A comparison of the effects of feed supplements cobalt and selenium, and perennial and annual pastures on the production of medium Peppin Merino weaner sheep in south-western Australia

1989 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 361
Author(s):  
HL Davies ◽  
PP Mann ◽  
B Goddard
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Feed Supplement ◽  
Protein Meal ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Phalaris Aquatica ◽  
High Protein Meal ◽  
Cereal Group

Two experiments on weaner production are reported. In experiment 1, the liveweight and wool production were measured in medium Peppin Merino sheep that grazed at 10.5 weanerstha 8 plots of a mixed Phalaris aquatica-subterranean clover pasture or 8 plots of annual pasture (Trifolium subterraneum cv. Woogenellup and volunteer annual grass species). This was repeated over 2 years using autumn-born sheep; 4 groups on each pasture type were offered no supplement, 2 groups a cereal supplement (340 goats), and 2 groups of supplement isoenergetic with the cereal group but having a high protein meal replace some of the cereal (250 g oats and 60 g protein). The feed supplement was offered over the summer (January-April). The sheep on 2 of the unsupplemented plots and 1 of the 2 plots receiving either a cereal or cereal + protein supplement were offered access to a composite mineral block formulated to meet the mineral requirements of sheep with the exception of cobalt and selenium. There were 16 sheep on each plot within each group of 16 weaners, 4 were given an intraruminal cobalt 'bullet', 4 were given 5 mg of selenium orally, 4 given cobalt plus selenium and 4 were untreated controls. Experiment 2 was in year 3 with spring-born weaners on the same plots. The mineral block treatment was discarded on the plots receiving supplement and the effect of supplementary feeding at the beginning of March was compared with feeding in early January; barley was also compared with oats and protein. The stocking rate was raised to 13.5 sheep/ha. There were no statistically significant differences in sheep liveweight due to pasture type in either of the years of experiment 1 or experiment 2. Supplementation with cereals or protein-fortified cereals resulted in a significantly ( P < 0.05) increased liveweight at the end of March (5.6 kg in year 1,2.4 kg in year 2 of experiment 1, and 2.5 kg in experiment 2), and wool production (0.49 kg clean wool in year 1 and 0.3 1 kg in year 2 in experiment 1, and 0.49 in experiment 2). There was a significant liveweight response on the perennial plots to selenium + cobalt in year 1 of experiment 1. All cobalt-treated sheep were heavier ( P < 0.001) in year 2. Neither selenium nor cobalt significantly affected liveweight in experiment 2. The proportion of Phalaris aquatica on the perennial pasture diminished from 18% to less than 9% by the end of year 2 in experiment 1. These results suggest that, if perennial pastures cannot be maintained, then their establishment in the south-west of Western Australia would not result in greater animal production than on annual pasture. Decisions on using supplements would be dependent upon feed and wool prices.

Some effects of botanical composition of pasture on growth and wool production of weaner sheep

1972 ◽  
Vol 12 (57) ◽  
pp. 355 ◽  
Author(s):  
KFM Reed
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Trifolium Repens ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Fleece Weight

August-born Corriedale lambs were weaned at ten weeks old and, for the following 12 months, were grazed on 16 plots. Each plot had been sown six years previously, to one of eight pasture mixtures which differed in their grass component, but not in their clover component. Trifolium perenne, Phalaris tuberosa, Dacylis glomerata, Trifolium repens, T . subterraneum, and T. fragiferum were sown. Hordem leporinum volunteered in most plots. Where perennial grass species were sown, Trifolium repens (white clover) contributed less than two per cent to the pasture present on the plots. For the two plots where perennial grass was not sown, white clover contributed up to 31 per cent. The total for all sown clover species present in the pasture varied from approximately 100 to 1000 kg ha-1, or approximately 3-30 per cent. Apart from the two plots where perennial qrass was not sown, the clover species present was mainly Trifolium subterraneum (subterranean clover). Average fleece weights varied from 3.1-4.9 kg on the different plots. The amount of sown clover present in the pasture accounted for 77 per cent of the between-plot variation in fleece weight and 66 per cent of the between-plot variation in annual liveweight gain. Measurements of pasture growth were made for four pasture mixtures. Total pasture growth showed differences of over 50 per cent due to pasture mixture, yet, when grazed at 20 weaners per hectare, differences in annual liveweight gain and fleece weight (10 months wool), due to pasture mixture, did not exceed 10 per cent. Annual liveweight gain and fleece weight were not correlated total pasture growth. However, pasture growth rate measured at monthly intervals, accounted for 43 per cent of the variation in mean daily liveweight gain during these individual months.

