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.

Perennial Grass Response to Seasonal Rests in Naturalised Pastures of Central New South Wales.

1996 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 309 ◽  
Author(s):  
PM Dowling ◽  
DR Kemp ◽  
DL Michalk ◽  
TA Klein ◽  
GD Millar
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Herbicide Application ◽  
Active Growth ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Annual Grasses

The influence of grazing management, herbicide and fertiliser on botanical change in two perennial grass based pastures was assessed over six years at two sites in central New South Wales. Ten treatments at both sites compared continuous grazing, three seasonal rests from grazing (autumn, winter, summer), and herbicide application for seedling grass control, each at two levels of fertiliser addition (nil, recommended). These treatments were designed to screen options for management rather than devise complete systems. In a degraded perennial pasture dominated by annual grasses, the proportion of perennial grasses and forbs increased with summer rests, especially at the recommended fertiliser level. Legumes increased with herbicide application, and annual grasses remained high in the continuously grazed control and other treatments. There were no significant effects on composition from autumn or winter rests. On the summer rest treatment at the recommended fertiliser level, perennial grasses (mostly cocksfoot) increased from 11% to 30% compared with the control where perennial grass declined below 5%. The increase was due to both recruitment and increase in size of existing plants, as a consequence of resting the perennial grasses when actively growing, flowering and setting seed, in favourable seasons. In contrast, on the better quality perennial pasture dominated by phalaris, there were limited management effects and perennial grasses increased on all treatments over time. The absence of a response at this site was attributed to a lenient stocking rate, dominant perennial grasses and limited rainfall during periods when active growth might be expected. Summer rests in this case also led to a small increase in forbs. The data suggest that perennial grasses can be encouraged with a conservative stocking policy that maintains the available feed-on-offer above 1 t DM/ha through seasons of active growth.

Effects of continuous and seasonal grazing strategies on the herbage mass, persistence, animal productivity and soil water content of a Sirosa phalaris - subterranean clover pasture, North-West Slopes, New South Wales

2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 539 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. Lodge ◽  
S. R. Murphy ◽  
S. Harden
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
North West ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Continuous Grazing

An experimental site was established in 1997 on the North-West Slopes of New South Wales to further investigate the use of strategic grazing management to improve the persistence of phalaris (Phalaris aquatica cv.�Sirosa) and subsequent effects on animal production and soil water content. The pasture was sown in 1992 to Sirosa phalaris, subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum var. subterraneum cv. Seaton Park) and lucerne (Medicago sativa cv. Aurora). Four grazing treatments were applied in a randomised 3-replicate design. Treatments consisted of continuous grazing at 12.3 sheep/ha (C12 or control); continuous grazing at 6 sheep/ha (C6), and 2� spring and autumn strategies of either resting from grazing for 6 weeks in each season (SAR0), or reducing stocking rate from 12.3 to 4.0 sheep/ha (SAR4). Despite annual applications of fertiliser and high clover content, Sirosa phalaris herbage mass in plots continuously grazed at 12.3 sheep/ha declined from a mean of 3300 kg DM/ha in spring 1997 to < 700 kg DM/ha by May 1998. At the end of the study (February 2001), Sirosa mean herbage mass in these plots was 670 kg DM/ha and lower (P < 0.05) than for the other treatments (mean value 5400 kg DM/ha). These marked changes in herbage mass, and the degradation of the Sirosa-based pasture to an annual pasture by continuous grazing at 12.3 sheep/ha, were not generally reflected in either short-term animal production or substantial differences in soil water content. Wool production (kg/head) was not significantly different among treatments each year. Compared with continuous grazing at 12.3 sheep/ha, sheep liveweights were higher (P < 0.05) in plots continuously grazed at 6.1 sheep/ha from November 1997 to February 1999. However, from February 1999 to 2001, sheep liveweights in the 2 treatments with the highest Sirosa phalaris content were lower (P < 0.05) than those continuously grazed at 12.3 sheep/ha. Only the soil water content for the C6 and SAR4 treatments at 0–30�cm was significantly different to the control treatment, but the differences were predicted to be < 2.5 mm/year. In the root zone (0–90 cm), mean soil water content ranged from 159 to 309 mm (mean 220 mm), while plant available water (soil water content – soil water content at –1500 kPa) was a mean of 79 mm, ranging from 11 to 168 mm.

Management of the natural pastures of South-Western New South Wales.

