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.

Establishing surface-sown pastures in a Poa labillardieri-Themeda australis association

1986 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 331 ◽  
Author(s):  
MH Campbell ◽  
MJ Keys ◽  
RD Murison ◽  
JJ Dellow
Keyword(s):  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Phalaris Aquatica ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Before And After

The effects of time and rate of application of glyphosate, 2,2-DPA and tetrapion on Poa labillardieri and Themeda australis were measured in seven experiments carried out 55 km south of Braidwood, on the southern tablelands of New South Wales between 1980 and 1982. In an eighth experiment (1981) and in a 35-ha demonstration (1983), at the same site, the effects of applying herbicides (before and after the autumn break) and surface-sowing Phalaris aquatica, Festuca arundinacea and Trifiolium repens with fertiliser on the control of P. labillardieri were ascertained. All three herbicides proved effective in reducing the ground cover of P. labillardieri from applications at any time of the year. For T. australis, tetrapion proved effective when applied at any time of the year, while glyphosate and 2,2-DPA were effective in all seasons except winter. Glyphosate at rates between 0.72 and 1.44 kg/ha a.i. was more cost effective than 2,2-DPA (11.1 kg/ha a.i.) and tetrapion (3.75 kg/ha a.i.). Best establishment and development of sown grasses and legumes was attained by applying herbicides after the autumn break but before heavy frosts, and then surface-sowing 1-3 months later. Control of P. labillardieri was best where P. aquatica and F. arundinacea established most densely.

Growth of pasture species on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales

1975 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 269 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Lazenby ◽  
JV Lovett
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Available Soil Moisture ◽  
Capacitance Probe

The production of herbage by five pasture species—Phalaris tuberosa (phalaris), Festuca arundinacea (tall fescue), Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass), Trifolium repens (white clover) and Medicago sativa (lucerne)—was measured when they were grown in the field in monoculture, and by phalaris and white clover when grown in mixture. The plots were irrigated to prevent water deficits, and five levels of nitrogen were included; the mixture was also grown under dryland conditions. All plots were defoliated at intervals during a period of 3 years. A capacitance probe was used in an attempt to determine harvest times more objectively, and to establish long-term relationships between meter readings and components of plant yield. Major differences in production were detected between the species, lucerne producing most in the first 2 years of the experiment. Nitrogen and available soil moisture affected both production and botanical composition, and significant differences were detected in species' responses to applied nitrogen and in nitrogen recovery. The performance of lucerne and tall fescue suggests that both species deserve to be more widely grown on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Persistence of temperate perennial grasses in cutting trials on the central slopes of New South Wales

1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 832 ◽  
Author(s):  
BD Hill
Keyword(s):  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Phalaris Aquatica ◽  
South Wales

Nine experiments were conducted on six different sites in the medium-rainfall (about 700 mm per year) area of central New South Wales to measure the persistence of 15 perennial grasses. Phalaris (Phalaris aquatica and P. aquatica x P. arundinacea) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) cultivars were the most persistent, while perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) cultivars, Demeter fescue (Festuca arundznacea) and perennial veldt grass (Ehrharta calycina) were only short-lived. The cultivars of phalaris were generally similar to each other in persistence, although in some trials Sirocco and Siro 1146 were more persistent and Seedmaster was less persistent than Australian. Berber was the most persistent cocksfoot cultivar, followed by Currie, then Brignoles. Medea was the most persistent perennial ryegrass cultivar, followed by Kangaroo Valley, then Victorian.

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