Some effects of botanical composition of pasture on growth and wool production of weaner sheep

1972 ◽  
Vol 12 (57) ◽  
pp. 355 ◽  
Author(s):  
KFM Reed
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Trifolium Repens ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Fleece Weight

August-born Corriedale lambs were weaned at ten weeks old and, for the following 12 months, were grazed on 16 plots. Each plot had been sown six years previously, to one of eight pasture mixtures which differed in their grass component, but not in their clover component. Trifolium perenne, Phalaris tuberosa, Dacylis glomerata, Trifolium repens, T . subterraneum, and T. fragiferum were sown. Hordem leporinum volunteered in most plots. Where perennial grass species were sown, Trifolium repens (white clover) contributed less than two per cent to the pasture present on the plots. For the two plots where perennial grass was not sown, white clover contributed up to 31 per cent. The total for all sown clover species present in the pasture varied from approximately 100 to 1000 kg ha-1, or approximately 3-30 per cent. Apart from the two plots where perennial qrass was not sown, the clover species present was mainly Trifolium subterraneum (subterranean clover). Average fleece weights varied from 3.1-4.9 kg on the different plots. The amount of sown clover present in the pasture accounted for 77 per cent of the between-plot variation in fleece weight and 66 per cent of the between-plot variation in annual liveweight gain. Measurements of pasture growth were made for four pasture mixtures. Total pasture growth showed differences of over 50 per cent due to pasture mixture, yet, when grazed at 20 weaners per hectare, differences in annual liveweight gain and fleece weight (10 months wool), due to pasture mixture, did not exceed 10 per cent. Annual liveweight gain and fleece weight were not correlated total pasture growth. However, pasture growth rate measured at monthly intervals, accounted for 43 per cent of the variation in mean daily liveweight gain during these individual months.

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.

A comparison of the effects of feed supplements cobalt and selenium, and perennial and annual pastures on the production of medium Peppin Merino weaner sheep in south-western Australia

1989 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 361
Author(s):  
HL Davies ◽  
PP Mann ◽  
B Goddard
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Feed Supplement ◽  
Protein Meal ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Phalaris Aquatica ◽  
High Protein Meal ◽  
Cereal Group

Two experiments on weaner production are reported. In experiment 1, the liveweight and wool production were measured in medium Peppin Merino sheep that grazed at 10.5 weanerstha 8 plots of a mixed Phalaris aquatica-subterranean clover pasture or 8 plots of annual pasture (Trifolium subterraneum cv. Woogenellup and volunteer annual grass species). This was repeated over 2 years using autumn-born sheep; 4 groups on each pasture type were offered no supplement, 2 groups a cereal supplement (340 goats), and 2 groups of supplement isoenergetic with the cereal group but having a high protein meal replace some of the cereal (250 g oats and 60 g protein). The feed supplement was offered over the summer (January-April). The sheep on 2 of the unsupplemented plots and 1 of the 2 plots receiving either a cereal or cereal + protein supplement were offered access to a composite mineral block formulated to meet the mineral requirements of sheep with the exception of cobalt and selenium. There were 16 sheep on each plot within each group of 16 weaners, 4 were given an intraruminal cobalt 'bullet', 4 were given 5 mg of selenium orally, 4 given cobalt plus selenium and 4 were untreated controls. Experiment 2 was in year 3 with spring-born weaners on the same plots. The mineral block treatment was discarded on the plots receiving supplement and the effect of supplementary feeding at the beginning of March was compared with feeding in early January; barley was also compared with oats and protein. The stocking rate was raised to 13.5 sheep/ha. There were no statistically significant differences in sheep liveweight due to pasture type in either of the years of experiment 1 or experiment 2. Supplementation with cereals or protein-fortified cereals resulted in a significantly ( P < 0.05) increased liveweight at the end of March (5.6 kg in year 1,2.4 kg in year 2 of experiment 1, and 2.5 kg in experiment 2), and wool production (0.49 kg clean wool in year 1 and 0.3 1 kg in year 2 in experiment 1, and 0.49 in experiment 2). There was a significant liveweight response on the perennial plots to selenium + cobalt in year 1 of experiment 1. All cobalt-treated sheep were heavier ( P < 0.001) in year 2. Neither selenium nor cobalt significantly affected liveweight in experiment 2. The proportion of Phalaris aquatica on the perennial pasture diminished from 18% to less than 9% by the end of year 2 in experiment 1. These results suggest that, if perennial pastures cannot be maintained, then their establishment in the south-west of Western Australia would not result in greater animal production than on annual pasture. Decisions on using supplements would be dependent upon feed and wool prices.

