Stocking rate and the superphosphate requirements of sown pasture on an acid soil

1968 ◽  
Vol 8 (30) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
KD McLachlan
Keyword(s):  
Acid Soil ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Similar Response ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Stocking Rates

The response by Phalaris-subterranean clover pasture to applied nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur was measured at two sites on the same soil. Both sites had the same fertilizer history. For the past fifteen years the stocking rate on one site had been maintained at not less than three times that of the other. Yield responses to phosphorus were obtained at both sites. The response at the lower stocking rate was greater than that at the high stocking rate. A similar response pattern was found for nitrogen, but the difference in response between the stocking rate treatments was not significant. The pastures did not respond to sulphur. The trend was for sulphur to depress the yield at both stocking rates. The evidence suggests that less superphosphate was needed to maintain pasture production at high stocking rates than at low ones. Available phosphorus, determined chemically, increased with grazing intensity. There was no evidence that a particular soil phosphorus fraction was associated with this increase, or the lower requirement for added fertilizer. The only significant difference between grazing treatments were increases in the iron, calcium, and organic forms at the higher grazing intensity. It is probable that the present pasture response, and hence the fertilizer requirement of the soil, was influenced more by the altered growth potential of the plants under grazing, than by the effect of grazing on the soil nutrient status.

Pasture production of two cultivars of Trifolium subterraneum at Kybybolite, South Australia

1992 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 611 ◽  
Author(s):  
AD Craig
Keyword(s):  
South Australia ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Biochanin A ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Seedling Density ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Seed Reserves ◽  
Seed Yields ◽  
Stocking Rates

Two cultivars of subterranean clover, Trikkala and Mt Barker, were continuously grazed by Merino ewes and lambs at 3 stocking rates (8, 13, and 18 ewes/ha) from 1976 to 198 1. The pastures were assessed for clover seedling density, pasture availability and composition, seed reserves, and oestrogen content. Trikkala produced consistently higher seed yields than Mt Barker, with an average yield 3.36 times that of Mt Barker by January 1981 (1178 v. 350 kg/ka). The higher Trikkala seed yields resulted in improved clover seedling densities and increased amounts of clover in the pastures. At the last assessment (8 September 1980) there was an average of 3.15 times more clover in the Trikkala pastures than in the Mt Barker pastures (469 v. 149 kg/ha). Trikkala produced more total available pasture than Mt Barker, at several samplings, because the contribution of subterranean clover to total available pasture was greater after September 1978. The formononetin, genistein and biochanin A content of both cultivars decreased with increasing stocking rate. The most consistent effects were observed in genistein content, with reductions occurring in 7 of the 11 samplings.

Responses to Grazing Intensity on the Transvaal Highveld

1966 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 217-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Gillard
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Crude Fibre ◽  
Heavy Grazing ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Rate Calculation ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Grassland Types

SUMMARYThe productivity of climax and serai grassland in South Africa was compared at three stocking rates with steers. On climax grassland, over nine years, gains per head at one steer per morgen (= 2·12 acres = 0·86 hectare) were not significantly greater than at two steers per morgen. Liveweight gains per morgen were 70 per cent higher at the heavier stocking rate and were 162 lb and 273 lb at one and two steers respectively. On serai grassland, over three seasons stocked at two steers and three steers per morgen, the liveweight gains per steer were significantly less at the higher stocking rate but there was no significant difference in the gains per morgen, which were 366 lb and 318 lb at two and three steers respectively. The liveweight gains on the seral grassland were significantly higher than on the climax grassland at the same stocking rate Calculation of the total digestible nutrients (T.D.N.) has shown that with heavier stocking more T.D.N. per morgen may be harvested on both grassland types. However, with heavy grazing the efficiency of conversion of T.D.N. into liveweight was less. The quality of the sward, measured in per cent crude protein, P2O5 and crude fibre was better at the heavier stocking owing to delayed maturity of the grass when it is continually grazed short.

