MANAGEMENT OF NEW CULTIVARS FOR DRYLAND

1983 ◽  
pp. 61-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.A. Lancashire ◽  
J.L. Brock
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Seed Quality ◽  
Technical Information ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Seasonally Dry ◽  
Prairie Grass ◽  
Management Procedures ◽  
New Cultivars

Some characteristics of seed quality, establishment rates, performance in mixtures and response to grazing management of 5 new pasture plants with potential in dryland are described. On a dry hill country site in the Wairarapa, the contribution of the sown grasses established in separate plots with clovers under rotational grazing was 'Grasslands Wana' cocksfoot 65%; 'Grasslands Maru' phalaris 23%; 'Grasslands Matua' prairie grass 22%; and 'Grasslands Roa' tall fescue 13% after 2 years. The other main grass species was resident perennial ryegrass which established from buried seed (ca. 240 plants/m*) and had a major impact on the establishment and growth of the sown grasses. On a seasonally dry Manawatu flat land soil 3 grazing managementsviz. set stocked all year (S); rotational all year (R); and combination (Cl (set stocked from lambing to drafting and rotational for the remainder of the year) were applied to mixtures of the new cultivars (except that 'Grasslands Apanui' cocksfoot replaced Wana) with ryegrass and white clover stocked at 20 sheep/ha. After 3 years the contribution of the new cultivars was negligible under S and ryegrass was dominant. The R pastures became cocksfoot dominant and Matua (in winter) and chicory (in summer) contributed more than in the S system. The C system produced the most evenly balanced species contribution with only Roa remaining at (5%. A sub-trial with cocksfoot cultivars demonstrated that Wana maintained better production and tiller density ~ll,000/m2 ) than Apanui (1000/m' ) under set stocking IS). Although some of the new cultivars will require specialised management procedures to fulfil their potential in dryland, the increasing and widespread use of Matua prairie grass in farming suggests that these techniques can be adopted in commercial agriculture provided good technical information is available in a management package when the cultivar is released. Keywords: Dryland, grazing management, mixtures, Matua prairie grass, Wana cocksfoot, Roa tall fescue, Maru phalaris, Chicory

Natural reseeding of five grass species in summer dry hill country

1991 ◽  
pp. 97-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.E. Hume ◽  
D.J. Barker
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Early Winter ◽  
Minor Variation ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
General Decline ◽  
Prairie Grass ◽  
Summer Grazing

Natural reseeding of 5 grass species was monitored over 2-3 years in summer dry hill country in central Wairarapa and Taupo. Measurements included numbers of seedheads and seedlings appearing, survival andgrowth of tagged seedlings and their contribution to sward tiller populations. Effects of fertiliser (high, low) and summer grazing managements (continuously summer grazed, spelled from grazing during summer) were examined. All seedlings appeared in autumn/early winter. No seedlings of phalaris and few tall fescue and cocksfoot seedlings were found, and all failed to survive the first summer. Reseeding of prairie grass was significant, failure of which corresponded with a general decline in persistence of prairie grass swards. With summer spelling in central Wairarapa, prairie grass had relatively high seedling numbers (144/m?), seedling survival (10%) and contribution (11%) to prairie grass tillers in the sward. Reseeding was most prolific for perennial ryegrass (Nui and resident ryegrass) (283 seedlings appeared/m2). Summer spelling gave high ryegrass seedling numbers in central Wairarapa but lower numbers at Taupo, compared with summer grazing. At both sites, however, summer grazing increasedryegrass seedling survival and seedling contribution to the total sward (11% of total tillers), despite inherently dense, competitive swards. Effects of fertiliser were generally minor. Variation between sites and years was considerable. Reseeding had little effect on numbers of new plants in the sward, but may be significant when considered cumulativley over a number of years. Keywords natural reseeding, summer dry hill country, summer grazing managements, fertiliser, prairie grass, ryegrass, phalaris, cocksfoot, tall fescue

scholarly journals OVERSOWN GRASSES AND THEIR MANAGEMENT ON SOUTHLAND HILL COUNTRY

1985 ◽  
pp. 199-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cd Meurk ◽  
J.D. Turner
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Prairie Grass ◽  
Pasture Yield

Infertile hill country grasslands are a vastly under-utilised pastoral resource in New Zealand. Three years of trial results on this class of land in eastern Southland are summarised. Five grasses (Grasslands Nui ryegrass, Wana cocksfoot, Matua prairie grass, Roa tall fescue and Maru phalaris) were oversown together with Huia white clover and subterranean clover. These were compared with a resident pasture, all under two fertility levels and two rotational grazing managements, and with unimproved pasture. The use of fertiliser and rotational grazing doubled the productivity of the unimproved rangeland to ca. 10,500 kg DMlhalyear. The addition of white clover increased yield to 12,000 kg, and improved grasses increased this further to 14,000 kg. Keywords: agronomy, fertiliser, grasses, grazing management, hill country, oversowing, pasture composition, pasture yield.

