Effects of soils, fertilizers and stocking rates on pastures and beef production on the Wallum of south-eastern Queensland. 1. Botanical composition and chemical effects on plants and soils

1973 ◽  
Vol 13 (64) ◽  
pp. 516 ◽  
Author(s):  
WW Bryan ◽  
TR Evans
Keyword(s):  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Total N ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Podzolic Soils ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Digitaria Decumbens ◽  
Chloris Gayana ◽  
Species Frequencies ◽  
Stocking Rates

A complex pasture mixture was grazed by cattle at three stocking rates (1.23, 1.65 and 2.47 beasts a hectare) at Beerwah, south-eastern Queensland over six years. There were four fertilizer treatments involving two rates of superphosphate and three of KCl. On the basis of species frequencies, the seven major soil types on the area fell into two groups, the podzolic soils in one and the humic gleys in another. The podzolics were favoured by Chloris gayana, Desmodium intortum, D. uncinatum and Lotononis bainesii, whereas Paspalum dilatatum and Trifolium repens were more frequent on the humic gleys. The light stocking rate favoured Paspalum commersonii, Digitaria decumbens and both Desmodium species. At the high stocking rate P. dilatatum, T. repens and L. bainesii were more prominent, as were weeds in general. Application of KCl had no effect on botanical composition but the K content of soils and plants increased with increasing levels of application. As the superphosphate rate was increased, the proportion of all sown species except P. dilatatum and L. bainesii increased and the weed content decreased. Over time, the legume content in all plots decreased, weeds increased and the grass content remained about the same. The effects were more marked at low rates of superphosphate and high stocking rate. There was a lower legume content and a higher weed content in winter than in summer, but soils and treatments had similar effects in both seasons. Compared with virgin soils, those under fertilized pastures for eight years contained more organic C, available P, K and Ca, total N, and Zn and Fe.

Effects of soils, fertilizers and stocking rates on pastures and beef production on the Wallum of south-eastern Queensland. 2. Liveweight change and beef production

1973 ◽  
Vol 13 (64) ◽  
pp. 530 ◽  
Author(s):  
TR Evans ◽  
WW Bryan
Keyword(s):  
Significant Positive Correlation ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Paspalum Dilatatum ◽  
Digitaria Decumbens ◽  
Chloris Gayana ◽  
Phosphorus And Potassium ◽  
Stocking Rates

Animal production was measured over a six-year period from grass-legume pastures receiving different maintenance rates of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, and continuously grazed at stocking rates of 1.23, 1.65 and 2.47 beasts ha-1. The pastures consisted of the grasses Chloris gayana, Digitaria decumbens, Paspalum dilatatum and P. commersonii and the legumes Desmodium intortum, D. uncinatum, L otononis bainesii, Macrop tilium lath yroides and Trifolium repens. Annual applications of 250 kg ha-1 superphosphate (9.6 per cent P) significantly increased animal production above applications of 125 kg ha-1 superphosphate, but there were no significant effects of increase in level of applied potassium (as KCI) beyond 63 kg ha-1. The greatest liveweight gain per hectare was obtained at a stocking rate of 2.47 beasts ha-1 but rate of liveweight change was more variable than at the other stocking rates. Conversely, daily liveweight gains per head and rate of turnoff were greatest at 1.23 beasts ha-1. Both stocking rates and levels of superphosphate affected quality of carcase produced, and there was a significant positive correlation of liveweight gain and legume content of the pastures.

Beef production from native pastures sown to fine-stem stylo in the Burnett region of south-eastern Queensland

1979 ◽  
Vol 19 (97) ◽  
pp. 140 ◽  
Author(s):  
EJ Bowen ◽  
KG Rickert
Keyword(s):  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Management Options ◽  
North West ◽  
Heteropogon Contortus ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Native Pastures ◽  
Stocking Rates