1979 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 351 ◽  
Author(s):  
AD Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Change ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Annual Plants ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Controlled Burning ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Continuous Grazing

This paper reviews those aspects of the scientific literature that bear on the management of the native saltbush, grassland, belah and bluebush communities of south-west New South Wales. In includes information on the structure, vegetation change, erosion, animal production and management, and includes tables of the characteristics of the major plant species. Grazing can induce major vegetation changes in saltbush areas, but only relatively minor changes in the more stable communities, such as belah. Erosion hazards are severe in the bluebush communities, although they are generally stable at present. Animal production is closely related to the winter incidence of rainfall, when both sheep and cattle concentrate their grazing on annual plants. In summer saltbushes, bluebushes and copper burrs become the main constituents and diet quality is adequate for maintenance. Research suggests that controlled continuous grazing is the best option for both production and pasture management in these communities. The future use of controlled burning to reduce unpalatable shrubs in belah communities is indicated.

Evaluation of medics under continuous grazing with sheep in central-western New South Wales

1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 311 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Brownlee ◽  
GD Denney
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Truncatula ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
The Other ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Summer Rain

Between May 1974 and March 1978, dry Merino ewes continuously grazed l-ha plots, sown to Medicago truncatula cvv. Akbar, Borung, Cyfield, Cyprus, Hannaford and Jemalong, and M. tornata cv. Tornafield, at a stocking rate of 4 Ewes/ha. Hannaford and Cyfield grew most vigorously; Borung least. Pod accumulation declined during the experiment, but plant counts showed a satisfactory density of all medics at the end of the experiment. Sheep on cultivars Hannaford, Cyprus, Cyfield and Tornafield required no hand-feeding during the experiment; those grazing the other cultivars required hand-feeding in autumn-winter 1975. There were no significant differences between treatments in fleece-free liveweights or annual clean fleece yields. In 1977 the medic content of the diet was less than 50% in all treatments. Pod ingestion over summer increased steadily to nearly 70% of the diet as the more palatable pasture components became scarce. However, the proportion dropped rapidly when summer rain provided sheep with a green 'pick'. The spiny pods of Akbar were retained in the fleece; the spineless pods of other cultivars were never retained. Total vegetable matter contamination was less for Cyfield than for Akbar, suggesting that development of medics with less spiny pods is a justifiable objective.

Effectiveness of grazing and herbicide treatments for lucerne removal before cropping in southern New South Wales

2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (9) ◽  
pp. 1147 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. Davies ◽  
J. M. Virgona ◽  
M. H. McCallum ◽  
A. D. Swan ◽  
M. B. Peoples
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Physiological Status ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Main Study ◽  
Experimental Station ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Continuous Grazing

The difficulty of reliably removing an established lucerne pasture before cropping has been identified as a major problem with phase-farming systems on mixed farms. A series of experiments were undertaken on established lucerne stands at the Ginninderra Experimental Station in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and at the Temora Research Station in southern New South Wales (NSW) to compare the ability of grazing, either alone or in combination with herbicides, to remove a lucerne pasture. A pilot study at the Ginninderra Experimental Station in 1998–99 utilised a high stocking rate (30 dry sheep equivalents [dse]/ha), while the main study at the Ginninderra Experimental Station and the Temora Research Station in 1999–2000 used a lower stocking rate (10–12 dse/ha) considered to be closer to farmer practice in the region. Continuous grazing at the high stocking rate removed 73% of the lucerne stand over 3 months. In contrast, the stocking rates applied in the main study proved too low to substantially impact on lucerne survival at both the ACT and NSW sites (13–23% removal) under the good seasonal conditions experienced in 1999–2000 even though the pastures were continuously grazed for 8–9 months. The use of herbicides both alone or in conjunction with grazing greatly improved lucerne removal in both studies. However, herbicide efficacy was variable (53–100% removal), and seemed to be related to the time of year it was applied, the period of lucerne regrowth or the amount of rainfall before herbicide application. An additional on-farm study was undertaken near Junee Reefs in southern NSW between 2001 and 2003 that compared the survival of a range of lucerne cultivars under simulated hay-cutting (mown) and commercial grazing regimes. Dry conditions during 2002–03 resulted in a decline in lucerne frequency at about 50% in mown control plots. Grazing increased the stand decline, particularly for many winter-active cultivars where lucerne frequency was reduced by up to 70–93%. It was concluded that: (i) continuous grazing for prolonged periods can be effective at removing lucerne, but the rate of lucerne loss will be influenced by both stocking rate and rainfall; (ii) the application of herbicides can improve lucerne removal either in association with, or in the absence of grazing; however, herbicide efficacy appeared to be dependent upon the physiological status of the lucerne plants and/or the environmental conditions before application; and (iii) cultivar responses indicated that lucerne types could potentially be developed for phase-farming systems with increased susceptibility to grazing mismanagement.

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.