scholarly journals Host plant recognition by the root feeding clover weevil, Sitona lepidus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

2004 ◽  
Vol 94 (5) ◽  
pp. 433-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.N. Johnson ◽  
P.J. Gregory ◽  
P.J. Murray ◽  
X Zhang ◽  
I.M. Young
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Plant Roots ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Movement Rates ◽  
Sitona Lepidus ◽  
Macro Scale ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Invasive Techniques ◽  
Root Feeding

AbstractThis study investigated the ability of neonatal larvae of the root-feeding weevil, Sitona lepidus Gyllenhal, to locate white clover Trifolium repens L. (Fabaceae) roots growing in soil and to distinguish them from the roots of other species of clover and a co-occurring grass species. Choice experiments used a combination of invasive techniques and the novel technique of high resolution X-ray microtomography to non-invasively track larval movement in the soil towards plant roots. Burrowing distances towards roots of different plant species were also examined. Newly hatched S. lepidus recognized T. repens roots and moved preferentially towards them when given a choice of roots of subterranean clover, Trifolium subterraneum L. (Fabaceae), strawberry clover Trifolium fragiferum L. (Fabaceae), or perennial ryegrass Lolium perenneL. (Poaceae). Larvae recognized T. repens roots, whether released in groups of five or singly, when released 25 mm (meso-scale recognition) or 60 mm (macro-scale recognition) away from plant roots. There was no statistically significant difference in movement rates of larvae.

An analysis of the frequency and timing of false break events in the Mediterranean region of Western Australia

2001 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 367 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Chapman ◽  
S. Asseng
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Dormancy Release ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Time Periods ◽  
The Mediterranean

Historical meteorological data were used to estimate the frequency and timing of false break events at 10 locations in the annual pasture and wheat producing area in the Mediterranean climatic region of Western Australia. The seasonal pattern of false breaks identified by this analysis was compared with the dynamics of dormancy release in a field population of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) to determine the influence that these events may have on the legume content of annual pasture communities in this region. False break events were estimated to occur on approximately 2 of every 3 years (611–72% of years) with no significant differences across the area investigated. Changes in the risk of false break events were examined over discrete time periods. The period of greatest risk was predicted to occur during early autumn (early March to mid April). Seed softening is virtually complete in subterranean clover at this point. The seed bank strategy of this species is, therefore, not well adapted to withstand the effects of false breaks. This might largely explain the poor persistence of subterranean clover in the annual pasture communities in the Mediterranean region of Western Australia. The legume content of these pastures might be improved by selecting species with late dormancy release strategies that will give better protection from false breaks.

Nitrogen fixation by subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) growing in pure culture and in mixtures with varying densities of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) or phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.)

1999 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 1047 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Dear ◽  
M. B. Peoples ◽  
P. S. Cocks ◽  
A. D. Swan ◽  
A. B. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
N2 Fixation ◽  
Pure Culture ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Shoot Biomass ◽  
N Fixation ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Phalaris Aquatica ◽  
Medicago Sativa L

