The growth of weaner sheep on clover or grass pastures during summer in Western Victoria

1984 ◽  
Vol 24 (125) ◽  
pp. 144 ◽  
Author(s):  
PT Kenny
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Average Growth ◽  
Grass Hay ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
Clover Content

Three pasture types were grazed by weaner sheep during two summers in the Western District of Victoria: (1) dried off grass-subterranean clover pasture (DP); (2) dried off pasture with a higher subterranean clover content (SUB); and (3) pasture with a high proportion of green strawberry clover. Additional treatments during the first summer included sheep grazing DP and fed a supplement of subterranean clover hay (80% clover) or grass hay (77% grass). Further information was obtained by feeding both hays to penned sheep. The digestibility of the SUB pasture declined between early and mid-summer, crude protein content remained constant and neutral detergent fibre content increased markedly. During both summers, the average growth rates of sheep grazing strawberry clover, SUB or DP were 106, 12 and -2 g/d, respectively. In the first summer, supplements of clover hay and grass hay significantly increased the growth rates of weaners on DP by 39 and 44 g/d, respectively. Sheep supplemented with clover hay or grass hay during the first summer grew 0.44 and 0.28 kg more wool, respectively, than unsupplemented sheep grazing DP. In the winter and spring following both summers, poorly grown sheep showed compensatory growth sufficient to make up for lack of growth during summer. Conservation of subterranean clover dominant pasture as hay, and feeding it as a supplement in summer, appears a more effective means of improving the growth and wool production of weaner sheep than simply grazing the mature plant in situ. However, there would be a much greater potential for improvement if a legume that remained green throughout the summer could be found to substitute for subterranean clover.

Effects of pasture type on the growth and wool production of weaner sheep during summer and autumn

1984 ◽  
Vol 24 (126) ◽  
pp. 322 ◽  
Author(s):  
PT Kenny ◽  
KFM Reed
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fibre ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Feeding Value ◽  
Persian Clover

The productivity of weaner sheep grazing lucerne, white clover, red clover or Persian clover and pastures sown with subterranean clover and perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot or tall fescue, was measured in summer-autumn trials incorporating four soil types in each of three years. During summer and autumn, the mean growth rate of sheep grazing lucerne, white clover or Persian clover pastures was 50 g/d compared with 1 g/d for sheep grazing perennial grass-subterranean clover pastures. Sheep grazing strawberry clover on reclaimed swampland, and sheep in a feedlot (fed hay and lupin grain) averaged 100 and 75 g/d, respectively. Sheep grazing red clover averaged 45 g/d over years 1 and 2. In year 2, a subterranean clover-dominant pasture was included in the study. Its feeding value was similar to that of the perennial grass-subterranean clover pastures. Sheep grazing legume pastures, and sheep in the feedlot, consistently produced more wool (up to 700 g/head) than sheep grazing the perennial grass-subterranean clover pastures. The concentration of neutral detergent fibre in herbage from legume pastures was frequently lower (P< 0.05) and the concentration of crude protein was frequently higher (P< 0.05) than in herbage from grass pastures. The dry matter digestibility of legume herbage was higher (P<0. 05) than that of grass herbage on only one occasion. Measurements of crude protein and neutral detergent fibre of pasture in December accounted for 67% of the variation in liveweight gain (P<0.01). Ewe weaners grazing red clover pasture exhibited an increase (P< 0.05) in teat length of 3.9 mm in 21d of grazing. Oestrous activity of ewe weaners was related to liveweight gain (r = 0.77). The implications of the results for agricultural systems are discussed.

Long-term persistence of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) cultivars in south-western Victoria

1991 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 625 ◽  
Author(s):  
SG Clark ◽  
RM McDonald ◽  
HC Street
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Seed Banks ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Level Of Invasion ◽  
Small Seed ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Western Victoria

The long-term persistence of 6 subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) cultivars was determined by sampling seed from 2 experiments at Hamilton and Beeac in south-western Victoria, 8 or 12 years after sowing. For most of this period the plots were managed as part of the surrounding pasture and were closely grazed by sheep. Herbage yield measurements were made and seed was collected from each plot and grown in a glasshouse, in order to identify the cultivar(s) present. Cultivars used were Yarloop, Trikkala, Larisa and Meteora (spp. yanninicum), and Mount Barker and Woogenellup (spp. subterranean). At both sites, plots sown to Trikkala and Larisa had the greatest seed banks and experienced the lowest level of invasion by other cultivars or ecotypes. Mount Barker and Yarloop appeared to have persisted at low levels; their plots were moderately invaded. Plots sown to the unsuccessful Woogenellup were heavily invaded and contained only a small seed bank of Woogenellup seed. Eight to 12 years after sowing, plots at Hamilton and Beeac that were sown to Larisa produced 3-15 times as much clover dry matter in spring as plots sown to Mount Barker. At Hamilton, the plots sown to Trikkala produced 3 times as much clover in winter as those sown to Mount Barker. This study indicates that Trikkala and Larisa offer clear advantages over the older cultivars, Mount Barker and Woogenellup, for the high rainfall areas of western Victoria, by demonstrating their persistence and long-term productivity when subjected to normal sheep-grazing practice.

