The effects of phosphorus, sulphur and stocking rate on the yield, chemical and botanical composition of natural pastures, North-West Slopes, New South Wales

1979 ◽  
Vol 19 (101) ◽  
pp. 698 ◽  
Author(s):  
GM Lodge ◽  
EA Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Natural Pasture ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Pasture Yield

The effects of phosphorus (P), sulphur (S) and stocking rate on the dry matter yield, and chemical and botanical composition of natural pasture were examined from November, 1971 to May, 1976 in a 20 point central composite design. P and S were applied annually at five levels (0, 6, 15, 23, 29 kg P ha-1; 0, 14, 34, 54, 67 kg S ha-1) and the plots were grazed continuously at five stocking rates (2.2, 3.2, 4.8, 6.3, 7.3 dry ewes ha-1). Each of the factors, P, S, and stocking rate affected total dry matter. At 4.8 and 6.3 sheep ha-1 the optimum rate of P was 15 kg ha-1, but at 3.2 sheep ha-1 it increased from 15 kg ha-1 to 23 kg ha-1 over the period. S had little effect on yield at the start and end of the experiment, but in between its effect depending on stocking rate; at 3.2 sheep ha-1 low levels (<I4 kg ha-1) were optimal, but at 4.8 and 6.3 sheep ha-1 very high levels (>54 kg ha-1) were needed. The quantity of green grass and legume was low in winter and was not consistently affected by any of the factors. The level of N in the green grass remained at less than 2%. Over the period of the experiment the basal cover of perennial grass and the frequency of annual legume declined, while the percentage of bare ground and annual grass increased. These changes over time could not be related to any of the factors, except that the percentage of A. ramosa declined at the higher stocking rates. In some years high stocking rate decreased the percentage of A. ramosa and S. variabilis, and increased that of C. truncata, D. linkii, K. phleoides and T. glomeratum. In terms of pasture yield, fertilized perennial grass pastures on the North-West Slopes have potential carrying capacities of at least 4.8 dry sheep ha-1. However, to support this high stocking rate without significantly affecting pasture yield high levels of S, around 54 kg ha-1, and moderate levels of P, around 15 kg ha-1, are required. At this higher stocking rate no major changes in botanical composition occurred.

Evaluation of natural annual pasture at Trangie in central western New South Wales. 3. Effect of stocking rate on annual-dominated and perennial-dominated natural pastures

1978 ◽  
Vol 18 (92) ◽  
pp. 361 ◽  
Author(s):  
GE Robards ◽  
DL Michalk ◽  
RJ Pither
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Natural Pasture ◽  
Ewe Lamb ◽  
Stocking Rates

A four year experiment is reported during which breeding Merino ewes grazed two natural pasture types at three stocking rates at Trangie in central-western New South Wales. Initially, the pasture on a red brown soil was dominated by cool season annual species, particularly Hordeum leporinum, Erodium species and Medicago species. The pasture on a heavier grey soil was dominated by the perennial grasses Chloris acicularis, C. truncata and Stipa variabilis. Clean wool production of ewes grazing the annual-dominated pasture was significantly (P< 0.05) higher than that of ewes grazing the perennial grass-dominated pasture even though the wool of the ewes grazing perennial pasture had a higher percentage clean yield (P < 0.05). The ewes on the annual-dominated pasture were significantly heavier in autumn and winter, and had a faster rate of wool growth in each season except spring, than ewes grazing perennial pasture. Number of lambs born per ewe, lamb birth weight and lamb growth rate were not affected by pasture type or stocking rate. Stocking rate had a small but statistically significant effect on clean wool production and only small effects on ewe liveweight, regardless of pasture type. When hand feeding of the pregnant ewes became necessary in the poor winters of 1971 and 1972 all stocking rates had to be commenced simultaneously. The significance of perennial grasses in these natural pastures is discussed in relationship to animal production, stocking rate, pasture and soil stability, and regeneration of grasses following favourable seasons.