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

Effects of grazing management and stocking rate on pasture production, ewe liveweight, ewe fertility and lamb growth on subterranean clover-based pasture in Western Australia

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 161 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Lloyd Davies ◽  
I. N. Southey
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Lamb Growth

Border Leicester x Merino ewes joined to Dorset Horn rams were grazed for 3 years on subterranean clover-based pastures established on virgin ground at Bakers Hill, Western Australia, at 3 stocking rates and 2 systems of grazing management (viz. continuous grazing compared with a deferred grazing system which was designed to ensure that pasture availability met the nutritional requirements of breeding ewes at critical phases of their reproductive cycle). Both stocking rate and grazing management affected pasture availability: there was always a greater amount of pasture available on offer under the deferred grazing system. However, this extra pasture rarely increased animal production; the effect of the deferred grazing compared with continuous grazing was inconsequential for ewe liveweight in late pregnancy and for lamb growth rate. The deferred grazing system promoted grass dominance at all stocking rates whereas there was only 24% grass under continuous grazing at the high stocking rate. Stocking rate on some occasions affected ewe liveweight at joining but always affected the prelambing weight. The highest stocking rate on some occasions reduced twinning rate. Stocking rate (particularly in 1966) affected lamb growth rate. The combination of the effect of stocking rate on twinning rate, lamb survival and lamb growth rate resulted in a lower proportion of lambs achieving 30 kg liveweight per lamb marked at higher stocking rates (3-year mean low stocking rate 106% lambs marketed; medium stocking rate 95% and high stocking rate 80%). In 1966, total plasma ketones were lower and plasma glucose (measure of ewe metabolic status) was higher on the deferred system than on the continuously grazed system.

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.

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.

Effect of environmental factors on the growth of grazed pasture in south-western Victoria

2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 545 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. A. Birrell ◽  
R. L. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Daily Growth ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Grazed Pasture ◽  
Herbage Yield ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
Stocking Rates

This paper presents work from several studies on pasture production that were conducted in south-west Victoria at the Pastoral Research Institute, Hamilton. The frequency with which pasture growth commenced for each week of autumn in the years from 1965 to 1991 was assessed. The median period for the commencement of growth was in the third week of March (although the average date was March 27). Autumn data from several trials conducted over 3 decades were collated and analysed. A relationship between the grazed pasture yield (average of stocking rates plots) at the end of autumn and the rainfall showed that 200 mm of rainfall in the 3 months to the end of May was optimal while higher rainfall depressed the growth. The average daily growth rates of introduced pasture (perennial rye grass, Lolium perenne L. cv. Victorian, phalaris, Phalaris aquatica L. cv. Australian, subterranean clover Trifolium subterranneum L. and volunteer species) were measured in 2- and 4-week growth periods (G 2 and G 4, kg DM/ha.day) for the seasonal growth cycles over 4 years (1980–84 except 1983) when grazed by Merino wether sheep at stocking rates of 10, 13 or 18 sheep/ha. The rainfall throughout the study was lower than normal. Although differences in the animal performance between the stocking rates were only small, at the low stocking rate capeweed (Arctotheca calendula L.) in patches became the major component of the sward. Greater variation in G 2 than in G 4 indicated that growth responded quickly to current environmental conditions. A nonlinear regression accounted for 74% of the variance in G 2 when related to the 3 climatic factors of daylength, soil temperature at 10 cm depth and the soil moisture to a depth of 10 cm, and a plant factor of green herbage yield. The 26 % of unaccounted variance appears to be associated with an effect of stocking rate, possibly botanical composition. The botanical composition was not continuously monitored hence the only sward character included in the investigation was herbage yield. Comparison of the patterns of pasture growth from different latitudes indicated that while the growth pattern in south-western Victoria is erratic, it is intermediary between Mediterranean and temperate pasture types. Understanding this aspect has implications for improving the efficiency of animal production in this environment.