Effect of management system and stocking rate on the performance of ewes and lambs

1976 ◽  
Vol 16 (83) ◽  
pp. 810 ◽  
Author(s):  
BD Hill ◽  
DG Saville
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Management System ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
The Body ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Lamb Growth

A grazing experiment was conducted at Cowra, on the western slopes of New South Wales, on a pasture consisting of lucerne (Medicago sativa) and annual species including capeweed (Arctotheca calendula), barley grass (Hordeum leporinum). wimmera ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) . The performance of Border Leicesterx Merino ewes mated to Dorset Horn rams and the growth of their progeny was compared under rotational and set stocked grazing management systems, with and without a 20 per cent area of lucerne saved for grazing when additional feed was required. There was one stocking rate (8.7 ewes ha-1) in 1966 and two (8.7 ewes ha-1 and 13.0 ewes ha-1) in 1967 to 1969. Rotational grazing decreased the lamb growth rate but increased the number of lambs born. The management system did not affect the body weight or wool production of the ewes. Lucerne was quickly eliminated from the set stocked areas and was greatly reduced in the rotational systems. Capeweed became dominant in the set stocked areas. Saving increased the number of lambs born at the high stocking rate in 1967 to 1969. In 1966 saving reduced lamb growth, ewe body weight and wool growth in the rotational system. The high stocking rate increased wool production per hectare, but decreased the number of lambs born and, in 1967, the lamb growth rate.

The effect of associate perennial grasses on a simple pasture mixture of phalaris and subterranean clover

1956 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 367 ◽  
Author(s):  
WD Andrew ◽  
CA Neal-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Yield Component ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Small Change

Over the period 1952-1954 there was no significant difference in the yield of herbage produced annually by the addition to a Phalaris tuberosa L.–Trifolium subterraneum L. pasture mixture, of any one of the following grasses: Agropyron obtusiusculum Lange., Bromus coloratus Steud., Bromus inermis Leyss., Dactylis glomerata L., or Festuca arundinacea Schreb. There were indications of a small change in seasonal production where certain grasses, notably D. glomerata, were included in the mixture. Over the 3-year period the proportion of the sown grass component, in the mixtures where either D. glomerata, B. inermis, or B. coloratus were included, increased by a greater amount than where the simple mixture of phalaris and subterranean clover was used. The addition of each grass also lessened the amount of P. tuberosa in the sown grass component of the yield. In the third year, despite the varying proportions of the phalaris and associated sown grass species, the mean population of the sown perennial grasses in each treatment did not differ significantly from the mean figure of 1.34 plants/sq. lk. The increased production of the sown grass yield component following the association of certain of the above species with P. tuberosa suggests that the latter does not fully exploit the environment. The principle of including another perennial grass when sowing phalaris and subterranean clover might have wide application as a means of combatting "phalaris staggers".

Effects of sowing method and competitor species and presence on Phalaris and Austrodanthonia establishment and persistence.

2000 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 813 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. Lodge
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Annual Ryegrass ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Continuous Grazing

Two experiments were conducted on plots sown in autumn 1992, at Tamworth in northern New South Wales. The first compared the establishment of 3 perennial grasses when sown as monocultures or with competitors in either broadcast-sown swards or alternate row-sown plots. Sowing rate and species of competitor were also examined as factors affecting perennial grass establishment. Perennial grasses were Austrodanthonia richardsonii (synonym Danthonia richardsonii) cv. Taranna, A. bipartita (synonym D. linkii) cv. Bunderra, and Phalaris aquatica cv. Sirosa. Competitors were Trifolium subterraneum var. brachycalycinum cv. Clare, T. repens cv. Haifa, and Lolium rigidum cv. Wimmera. In spring 1992, competitors were removed from 144 of the 288 plots to prevent them from seeding. A second experiment compared the longer-term (1993–96) dry matter yield and persistence of these perennial grasses under continuous grazing in plots were the competitor was present in year 1 (1992) or in all years (1992–96). In spring 1992, mean dry matter yield of perennial grass was higher (P<0.001) in row-sown plots then those sown by broadcasting. Mean dry matter yield of perennial grass was lowest at low sowing rate, but not significantly different at medium and high sowing rates (about 350 kg DM/ha). Compared with the monocultures, the presence of a competitor reduced mean perennial grass dry matter yields by 48, 69 and 85%, respectively for white clover, subterranean clover and annual ryegrass. Perennial grass plant numbers were highest (P<0.001) in the medium and high sowing rates of the monocultures and in white clover competitor plots and lowest (P<0.001) in all broadcast-sown plots, where annual ryegrass was the competitor. By spring 1996, white clover and annual ryegrass had declined to a low level in the pasture in all plots and the only major competitor was subterranean clover (1200 kg DM/ha, 40% plant frequency). Mean dry matter yields were highest (P<0.001) for Sirosa in 1993, but with dry conditions in 1994 and continuous grazing they were highest for Bunderra in all other years. The implications of these data for devising sowing strategies to maximise the establishment of perennial grasses and their long-term persistence in this environment are discussed.