Studies in the ecology of the Riverine Plain. IV. Basal area and density changes of Danthonia caespitosa Gaudich, in a natural pasture grazed by sheep

1968 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 565 ◽  
Author(s):  
OB Williams
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Substantial Effect ◽  
Steady State Condition ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Natural Pasture

The changes in basal area and density of Danthonia caespitosa were measured over the 9-year period 1949-1957 by charting permanent quadrats in plots which were ungrazed, and lightly, moderately, and heavily grazed. Compared with the control, the grazing treatments had no effect on basal area, and a significant but not substantial effect on the contribution made by the various age groups of the dominant grass. There were no real differences between the age groups of D. caespitosa on continuously and intermittently grazed treatments, and it is suggested that the design of grazing experiments might be simplified, cognizance being given to the stage of degeneration reached by the pasture, and to the possibility that seasonal deferment procedures might cause substantial changes in botanical composition.. In the autumn or winter of 1951 the mature population of D. caespitosa was almost wiped out and the build-up of basal area and density over the 1951-1957 period was very slow. Dry summers and the late arrival of the opening rains in autumn appeared to be responsible for substantial losses in D. caespitosa. Abnormally high rainfall during the preceding growth season appeared to accentuate these losses. In the gilgai microrelief death rates were greater on the depression than on the shelf. It is suggested that the D. caespitosa grassland was degraded, and reached a "steady state" condition under the influence of cattle, sheep, rabbits, and drought. If grazing treatments are to induce changes in such a plant population, such treatments must be a wide departure from the previous procedures which have given rise to the existing plant community. The results are discussed in relation to grazing experiments in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and the north-west of Western Australia.

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.

Effect of nitrogen fertilizer on a kangaroo grass (Themeda australis) grassland

1974 ◽  
Vol 14 (69) ◽  
pp. 526 ◽  
Author(s):  
HJ Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
New South ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Nitrogen Rate ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Cutting Frequency ◽  
High Level

Three rates of nitrogen fertilizer and a standard superphosphate dressing were applied to a Themeda australis grassland with and without broadcast seed of Dactylis glomerata. Two cutting frequencies were imposed and dry matter yields and botanical composition were measured. T. australis responded to nitrogen, but the response was not sufficient for it to predominate over other species, particularly Poa labillardieri, as it had done under low fertility conditions. P. labillardieri yields increased markedly with increasing nitrogen rate. D. glomerata, which established only where nitrogen fertilizer was applied, substantially reduced the increase in P. labillardieri at the high level of nitrogen. Cutting frequency affected botanical composition in degree but not in kind. Both P. labillardieri and D. glomerata yielded less, but T. australis yielded more under more frequent cutting. For pasture improvement in wetter parts of the southern tablelands of New South Wales, it is important to establish a perennial grass at the beginning of the programme to reduce the growth of the undesirable tussock. P. labillardieri.

Grazing studies on the Guadalcanal Plains, Solomon Islands

1985 ◽  
Vol 104 (1) ◽  
pp. 181-189
Author(s):  
M. A. Smith ◽  
P. C. Whiteman
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Solomon Islands ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Macroptilium Atropurpureum ◽  
Native Pastures ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Flooded Areas ◽  
Brachiaria Mutica

SummaryPastures of a mixture of Brachiaria mutica(para) and B. decumbens(signal) grown with Gentrosema pubescens(centro) and Macroptilium atropurpureumcv. Siratro and grazed at three stocking rates 1·8, 2·1 and 3·6 animals/ha for 5 and 6 years of grazing were compared with B. humidicolacv. Tully (Koronivia) oversown with centro and siratro and grazed at 3·0, 3·6 and 4·5 animals/ha and native pastures of Themedaaustralis and Pennisetum polystachyon oversown with Stylosanthes guianensis cv. Schofield after burning, and grazed at 1·3, 2·0 and 2·7 animals/ha. All pastures were given 20 kg/ha of sulphur.The para and centro pasture gave the highest live-weight gain with 731 kg/ha/year when stocked at 3·6 animals/ha in 1979–80. and 592 kg/ha/year in 1980–1. Signal grass gave 621 and 493 kg/ha/year in 1979–80 and 1980–1 at 3·6 animals/ha. Koronivia grass gave similar production as signal: 639, 466 and 406 kg/ha/year at 3·6 animals/ha stocking rate from 1979 to 1982. On the natural pastures 1st year gains were high, 412 kg/ha/year at 2·7 animals/ha, but declined to 224 kg/ha/year at 2·0 animals/ha in year 2.In the para pastures, centro increased up to 50%, while with signal it increased to 25% of the botanical composition, owing to a decline in grass dry matter. In koronivia pastures, centro and siratro declined, inversely with stocking rate, and M.pudica increased in the high stocking rate. In the natural pastures T. triandra declined with increasing stocking, to 1% at 2·7 animals/ha. P. polystachyon remained approximately stable. M. pudica became important as grazing increased, and weeds also increased. Para grass was high in N, P, S and Na. N was low in signal, koronivia and T. triandra while the concentration of Na (0·41%) was high in koronivia, but it was extremely low in signal and T. triandra(0·02%).The trials suggest that landholders could commence grazing of existing natural pastures for up to 2 years at about 2·0 animals/ha in the 1st year and 1·3 animals/ha in subsequent years to obtain 350 kg LWG/ha in year 1 and the 200 kg LWG/ha thereafter. With cultivated pastures much higher yield can be obtained using para plus centro on the low-lying aieas, and signal plus centro plus siratro on non-flooded areas. Koronivia can be used in occasionally intensively stocked areas. All pastures require S fertilizer every 2 years.

