scholarly journals Invertebrate abundance and diversity in intensively managed dairy pastures

2012 ◽  
Vol 65 ◽  
pp. 295-295
Author(s):  
M.G. Cripps ◽  
M.R. McNeill ◽  
H. Patrick ◽  
B. Wiseman ◽  
F. Nobilly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Community Diversity ◽  
Invertebrate Community ◽  
Invertebrate Abundance ◽  
Intensively Managed ◽  
Pasture Productivity

The invertebrate community richness diversity and abundance associated with pasture productivity and plant species richness at the Lincoln University Research Dairy Farm was examined Invertebrates were sampled in November 2010 (spring) and March 2011 (late summer) by pitfall traps in two pastures types simple (perennial ryegrass/white clover) and complex (perennial ryegrass white clover prairie grass chicory plantain red clover) Pooled across seasons invertebrate richness was greater in the complex pasture compared to the simple pasture but there were no differences in invertebrate community diversity or total abundance between pasture types However greater productivity of the complex pasture in late summer resulted in greater invertebrate abundance in this pasture type but without a concomitant increase in invertebrate species richness or diversity These preliminary results suggest that pasture productivity drives invertebrate abundance and that pasture plant richness drives invertebrate richness regardless of productivity

scholarly journals Milksolids production from different combinations of perennial ryegrass and white clover cultivars: I Trial design and pasture performance

2001 ◽  
pp. 91-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.P.J. Eerens ◽  
J.R. Crush ◽  
S.L. Woodward ◽  
K.A. Macdonald ◽  
W.A. Carter
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
First Year ◽  
Endophyte Infection ◽  
Commercial Sources ◽  
Tiller Density ◽  
Clover Content

A whole-farm systems comparison of combinations of perennial ryegrass and white clover cultivars rotationally grazed by dairy cows over two complete seasons evaluated improvements in perennial ryegrass and white clover cultivars resulting from plant breeding efforts. There were four treatments comprised of two ryegrass mixtures and two clover mixtures in a 2 x 2 factorial design, each replicated three times in a randomised block design giving 12, self-contained 4-ha farmlets each stocked at three multiparous Friesian cows/ ha. All pastures were sown in April 1998, using seed obtained through commercial sources, with a high endophyte (>70% endophyte infection) specification for the ryegrass cultivars. A grow out test, carried out after sowing, showed that two of the ryegrass cultivars used in the mix of older cultivars (80R) had less than 70% endophyte infection (Ellett 50%, Nui 62%, Yatsyn 94%) resulting in an average endophyte infection of 69% for that mix. The mix of newer ryegrass (98R) cultivars had an average endophyte infection of 92% (Aries HD 91%, Bronsyn 98%, Samson 87%). While seedling densities (ryegrass and clover) were similar for all mixtures at the start, from late summer of the first year onward, tiller densities were around 30% lower (due to predation of endophyte-free plants and tillers by the Argentine stem weevil) in the 80R treatment. The lower tiller density opened up the sward at an opportune time for clover expansion, which the newer clover cultivars (98C) Sustain and Challenge converted into a higher clover production than from the older clover cultivars (60C) Huia and Pitau. The 80R treatment had a greater spring surplus requiring more conservation than the 98R treatment, which had a more even growth distribution over the year. Differences in endophyte infection levels had a major impact on pasture composition, especially clover content; reducing the endophyte level of seed sown from 90% to 70% may create an opportunity to increase the clover content and quality of young pastures in the Waikato. Keywords: cultivars, dairying, endophyte, perennial ryegrass, tiller density, white clover

Pasture and the theory of diversification

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (7) ◽  
pp. 1210 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. D. Lewis ◽  
C. K. M. Ho ◽  
B. R. Cullen ◽  
B. Malcolm
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Biophysical Model ◽  
Seasonal Growth ◽  
Average Growth ◽  
High Rainfall

Diversifying farm activities can reduce the business risk of agricultural production. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of diversifying the types of dairy pastures sown on (1) the average seasonal growth rate (kg DM/ha/day) of pasture and (2) the variability of seasonal growth rate of pasture over time by diversifying the types of pastures grown on a dairy farm. This approach is similar to the approach used to assess the diversification of annual cropping activities, although repeated harvest of pasture by grazing animals and the seasonality of pasture DM production complicates the question. The question investigated was ‘How does substituting chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) or tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae Schreb.) monocultures for a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)–white clover (Trifolium repens L.) pasture in increasing proportions affect (1) the average growth rate (kg DM/ha.day) of pasture and (2) the variability of growth rate of pasture in each season?’. The biophysical model DairyMod was used to simulate 30 years growth of a mixed sward of perennial ryegrass and white clover and monocultures of chicory and tall fescue for two rain-fed locations in the high-rainfall zone of southern Australia. Including chicory in the pasture base had the potential to increase pasture growth rate during the summer–early autumn period compared with growing perennial ryegrass–white clover alone. This increase in pasture growth rate increased variability, and reduced growth rates in late autumn–winter and spring. The simulated growth rates of tall fescue and perennial ryegrass were strongly correlated in all seasons; hence, tall fescue did not reduce the variability of total DM. Further analysis would include price correlations and variability and consider the whole-farm implications. The analysis presented here for the high-rainfall zone showed that introducing alternative forages may have benefits in terms of increasing pasture growth rates at critical times of the production year, but the variability of the growth rate was not reduced.

