. Digestibility of the diet, availability of pasture, and body condition of the sheep appeared to affect intake. Despite a higher estimated herbage intake on the higher stocking rate treatments, wool production was no higher.

Effect of stocking rate, time of lambing and inclusion of lucerne on prime lamb production in north-east Victoria

1980 ◽  
Vol 20 (107) ◽  
pp. 637 ◽  
Author(s):  
JL Reeve ◽  
MJ Sharkey
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
North East ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Prime Condition ◽  
Supplementary Feed ◽  
Stocking Rates

Results of a grazing study involving Border Leicester x Merino ewes and their progeny are reported for a 4-year period 1969 to 1972. The study was conducted at Rutherglen in north-east Victoria. The 1260 ewes observed throughout the study were allotted to 42 treatment plots with 30 ewes per plot. Thirty of the plots were located on annual pasture (subterranean clover, barley grass) involving three replicates of ewes stocked at 7.4,9.9 and 12.4 ewes ha-l for ewes joined over 7-week periods to commence lambing about May 5, June 23 or August 8. Additionally, an extra three plots with spring lambing were grazed at 14.8 ewes ha-1. A further 12 plots contained lucerne on one third of the plot area. The ewes on these plots also lambed for a 7-week period commencing August 8, and provided three replicates of 7.4 9.9, 12.4 and 14.8 ewes ha-1. First services were concentrated early in the joining period in the spring-lambing ewes, there were few returns to services and few ewes failed to mate. On the other hand, among ewes joined to lamb in autumn, first services were distributed over the entire joining period, and many ewes returned to service or failed to mate. The mating pattern of ewes joined to lamb in winter were intermediate between the autumn and spring lambing groups. Although the liveweight of spring-lambing ewes was lighter at mating, the number of lambs born per 100 ewes joined was greater than for winter lambing, and these in turn were greater than for autumn lambing ewes. The response to an additional 1 kg liveweight at mating was 1.7, 2.0 and 2.8 additional lambs born per 100 ewes joined for autumn, winter and spring lambing, respectively. Wool production per hectare increased linearly with increase in stocking rate; it was marginally affected by time of lambing and was greatest where lucerne was provided. The number of lambs reared per ha increased linearly with increase in stocking rate, albeit there was some decline in carcase weight and a small decline in numbers of lambs reared per ewe. Lambs born in autumn and winter were generally slaughtered in prime condition at 31 kg liveweight, except in the drought year of 1972, but more lambs were produced from a winter lambing than from autumn lambing. When lambing was in August-September there was a slight increase in the numbers of lambs reared above that of winter lambing, but the proportion of lambs marketed at less than 31 kg was greatly increased. Where lucerne was provided to spring-lambing ewes the greatest weight of meat per hectare was produced, and few lambs were less than 31 kg. In descending order of magnitude, the major factors affecting carrying capacity were season, year, stocking rate and time of lambing. Seasonal shortcomings in nutrition were alleviated by the provision of supplementary feed. At the lighter stocking rates of 7.4 and 9.9 ewes ha-1 the amounts of supplements fed were very low, even in the drought year of 1972. These two lowest stocking rates could be maintained indefinitely without excessive use of supplementary feed. Discernible changes in botanical composition with partial loss of productive grass and clover species, reduction in pasture growth rate, increased use of supplementary feed and lowered wool production of ewes, occurred with spring lambing without lucerne, particularly at 12.4 and 14.8 ewes ha-1. Pasture composition and growth details were very similar with either autumn or winter lambing.

The intake and production of lactating Merino ewes and their lambs grazed at different stocking rates

1977 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 133 ◽  
Author(s):  
JP Langlands
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Milk Consumption ◽  
Total Organic Matter ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Maintenance Requirement ◽  
Stocking Rates

Grass and milk consumption and liveweight changes of lambs grazed at stocking rates ranging from 9 to 35 sheep/ha were measured during a 105 day lactation. Grass consumption and wool production of their mothers and of similar ewes without lambs were also determined. The forage and total organic matter intakes of the lamb increased with time while milk consumption declined; all three variables were negatively correlated with stocking rate. The intake of the ewe and its liveweight gain were not sensitive to increasing stocking rate, but wool production declined at higher stocking rates. The maintenance requirement of the ewes was estimated to be 218 kJ metabolizable energy/kg liveweight, and the efficiency with which metabolizable energy was utilized for milk production was 66%. Lactation increased the intake of the ewe but reduced its wool production.

