Beef production from pasture and forage oats on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales

1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (73) ◽  
pp. 149
Author(s):  
DW Hennessy ◽  
GG Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Trifolium Repens ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Cattle Grazing ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Economic Return ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Improved Pasture

To overcome a winter-sp nes, New South Wales forage oats were sown into forty-five per cent of improved pasture (mainly Phalaris tuberosa and Trifolium repens) areas and the liveweight gains of weaner cattle grazing these areas from March to October were compared with those grazing pasture only. Three methods for managing the grazing of the forage oats were compared in 1971, and in 1972 the effect of an oat grain supplement on liveweight gain of cattle grazing either pasture only or pasture and forage oats was measured. Weaners did not reach 270 kg by October, the objective mean liveweight, in any of the treatments or years. Neither did forage oats significantly increase beef production from pasture, but when properly managed did reduce the need for hay supplements to maintain weaner liveweight during winter. Although the stocking rate of 2.82 weaners ha-1 from March to October was apparently too high in 1971 to allow adequate liveweight gains, the forage oats and pasture were best utilized by allowing weaners to graze freely between paddocks. Oat grain supplements in 1972 did improve weaners' liveweights (at intakes of 1 .O-2.0 per cent liveweight) but reduced the relative economic return from either the pasture or pasture and forage oat areas. We concluded from the study that forage oats sown into improved pasture areas did not increase feed availability in the latter part of the feed-gap nor reliably increase beef production from pasture at the stocking rate studied.

Oat forage and grain supplements for the production of yearling beef from pasture on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales

1978 ◽  
Vol 18 (91) ◽  
pp. 183 ◽  
Author(s):  
DW Hennessy ◽  
GG Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Trifolium Repens ◽  
Avena Sativa ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Cattle Grazing ◽  
South Wales

The use of supplements of oat grain alone, or with silage or hay, to produce marketable yearling cattle ('finished' and >270 kg) in October was assessed at Glen lnnes on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. The assessment was made over three years. Weaned cattle grazed improved pastures (mainly Phalaris tuberosa and Trifolium repens) from March, with or without forage oats (Avena sativa) from June to October, when the supplements were also given. When grain supplements were given to weaner cattle grazing pasture only, 24 per cent were 'finished' compared with none without grain supplements, but the supplements were not justified economically. When oat grain supplements were given to weaners grazing pasture and forage oats, 60 per cent were 'finished' by October compared with 8 per cent without the grain; the supplements were economically worthwhile when cattle were valued at 37c kg-1 liveweight. There was no apparent substitution by the cattle of grain for herbage over the whole period in the supplemented treatments, with from 5.7-10.8 kg of grain required for every kg of additional liveweight gain. The effectiveness of grain supplements and the efficiency of gain were reduced when grain was partially replaced by either silage or hay.

Effect of time and rate of application of herbicides on serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) and improved pasture species. 1. Glyphosate and 2,2-DPA

1979 ◽  
Vol 19 (99) ◽  
pp. 472 ◽  
Author(s):  
MH Campbell ◽  
AR Gilmour
Keyword(s):  
Trifolium Repens ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Permanent Damage ◽  
Time Of Application ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Herbicide Treatments ◽  
Improved Pasture

The effect of three rates of glyphosate (1, 3 and 5 kg a.i. ha-1) and two of 2,2-DPA (21 and 33 kg a.i. ha-1), each applied in October 1972, January 1973, April 1973 and July 1973, on serrated tussock and associated improved species (Phalaris aquatics, Trifolium repens, T. subterraneum) was ascertained in an experiment near Bathurst, New South Wales. The effect of the herbicide treatments on the improved species was measured in October 1973 and the percentage kill of serrated tussock recorded in May 1974. Increasing the rate of glyphosate increased the percentage kill of serrated tussock (up to a mean of 77% with 5 kg a.i. ha-1) ; time of application had no significant effect on percentage kill. No glyphosate treatment resulted in a commercially acceptable kill of serrated tussock (above 90%). Thus the herbicide was inferior to 2,2-DPA which produced a 95% kill when applied in summer. P. tuberosa was more tolerant of glyphosate and 2,2-DPA than serrated tussock and recovered from all treatments. T. repens and T. subterraneum recovered from glyphosate and 2,2-DPA applied in summer. Thus it proved possible to selectively remove a large proportion of a serrated tussock infestation with 2,2-DPA or glyphosate, applied in summer, without permanent damage to the associated improved species.