Seasonal relations between animal gain, pasture production and stocking rate on two tropical grass-legume pastures

1978 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 103 ◽  
Author(s):  
LA Edye ◽  
WT Williams ◽  
WH Winter
Keyword(s):  
Response Surfaces ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Annual Basis ◽  
Seasonal Basis ◽  
Guinea Grass ◽  
Dry Seasons ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
The Relationship

The relationship between stocking rate and liveweight change per animal was examined over a period of 3 years for two continuously grazed pastures, one of Brachiaria and the other consisting of guinea grass with Endeavour stylo and Siratro. On an annual basis there was no significant effect of stocking rate over the last 2 years, but on a seasonal basis there were highly significant effects in all seasons. In the dry seasons, animal gain rose as the stocking rate fell, but in the last two wet seasons gains fell with the lower stocking rates. On an annual basis the two effects cancelled out. Response surfaces for gain versus pasture yield and stocking rate were curvilinear (quadratic) during the wet season and linear during the dry. Optimum stocking rates (for maximum gain per hectare) were determined for the wet and dry seasons; the rate was greatly affected by the yield of green material during the dry season but less so during the wet. The possible causes of this reversed wetseason effect are discussed.

Pasture systems to improve productivity of sheep in south-western Victoria. 1. Growth, composition, nutritive value and persistence of resown pastures

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Saul ◽  
Gavin Kearney ◽  
Dion Borg
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
P Rate ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
Over Time

Two pasture systems were compared at five on-farm sites across south-western Victoria between 1990 and 1996. The ‘typical’ pasture treatment mimicked the pasture and grazing management common in the region, with volunteer annual-based pastures fertilised with around 5 kg/ha phosphorus (P) each year. The ‘upgraded’ pasture treatments were resown to phalaris, perennial ryegrass and subterranean clover, and higher rates of fertiliser (13–25 kg P/ha.year) plus other nutrients were applied. Both pastures were set stocked with the participating farmers breeding ewes. Stocking rate was an emergent variable on each plot. The stocking rate on the typical treatments was based on normal farm practise. Initially, the stocking rate of the upgraded pastures was 15% higher than for the typical pastures and increased over time depending if the ewes in the upgraded pastures were heavier than those in the typical pastures. Measurements included soil fertility, pasture production, nutritive value and composition, and animal production. Net annual pasture production of the upgraded pastures was 10 500 kg/ha compared with 8700 kg/ha for the typical pastures. This average difference (18%) between the treatments was greatly influenced by the large advantage (40%) of the upgraded pasture in the wet year of 1992. Upgraded pastures had higher pasture production than typical pastures in spring but the reverse occurred in autumn. In a separate small plot experiment, the response of each pasture to higher P fertiliser applications was tested. In autumn and winter, there was a significant interaction between pasture type and P rate, with higher responses on the upgraded pastures. In spring, both pastures responded to increased P applications but the upgraded pastures were more responsive at all P rates. The upgraded pastures contained significantly higher legume content (30–50%) than the typical pastures (10–20%). The proportion of sown perennial grasses in the upgraded pasture declined from around 30 to 10% after 6 years displaced by annual grasses and broad-leaf weeds. Herbage from upgraded pastures had significantly higher crude protein content (2–7 units) and digestibility (1–10 units) than the typical pastures with the difference between the treatments increasing over time. The set stocking policy used in this experiment is likely to have exacerbated the decline in sown perennial grasses and implementation of some form of strategic or rotational grazing may have improved persistence. The experiment also highlights the importance of selecting perennial grasses able to cope with the local environment and grazing conditions. Despite the decline in perennials, these results show significant potential to improve pasture productivity and quality in south-western Victoria.

The short-term effects of rock phosphate and super-phosphate on a subterranean clover pasture.

1955 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 553 ◽  
Author(s):  
RC Rossiter ◽  
PG Ozanne
Keyword(s):  
Rock Phosphate ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Phosphorus Recovery ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
First Year ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Total Plant ◽  
Second Year

A 2-year field experiment is described, in which an annual-type pasture was grown on a soil of lateritic origin with various initial rates of rock phosphate and superphosphate. The soil was acutely deficient in plant-available phosphorus at the outset. Application of superphosphate led to the expected increases in total pasture production, but rock phosphate also gave substantial yield increases, even during the first season. Differential species effects were noted; subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) and cape-weed (Cryptostemma calendula Druce) responded about equally to superphosphate, but the clover responded to rock phosphate to a greater extent than did cape-weed. Both relative efficiency for total plant growth and percentage utilization of applied phosphorus were much higher with the soluble phosphatic fertilizer than with rock phosphate, especially in the first year. However, phosphorus recovery from rock phosphate was as high in the second year as in the first, whereas there was a marked decrease in the second year from superphosphate.

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