Pasture production, persistence of legumes and lamb growth in summer‐dry hill pastures

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunus Gultekin ◽  
Shelby J. Filley ◽  
Mary A. Smallman ◽  
David B. Hannaway ◽  
Serkan Ates
Keyword(s):  
Pasture Production ◽  
Lamb Growth

scholarly journals Pasture production and lamb growth in agrivoltaic system

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alyssa C. Andrew ◽  
Chad W. Higgins ◽  
Massimo Bionaz ◽  
Mary A. Smallman ◽  
Serkan Ates
Keyword(s):  
Pasture Production ◽  
Lamb Growth

Performance of breeding ewes on lucerne-subterranean clover pastures

1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 758 ◽  
Author(s):  
DG Hall ◽  
EC Wolfe ◽  
BR Cullis
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Wagga Wagga ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
Lamb Growth

Pasture production, ewe and lamb growth, ewe wool production and diet quality were studied on lucerne-subterranean clover pastures at Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. Lucerne was sown at rates of 0.75 to 3.0 kg/ha, and the pastures were rotationally grazed with Border Leicester x Merino ewes at 9.6 or 12.7 sheep/ha, the ewes lambing in August- September. Lucerne density declined by 45% over the 3 years on all treatments. The clover cultivar sown, Woogenellup, had low persistence, particularly at 12.7 sheep/ha. The density of lucerne had little effect on annual wool and lamb production, although the ewes grew faster on the denser lucerne in summer and the sparser lucerne in winter. At 12- 7 sheep/ha, there was an extra 19% total lamb weight by the end of November and an extra 22% of finer wool (1 �m) annually, but the fleeces had a higher proportion of wool tenderness. The major limitations of the lucerne-subterranean clover pastures to sheep production were the low quality of the diet in early summer, and low pasture production in late winter. In early summer the lucerne was rapidly consumed, leaving only moderate quality clover and grass residues, which limited lamb growth, while in winter pregnancy toxaemia occurred, fleeces were tender and wool growth was low, particularly during a drought in 1976.

scholarly journals The use of lime to alleviate high pasture manganese in Central Otago

2004 ◽  
pp. 49-55
Author(s):  
L.C. Smith ◽  
K.D. Trainor ◽  
W.D. Catto
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Production Increase ◽  
Lamb Growth ◽  
Significant Production ◽  
Mn Concentrations

Rates of lime (0, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 t/ha) were applied to two sites (Wyuna and Routeburn Stations) near Glenorchy in Central Otago. At both these sites initial herbage manganese (Mn) concentrations (780 and 471 mg/kg dry matter (DM) respectively) were above the level (400 mg/kg DM) that has been shown to reduce lamb growth rates. Total pasture production for the three years averaged 3600 kg DM/ha/yr at Wyuna and 8400 kg DM/ha/yr at Routeburn. The application of lime to the predominately browntop (Wyuna = 72%, Routeburn = 46%) pastures in this study, did not result in significant pasture production increases in the first 2 years but in Year 3 there was a significant production increase due to lime at Wyuna (P

scholarly journals Feed not weeds - doing the basics well

1998 ◽  
pp. 19-21
Author(s):  
Peter Brooker
Keyword(s):  
Major Elements ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Short Rotation ◽  
Main Emphasis ◽  
Winter Crop ◽  
S Application ◽  
Lamb Growth ◽  
Made In

Margaret and I own and operate a farm of 260 effective ha in the Maruia Valley. We have a 230-cow dairy unit on 125 ha and use the remaining area to support the dairy operation and run 450 ewes and approximately 60 beef bulls. During the late 1970s and early 1980s we developed a large area of manuka and fern country into pasture. As we were working reasonably large areas of difficult country, some areas were quite rough when sown down and the home block was abandoned in terms of cultivation for a number of years. Since 1985 we have undertaken quite a lot of regrassing of the newer areas and when the decision was made in March 1995 to return to dairying, the home block (now dairy) received some urgent attention and approximately 40 ha of the dairy unit has now been redeveloped. On the dry stock unit we are now growing brassicas to winter the dairy stock. The need to cultivate and regrass or grow a winter crop is determined by three factors: • Pasture production/species of existing pasture. • Contour, infestation of rushes, cutty grass, drain spoil, etc. • Compaction and therefore pugging problems. Over the last 10 years we have sown a variety of species, with the main emphasis on short- to medium-term ryegrasses mixed with clovers and timothy. We have had very good results with these varieties, especially when considering the excellent autumn/early spring production of these species and the importance of fully feeding early in the season to capture milk, beef and lamb growth opportunities. The lack of stem weevil, good fertility and moisture levels ensures many good seasons out of short-rotation species. Low endophyte levels in pasture are also a benefit. When a paddock is earmarked for regrassing, a soil test is done if fertility is questionable. Most of our farm has adequate base phosphorus and pH levels. The dairy unit levels range between 30 and 40 P, and 5.8 pH. The dry stock areas range from 25+ P, and 5.6-5.8 pH. All other major elements are in the optimum range. Annual fertiliser (N/P/K/S) application is: Dairy 114/50/80/87 Dry stock 30/25/25/35