The proportions of biologically fixed (Pfix) plant nitrogen (N) and the total amounts of N2 fixed by subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) growing in pure culture and in mixtures with different densities (5, 10, 20, or 40plants/m2) of newly sown phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.) or lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) were followed over 3 years in a field study using the 15N natural abundance technique. The amount of fixed N in subterranean clover was linearly related to shoot biomass. Over the 3-year period, subterranean clover fixed 23–34 kg N/t shoot biomass compared with 17–29 kg N/t shoot biomass in lucerne. Based on above-ground biomass, pure subterranean clover fixed 314 kg N/ha over the 3 years compared with 420–510 kg N/ha by lucerne–clover mixtures and 143–177 kg N/ha by phalaris–clover mixtures. The superior N2 fixation by the lucerneŒsubterranean clover mixtures was due to the N fixed by the lucerne and the presence of a higher subterranean clover biomass relative to that occurring in the adjacent phalaris plots. In the first year, 92% of subterranean clover shoot N was derived from fixation compared with only 59% of lucerne. The reliance of clover upon fixed N2 remained high (73–95%) throughout the 3 years in all swards, except in pure subterranean clover and lucerne in August 1996 (56 and 64%, respectively). Subterranean clover usually fixed a higher proportion of its N when grown in mixtures with phalaris than with lucerne. The calculated Pfix values for lucerne (47–61% in 1995 and 39–52% in 1996) were consistently lower than in subterranean clover and tended to increase with lucerne density. Although lucerne derived a lower proportion of its N from fixation than subterranean clover, its tissue N concentration was consistently higher, indicating it was effective at scavenging soil mineral N. It was concluded that including lucerne in wheat-belt pastures will increase inputs of fixed N. Although lucerne decreased subterranean clover biomass, it maintained or raised Pfix values compared with pure subterranean clover swards. The presence of phalaris maintained a high dependence on N2 fixation by subterranean clover, but overall these swards fixed less N due to the lower clover herbage yields. Perennial and annual legumes appear compatible if sown in a mix and can contribute more N2 to the system than where the annual is sown alone or with a perennial grass. These findings suggest that increases in the amount of N2 fixed can be achieved through different legume combinations without interfering greatly with the N fixation process. Different combinations may also result in more efficient use of fixed N2 through reduced leaching. Further work looking at combinations of annuals possibly with different maturity times, different annual and perennial legume combinations, and pure combinations of perennial (e.g. lucerne) could be investigated with the aim of maximising N2 fixation and use. Grazing management to encourage clover production in mixtures with phalaris will be necessary before the potential of subterranean clover to contribute fixed N2 in these swards is fully realised.

Comparing different sources of sulfur for high-rainfall pastures insouth-western Australia

2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (10) ◽  
pp. 1221 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. A. Bolland ◽  
J. S. Yeates ◽  
M. F. Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Residual Value ◽  
Single Superphosphate ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
S Deficiency ◽  
Different Sources

The dry herbage yield increase (response) of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.)-based pasture (>85% clover) to applications of different sources of sulfur (S) was compared in 7 field experiments on very sandy soils in the > 650 mm annual average rainfall areas of south-western Australia where S deficiency of clover is common when pastures grow rapidly during spring (August–November). The sources compared were single superphosphate, finely grained and coarsely grained gypsum from deposits in south-western Australia, and elemental S. All sources were broadcast (topdressed) once only onto each plot, 3 weeks after pasture emerged at the start of the first growing season. In each subsequent year, fresh fertiliser-S as single superphosphate was applied 3 weeks after pasture emerged to nil-S plots previously not treated with S since the start of the experiment. This was to determine the residual value of sources applied at the start of the experiment in each subsequent year relative to superphosphate freshly-applied in each subsequent year. In addition, superphosphate was also applied 6, 12 and 16 weeks after emergence of pasture in each year, using nil-S plots not previously treated with S since the start of the experiment. Pasture responses to applied S are usually larger after mid-August, so applying S later may match plant demand increasing the effectiveness of S for pasture production and may also reduce leaching losses of the applied S.At the same site, yield increases to applied S varied greatly, from 0 to 300%, at different harvests in the same or different years. These variations in yield responses to applied S are attributed to the net effect of mineralisation of different amounts of S from soil organic matter, dissolution of S from fertilisers, and different amounts of leaching losses of S from soil by rainfall. Within each year at each site, yield increases were mostly larger in spring (September–November) than in autumn (June–August). In the year of application, single superphosphate was equally or more effective than the other sources. In years when large responses to S occurred, applying single superphosphate later in the year was more effective than applying single superphosphate 3 weeks after pasture emerged (standard practice), so within each year the most recently applied single superphosphate treatment was the most effective S source. All sources generally had negligible residual value, so S needed to be applied each year to ensure S deficiency did not reduce pasture production.