Supplementary feeding of dairy cows on continuously stocked pasture

1984 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. G. Jennings ◽  
W. Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Total Output ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Stocking Rates

SummaryTwo experiments were conducted with milking cows on continuously stocked perennial ryegrass pastures. In each a control group, T0, received 1 kg/day of a concentrate supplement and treatment groups T1 and T2 received 4 kg (Expt 1) or 5 kg/day (Expt 2) of a low quality T1 or a high quality T2 concentrate. In Expt 1 treatments were applied continuously for 14 weeks to a total of 30 cows. In Expt 2 a Latin square design for 9 weeks was conducted with 18 cows. The stocking rate of the pasture declined from 9·6 to 5·1 cows per ha (mean 6·7 cows/ha) from May to August (Expt 1) and was maintained at 3 cows/ha in August-October (Expt 2).Supplements increased total intakes by 0·92 and 0·77 kg organic matter (OM)/kg OM supplied in the concentrates respectively for Expts 1 and 2. Milk yields increased by 0·6 and 0·5 kg/kg concentrate supplied and supplemented cows showed small increases in live weight. Differences in lactation milk yield just approached significance. Grazing times were only slightly reduced by supplements and bite sizes were lower than normal. There was no important difference in animal performance between the two concentrates. The total output from the pasture was 19·6t milk and 115 GJ of utilized metabolizable energy per hectare.Reasons for the high supplementary effect of the concentrates and its implications for stocking rates are discussed.

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.

Effect of time of joining and rate of stocking on the production of Corriedale ewes in southern Victoria. 3. Wool growth and the composition and availability of pasture

1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (73) ◽  
pp. 159 ◽  
Author(s):  
PA Kenney ◽  
IF Davis
Keyword(s):  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
The Other ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Brome Grass ◽  
Stocking Rates

A study was made during a three year period (1 968-1 970) of wool production by a flock of 540 ewes grazing annual pasture at Werribee, Victoria. The ewes were stocked at three rates (5, 7 1/2 and 10 ewes ha-1) and lambed between July 6 and August 20 or between September 10 and October 29 each year. Fibre diameter and length of wool samples were measured in 1968, 1969 and 1970 ; in 1970 growth of greasy wool was calculated from staples of dye-banded wool. Wool growth was reduced in all ewes during late pregnancy and early lactation but was not affected during late lactation in ewes lambing in September. The proportion of tender fleeces from all ewes was greater in 1970 and the weight of fleeces from only those ewes bearing single lambs was less in all years for ewes lambing in July than for ewes lambing in September. More ewes were barren and fewer ewes had twins in July and consequently the mean fleece weights of all ewes from both groups were similar. Fleeces from ewes stocked at 10 ha-1 were lighter, shorter and finer than fleeces from ewes stocked at 5 and 7 1/2 ha-1, but the proportion of tender fleeces did not differ between the groups. Wool production of ewes stocked at 5 and 7 1/2 ha-1 increased from 1968 to 1970, whereas that of ewes at 10 ha-1 did not. This was associated with differences in pasture availability and composition. At 10 ewes ha-1 less pasture was present in winter and spring in 1970 than in 1968, whereas at the other stocking rates it was greater. In 1970 the density of weeds in autumn was greater and in spring more silver grass (Vulpia spp.) and less brome grass (Bromus spp.) was available at the high stocking rate.

Wool production of grazing sheep supplemented with casein and formaldehyde-treated casein

1971 ◽  
Vol 11 (48) ◽  
pp. 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
JP Langlands
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Caseinate ◽  
Supplementary Feeding ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Grazing Sheep

For 59 days grazing Merino wethers were given 0, 40, or 80 g of sodium caseinate each day directly into the abomasum. Clean wool production was increased by 35 and 38 per cent after giving 40 and 80 g per day respectively. In a second experiment grazing Merino wethers were given 0 or 80 g casein, or 40 or 80 g casein treated with formaldehyde (HCHO-casein) each day through cannulae inserted into the rumen. Wool production was increased by 22, 38, and 51 per cent by the 80 g casein, 40 g HCHO-casein and 80 g HCHO-casein treatments respectively. In a third experiment Merino wethers, in which rumen cannulae had been prepared, were grazed at a high and low stocking rate, and were given daily 0, 20, 40, or 60 g HCHO-casein through the rumen cannulae. Wool production and efficiency of wool production increased, and herbage intake declined as the level of supplementary feeding increased.

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