Farmers adopting technology to improve sheep production - a nine year study

2002 ◽  
pp. 49-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Cocks ◽  
M. Williams ◽  
M. Casey ◽  
C. Brown ◽  
J. Ware ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Meaningful Information ◽  
Keywords Genetics ◽  
Genetics Learning ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Lamb Growth ◽  
Improved Pasture

The Kuriwao Farm Action group has followed a process of continued monitoring and evaluation to improve sheep production. Involvement in this project has given the farmers meaningful information for all members to use as part of their decision making. As a group they have evaluated options such as pasture cultivars and renovation strategies, sheep genetics, chemical topping and hogget mating. The benefit to all members has been faster progress and less costly mistakes. Many new technologies such as scanning, improved pasture species, chemical topping and improved animal genetics and nutrition are now standard practice on these properties. The farmers made bigger gains in the last five years as the impact of new sheep genetics and crossbreeding combined with a greater understanding of the importance of ewe nutrition in both lamb numbers and growth. The original objectives of the project were to improve lambing percentage, pasture performance and lamb growth. On average, lambing percentage improved by 2% per year for the last nine years (and 3% per year since 1996). Average lamb growth rate lifted by 8.6g/d/year (5% per year). Keywords: genetics, learning, nutrition, pasture improvement, pasture production, sheep production

scholarly journals Herbage Yield, Lamb Growth and Foraging Behavior in Agrivoltaic Production System

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alyssa C. Andrew ◽  
Chad W. Higgins ◽  
Mary A. Smallman ◽  
Maggie Graham ◽  
Serkan Ates
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Land Productivity ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Spring Period ◽  
Daily Water ◽  
Lamb Growth

Agrivoltaic systems are designed to mutually benefit solar energy and agricultural production in the same location for dual-use of land. This study was conducted to compare lamb growth and pasture production from solar pastures in agrivoltaic systems and traditional open pastures over 2 years in Oregon. Weaned Polypay lambs grew at 120 and 119 g head−1 d−1 in solar and open pastures, respectively in spring 2019 (P = 0.90). The liveweight production between solar (1.5 kg ha−1 d−1) and open pastures (1.3 kg ha−1 d−1) were comparable (P = 0.67). Similarly, lamb liveweight gains and liveweight productions were comparable in both solar (89 g head−1 d−1; 4.6 kg ha−1 d−1) and open (92 g head−1 d−1; 5.0 kg ha−1 d−1) pastures (all P > 0.05) in 2020. The daily water consumption of the lambs in spring 2019 were similar during early spring, but lambs in open pastures consumed 0.72 L head−1 d−1 more water than those grazed under solar panels in the late spring period (P < 0.01). No difference was observed in water intake of the lambs in spring 2020 (P = 0.42). Over the entire period, solar pastures produced 38% lower herbage than open pastures due to low pasture density in fully shaded areas under solar panels. The results from our grazing study indicated that lower herbage mass available in solar pastures was offset by higher forage quality, resulting in similar spring lamb production to open pastures. Our findings also suggest that the land productivity could be greatly increased through combining sheep grazing and solar energy production on the same land in agrivoltaics systems.

scholarly journals The effect of pasture species on pasture and animal performances in irrigated systems

2000 ◽  
pp. 59-66
Author(s):  
R.A. Moss ◽  
T.J. Fraser ◽  
M.J. Daly ◽  
T.L. Knight ◽  
D.G. Carson
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
First Year ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
Animal Performances ◽  
Buying In ◽  
Lamb Growth ◽  
Improved Pasture ◽  
Animal Production System

The effect of two contrasting forage supply options on forage and sheep production was evaluated on irrigated farmlet systems at Winchmore, mid Canterbury, over 3 years. One system was based on perennial ryegrass pastures (Control), and the other on hybrid ryegrass, tall fescue, and chicory pastures (Improved). Pasture growth rates were similar for all pasture types, however, pasture cover was on occasion, higher on the Control than Improved systems ensuring this system was self-sufficient in feed while the Improved system had a deficit averaging 714 kgDM/ha/yr. Swards on both systems contained similar proportions of legume but the Improved system contained less grass and more chicory before lamb grazing. Despite the apparent improvement in feed quality of the Improved system, its lamb performance was greater than that from the Control system for the first year only, when swards were newly established and contained greater proportions of chicory and legume. Although pasture production was similar between years there was considerable variation in lamb growth rates. This was most pronounced in the Improved system where pre-weaning rates averaged 266 and 216 g/d in years 1 and 3 respectively, and post-weaning rates 190 and 108 in years 1 and 2 respectively. The post-weaning variation appeared to coincide with fluctuations in clover and to an even greater extent, the chicory content of swards, the proportion of which declined as seasons progressed and pastures aged. The Improved system gave financial returns from lamb that were $49/ha higher than the Control in year 1 but offered no advantage in subsequent years. Compared to the Control, the Improved system had the added costs of more frequent pasture renewal and was further disadvantaged by a feed deficit necessitating buying-in supplies. Improvements anticipated to accrue from the inclusion of higher quality swards in an irrigated animal production system, were not supported by findings from this study. Keywords: irrigation, lamb production, pasture production, pasture quality, pasture species