The influence of various factors on survival rate to weaning of Merino lambs. I. Sex, strain, location, and age of ewe for single-born lambs

1965 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 981 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Lax ◽  
Turner H Newton
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
New South ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Strain Differences ◽  
Marked Rise ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Improved Pasture

The influence of sex, strain, location, and age of ewe on survival rate to weaning of single-born Merino lambs has been examined in two sets of data: the strain trial, involving five strains run without selection at each of three locations (Cunnamulla, Qld.; Armidale, on the northern tablelands of New South Wales; Deniliquin, in the Riverina area of New South Wales), with six age groups of ewes; and the same five strains later included in selection groups at Armidale with seven age groups of ewes. The strain trial at Armidale ran mainly on native, and the selection groups mainly on improved pastures. Female lambs had a higher survival rate than either castrated or entire males, the differences in lambs weaned per lamb born being 0.03 and 0.04 respectively. No strain differences could be regarded as statistically significant, and neither could the strain x location interaction in the strain trial. Mean survival rates for the strains ranged from 0.673 to 0.786 on the Armidale native and from 0.802 to 0.850 on the Armidale improved pasture, from 0.746 to 0.859 at Cunnamulla, and from 0.838 to 0.894 at Deniliquin. The strains did not rank consistently in the same order. Location had a marked effect on survival rate, the means being 0.744 for the native and 0.824 for the improved pasture at Armidale, 0.810 at Cunnamulla, and 0.868 at Deniliquin. Age of ewe had a marked influence in the poorest environment (Armidale native pasture), survival rate rising with age and later falling sharply. The effect was less marked in the intermediate environments (Armidale improved pasture and Cunnamulla) and negligible at Deniliquin. The patterns at Cunnamulla and Deniliquin are confirmed by data from other experiments on these stations. Survival rate is one component of number of lambs weaned. The other component, number of lambs born, has a higher mean value at Deniliquin than Cunnamulla, but shows a strong association with age of ewe in both environments. Number of lambs born responds rapidly to selection, but no information is yet available concerning the likely response in survival rate. If improvement in environment can raise the survival rate, particularly in the youngest and oldest ewes, then selection for number of lambs born, combined with improved environment, should lead to a marked rise in the number of lambs weaned.

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.

Effect of surface-sown pod:seed mixtures on serradella establishment and persistence on rangelands in central New South Wales

2002 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 143
Author(s):  
D. L. Michalk ◽  
M. H. Campbell
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Acid Soil ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Native Grassland ◽  
Ornithopus Compressus ◽  
Improved Pasture ◽  
Effect Of Surface

Aerial sowing is the only option for introducing improved pasture species into much of the non-arable, acid soil rangelands in central New South Wales. However, low germination of seeds in serradella pods is a major problem causing poor establishment. Sowing different combinations of pod and seed was investigated as a means of improving germination and subsequent persistence in an experiment between 1993 and 1997. Results indicated that a pod:seed mixture of 75:25 was the most suitable ratio for establishing yellow serradella (Ornithopus compressus) when broadcast into native grassland on hardsetting, non-arable, acidic hill country. Nodulation failure observed at this cold tablelands site confirmed the need for a more winter-active inoculant for yellow serradella.

Modelling the effect on stocking rate and lamb production of allowing ewes to graze a dual-purpose wheat crop in southern New South Wales

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
pp. 1625 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. R. McGrath ◽  
J. M. Virgona ◽  
M. A. Friend
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Wheat Crop ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Mixed Farming ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Gross Margins

Slow pasture growth rates during winter limit the potential gross margins from autumn and early winter lambing in southern New South Wales (NSW) by limiting stocking rates and/or increasing supplementary feed requirements. Dual-purpose crops can reduce the winter feed gap in mixed-farming systems by increasing the available feed in winter. The simulation software AusFarm was used to model a mixed-farming system at Wagga Wagga with Merino ewes joined to terminal sires and grazing lucerne-subterranean clover pasture over a 41-year period. A paddock of dual-purpose wheat was then added to the system, and ewes were allowed to graze the wheat crop when feed on offer reached 850 kg DM/ha and before GS31. Weaned lambs were sold after late August if lamb growth rates fell below 20 g/head.day, mean lamb weight reached 45 kg or production feeding of lambs was required. Lambing in June resulted in the highest median gross margin whether or not ewes were able to graze the wheat crop during winter. Grazing of a dual-purpose wheat crop resulted in greater proportional increases in gross margins as stocking rate was increased, increased lamb production and reduced supplementary feeding costs, and reduced interannual variability in gross margin returns.

SGS Animal Production Theme: effect of grazing system on animal productivity and sustainability across southern Australia

2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (8) ◽  
pp. 977 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. Graham ◽  
B. R. Cullen ◽  
G. M. Lodge ◽  
M. H. Andrew ◽  
B. P. Christy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Growing Season Length ◽  
North East ◽  
South Wales

