Evaluation of natural annual pastures of Trangie in central western New South Wales, 2. Botanical composition changes with particular reference to Hordeum leporinum

1973 ◽  
Vol 13 (65) ◽  
pp. 662
Author(s):  
RJ Campbell ◽  
JA Beale
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Hordeum Leporinum ◽  
Germination And Growth ◽  
Composition Changes ◽  
Total Soil Nitrogen

The botanical composition of natural pastures stocked at 2.5, 3.7, and 4.9 Merino wethers per hectare was examined over a number of years. Several experiments were conducted in conjunction with the main grazing experiment to determine the relative importance of factors that might be influencing the composition of the pastures. In particular, the importance of nitrogen and sulphur, grazing pressure, and surface mulch were studied. Increased grazing pressure throughout the growing season reduced the proportion of Hordeum leporinum (barley grass) in the pasture. Total soil nitrogen, as affected by stocking rate, did not appear to be important in determining the percentage of barley grass in the pasture. A layer of surface mulch stimulated the germination and growth of barley grass, but not the germination of Erodium crinitum (crowfoot), one of the major broadleaf components of this pasture type.

Wool production, ground cover and botanical composition of pastures grazed by Merino wethers in central western New South Wales. 2. Barrel medic pasture

1973 ◽  
Vol 13 (64) ◽  
pp. 510 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Brownlee
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
New South ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Additional Treatment ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Barrel Medic ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Pasture Area

Two grazing experiments were performed between 1965 and 1969 at the Agricultural Research Station, Condobolin, to determine the carrying capacity of Jemalong barrel medic (Medicago truncatula) pasture. In each experiment the pasture was set stocked with Merino wethers at 3.1, 4.1 and 6.2 ha-1. An additional treatment stocked at 6.2 ha-1 was included in which two-thirds of the pasture area was saved during autumn or periods of feed shortage while stock were confined to the other one-third. In both experiments the pasture supported 3.1 wethers ha-1 under set stocking for three years with little supplementary feeding and regenerated successfully each year. No major changes in botanical composition were recorded, and Jemalong medic remained the major component of the pasture. Autumn saving at 6.2 ha-1 mitigated the effects of the high stocking rate on both animal and pasture, but did not result in worthwhile animal production increases.

Evaluation of natural annual pastures at Trangie in central western New South Wales. 1. Sheep production

1973 ◽  
Vol 13 (62) ◽  
pp. 238
Author(s):  
RJ Campbell ◽  
DG Saville ◽  
GE Robards
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Sheep Wool

Natural annual pasture at Trangie, New South Wales, was set stocked from August, 1967 to December 1970 at rates of 2.5, 3.7, and 4.9 merino wethers per ha to determine an optimum stocking rate for the pasture type. All stocking rates were supported without the necessity to hand feed any sheep. Wool production per head was reduced significantly by increased stocking rate in 1968, but not in 1969 and 1970. The suppression of barley grass at the higher stocking rates appeared to benefit animal production in 1969. Substitution of portion of the natural annual pasture with areas of lucerne or natural perennial pasture was also investigated and found to be ineffective in increasing wool production per head above that of wethers at similar rates of stocking on natural annual pasture alone. Possible reasons for the apparent failure of the grazing supplements, particularly lucerne, are discussed in terms of grazing pressure and management strategies.

The influence of climate, soil, and management on the composition of native grass pastures on the central, southern, and Monaro tablelands of New South Wales

2001 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 925 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Garden ◽  
P. M . Dowling ◽  
D. A. Eddy ◽  
H. I. Nicol
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Native Grasses ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Stock Management ◽  
Native Grass ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Stock Type

Pastures on 126 properties on the central, southern, and Monaro tablelands were surveyed to determine their botanical composition. Data on climate, soils, pasture sowing, fertiliser history, and stock management were collected to relate current composition to environmental factors and previous management. Native grass-based pastures were found to be widespread, and in many cases, pastures were dominated by native grasses, despite many decades of pasture improvement. Seventeen genera of native perennial grasses comprising over 35 species were identified. The most common species on the central tablelands were Austrodanthonia spp., Bothriochloa macra, and Microlaena stipoides; on the southern tablelands, Austrodanthoniaspp. and M. stipoides; and on the Monaro, Poa spp., Austrodanthonia spp., Themeda australis, and Austrostipa spp. Soil type was the most important factor affecting species distribution, and other soil attributes such as texture, pH, P, and N were also important. Environmental (rainfall) and management (superphosphate application, stock type, stocking rate) factors also influenced distribution. The significant areas of native grass pastures that were found suggest a decline in sown species and a recolonisation of sown pastures with native grasses. The potential for manipulation of botanical composition of these grasslands is discussed, together with their value for production and sustainability.