scholarly journals EFFECTS OF SUNNY AND SHADY ASPECTS ON PASTURE YIELD, DIGESTIBILITY AND SHEEP PERFORMANCE IN CANTERBURY

1976 ◽  
pp. 66-77
Author(s):  
J.E. Radcliffe ◽  
S.R. Young ◽  
D.G. Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
First Year ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Seasonal Growth ◽  
The South ◽  
The North ◽  
Pasture Yield

Annual pasture dry matter (DM) production from improved browntop- dominant hill pastures varied from 3.5 to 7.4 t DM/ha over three years. A south aspect produced on average 14% more dry matter than a north aspect; both had spring and autumn growth peaks, and a summer depression which was greater on the north aspect. A nucleus flock of hoggets was set-stocked on each aspect from October to June. and numbers of extra sheep were adjusted monthly if necessary to maintain similar quantities of available herbage on each aspect. Both nucleus flocks generally grew at similar rates so their seasonal growth patterns were similar. In the second and third year those on the south aspect grew 3 to 5% more wool. Net liveweight gain per hectare was greater on the south than the north aspect in the first year owing to a higher seasonal stocking rate on the south aspect, but in two subsequent years production was similar. The digestibility of pasture on offer to stock was 75 to 80% in spring and 45 to 50% in summer. It recovered to 50 to 55% in autumn then deteriorated to 40 to 45% in June. Small differences were measured between aspects.

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.

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.

Satellite derived maps of pasture growth status: association of classification with botanical composition

1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 547 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Vickery ◽  
M. J. Hill ◽  
G. E. Donald
Keyword(s):  
Near Infrared ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Vegetation Indices ◽  
Fast Growth ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Bayesian Probability ◽  
Cumulative Probability ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Native Pastures

Summary. Spectral data from the green, red and near-infrared bands of Landsat MSS and Landsat TM satellite imagery acquired in mid-spring were classified into 3 and 6 pasture growth classes respectively. The classifications were compared with a site database of botanical composition for the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales to examine the association between spectral growth class and pasture composition. Pastures ranged in composition from unimproved native perennial grasses through semi-improved mixtures of native and naturalised grasses and legumes to highly improved temperate perennial grasses and legumes. For 3 years of MSS data, the fast growth class had a mean botanical composition of about 80% improved perennial grass and 0% native; medium growth class averaged 46% improved perennial grass and 14% native; while the slow growth class had about 60% native and 1% improved perennial grass when averaged over 3 years of MSS data. For the 6 class TM data from a single year, a predictive logistic regression of cumulative probability was developed for percentage of ‘very fast’ growth pixels and ordered 10 percentile categories of improved perennial grass or native grass. Differences in patch characteristics between classes with MSS disappeared with TM reclassified to the same 3 class level. Most probable pasture type was inferred from 3 class MSS and TM data using Bayesian probability analysis. The resulting maps were similar in general appearance but detail was better with the TM data. The pasture growth classification identified highly improved perennial grass pastures and native pastures but sensitivity to intermediate pasture types was poor. Future improvement will come from direct measurement of biophysical characteristics using vegetation indices or inversion of reflectance models.

2. On a New Species of Manna, from New South Wales.

1851 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 239-240
Author(s):  
Thomas Anderson
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Chemical Constitution ◽  
A New Species

About thirty years ago a species of manna, obtained from the Eucalyptus Mannifera, was brought from New South Wales, and was examined by Dr Thomas Thomson, and afterwards by Professor Johnston, both of whom ascertained it to contain a new species of sugar, different from the mannite which exists in ordinary manna. The author had, through the kindness of Mr Sheriff Cay, an opportunity of examining a very different species of manna, remarkable both from its chemical constitution, and from its possessing a definitely organised structure. This substance was discovered by Mr Robert Cay in 1844, in the interior of Australia Felix, to the north and north-west of Melbourne, where it occurs at certain seasons on the leaves of the Mallee plant, Eucalyptus Dumosa, and is known to the natives by the name of Lerp.

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