At Gayndah, south-eastern Queensland, a native Heteropogon contortus pasture, sown to fine-stem stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis var. intermedia), and invaded by red natal grass (Rhynchelytrum repens), was grazed by weaner steers from June 1 in three treatments : heavy and light put-and-take grazing for five years from 1971, and set-stocked at 1.37 animals ha-1 for two years from 1974. Weight gains in the put-and-take treatments were not significantly different. The mean annual liveweight gain was 167 kg animal-1 at a mean equivalent stocking rate of 1.47 animals ha-1. Over the same period unsown native pasture, cleared of timber, gave a gain of 62 kg animal-1 at 0.62 animals ha-1. In all seasons except summer, weight gains declined linearly with stocking rate and in 1972-73, with a mean equivalent stocking rate of 2.66 animals ha-1, the annual gain was almost halved. When equivalent stocking rates were 0.9, 0.9, 1.8 and 1.2 animals ha-1 in winter, spring, summer and autumn, the respective gains were 4, 73, 65 and 45 kg animal-1. The set-stocked treatment had a mean annual gain of 147 kg animal-1. At another site 116 km north-west of Gayndah, two paddocks of Heteropogon contortus and fine-stem stylo were set-stocked with weaners over four years. One paddock had four applications of superphosphate of 250 kg ha-1. The mean annual liveweight gains were significantly different, being 154 and 143 kg animal-1 in the fertilized and unfertilized paddocks at mean stocking rates of 0.83 and 0.74 animals ha-1, respectively. In a grazing protection experiment the density of fine-stem stylo declined exponentially with an accumulation of pasture dry matter in spring and summer. Heavy continuous grazing, an annual hay cut and an accidental fire all increased the density of fine-stem stylo. Management options to maintain the density of fine-stem stylo and the relative importance of the legume and grass to animal production are discussed.

Persistence and growth of Lotononis bainesii–Digitaria decumbens pastures: 1. Sheep stocking rate

1983 ◽  
Vol 101 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Pott ◽  
L. R. Humphreys
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Digitaria Decumbens ◽  
Heavy Grazing ◽  
Cotton South ◽  
Seed Reserves ◽  
Stocking Rates

SUMMARYSheep were grazed for 2 years at stocking rates of 7, 14, 21 and 28/ha on a pasture comprising Lotononis bainesii and Digitaria decumbens cv. Pangola at Mt Cotton, south–east Queensland. There were six replicates of each treatment grazed in rotation with 3 days' grazing followed by 15 days' rest.The initial dominance of lotononis was lost after 6 months of grazing and lotononis failed to persist satisfactorily at any stocking rate. Demographic studies showed that lotononis behaved as a short-lived plant, predominantly annual, with some vegetative perennation as stolon-rooted units under heavy grazing. Soil seed reserves varied from 5800 to 400 m2 at the lightest and heaviest stocking rates respectively. Lotononis failed to regenerate under Pangola shading or inopportune high grazing pressure. Soil bulk density (0–7 cm) increased from 1·2 to 1·4 g/cm3 according to stocking rate.

Productivity and intensive sheep stocking over a five-year period

1967 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. R. W. Spedding ◽  
J. E. Betts ◽  
R. V. Large ◽  
I. A. N. Wilson ◽  
P. D. Penning
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Production Processes ◽  
Percentage Weight ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
Stocking Rates

During the last ten years or so, the management of sheep for intensive lamb production has been studied on a considerable scale, and a variety of grazing systems have been investigated (Dickson, 1959; Cooper, 1959; Spedding & Large, 1959; Boaz, 1959). It is still too soon to specify precisely the place that any of these systems should occupy in sheep-production processes, in relation to breed, lambing percentage, weight of lamb at slaughter, stocking rate, botanical composition of the pasture, size of ewe and level of her milk yield. Quite apart from these biological considerations, the full economic implications are by no means clear. What has emerged most clearly, however, is that much higher stocking rates can be tolerated than had generally been regarded as safe and that, at these stocking rates, productivity can be extremely high.