Effects of superphosphate fertiliser and stocking rate on the nutritive value of perennial ryegrass and subterranean clover herbage

1999 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 537 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. R. Saul ◽  
G. A. Kearney ◽  
P. C. Flinn ◽  
C. L. Lescun
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Infertile Soils

The effect of superphosphate fertiliser on digestible dry matter (DDM) and crude protein (CP) percentages of perennial ryegrass and subterranean clover was assessed on a long-term, grazed experiment in western Victoria. CP of both species increased significantly (3–6 units) where long-term average phosphorus (P) applications were 33 kg/ha.year compared with 1 kg/ha.year. CP of herbage was also greater on paddocks grazed at higher (9–23 ewes/ha) than lower (5–13 ewes/ha) stocking rates (1–3 units). DDM of subterranean clover significantly increased (8–10 units) with higher superphosphate applications but there was little effect on the DDM of perennial ryegrass. Long-term applications of superphosphate were associated with larger increases in both DDM and CP than if the same rate was applied in autumn of the year of measurement. For subterranean clover, 30 kg/ha of P applied to infertile soils (Olsen P 5 mg/kg) in autumn increased the DDM of herbage collected in September by only 4–6 units. The nutritive value of most volunteer pasture species also increased with higher superphosphate applications but the DDM of these species was usually inferior to perennial ryegrass. The results highlight the importance of monitoring nutritive value, pasture composition, and herbage production to quantify fully the likely effect of fertiliser applications on animal production.

The effect of feeding hay in autumn or winter on the liveweight gain and carcase characteristics of beef steers

1981 ◽  
Vol 21 (108) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
GR Saul ◽  
AJ Clark
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Compensatory Growth ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Average Quality ◽  
Average Growth ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Effect Of Feeding

Each year from 1975 to 1977, three groups of six beef steers, 9 months old, were stocked at 2.6 ha-l and managed under one of the following treatments: (1 ) Pasture only (PO), no supplementary feeding, (2) Winter feeding (WF) ; pasture hay was cut from 33% of the grazed area, stored and fed back the following winter while the steers were at pasture. (3) Autumn deferment (AD) ; 33% of the grazed area was cut for hay and rolled using an Econ fodder roller. For 8-11 weeks after the opening rains, the steers were fed a complete hay ration of fodder rolls while confined to a tenth of the grazed area. Thereafter the steers grazed the whole area. The AD and WF hay averaged 11% crude protein, and 56% digestible organic matter. The growth rate of all groups during autumn was similar and averaged 0.1 5 kg day-1. During winter, the average growth rates of the PO, WF and AD groups were 0.26, 0.44 and 0.61 kg day-1, respectively. In spring the respective growth rates were 1.09, 0.81 and 0.77 kg day1 and the overall growth rates were 0.40, 0.37 and 0.42 kg day-1. The results show that when using average quality hay produced within the grazing system, AD is more effective than WF in increasing the winter liveweight gains of steers. However, the yearly beef production from each system was similar due mainly to compensatory growth by the PO steers in spring.

Offering subterranean clover can reduce methane emissions compared with perennial ryegrass pastures during late spring and summer in sheep

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (11) ◽  
pp. 1449
Author(s):  
S. K. Muir ◽  
A. J. Kennedy ◽  
G. Kearney ◽  
P. Hutton ◽  
A. N. Thompson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Late Spring ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Ch4 Emissions ◽  
South West