scholarly journals Host plant recognition by the root feeding clover weevil, Sitona lepidus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

2004 ◽  
Vol 94 (5) ◽  
pp. 433-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.N. Johnson ◽  
P.J. Gregory ◽  
P.J. Murray ◽  
X Zhang ◽  
I.M. Young
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Plant Roots ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Movement Rates ◽  
Sitona Lepidus ◽  
Macro Scale ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Invasive Techniques ◽  
Root Feeding

AbstractThis study investigated the ability of neonatal larvae of the root-feeding weevil, Sitona lepidus Gyllenhal, to locate white clover Trifolium repens L. (Fabaceae) roots growing in soil and to distinguish them from the roots of other species of clover and a co-occurring grass species. Choice experiments used a combination of invasive techniques and the novel technique of high resolution X-ray microtomography to non-invasively track larval movement in the soil towards plant roots. Burrowing distances towards roots of different plant species were also examined. Newly hatched S. lepidus recognized T. repens roots and moved preferentially towards them when given a choice of roots of subterranean clover, Trifolium subterraneum L. (Fabaceae), strawberry clover Trifolium fragiferum L. (Fabaceae), or perennial ryegrass Lolium perenneL. (Poaceae). Larvae recognized T. repens roots, whether released in groups of five or singly, when released 25 mm (meso-scale recognition) or 60 mm (macro-scale recognition) away from plant roots. There was no statistically significant difference in movement rates of larvae.

scholarly journals Caucasian clover was more productive than white clover in grass mixtures under drought conditions

2000 ◽  
pp. 183-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.D. Black ◽  
R.J. Lucas
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Moisture Stress ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Trifolium Ambiguum ◽  
Dry Conditions ◽  
Schedonorus Phoenix

This experiment compared the productivity of caucasian or white clover when established with five perennial grass species over 6 years in a dry lowland environment. Hexaploid 'Endura' caucasian clover or 'Grasslands Demand' white clover were sown in December 1994 with high endophyte 'Yatsyn' perennial ryegrass, 'Grasslands Wana' cocksfoot, 'Grasslands Advance' tall fescue, 'Grasslands Gala' grazing brome, or 'Grasslands Maru' phalaris into a deep, fertile silt loam. Initial establishment of clovers was poor with ryegrass and grazing brome. Some volunteer white clover established in all 10 treatments. After the first 14 months, no irrigation was applied over the following 4 years. Sheep grazed plots about six times each year. The legume cover in 15-month-old pastures was higher when sown with white clover (29%) than caucasian clover (21%) but dry conditions during 1997/1998 (60% of 680 mm mean annual rainfall) and 1998/1999 (66% of mean rainfall) decreased the percentage of legume in white clover pastures. In February 1998 and March 1999, legume contributed 37% and 21% of the dry matter (DM) in caucasian clover pastures, but only 4% and 1% in pastures sown with white clover. Rainfall during the sixth season (1999/2000) was more favourable (111% of mean rainfall). Total DM production from July 1999 to June 2000 was 10.0 t DM/ha from caucasian clover pastures and 8.7 t DM/ha from pastures sown with white clover. The mean proportion of legume in white clover pastures ranged from 9% when sown with ryegrass and phalaris to 1% with cocksfoot. In contrast, mean caucasian clover legume contents were similar across all grass treatments at 20%, but reached 46% with cocksfoot during summer. It was concluded that caucasian clover is more tolerant of summer moisture stress than white clover when in association with perennial grass species. Keywords: botanical composition, Bromus stamineus, Dactylis glomerata, legume content, Lolium perenne, moisture stress, pasture production, Phalaris aquatica, Schedonorus phoenix syn. Festuca arundinacea, Trifolium ambiguum, T. repens