Occurrence of Phytophthora clandestina in Trifolium subterraneum paddocks in Australia

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 187 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Aldaoud ◽  
W. Guppy ◽  
L. Callinan ◽  
S. F. Flett ◽  
K. A. Wratten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Root Rot ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Differential Cultivars

In 1995–96, a survey of soil samples from subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) paddocks was conducted across Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Western Australia, to determine the distribution and the prevalence of races of Phytophthora clandestina (as determined by the development of root rot on differential cultivars), and the association of its occurrence with paddock variables. In all states, there was a weak but significant association between P. clandestina detected in soil samples and subsequent root rot susceptibility of differential cultivars grown in these soil samples. Phytophthora clandestina was found in 38% of the sampled sites, with a significantly lower prevalence in South Australia (27%). There were significant positive associations between P. clandestina detection and increased soil salinity (Western Australia), early growth stages of subterranean clover (Victoria), mature subterranean clover (South Australia), recently sown subterranean clover (South Australia), paddocks with higher subterranean clover content (Victoria), where herbicides were not applied (South Australia), irrigation (New South Wales and Victoria), cattle grazing (South Australia and Victoria), early sampling dates (Victoria and New South Wales), sampling shortly after the autumn break or first irrigation (Victoria), shorter soil storage time (Victoria) and farmer’s perception of root rot being present (Victoria and New South Wales). Only 29% of P. clandestina isolates could be classified under the 5 known races. Some of the unknown races were virulent on cv. Seaton Park LF (most resistant) and others were avirulent on cv. Woogenellup (most susceptible). Race 1 was significantly less prevalent in South Australia than Victoria and race 0 was significantly less prevalent in New South Wales than in South Australia and Western Australia. This study revealed extremely wide variation in the virulence of P. clandestina. The potential importance of the results on programs to breed for resistance to root rot are discussed. in South Australia.

The performance of subterranean, rose, and cupped clovers under set-stocking

1972 ◽  
Vol 12 (59) ◽  
pp. 608 ◽  
Author(s):  
RC Rossiter ◽  
GB Taylor ◽  
GW Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Four Seasons ◽  
Gravelly Soil ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
The Rose ◽  
Clover Pasture

Pasture swards of the annual clovers Trifolium subterraneum (CV. Geraldton), T. hirtum (CV. Kondinin), and T. cherleri (CV. Yamina), and a mixture of all three were sown on a gravelly soil at Bakers Hill, Western Australia, in 1964. All pastures were set-stocked at 5 sheep ha-l from April 1965-April 1968, and at 8 sheep ha-1 from April 1968-March 1970. From 1966 onwards the amount of pasture dry matter on offer in July and September was two to four times as great on the subterranean clover pasture as on rose or cupped clover pastures. Moreover, the subterranean clover pasture resisted invasion by volunteer annuals more strongly. The mixed clover pasture was dominated by subterranean clover by 1966, and remained so thereafter. For the first four seasons of grazing, wool production was consistently higher (on average, 14 per cent higher) on rose clover than on subterranean clover pasture, and slightly lower still on cupped clover. In the fifth season, when grazing pressure was higher than previously, the rose and cupped clovers 'crashed', and subterranean clover produced most wool. We argue that the higher wool production on rose clover during 1965-1969 was due to some factor additional to digestible organic matter intake.