scholarly journals Assessing the ability of a stationary pasture height sensing device to estimate pasture growth and biomass

2019 ◽  
pp. 61-68
Author(s):  
Andrew Milsom ◽  
Olivia Bell ◽  
Kris Bailey ◽  
Stuart C. Brown ◽  
Richard A. Barton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Initial Data ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Field Testing ◽  
Remote Measurement ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Measuring Device ◽  
Considerable Potential ◽  
Accurate Knowledge

Good pasture management requires an accurate knowledge of whole-farm feedbase, yet most systems for measuring pasture growth are manually operated and time consuming. A newly developed pasture-measuring device enables remote measurement of pasture height on a regular basis. This study investigated the accuracy of such a device compared with a rising plate meter, then assessed the device on a pure perennial ryegrass paddock at a research farm, followed by field testing in a perennial ryegrass/white clover paddock on a commercial dairy farm. A strong correlation (R2 = 0.93) was obtained between collected DM yield and device-derived pasture height within the pure perennial ryegrass paddock but the correlation was weaker (R2 =0.68) with data from the dairy farm perennial ryegrass/white clover paddock. There is considerable potential to improve upon these initial data through the use of adjusted calibrations. Findings demonstrate the device has the potential to accurately estimate pasture growth.

scholarly journals Milksolids production and farm profitability from different combinations of perennial ryegrass and white clover cultivars: Progress report 2001-2003

2003 ◽  
pp. 91-98
Author(s):  
S.L. Woodward ◽  
J.R. Crush ◽  
K.A. Macdonald ◽  
J. P.J. Eerens
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Farm Productivity ◽  
Major Benefit ◽  
Breeding Programmes ◽  
Clover Content ◽  
Small Advantage ◽  
Friesian Cows

2001/2002 and 2002/2003 were the final two seasons of a replicated dairy farm systems trial designed to evaluate the effects of progress in perennial ryegrass and white clover breeding programmes on whole farm productivity and profitability (Economic Farm Surplus, EFS). All the pastures were sown in late autumn 1998. There were four treatments with all combinations of 1980's (80R), and late 1990's (98R) ryegrasses, and 1960's (60C) and late 1990's (98C) white c lover s, each replicated two times in a randomised block design giving eight 4 ha, self-contained farmlets stocked with three Friesian cows/ha and rotationally grazed. In agreement with the first two years of the trial, the last two seasons have demonstrated no major benefit in terms of either milksolids (MS) production or EFS to sowing different combinations of perennial ryegrass and only a small advantage in one season (2001/2002) to sowing new (98C) white clover cultivars. There were no effects of ryegrass or clover cultivar type on total dry matter (DM) production during the last two seasons but, as observed during the first two seasons of the trial, there were differences in the distribution of pasture growth through the year with old ryegrass (80R) treatments having more pasture growth during spring. During 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 the clover content of the swards was determined more strongly by clover type than by the type of companion ryegrass, in contrast to events during the first two seasons of the trial. Thus clover type, rather than a ryegrass x clover interaction, had a small effect on MS production and EFS during 2001/2002, but not 2002/2003, due to significantly higher clover content in both the new clover (98C) treatments than the old clover (60C) treatments. Any differences between ryegrass or white clover cultivars in terms of lower DM production at certain times of the year, and consequent small differences in total DM production and pasture quality caused only minor differences in EFS between treatments because effective farm management decisions compensated for these effects. Keywords: cultivars, dairying, economic farm surplus, milksolids, perennial ryegrass, white clover

scholarly journals WHITE CLOVER CULTIVAR EVALUATION FOR THE WAIKATO: ESTABLISHMENT PHASE

1985 ◽  
pp. 217-220
Author(s):  
C.P. West ◽  
K.W. Steele
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Trifolium Repens ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
The Other ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
Trifolium Repens L ◽  
Intensively Managed ◽  
Establishment Phase

Nine white clover (Trifolium repens L.) cultivars were established in a field trial near Hamilton to assess their adaptability to high fertility, intensively managed dairy pastures in the Waikato. The data presented are for the establishment phase of a three-year trial on Horotiu sandy loam in which cultivars will be evaluated for their persistence, competitiveness and Nt-fixing ability in the presence of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and application of N fertiliser. Three entries from New Zealand were "Grasslands Huia", "Grasslands Pitau" and the Grasslands selection G18. Six cultivars from Europe were Aran, Blanca, Donna, Menna, Nesta and Sabeda. The cultivars represent a range of leaf sizes from medium-small to large. Aran and G18 (large leaved) generally developed stands with fewer thicker stolons than the other cultivars. Visual ratings of clover stand vigour during January to March 1983, . i.n.d.1,~a !e d that GiB had the greatest rate of estabiishment and ground cover despite its low stolon density. Perennial ryegrass seedling establishment was the least vigorous in G18 and Aran, and the most vigorous in Sabeda swards. Clover dry matter yields were generally highest for G18, Aran, Huia, Pitau and Donna, and lowest for Sabeda, Nesta and Menna. G18, Huia, Pitau, Eilanca and Donna maintained a higher clover content in the sward during the weedy establishment phase than the other cultivars. Keywords: Trifolium repens L., pasture establishment, white clover establishment.