Production and forage quality of prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii) in comparison to perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) in subtropical dairy pastures

2000 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
pp. 1059 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Fulkerson ◽  
J. F. M. Fennell ◽  
K. Slack
Keyword(s):  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
Forage Quality ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Tiller Stage ◽  
Prairie Grass

A grazing study was conducted, over a 3-year period (1997–99), on the subtropical north coast of New South Wales, Australia, to compare the yield of prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii cv. Matua), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea cv. Vulcan) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne cv. Yatsyn), on a well-drained red krasnozem soil at Wollongbar Agricultural Research Institute (WAI) and on a heavy clay soil at Casino. The effect of grazing interval (equivalent to the time taken to regrow 1.5, 2.5 or 4 leaves/tiller) in spring, and forage quality of prairie grass in winter and spring was also assessed. At both sites, the dry matter (DM) yields of prairie grass over the establishment year and in year 2 were significantly (P<0.001) higher than for the other 2 grass species (mean for 2 years over the 2 sites was 23.8, 8.9 and 7.7 t DM/ha for prairie grass, ryegrass and tall fescue, respectively). In year 3, there was no production of tall fescue or ryegrass at the WAI site while prairie grass produced 11.3 t DM/ha although this was obtained from natural seedling recruitment after the sward was sprayed with a herbicide in February of that year. At the Casino site, ryegrass and tall fescue still made substantial growth in year 3 (3.1 and 2.1 t DM/ha for ryegrass and tall fescue, respectively) but this was significantly below the yields of prairie grass (5.5 t DM/ha). More frequent grazing of prairie grass in spring (equivalent to 1.5 leaves/tiller of regrowth) led to significantly (P<0.05) less plants surviving summer and less seedling recruitment in the following autumn. The annual yield of the 1.5 leaf treatment was significantly (P<0.05) lower than the remaining treatments but only in the third year of the study. Analysis of prairie grass forage samples, taken in June (vegetative sward) and November (reproductive sward), gave magnesium values of less than 0.2% DM which is below the concentration found in ryegrass and that recommended for dairy cattle. The Ca : P and K : (Ca + Mg) ratios in prairie grass improved, as a forage for dairy cows, with regrowth time up to 5 leaves/tiller. Metabolisable energy remained constant with regrowth time in June at 10.8 MJ/kg DM but fell significantly in November from 10.7 MJ/kg DM, immediately post-grazing, to 9.2 MJ/kg DM at the 4.5 leaves/tiller stage of regrowth. In contrast to observations in ryegrass, the water-soluble carbohydrate content of forage samples of prairie grass taken in November showed a substantial increase with regrowth time to over 12% DM at the 3 leaves/tiller stage of regrowth. The high productivity and forage quality of prairie grass obtained over a 3-year period suggests this grass species could be a suitable temperate perennial grass for subtropical dairy pastures. An appropriately long grazing interval in spring seems critical to optimise plant survival over summer and for adequate seed set for seedling recruitment the following autumn. If summer weeds and/or grasses invade to a significant extent, the large seedbank of prairie grass provides the opportunity to spray out the pasture in summer and rely on seedling recruitment to establish a new sward in autumn. The forage quality of prairie grass in winter and spring is similar to perennial ryegrass but the magnesium levels are substantially lower and stock grazing this type of pasture for extended periods would need to be supplemented with this mineral.