The performance of young sheep grazing pastures sown to combinations of lucerne or subterranean clover with ryegrass or phalaris

1972 ◽  
Vol 12 (56) ◽  
pp. 240 ◽  
Author(s):  
KFM Reed ◽  
RW Snaydon ◽  
A Axelsen
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Legume Species ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
High Production ◽  
Supplementary Feed ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Clover Pasture

Young sheep were rotationally grazed, at two stocking rates, on pasture sown to combinations of two legume species (lucerne or subterranean clover) and two grass species (a mixture of annual and biennial ryegrass or phalaris) at Canberra. Liveweight gains were 45 per cent greater, and wool production was 10 per cent greater, on the lucerne dominant pasture (87 per cent lucerne) than on the grass dominant subterranean clover pasture (8 per cent subterranean clover). The differences were maximum during summer, but also occurred during spring. Mortality and supplementary feed requirement on grass dominant pasture was double that on lucerne pasture. Liveweight gains were 13 per cent greater on pasture sown to ryegrass than on pasture sown to phalaris. Sheep mortality was eight times greater on the phalaris than on the ryegrass pasture, and survival feed requirements at least double. The superior animal production from lucerne pasture was due mainly to the ability of lucerne to grow during periods of low rainfall and to maintain a high production of legume in the pasture.

Seed production and persistence of Carnamah and other early strains of Trifolium subterraneum in the wheatbelt of Western Australia

1967 ◽  
Vol 7 (24) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
GB Taylor ◽  
RC Rossiter
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Early Flowering ◽  
The Other ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Seed Yields

Seed production and persistence of the Carnamah, Northam A, Dwalganup, and Geraldton strains of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) were examined in undefoliated swards in the wheatbelt of Western Australia. The early flowering characteristic of Carnamah was not always associated with higher seed yields. Only when there was a well-defined, early finish to the growing season, or when flowering was very much earlier in Carnamah (viz., following an early 'break' to the season), did this strain clearly outyield both Northam A and Geraldton. The seed yield of Dwalganup was generally inferior to that of the other strains. Factors affecting regeneration are discussed. Under low rainfall conditions, poorer germination-regulation of Carnamah, compared with Geraldton and Northam A, would be expected to result in poorer persistence unless offset by higher seed yields in the Carnamah strain.

Responses of intensively grazed dairy pastures to applications of fertiliser nitrogen in south-western Australia

2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 927 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. A. Bolland ◽  
I. F. Guthridge
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Maximum Yield ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Mineral Elements ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Total N ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility

For the first time, we quantified pasture dry matter (DM) responses to applied fertiliser nitrogen (N) for intensively grazed, rain-fed, dairy pastures on sandy soils common in the Mediterranean-type climate of south-western Australia. The pastures are composed of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) and annual and Italian ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaud. and L. multiflorum Lam.). Six rates of N, as urea (46% N), were applied to 15 m by 15 m plots four times during 2002 and after each of the first 5–7 grazings in 2003 and 2004, throughout the typical April–October growing season. Total rates of N applied in the first year of the experiments were 0, 60, 120, 160, 200 and 320 kg N/ha, which were adjusted in subsequent years as detailed in the ‘Materials and methods’ section of this paper. The pastures in the experiments were rotationally grazed, by starting grazing when ryegrass plants had 2–3 leaves per tiller. The amount of pasture DM on each plot was measured before and after each grazing and was then used to estimate the amount of pasture DM consumed by the cows at each grazing for different times during the growing season. Linear increases (responses) of pasture DM to applied N occurred throughout the whole growing season when a total of up to 320 kg N/ha was applied in each year. No maximum yield plateaus were defined. Across all three experiments and years, on average in each year, a total of ~5 t/ha consumed DM was produced when no N was applied and ~7.5 t/ha was produced when a total of 200 kg N/ha was applied, giving ~2.5 t/ha increase in DM consumed and an N response efficiency of ~12.5 kg DM N/kg applied. As more fertiliser N was applied, the proportion of ryegrass in the pasture consistently increased, whereas clover content decreased. Concentrations of nitrate-N in the DM consistently increased as more N was applied, whereas concentrations of total N, and, therefore, concentration of crude protein in the DM, either increased or were unaffected by applied N. Application of N had no effect on concentrations of other mineral elements in DM and on dry matter digestibility and metabolisable energy of the DM. The results were generally consistent with findings of previous pasture N studies for perennial and annual temperate and subtropical pastures. We have shown that when pasture use for milk production has been maximised in the region, it is profitable to apply fertiliser N to grow extra DM consumed by dairy cows; conversely, it is a waste of money to apply N to undergrazed pastures to produce more unused DM.

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