The effect of defoliation interval in winter on pasture productivity in winter and spring: a regional comparison

1990 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 357 ◽  
Author(s):  
JM Belton
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Dry Matter Accumulation ◽  
Regional Comparison ◽  
Winter Grazing ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Clover Pasture ◽  
Pasture Productivity

Forty-five plots (3 by 2 m) of perennial ryegrass-white clover pasture were randomly allocated within 3 sites to 5 winter defoliation interval treatments to determine the effect of site on best defoliation interval as measured by winter and spring herbage accumulation. Defoliation intervals were 14, 28, 42, 56, and 84 days. The defoliation intervals resulting in maximum total winter dry matter (DM) accumulation at sites 1 and 3 were 42, 56 and 84 days. Available feed accumulated at the end of winter was highest for the 84-day defoliation interval at both sites (2.0 and 1.4 t DM/ha, respectively). At site 2, maximum total winter DM accumulation was achieved for defoliation intervals of 28, 42 and 56 days. Available feed accumulation at the end of winter was 1.2 t DM/ha for the 42-day interval and did not increase thereafter. The difference in response was associated with pasture composition. The results of the experiment showed that there is scope for flexibility in winter grazing management to suit livestock requirements without compromising total winter dry matter accumulation.

scholarly journals Red Imported Fire Ants Reduce Invertebrate Abundance, Richness, and Diversity in Gopher Tortoise Burrows

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Deborah M. Epperson ◽  
Craig R. Allen ◽  
Katharine F. E. Hogan
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Fire Ants ◽  
Fire Ant ◽  
Invertebrate Community ◽  
Gopher Tortoise ◽  
Ant Predation ◽  
Invertebrate Abundance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Imported Fire Ants ◽  
Red Imported Fire Ants

Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) burrows support diverse commensal invertebrate communities that may be of special conservation interest. We investigated the impact of red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) on the invertebrate burrow community at 10 study sites in southern Mississippi, sampling burrows (1998–2000) before and after bait treatments to reduce fire ant populations. We sampled invertebrates using an ant bait attractant for ants and burrow vacuums for the broader invertebrate community and calculated fire ant abundance, invertebrate abundance, species richness, and species diversity. Fire ant abundance in gopher tortoise burrows was reduced by >98% in treated sites. There was a positive treatment effect on invertebrate abundance, diversity, and species richness from burrow vacuum sampling which was not observed in ant sampling from burrow baits. Management of fire ants around burrows may benefit both threatened gopher tortoises by reducing potential fire ant predation on hatchlings, as well as the diverse burrow invertebrate community. Fire-ant management may also benefit other species utilizing tortoise burrows, such as the endangered Dusky Gopher Frog and Schaus swallowtail butterfly. This has implications for more effective biodiversity conservation via targeted control of the invasive fire ant at gopher tortoise burrows.

N transfer from white clover to perennial ryegrass, via exudation of nitrogenous compounds

Agronomie ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 503-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florence Paynel ◽  
Jean Bernard Cliquet
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
N Transfer ◽  
Nitrogenous Compounds

USE OF CELL AND MOLECULAR GENETIC MANIPULATION TO IMPROVE PASTURE PLANTS

1988 ◽  
pp. 67-72
Author(s):  
D.W.R. White
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Rust Resistance ◽  
Herbicide Tolerance ◽  
Pest Resistance ◽  
Crown Rust ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Pasture Plants

Cell culture and genetic engineering techniques can be used to develop improved pasture plants. To utilise these methods we have developed procedures for regenerating plants from tissue cultures of perennial ryegrass and white clover. In both, the plant genotype influences regeneration capacity. There was significant genetic variation among regenerated perennial ryegrass plants in a wide range of characteristics. Most of the regenerants were resIstant to crown rust and this trait was highly heritable. This rust resistance is being used to breed a new ryegrass cultivar. A system for introducing cloned genes into white clover is described. This capability is bemg used to incorporate genes with the potential to improve nutritional quality and pest resistance. Other possibilities for engineering genetic improvements in white clover, genes conferring herbicide tolerance and resistance to white clover mosaic virus, are briefly outlined. Keywords: Lolium perenne, Trifolium repens, cell culture, somaclonal variation, crown rust resistance, transformation, cloned genes, nutritional quality, proteinase inhibitors, Bt toxins, pest resistance, WCMV viral cross-protection, herbicide tolerance, Agrobacterium, Bacillus thuringenisis.

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