Long-term persistence of subterranean clover Trifolium subterraneum L.) cultivars at three sites in south-western Victoria

1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 531
Author(s):  
S. G. Clark ◽  
J. Li ◽  
A. M. Johnson ◽  
G. N. Ward ◽  
J. F. Chin
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Contamination Level ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Small Plot ◽  
Black Seeds ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
Annual Weeds

Summary. The seed banks of 6 subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) cultivars were sampled at 3 abandoned cultivar evaluation experiments in south-western Victoria (Hamilton, Macarthur and Timboon). Two were var. yanninicum (Trikkala and Larisa) and 4 were var. subterraneum (Denmark, Goulburn, Karridale and Leura). Seed was sampled in late summer–early autumn 1993, between 6 and 10 years after the sites were established and between 3 and 7 years after the sites were abandoned. The collected seed was separated into black and white seed, and a sample of the black seed was grown in a glasshouse and identified as either belonging to the sown cultivar or belonging to another cultivar/genotype. All white seed was assumed to belong to the sown cultivar. The aim was to determine if these widely used cultivars were persisting under farm management conditions and competition from perennial grass, other subterranean clover and annual weeds. With some variation between sites all cultivars were found to be persisting satisfactorily. Over the 3 sites, white-seeded cultivars averaged 460 kg/ha and 6640 seeds/m2; black-seeded cultivars averaged 260 kg/ha and 5590 seeds/m2. Contamination with other subterranean clover cultivars/ecotypes was generally low, except at Macarthur where the white-seeded cultivars were heavily contaminated (Trikkala 39% pure; Larisa 57% pure) with black seeds highlighting the poor adaptation of var. yanninicum to light soil types. Of the black seeds, over the 3 sites, average contamination level was 13% and ranged from 41% (Goulburn at Macarthur) to 1% (Leura at Timboon). The study indicates that in south-western Victoria, all the recently released cultivars are likely to persist and be productive, and that the small-plot evaluation techniques used to identify potential new cultivars are likely to be adequate if replicated in space and if the clovers are sown in mixed swards with perennial grass.

The in vitro rumen methane output of perennial grass species and white clover varieties, and associative effects for their binary mixtures, evaluated using a batch-culture technique

2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (12) ◽  
pp. 1077 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Purcell ◽  
J. Grant ◽  
T. M. Boland ◽  
D. Grogan ◽  
P. O'Kiely
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Binary Mixtures ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Rumen Fermentation ◽  
Culture Technique ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Total Volatile ◽  
In Vitro Rumen Fermentation

Grassland swards containing white clover varieties (WCV) may result in lower enteric methane (CH4) output from grazing ruminants than swards of only perennial grass species (PGS) due to differences in their chemical composition and rumen fermentation dynamics. The objectives of the present study were to compare the chemical composition, in vitro rumen fermentation variables and CH4 output per unit of feed for a range of common PGS and WCV harvested in May from simulated grazing regimes, and to determine the effects of binary mixtures of the PGS and WCV on in vitro rumen fermentation variables and CH4 output, using a batch-culture technique. Four PGS (perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot, meadow fescue and timothy) and three WCV (Aran, Chieftain and Crusader) were incubated as sole substrates or as part of binary mixtures (PGS : WCV ratios of 0 : 1, 0.25 : 0.75, 0.5 : 0.5, 0.75 : 0.25 and 1 : 0) for 24 h at 39°C with buffered rumen fluid. All WCV had lower (P < 0.001) CH4 output per unit of apparent DM disappeared (aDMD; mean value across WCV (s.e.m.) of 27.0 (1.35) mL/g aDMD v. 36.1 (0.90) mL/g aDMD across PGS) during the in vitro rumen incubation than did all PGS. The WCV also had lower CH4 output per unit of total volatile fatty acids (corresponding values of 0.147 (0.0090) v. 0.199 (0.0073) mmol/mmol total volatile fatty acid output) and per unit of total gas produced (0.118 (0.0022) v. 0.153 (0.0024) mmol/mmol total gas produced) than did the PGS. In addition, Aran and Crusader had lower (P < 0.001) CH4 output per unit of feed DM incubated than did all PGS. There were synergistic associative effects (i.e. where the response was greater for the mixtures than the arithmetic calculation using the responses for PGS and WCV alone; P < 0.05) of mixing the PGS and WCV in binary combinations on all CH4 output variables.

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