Grazing system and stocking rate effects on the productivity, botanical composition and soil surface characteristics of alfalfa-grass pastures

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 669-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Popp ◽  
W. P. McCaughey ◽  
R. D. H. Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Soil Surface ◽  
Surface Characteristics ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Basal Cover ◽  
Grazed Pastures ◽  
Litter Cover ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Stocking Rates

A 4-yr experiment was conducted (1991 to 1994) near Brandon, MB, to determine the effects of grazing system (continuous and rotational) and stocking rate [light (1.1 steers ha−1); heavy (2.2 steers ha−1)] on the productivity, botanical composition and soil surface characteristics of an alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.; approximately 70%), meadow bromegrass (Bromus biebersteinii Roem & Schult.; 25%) and Russian wild ryegrass [Psathyrostachys juncea (Fisch.) Nevski; 5%] pasture. Grazing season length was shorter (P < 0.05) for cattle in continuously compared with rotationally stocked pastures in 1991, while in 1993 and 1994 it was shortest (P < 0.05) in heavily stocked continuously grazed pastures. Carrying capacity (steer days ha–1) was greater (P < 0.05) in heavily stocked rotationally grazed pastures compared with other treatments in 1991, 1993 and 1994. In 1992, it was greater (P < 0.05) in heavy than light stocking rate treatments for both rotationally and continuously grazed pastures. Cattle usually gained more (P < 0.05) per day (kg d−1) and during the season (kg hd−1) at light than at heavy stocking rates, while total liveweight production (kg ha−1) was greater (P < 0.05) at heavy than at light stocking rates. Forage production and disappearance did not differ (P > 0.05) within grazing systems and stocking rates from 1991 to 1993, but in 1994, production and disappearance were greater (P < 0.05) at heavy than at light stocking rates. Mean seasonal herbage mass available and carry-over were greater (P < 0.05) in lightly stocked pastures than heavily stocked pastures from 1991 to 1994. After the first year of grazing, the proportion of alfalfa increased (P < 0.05), while grasses declined (P < 0.05) within all grazing treatments. In subsequent years, a trend was observed, where alfalfa declined and grasses increased in all pastures, except those stocked heavily and grazed continuously, which by 1994 had the greatest (P < 0.05) percentage of alfalfa. As years progressed, increases (P < 0.05) in basal cover concurrent with declines in bare ground were recorded on all grazing treatments, while litter cover often did not differ (P > 0.05) within either grazing system or stocking rate, except in 1992, when basal cover was lowest (P < 0.05), while litter cover was greatest (P < 0.05) on lightly stocked continuously grazed pastures compared with other treatments. Stocking rates were a key factor to optimizing individual animal performance and/or gain per hectare on alfalfa grass pastures, however differences in the effect of continuous and rotational stocking on pasture productivity were minimal. Key words: Alfalfa, grazing, stocker cattle, production

Superphosphate and stocking rate effects on a native pasture oversown with Stylosanthes humilis in central coastal Queensland. 1. Pasture production

1978 ◽  
Vol 18 (95) ◽  
pp. 788 ◽  
Author(s):  
NH Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Soil Phosphorus ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Average Percentage ◽  
Heteropogon Contortus ◽  
Native Pasture ◽  
Nitrogen Concentrations ◽  
Stocking Rates

Changes in the yield, botanical composition and chemical composition of a native pasture (Heteropogon contortus dominant) oversown with S. humilis (T.S.) were measured in a grazing experiment from 1966 to 1973. The 24 treatments were factorial combinations of two sowing methods for T.S. (ground sowing into spaced cultivated strips, or aerial sowing), three levels of molybdenized superphosphate (F0 = nil ; F1 = 125 kg ha-1 annually; F2 = 250 kg ha-1 annually plus an extra 250 kg ha-1 initially) and four stocking rates. Stocking rates were gradually increased during the experiment and for the last three years overlapping ranges were used for the three fertilizer levels; the overall range was then from 0.55 to 1.65 beasts ha 1 T.S. establishment by ground sowing was much more reliable than from aerial sowing, giving twice the average percentage frequency, and this proportion was maintained over years. High fertilizer improved establishment and the best legume stands were in the high fertilizer high stocking rate treatments. Total presentation yield of pasture was increased by fertilizer and reduced by high stocking rates. Over the last two years the means for March, adjusted by regression to the overall average stocking rate of 0.98 beasts ha-1, were 31 20,4020 and 5370 kg ha-1 for F0, F1 and F2 respectively, but these yields were reduced by ca 25 per cent for an increase of 0.5 beasts ha-1. H. contortus remained dominant and its mean contribution to total yield increased from 48 per cent in 1969 to 67 per cent in 1973. This proportion was reduced by 12.8 per cent over the range from 0.55 to 1.65 beasts ha-1, but high fertilizer had the opposite effect so that differences between the extremes low stocked F0 and high stocked F2 were small. The DM percentage yield of T.S. was strongly increased by fertilizer, and, most importantly, also by high stocking rates in the presence of fertilizer. Values for F0 treatments remained below 10 per cent, but in the final year values for F1 and F2 at the highest stocking rates were 36 and 27 per cent, respectively. Despite these large changes in T.S., there was overall stability of botanical composition. Phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations in T.S. and H. contortus were increased by superphosphate but there was an overall decline in potassium concentration. Soil phosphorus levels were greatly increased