A long-term study of superphosphate and stocking rate on sheep production and plant and soil characteristics in central west New South Wales

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 433 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Lloyd Davies ◽  
J. D. McFarlane ◽  
O. L. P. de Oliveira ◽  
G. W. King ◽  
J. W. James
Keyword(s):  
Soil Ph ◽  
New South ◽  
Soil Phosphorus ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Sheep Production

Summary. The effect of 4 rates of superphosphate application (250 kg/ha. year, 125 kg/ha. year, 125 kg/ha every 2 years or 125 kg/ha every 4 years) and a low and high stocking rate (3.6 and 5.4 ewes/ha, 1980–86; and 4.0 and 7.0 ewes/ha, 1986–89) on sheep liveweight, fleece weight, lamb weaning weight, pasture production and botanical composition, soil pH, soil phosphorus, manganese and aluminium concentrations were measured on a Phalaris aquatica–subterranean clover pasture at Stuart Town, New South Wales. Only when 250 kg/ha of superphosphate had been applied annually was there a higher level of soil phosphorus than with the other 3 systems. None of the treatments affected soil pH, soil manganese or aluminium. There were large year effects and individual plot effects on pasture and sheep production but neither the superphosphate rates nor stocking rate significantly affected pasture or animal production. It was concluded that over a 9-year period the application of 125 kg/ha in alternate years can maintain adequate soil phosphorus levels, and satisfactory pasture and animal production on the central tablelands of New South Wales.

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.

Vegetation changes after fire on two land systems in arid North-west New South Wales.

1985 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 80 ◽  
Author(s):  
WE Mulham
Keyword(s):  
Arid Zone ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Dune System ◽  
Erosion Risk ◽  
North West ◽  
South Wales

Following a sequence of favourable years in which pasture growth over much of the arid zone of Australia reached very high ievels, controlled burns were carried out on two contrasting vegetation types in the extreme north-west of New South Wales. A wheei-point apparatus was used to measure subse- quent changes in botanical composition and foliage cover over a four year period. On a pasture periodically dominated by Mitchell grass (Astrebla spp.) burning while growing conditions were favourable resulted in only a small long- term decrease in the cover of Mitchell grass. In the short-term all chenopod species were eliminated and a wider range and greater abundance of annual forbs were promoted in the following spring. On a similar area burned by wildfire in a year of low summer rainfall the response from Mitchell grass was much poorer and botanical composition of the pasture present in the following spring differed from that which developed in the spring following the controlled burn. It also differed from that of the unburnt pasture. The major differences were due to the response of forb species and are attributed to variation in seasonal rainfall. On a dune-system pasture the dominant grasses were species of Aristida and Enneapogon. These are relatively short-lived and appear to have little ability to regrow from the butt after fire. Their slow regeneration after the burn was reflected in the substantial increase in relative abundance of perennial forbs in the following autumn, and of annual forbs the next spring. Although fire appeared to have no long-term effect on the pasture it dramatically reduced tree and shrub numbers. It is suggested that during years in which abnormal quantities of Mitchell grass are present in this region, controlled burning could be a useful form of management. A mosaic of patches burnt at different times would reduce the potential for wide-scale wildfires, provide refuge areas for stock and wildlife in the event of wildfire, and promote a wider choice of plant material for grazing animals. However, in dune-systems vegetation, removal of the pasture cover and reduction of the tree and shrub density would constitute an erosion risk.

Water consumption and water turnover of sheep grazing semiarid pasture communities in New South Wales

1974 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 339 ◽  
Author(s):  
AD Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Water Consumption ◽  
Mineral Content ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Supplementary Data ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Water Turnover ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Reduced Water

The water consumption and water turnover of Merino sheep grazing on three natural pastures of south-western New South Wales were recorded throughout 1 year, and supplementary data on the water consumption of sheep on some pastures were collected for a further 2–4 years. On Danthonia caespitosa grassland, water was consumed for up to 7 months each year over the summer months. Maximum intakes were 3–3.5 litres per sheep per day, but this was reduced for 1–2 weeks after falls of rain of less than 25 mm and for longer periods after heavier falls. The provision of shade reduced water turnover by a maximum of 0.3–0.5 litre per day on some occasions only, which indicates that shade is of little importance to woolled sheep. On the saltbush (Atriplex vesicaria) and belah-rosewood (Casuarina cristata-Heterodendrum oleifolium) communities, water intakes were up to 6–7 litres per day in summer. In the particularly dry summer of 1972–73, water intakes of the sheep on saltbush rose to 12 litres per day for several months. The higher water intakes of these sheep were attributed mainly to the high mineral content of the Atriplex and Bassia spp. eaten by them, although the sheep on the belah-rosewood community were also in a hotter environment. In contrast to the sheep on Danthonia, those on the bush communities consumed significant amounts of water throughout the winter in years of low rainfall.

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