Wool production, ground cover and botanical composition of pastures grazed by Merino wethers in central western New South Wales. 1. Natural pasture

1973 ◽  
Vol 13 (64) ◽  
pp. 502 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Brownlee
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Supplementary Feeding ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Natural Pasture ◽  
Annual Medics

A natural pasture consisting predominantly of Aristida, Stipa, Danthonia and Chloris was grazed by Merino wethers set-stocked at 2.04, 1.36 and 1.02 ha-1 at Condobolin in central western New South Wales. Throughout the four years 1965 to 1969, the pasture supported 1.36 wethers ha-1 without supplementary feeding. Wool production per ha increased with increase in stocking rate but wool production per head and liveweight decreased. Although there was a greater percentage of annual medics at the high compared with the low stocking rate, the high stocking rate reduced total ground cover and the density of Aristida.

The herbage intake, eating behaviour and calf production of beef cows grazing improved pastures on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales

1979 ◽  
Vol 19 (98) ◽  
pp. 261 ◽  
Author(s):  
DW Hennessy ◽  
GG Robinson
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
High Output

The effects of grazing pressure on herbage intake and grazing performance of Hereford breeding cows were studied during 1974-75 at Glen lnnes on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. The objective was to identify a grazing pressure that allowed a high output of weaner liveweight per unit area without deleterious effects on cows or pastures. Grazing pressure was expressed through stocking rate equivalents of 0.93 (L), 1.22 (M) and 1.49 (H) cows ha-1 for two replicated groups, which contained five cows and one oesophageally fistulated heifer. Measurements were taken each month from August to November of the characteristics of the pastures and of the grazing performance of the cows. Overall there was less herbage available to cows in the second year but at the L and M grazing pressure there was no significant difference between cow performance. Cows were lighter (P < 0.01) and weaned lighter calves from the H grazing pressure in both years even though a hay supplement was given during lactation (September-October). Intake of digestible organic matter (DOMI) by pregnant cows decreased from autumn to winter at all grazing pressures. This coincided with a decrease in the availability of pasture dry matter (PDM) in the winter. With the onset of calving in late winter (August), cows increased DOMI by 43% due partly to increased grazing times (28% longer) and partly due to the ability of cows to ingest more of the available herbage (86% more DOM kg-1 PDM). This altered grazing pattern apparently was an attempt by cows to obtain their requirements for lactation from the low PDM in late winter. The mean 200 day weaning weight of calves of 187 kg suggested that cows and calves in L and M were successful in compensating, whereas the 165 kg weaners in H indicated that these cows and calves were less so. The results indicate that under similar conditions to the experiment a stocking rate of 0.93-1.22 cows ha-1 would permit a high output of weaner liveweight per ha without deleterious effects on cows or pastures. However, with these stocking rates it was suggested that calving should be delayed for 2 to 4 weeks to best match cows' energy demands for lactation to the Spring growth of highly digestible herbage.

Management of lucerne for sheep grazing on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales

1974 ◽  
Vol 14 (71) ◽  
pp. 726 ◽  
Author(s):  
GT McKinney
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Farm Systems ◽  
Annual Grasses

Eight whole-farm systems of managing lucerne pasture were compared at one high (near optimum) stocking rate of breeding ewes. These systems were continuous grazing (C), a 2-paddocks (2P), two 3-paddocks (3P), three 6-paddocks and one 12-paddocks rotations. Pasture density, yield and composition were almost solely dependent on spelling time. Maximum lucerne density was maintained when spelling times averaged more than 50 days over the year. Near maximum contributions of annual grasses were achieved when spelling times were less than 45 days. Therefore, to optimize persistence of important pasture components a 'minimum spelling time' policy is suggested. This time ranges approximately from 53 weeks in summer to 8 weeks in winter. Animal production appeared to depend on botanical composition and the extent to which lucerne stem was allowed to develop. Where lucerne failed to persist, or spelling times were long, liveweight gain was low over summer. Thus production was lower on C and 12P respectively, than other systems, and 2P and 3P gave the best overall production.