Decreasing the mob size but not stocking rate of ewes at lambing increases the survival of twin lambs born on farms across southern Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (16) ◽  
pp. 1949 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Lockwood ◽  
J. Trompf ◽  
L. Kubeil ◽  
A. Thompson ◽  
G. Refshauge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resource Allocation ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Factorial Combination ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Context Data ◽  
Lamb Survival ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Context Data collected from producers in south-eastern Australia found that the survival of twin-born lambs decreased by 3.5% for each extra 100 ewes in the mob at lambing. Increasing stocking rate by 1 ewe/ha decreased lamb survival by a further 0.7%. These survey findings suggest that lamb survival could be improved by optimising the allocation of ewes to mobs and paddocks at lambing. Aim The present paper reports two experiments. Experiment 1 tested the hypotheses that (1) the survival of twin-born lambs would be greater when ewes lamb in smaller mobs and at lower stocking rates, and (2) the effects of mob size and stocking rate would be greater in Merinos than in non-Merino breeds. Experiment 2 tested the hypothesis that the survival of twin-born Merino lambs would be greater at lower mob sizes when ewes lambed at stocking rates &lt;4 ewes/ha. Methods Experiment 1 investigated a 2 × 2 factorial combination of mob size (high or low) and stocking rate (high or low) on the survival of twin-born Merino and non-Merino lambs at 70 on-farm research sites across southern Australia. Experiment 2 investigated the effect of high or low mob size on the survival of twin-born Merino lambs when ewes lambed at stocking rates of &lt;4 twin ewes/ha at 15 on-farm research sites. In both experiments, adult twin-bearing ewes were randomly allocated into a treatment and lambing paddock on Day 140 from the start of joining at each farm. Lamb survival in each mob was calculated based on lamb losses between pregnancy scanning and lamb marking. Key results In both experiments, the effect of mob size on lamb survival was found to be linear, with survival of twin-born lambs decreasing by between 1.9% and 2.5% per additional 100 ewes in the mob at lambing, regardless of breed (P &lt; 0.001). In Experiment 1, there was no effect of stocking rate or mob size by stocking rate on lamb survival. Conclusions The present research demonstrated that reducing mob size but not stocking rate will improve the survival of twin-born lambs to marking for extensive enterprises in Australia where ewes lamb at stocking rates of up to 12 ewes/ha. Implications These findings will contribute to guidelines for optimising ewe nutrition and resource allocation to improve lamb survival.

Productivity of grazed Makarikari grass-lucerne, Rhodes grass-lucerne and lucerne pastures in the northern wheat belt of Australia

1983 ◽  
Vol 23 (123) ◽  
pp. 383 ◽  
Author(s):  
DL Lloyd ◽  
JG Nation ◽  
TB Hilder ◽  
PK O'Rourke
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Clay Soil ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Rhodes Grass ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Dry Conditions ◽  
Chloris Gayana ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Grain Farms ◽  
Better Than