Sheep production systems in south-west Victoria are based predominantly on perennial ryegrass pastures, resulting in highly seasonal growth and declining feed quantity and nutritive value in late spring and summer. These changes result in reduced animal performance and increased CH4 emissions per kg DM intake. A potential alternative to the feedbase used in south-west Victoria that provides high quality and quantity of feed in late spring and early summer are legume-based pastures, such as clovers and lucerne. This experiment examined the impact of legume-based pastures on the growth rates and CH4 emissions of Maternal Composite ewes during late spring and early summer. In 2014, 240 Maternal Composite ewes grazed either perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) or arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi.) pastures for 6 weeks during late spring and early summer (November and December). Sheep grazing subterranean clover were heavier at the end of the experiment than sheep grazing perennial ryegrass. Methane measurements using portable accumulation chambers indicated lower daily CH4 emissions (g/day) from sheep grazing subterranean clover (23.5 g/day) than from sheep grazing lucerne (27.3 g/day) and perennial ryegrass (32.3 g/day) pastures. Methane emissions and liveweight changes appeared to be associated with the nutritive characteristics of the forage offered. Legume-based pastures provide sheep producers in south-west Victoria an option to increase growth rates and decrease CH4 emissions during a period when perennial ryegrass pastures are declining in nutritive value.

Management of weaner sheep in western Victoria. 1. The influence of time of mowing, addition of oat grain and method of feeding pasture hay upon current and subsequent production

1969 ◽  
Vol 9 (38) ◽  
pp. 272 ◽  
Author(s):  
JW McLaughlin ◽  
AH Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Term Effect ◽  
Residual Effects ◽  
Crude Protein Content ◽  
Long Term Effect ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
Effect Of Feeding

In two consecutive years mowing a perennial ryegrass-subterranean clover pasture at an early stage of maturity produced a more abundant aftermath growth and a hay with a higher crude protein content than mowing at a mid-season stage of maturity. Corriedale weaners fed early-season hay gained weight faster and produced more wool than those fed mid-season hay. Advantages in wool production generally disappeared by the second shearing but in the second experiment some residual effects were evident. Small differences in liveweight (4 per cent) were still apparent when the sheep were 1 1/2 years old. Weaners fed hay in a feedlot grew as well as those fed in the paddock. Feeding a ration of oats improved liveweight gain in both years, but there was no long term effect of feeding oats, or feeding in a feedlot.

Seasonal variations in the chemical composition and nutritive value of five pasture species in south-western Victoria

1987 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 807 ◽  
Author(s):  
GL Walsh ◽  
HA Birrell
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Late Spring ◽  
The Other ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fibre ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
Carbohydrate Contents

The dry matter digestibility (DMD), grinding energy, and the concentration of neutral detergent fibre, crude protein, soluble carbohydrate, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus in 5 pasture species were monitored over 2 years from pasture which was grazed at 14.8 sheep/ha in south-western Victoria. The species were: perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. cv. Victorian), phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L. cv. Australian), Yorkshire fog grass (Holcus lanatus), subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum cv. Mount Barker), and capeweed (Arctotheca calendula). Perennial ryegrass and subterranean clover were the dominant species and contributed 50 and 20% DM, respectively, to the sward in winter and the opposite in spring. The DMD of the 5 pasture species did not vary greatly throughout the vegetative phase of growth (autumn-mid spring). In winter, fog grass was slightly less digestible (70-74% DMD), while the other grasses were similar (76-79% DMD). Subterranean clover was not digested (72-75% DMD) as thoroughly as the other species until after late spring; then it retained its digestibility while the digestibility of the others fell. None of the species provided digestible herbage above 65% DMD in the summer. The energy required for grinding herbage was lowest in the autumn-winter, and increased with a corresponding increase in neutral detergent fibre content as pastures matured in late spring. The crude protein content of all species declined from 27-30% in autumn to 18-20% in spring, while the soluble carbohydrate contents increased from about 54% in autumn to 10-13% by spring. The implications on animal production of these seasonal changes in nutritive value are discussed. Higher soluble carbohydrate contents in spring herbage than in autumn herbage possibly explain the better performance of animals when grazing spring pasture. The levels of magnesium, sodium and potassium were adequate for the dietary requirements of ruminants; however, on grass dominant pasture, shortages of calcium (0.14-0.25% DM) and phosphorus (0.11-0.24% DM) were likely in the summer when energy and protein were also deficient. The problem of a calcium deficiency is greatly reduced by the presence of legumes. Capeweed is an accumulator of minerals, but it is only occasionally eaten and is rarely present in summer; hence its presence is of marginal benefit to stock.