Establishment and persistence of surface-sown and resident grasses using three pasture development methods in relation to three stocking managements

1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 562 ◽  
Author(s):  
GG Robinson ◽  
PM Dowling
Keyword(s):  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Native Species ◽  
New South ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Herbicide Application ◽  
Phalaris Aquatica ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Development Methods

The botanical composition of pastures improved by three different methods (viz. fertilizer only; seed and fertilizer; and herbicide, seed and fertilizer), were compared on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. After sowing, the pastures were grazed strategically for 6 months before three continuous stocking rate treatments (5.0, 7.5 and 10 Merino wethers/ha) were applied to each treatment. After 3 years, all paddocks were continuously grazed by 10 Merino wethers/ha for a further 4 years. The establishment of sown species was improved by herbicide application and the lowest stocking rate. Of the four species sown, Phalaris aquatica showed the greatest response to herbicide application, while the cover of Phalaris aquatica and Dactylis glornerata increased at the lowest stocking rate. These factors were less critical for Festuca arundinacea and Lolium perenne for which differences in level of cover between improvement methods disappeared within 12 months. The effects of the strategic management treatments were inconsistent. The resident pasture failed to recover from herbicide treatment and cover and growth of most grasses was depressed by the presence of sown grasses even in the absence of herbicide. The proportion of winter-active native species in the pasture increased with increasing stocking rate.

The effects of grazing on the phosphorus requirement of an annual pasture

1971 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 81 ◽  
Author(s):  
PG Ozanne ◽  
KMW Howes
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Maximum Growth ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Light Interception ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Phosphorus Requirement ◽  
Root Size

The applied phosphorus requirement of a pasture sown to subterranean clover was measured with and without grazing. Under moderate grazing pressure, in the year of establishment, the pasture required about 50 % more phosphorus than when ungrazed. In the following season, at a higher stocking rate, the grazed areas needed twice as much phosphorus as the ungrazed to make 90% of their maximum growth. In both years this difference in requirement between stocked and unstocked treatments was present throughout the growing season. Increased phosphorus requirement under grazing is associated with the need for greater uptake of phosphorus under conditions where redistribution of absorbed phosphorus within the plant is prevented by defoliation. It does not appear to be due to effects of defoliation on root size. Nor does it depend on differential light interception or on changes in botanical composition.

An economic analysis of a 10 year rate of stocking trial with fine-wool

1978 ◽  
Vol 18 (92) ◽  
pp. 370 ◽  
Author(s):  
JM George ◽  
RA Pearse
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Labour Costs ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Wool Yield ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Price Relationships ◽  
Clover Pasture

Merino ewes were grazed for 10 years at stocking rates of 8, 12 and 16 ha-1, lambing in winter, spring or summer on a phalaris/white clover pasture on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. Wool production, wool yield and count, and lambing and weaning rates were established for the wide range of climatic conditions experienced. A spring lambing is indicated under the within-year price relationships experienced. Under a wide range of wool and lamb prices the optimum stocking rate varied from 12 to 16 ewes ha-1 depending on labour costs.

Merino ewe and lamb performance in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales following joining in March-April or June-July

1988 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 561 ◽  
Author(s):  
HL Davies ◽  
E Devaud
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Group Number ◽  
Nutritional Advantage ◽  
June July ◽  
Group 1

A March-April joining of Merino ewes was compared with a June-July joining in central New South Wales at a low stocking rate on subterranean clover based pastures over 3 years. In all years, ewes joined in June were heavier (P < 0.05) than ewes joined in March (55 v. 52 kg). Liveweights at the start of lambing and liveweight change from joining to lambing were also high and favoured the later lambing group. The proportion of ewes lambing (97% March v. 93% June) and proportion of ewes twinning (29% March v. 20% June) were not significantly different between the 2 groups, but consistently favoured the March-April joining. Perinatal mortality was low (9.4% March v. 7.1% June) and not significantly different between the 2 groups, but was consistently lower in the June joined group. Number of lambs weaned per 100 ewes joined was also not significantly different, but was higher each year in the March joined group (1 13% March v. 105% June). The growth rate of the lambs (both singles [24% greater, 248 v. 200 g/day] and twins [37% greater, 2 13 v. 155 g/day]) was consistently in favour of March joined ewes. Mean greasy fleece weights of the ewes were not significantly different between the 2 groups, but were in favour of the late joined group (4.83 v. 4.50 kg). Time of joining significantly affected liveweights and greasy and clean fleece weights of the progeny at the shearing in the year following their birth in favour of March joining. These data suggest that, despite a nutritional advantage to the ewes in late pregnancy and milder weather at lambing with a June-July joining, a March- April joining is the preferred option on the Central Tablelands of New South Wales.

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