Three Makarikari grasses (Panicum coloratum var. makarikariense) viz. 0.4634, cv. Pollock and cv. Bambatsi and Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) cv. Pioneer, each grown with lucerne (Medicago sativa) cv. Hunter River, and sward lucerne were compared for productivity and stability in a rotational grazing system at three stocking rates (22.2, 14.8 and 7 . 4 Merino wethers/ha for grasslucerne pastures; 14.8, 11.1 and 7.4/ha for lucerne swards) on a cracking clay soil on the Darling Downs, Queensland over four years. There were no differences between the Makarikari grass cvv. Pollock and Bambatsi pastures. However, each produced more dry matter and animal liveweight, and persisted better, than Rhodes grass pasture during dry conditions that occurred during the first two years. Rhodes grass nevertheless recovered during two subsequent wet summers. During those two dry years, wool production from sward lucerne was equal to that of the grass-lucerne pastures at both 14.8 and 7.4 animals/ha. Animal liveweight from lucerne was greater than from grass-lucerne pastures at 7.4 animals/ha only. Wide variation, both between and within seasons, was measured in the quantity of feed produced by pastures in this study. This is discussed in relation to the concept of stocking rate of pasture grown on limited areas of grain farms in the northern wheat belt, and to the provision of a continuing feed supply in integrated crop-pasture systems.

An evaluation of three aerial pasture development methods on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, in terms of herbage on offer, botanical composition and animal performance

1987 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 389 ◽  
Author(s):  
PM Dowling ◽  
GG Robinson ◽  
RD Murison
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategies ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Dead Material ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Development Methods ◽  
Stocking Rates

Herbage mass on offer, botanical composition and livestock production of sheep grazing 3 types of pastures developed by 'aerial' methods at 3 stocking rates (5, 7.5 and 10 sheep/ha) were compared in a 3-year grazing trial at Glen Innes, N.S.W., during 1972-75. The pastures were: resident grass-white clover (F), resident pasture plus surface sown grass (SF), and as for SF but with herbicide application prior to surface sowing ofgrass (HSF). All pasture treatments had equivalent rates of superphosphate applied. The sowing effect and the herbicide effect were statistically analysed by contrasting the pasture treatments: SF-F, HSF-SF, respectively. The SF-F contrast showed that herbage on offer of the sown grasses on the SF pasture was greater, and this difference increased with time. Legume herbage on offer was greater on the SF pasture though it declined with time, and exhibited seasonal variation. The HSF-SF contrast indicated that herbage on offer: of sown grass was greater on the HSF pasture and increased with time; of the herbs component was greater on the HSF pasture during the initial and final stages of the experiment; oflegume was greater on the HSF pasture but the difference declined with time; of resident grass was greater on the SF pasture but the difference declined with time; and of dead material was consistently greater on the SF pasture. The contrasts for the resident grasses and dead material components varied seasonally. Herbage on offer of all pasture components declined as stocking rate was increased. Patterns of decline varied with pasture component and pasture treatment. Mean sheep liveweights were influenced by pasture treatment, with sheep on the HSF pasture being the heaviest, and those on the F pasture, the lightest. Increasing stocking rate decreased mean sheep liveweights on pastures F and SF but increased mean sheep liveweights on the HSF pasture. Liveweight declines were least for sheep grazing the F and SF pastures and liveweight increases were greatest on the HSF pasture during late summer-autumn. Greasy wool production per sheep was greatest on the HSF pasture during 1972-73 but thereafter there were no significant differences between treatments. We conclude that, although animal production was increased by the introduction of sown grasses in the short term, the level of superiority was not as great as expected. Changes in management strategies may be required if the greater production achieved is to be sustained.

scholarly journals Key pasture and milksolids production indicators from two Waikato farmlets differing in inputs, stocking rate, pasture allowance and nitrate leaching

2016 ◽  
Vol 78 ◽  
pp. 45-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.G. Roach ◽  
C.B. Glassey ◽  
K.A. Macdonald
Keyword(s):  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Nitrogen Fertiliser ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Pasture Quality ◽  
Winter Grazing ◽  
Stocking Rates

Two DairyNZ farmlets, differing in nitrogen fertiliser inputs, cow genetic merit and autumn/winter grazing management, with stocking rates of 2.6 ('Future') and 3.2 ('Current') cows/ha, were compared for pasture residual and quality over 4 years. Target intakes for lactating cows were 18 and 16 kg DM/cow/day, respectively, with target grazing residuals of 3.5-4 cm (1500 kg DM/ha in late winter/spring, 7-8 clicks on the rising plate meter) for both herds. Measurement of grazing residuals, pasture quality and botanical composition identified small differences between farmlets. Grazing residuals on the Future farmlet averaged 0.2 cm (0.4 clicks on rising plate meter, RPM) (P

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