Fall-Grazing Management Effects on Production and Persistence of Tall Fescue, Perennial Ryegrass, and Prairie Grass

jpa ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 487-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. H. Hall ◽  
P. J. Levan ◽  
E. H. Cash ◽  
H. W. Harpster ◽  
S. L. Fales
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Prairie Grass ◽  
Management Effects

scholarly journals Demonstration of dryland species on 90 east coast North Island farms

1993 ◽  
pp. 39-44
Author(s):  
G.D. Milne ◽  
S.C. Moloney ◽  
D.R. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
East Coast ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
The North ◽  
Animal Growth ◽  
Direct Drilling

A drought pasture demonstration programme was established on the east coast of the North Island, between 1990 and 1992. Dryland pasture species were established on 1500 ha, on 91 farms, to encourage other farmers to use them rather than relying totally on perennial ryegrass. 97% of pastures were established successfully, proving to farmers that dryland pasture species can be established reliably. As well as establishing pastures after cultivation, it was also proven that these species can be reliably established by direct drilling, or by oversowing onto hill country, using techniques developed in this programme. Some farmers monitored the amount of grazing obtained from the new pastures, and found that on average they received 112% more grazing annually than resident pastures, the largest increases occurring in summer. Many farmers also reported better animal growth rates on the new pastures, especially in summer and autumn. Monitoring of species presence in tiller cores has shown the sown species to be persisting well to date (Nov 1992), with the exceptions of tall fescue and grazing brome when sown onto hill country. The programme reinforced factors important in the establishment and grazing management of dryland pastures. The programme has brought about a noticeable change in attitude to dryland species, and seed sales have increased markedly while ryegrass sales have decreased. Keywords: Cichorium intybus, Dactylis glomerata, drought, Festuca arundinacea, demonstration, dryland pasture establishment

scholarly journals Economics of drought-tolerant pastures for cattle finishing on Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa hill country farms

1993 ◽  
pp. 45-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.J. Korte ◽  
A.P. Rhodes
Keyword(s):  
Computer Model ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Drought Tolerant ◽  
Pasture Quality ◽  
Prairie Grass ◽  
Policy Models ◽  
Summer Pasture ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Beef Prices

Planting drought-tolerant pastures (tall fescue, chicory, prairie grass) is one option Hawkes Bay/ Wairarapa farmers can use to reduce the impact of drought. To evaluate this strategy two hill country sheep/beef farm models were established and entered in HerdEcon, a bioeconomics computer model. Using the two farm models, three comparisons were made: (1) base farm (no alternative pasture), (2) alternative pasture planted on 5% or 10% of grazable area, and (3) same as 2, with changes in cattle selling policy. Models were run for a 19-year sequence based on pasture growth for Hawkes Bay, and with a range of beef prices and pasture renewal costs. Drought-tolerant pastures increased the financial returns from both farm models, provided that livestock policies allowed increases in pasture quality and summer pasture growth to be captured by increased beef production. Lower pasture establishment costs and improved persistence would significantly improve profitability from drought-tolerant pastures. Keywords cattle, dryland pastures, economics

scholarly journals Performance of new pasture cultivars in a hill country finishing system

1990 ◽  
pp. 151-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.W. Webby ◽  
G.W. Sheath ◽  
C.J. Boom
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Early Flowering ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Prairie Grass ◽  
Current Returns ◽  
Improved Pasture ◽  
New Cultivars ◽  
Made In

On 6 of a set of 12 self-contained experimental farmlets, improved pasture cultivars 'Ellett' ryegrass, 'Grasslands Wana' cocksfoot, 'Grasslands Tahora' white clover, Whatawhata Early Flowering' white clover, 'Mount Barker' sub clover, 'Tallarook sub clover, 'Grasslands Mama prairie grass, 'Grasslands Pitau white clover and 'Grasslands Pawera' red clover were successfully established in 1986. Measurements began May 1987. Results presented to May 1989 include pasture production, animal production and financial returns. Matua prairie grass failed to persist beyond spring 1988 but clovers including Pawera and Pitau in these pastures increased summer production in 1989. In summer 1989 the improved steep pastures produced 8 kg DM/ha/day more feed than the resident pastures, with most of this increase owing to Wana cocksfoot. Lamb numbers and lamb weight gains were greater with improved pastures. Bulls were priority finishing animals and their weights were insensitive to pasture treatment. Current returns from this experiment show little to justify the investment made in introducing new cultivars into existing developed hill pastures. Keywords pasture cultivars, hill country, finishing systems, pasture improvement

scholarly journals THE PERFORMANCE OF PASTURE SPECIES IN CANTERBURY

1974 ◽  
pp. 180-190
Author(s):  
B.R. Watkin
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Total Production ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Prairie Grass ◽  
Insect Attack