The effects of various grazing management systems on sown, naturalised, and native pastures were studied at 6 different locations in the temperate high rainfall zone (HRZ, >600 mm rainfall/year) of southern Australia, as part of the Sustainable Grazing Systems (SGS) Program. The treatments examined had different pasture species and fertiliser management, with grazing method ranging from set stocking (continuous grazing) to rotation with rests based on pre- and post-grazing herbage mass or season and plant phenology. Sites were located at: Albany, Western Australia; Manilla, Barraba, Nundle, New South Wales; (grazed by wethers); and Carcoar, New South Wales; Maindample, Ruffy, north-east Victoria; Vasey, western Victoria; (grazed by ewes and lambs).Grazing method significantly (P<0.001) influenced stocking rate (expressed as dry sheep equivalents (DSE)/ha), but effects were not consistent across sites. At Vasey the stocking rate of the rotation treatments ranged from 5 to 23% higher than the set stocked treatments depending upon year. For all sites, significant factors (P<0.001) affecting stocking rate were soil Olsen P, soil pH, grazing management (resting), legume percent, and an index of growing season effectiveness. Although total annual rainfall had a significant effect (P<0.002) in an initial analysis, its influence became non-significant (P>0.05), when a growing season index (P<0.001) was used. Non-significant (P>0.05) factors included solar radiation, annual average temperature, fertiliser applied in the current year, and average annual perennial and broadleaf percent composition. The implications of these data for productivity and sustainability (as assessed by perenniality and water use) were encouraging. Generally, there were positive relationships between increased stocking rate and the probability of achieving a zero mm soil water surplus in winter, and between increased productivity and the proportion of perennial grass species where extremes of treatments were compared at each site. The results indicate that stocking rate can be increased without jeopardising sustainability, that grazing management can bring about more sustainable pastures, that there is scope to increase productivity particularly through increasing soil fertility, and growing season length can be used to predict potential carrying capacity. These are positive outcomes that graziers in the HRZ of southern Australia can use to enhance productivity (thus profitability) and sustainability.

The effect of stocking rate on the performance of steers in central coastal New South Wales

1977 ◽  
Vol 17 (89) ◽  
pp. 899 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davies H Lloyd
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
First Year ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Paspalum Dilatatum ◽  
Period Effects ◽  
South Wales ◽  
The University ◽  
Daily Gain

The effect of stocking rate and sowing one-eighth of the area to lucerne on the liveweight change and carcase characteristics of Hereford steers grazing pastures dominated by Paspalum dilatatum was studied at the Wolverton Farm of the University of Sydney, Bringelly, New South Wales from 1971 to 1974. Stocking rate (1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 steers ha-1) had an effect upon mean daily liveweight gain in some periods and this was reflected in the number of days taken to achieve 450 kg. (1.5 ha-1 took 509 days, 2.0 took 595, 2.5 took 802 and 3.0 took 842 days). There were significant differences in average daily gain between replicates in most periods. The lucerne did not persist after the first year. Having one-eighth of the area sown to lucerne did not significantly affect daily liveweight gain. There were highly significant period effects with the highest daily gain occurring in spring and summer, the lowest in winter and gain in autumn being dependent upon rainfall and stocking rate. In many periods increasing stocking rate above 2.0 steers ha-1 did not increase the per hectare liveweight gain.

Supplementary feeding of grazing Merino ewe weaners

1972 ◽  
Vol 12 (59) ◽  
pp. 584 ◽  
Author(s):  
WR McManus ◽  
TG Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Supplementary Feeding ◽  
Temporary Increase ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Early Autumn ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Subsequent Fertility ◽  
Fleece Weight

Merino ewe weaner lambs grazing at a high stocking rate for 32 weeks in the Wellington region of New South Wales were fed two levels (low, medium) of oat grain plus lucerne hay supplement. Insignificant fleece-adjusted liveweight gain and significant, but small, (2.8 per cent and 9.9 per cent) increases in clean fleece weight resulted for the low and medium groups. Feeding reduced fleece tenderness and altered wool handle and colour. Merino weaner ewes grazing improved pastures at Yass were supplemented with oat grain for 12 weeks in the late summer-early autumn. There was a temporary increase in woo1 production and liveweight but subsequent fertility was not improved. The responses obtained to treatment in both trials appear to be uneconomic

Effects of topdressed superphosphate on the sheep and pasture production of dryland lucerne in central western New South Wales

1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (75) ◽  
pp. 475 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Brownlee ◽  
BJ Scott ◽  
RD Kearins ◽  
J Bradley
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Soil Phosphorus ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Dry Conditions ◽  
Soil Phosphorus Test

Merino ewes at 3.7, 4.9 and 6.2 ha-1 grazed dryland lucerne (Medicago sativa cv. Hunter River) topdressed annually with superphosphate at 0, 125 and 251 kg ha-1, from September 1969 until December 1972, in an experiment at Condobolin, New South Wales. Superphosphate increased ewe liveweights, total forage available and phosphorus content of the forage by a small amount but did not increase wool production per head. The Bray soil phosphorus test in the top 8 cm of the soil profile rose from 8 p.p.m. to 48 p.p.m., but most of the phosphorus was concentrated in the 0-4 cm layer, where we consider that dry conditions reduced its availability to the lucerne. As stocking rate increased, ewe liveweights and wool production per head decreased and the sheep required more handfeeding for survival. The treatment with the greatest gross margin was the lowest stocking rate with nil fertilizer.

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