A comparison of continuous grazing and deferred autumn grazing of Merino ewes and lambs at 13 stocking rates

1977 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 947 ◽  
Author(s):  
TH Brown
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Grazed Pastures ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Lamb Growth

The performance of Merino ewes and their lambs was measured when the sheep were either continuously grazed or autumn-deferred on annual pastures. The two management systems were compared at a series of 13 stocking rates from 4.9 to 19.8 ewes ha-1 for 5 years from 1970 to 1974 at the Kybybolite Research Centre, South Australia. The deferred sheep were fed in yards on a mixture of oat grain and hay at 6.8 kg per head per week during the 6-week deferment period. It was found that the continuously grazed ewes required very little hand-feeding up to a stocking rate of 17.3 ewes ha-1. Grazing management had little or no effect on wool production in ewes or lambs, on the number of lambs born and weaned, or on lamb growth rates. Although the incidence of pregnancy toxaemia was very low (1%) it was higher in the deferred treatments. Autumn deferment resulted in extra pasture during the winter months of June and July. However, the continuously grazed pastures reached the same level of availability as the deferred pastures in late winter and early spring. Total yearly pasture production tended to be greater on the continuously grazed pastures and increased as the stocking rate increased. It is concluded that there is little merit in adopting an autumn deferment system of grazing management for Merino ewes and lambs. A relationship between lamb growth rate and both available pasture and pasture height is presented. It would appear that pasture height measurements are no better predictors of Iamb growth rates than pasture yield measurements.

Effects of grazing management and stocking rate on pasture production, ewe liveweight, ewe fertility and lamb growth on subterranean clover-based pasture in Western Australia

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 161 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Lloyd Davies ◽  
I. N. Southey
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Lamb Growth

Border Leicester x Merino ewes joined to Dorset Horn rams were grazed for 3 years on subterranean clover-based pastures established on virgin ground at Bakers Hill, Western Australia, at 3 stocking rates and 2 systems of grazing management (viz. continuous grazing compared with a deferred grazing system which was designed to ensure that pasture availability met the nutritional requirements of breeding ewes at critical phases of their reproductive cycle). Both stocking rate and grazing management affected pasture availability: there was always a greater amount of pasture available on offer under the deferred grazing system. However, this extra pasture rarely increased animal production; the effect of the deferred grazing compared with continuous grazing was inconsequential for ewe liveweight in late pregnancy and for lamb growth rate. The deferred grazing system promoted grass dominance at all stocking rates whereas there was only 24% grass under continuous grazing at the high stocking rate. Stocking rate on some occasions affected ewe liveweight at joining but always affected the prelambing weight. The highest stocking rate on some occasions reduced twinning rate. Stocking rate (particularly in 1966) affected lamb growth rate. The combination of the effect of stocking rate on twinning rate, lamb survival and lamb growth rate resulted in a lower proportion of lambs achieving 30 kg liveweight per lamb marked at higher stocking rates (3-year mean low stocking rate 106% lambs marketed; medium stocking rate 95% and high stocking rate 80%). In 1966, total plasma ketones were lower and plasma glucose (measure of ewe metabolic status) was higher on the deferred system than on the continuously grazed system.

LIME AND DAIRY PRODUCTION

1982 ◽  
pp. 93-103
Author(s):  
N.A. Thomson
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Dairy Production ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
The Third ◽  
One Year ◽  
Plasma Magnesium

In a four year grazing trial with dairy cows the application of 5000 kg lime/ ha (applied in two applications of 2500 kg/ha in winter of the first two years) significantly increased annual pasture production in two of the four years and dairy production in one year. In three of the four years lime significantly increased pasture growth over summer/autumn with concurrent increases in milk production. In the last year of the trial lime had little effect on pasture growth but a relatively large increase in milkfat production resulted. A higher incidence of grass staggers was recorded on the limed farmlets in spring for each of the four years. In the second spring immediately following the second application of lime significant depressions in both pasture and plasma magnesium levels were recorded. By the third spring differences in plasma magnesium levels were negligible but small depressions in herbage magnesium resulting from lime continued to the end of the trial. Lime significantly raised soil pH, Ca and Mg levels but had no effect on either soil K or P. As pH levels of the unlimed paddocks were low (5.2-5.4) in each autumn and soil moisture levels were increased by liming, these factors may suggest possible causes for the seasonality of the pasture response to lime

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