The seasonal and total production of a number of different grass species and lucerne varieties was compared under grazing over 3 years. Significant differences were obtained in total and component yields in all seasons. Lucerne outyielded all other species in the summer while prairie grass and tall fescue were superior in the autumn, winter and spring. The performance of the different species is discussed in relation to production, botanical composition, climate and insect attack.

scholarly journals Grazing preference for pasture species by sheep is affected by endophyte and nitrogen fertility

1993 ◽  
pp. 137-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.R. Edwards ◽  
R.J. Lucas ◽  
M.R. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Prairie Grass ◽  
Nitrogen Fertility ◽  
Grazing Response ◽  
Grazing Period ◽  
Urine Patch ◽  
Highly Correlated

The grazing response of ewe hoggets offered tall fescue, endophyte-infected (+E) or endophyte-free (-E) perennial ryegrass all sown with white clover into a fertile silt loam was examined in April 1990. In a second experiment 2 grazings were observed where 5 grasses had been overdrilled into old lucerne growing on stony infertile land. Pregnaht ewes (August) and ewes with young lambs (October) grazed 3 replicates of tall fescue, +E perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot, phalaris and prairie grass. After the August grazing nitrogen fertiliser was applied at 0 and 300 kg N/ha to 5 x 2 m subplots in each 30 x 9 m grass plot. April observations showed that on day one 76% of grazing time was on tall fescue. During the first 4 days of grazing grass leaf height decreased 60 mm in tall fescue, 43 mm in +E and 42 mm in -E ryegrass while in the last 5 days decreases were 5, 3 and 25 mm. Over the 9 days' grazing, pseudostem height declined 5.2, 1.5 and 5.0 mm, green grass cover from 62 to 30,65 to 44, and 68 to 33%, and herbage removal was 940, 1100 and 1300 kg DM/ ha from tall fescue, +E and -E ryegrasses. During the first 3 days of the August grazing, grass leaf heights of cocksfoot and +E ryegrass declined at a much slower rate than in the other 3 species. The October grazing showed a similar defoliation pattern on plots without N. Addition of 300 kg N/ ha resulted in very rapid defoliation of all 5 species during the first day of the 7-day grazing period. April grazing showed that initially sheep preferred tall fescue. Even though grazing time was similar for +E and -E ryegrasses the hoggets consumed less +E than -E ryegrass, possibly owing to reluctance to penetrate the +E pseudostem horizon. The August and October grazings demonstrated the ability of sheep to discriminate between grass species and strong rejection of cocksfoot and +E ryegrass. However, N at a rate similar to a urine patch produced leaf in all species which was equally attractive to sheep. The reduced intake of +E ryegrass measured in the April grazing may explain some of the lower animal performance of sheep on +E ryegrass pastures. Equally, grazing preference shown by rate of canopy height decline in any pasture is probably highly correlated with pasture intake and animal productivity. Keywords: Acremonium lolii, Bromus willdenowii, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca arundinacea, Lolium perenne, nitrogen-fertilised pasture, Phalaris aquatica, sheep grazing preference

scholarly journals TEMPERATURE EFFECTS ON GERMINATION OF NEW ZEALAND HERBAGE GRASSES

1986 ◽  
pp. 165-172
Author(s):  
J.F.L.Charlton J.G. Hampton ◽  
D.J. Scott
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Temperature Effects ◽  
Germination Rate ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Percentage Germination ◽  
Fluctuating Temperature ◽  
Prairie Grass

Percentage germination and germination rate (days to 75% germination) of 14 'Grasslands' cultivars from 9 grass species were assessed at constant temperatures of 5,10,15,20,25,3O"C and a fluctuating temperature of S/lO"C. Ryegrass germination did not differ significantly within the range of temperatures used. Germination of Kahu timothy and Maru phalaris was reduced at or below 10°C and at 30°C. Raki paspalum failed to germinate below 15°C. The germination of Apanui and Wana cocksfoot and Matua prairie grass was reduced at 30°C. Germination rates for all species slowed as temperature moved away from the optimum, as did the number of days to the start of germination. Germination rate was greatest for the ryegrasses at all temperatures; for all other species the order was timothy, tall fescue> phalaris prairie grass and cocksfoot at lO"C, and timothy > phalaris, prairie grass>cocksfoot >tall fescue at 5°C. The implications of these results for pasture establishment are discussed. Keywords: germination, germination rate, temperature, temperate grasses, pasture establishment.

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