In situ degradation of crude protein in physically processed barley, maize and peas in the caecum of ponies

1999 ◽  
Vol 1999 ◽  
pp. 135-135
Author(s):  
B M L McLean ◽  
J J Hyslop ◽  
A C Longland ◽  
D Cuddeford ◽  
T Hollands
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Processing Methods ◽  
Grass Hay ◽  
Physical Processing ◽  
In Situ Degradation ◽  
Ad Libitum

Little information is available on how physical processing of cereals affects crude protein (CP) degradation dynamics in equines. In two experiments the effects of two physical processing methods (micronisation and extrusion) on in situ degradation of CP in barley, maize and peas in the caecum of ponies were investigated.In experiment 1, three caecally-fistulated mature Welsh-cross pony geldings (approx. LW 270kg) were used whilst two of these ponies were used in experiment 2. In both experiments ponies were offered ad libitum grass hay plus minerals. Incubation bags (monofilament polyester, 6.5 x 20cm, 41μm pores, 16mg/cm2 sample size) contained either unprocessed barley (UB), micronised barley (MB) or extruded barley (EB) (experiment 1) and either unprocessed maize (UM), micronised maize (MM), extruded maize (EM), unprocessed peas (UP), micronised peas (MP) or extruded peas (EP) (experiment 2).

Utilization of clover diets by sheep. 2. Intake, digestion and utilization of nitrogen and sulfur

1988 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 881 ◽  
Author(s):  
PT Doyle ◽  
CE McLaren
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
The Other ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Persian Clover

Nine mature Merino wethers were fed three clover diets at 95% of previously measured intake under steady state conditions. The diets were mature subterranean clover (MSC), green subterranean clover (GSC) and persian clover (PC). The utilization of dietary N and S was studied for each feed.The ratios of digestible organic matter (DOM) to crude protein (CP) in the diets ranged from 3.9 to 5.5 : 1. The flow of microbial crude protein (MCP) from the abomasum was only 34 g day-1 in sheep given MSC compared to 77 g day-1 for GSC and 85 g day-1 for PC. However, the calculated efficiencies of MCP synthesis were 230-250 g MCP per kg OM apparently digested in the rumen for the three clovers. Despite the similar efficiencies of MCP synthesis, the ammonia-N (30 mg l-1) and sulfide-S (220 8g l-1) concentrations in the rumen of sheep fed MSC were low. The concentrations for the the other clovers were ammonia-N 90-110 mg l-1 and sulfide-S 730-1770 8g l-1. The amount of CP apparently digested in the intestines (DCPi) was only 31 g day-1 in sheep given MSC compared to 100 g day-1 and 81 g-1 in those fed GSC and PC, respectively. While this indicates that protein insufficiency in the tissues may have limited the intake of MSC, the DCPi values per unit of DOM intake were 150,210 and 150 g kg DOM-1 for MSC, GSC and PC, respectively. Sheep excreted more N and S (% of intake) in faeces when given MSC compared to GSC or PC.The sheep were in positive apparent balance for N and S when fed GSC or PC, but were mobilizing these nutrients from tissues at the low intakes of DOM, N and S with MSC. The wool growth rates and amounts of N and S incorporated into wool when MSC was fed were about half the other two feeds.These results are discussed in relation to other work on the utilization of N and S by sheep and likely effects of this on the intake of the feeds.

Effect of monensin inclusion in supplements for cattle consuming low quality tropical forage

2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 624 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. R. McLennan ◽  
M. J. Callaghan ◽  
A. J. Swain ◽  
J. F. Kidd
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Feeding Study ◽  
Tropical Forage ◽  
Grass Hay ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Main Effects

A pen feeding study was carried out over 70 days to determine the effects of monensin (M) inclusion in two commercial supplements designed to provide different planes of nutrition to recently weaned steers. Thirty Bos indicus crossbred steers (191.4 ± s.d. 7.1 kg) were individually fed a low quality pangola grass hay (57 g crude protein/kg DM; 497 g/kg DM digestibility) ad libitum (Control) with either a urea/molasses-based supplement of Rumevite Maxi-graze 60 Block (B), fed at 100 g/day, or grain-based Rumevite Weaner Pellets (WP), fed at 7.5 g/kg liveweight (W).day, both with and without M, viz. B, B+M, WP and WP+M, respectively. There were no significant interactions between supplement type and M inclusion for any measurement. Growth rates (main effects) averaged 0.17, 0.35 and 0.58 kg/day for the Control, B and WP supplements, respectively, with all means different (P < 0.05), while the response (P < 0.05) to M across supplement type was 0.11 kg/day. Hay DM intake was similar for the Control and B treatments (18.6 and 19.6 g/kg W.day) but was reduced (P < 0.05) with the WP supplement (16.8 g/kg W.day) while corresponding total DM intakes increased from 18.6 to 20.0 to 23.5 g/kg W.day (all differences P < 0.05), respectively. Monensin inclusion in the supplements did not affect supplement, hay or total DM intake. Inclusion of M in supplements for grazing weaners in northern Australia may increase survival rates although the effect of M with cattle at liveweight maintenance or below requires further investigation.

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