scholarly journals EFFECTS OF LATE-AUTUMN NITROGEN APPLICATION ON HILL COUNTRY PASTURES AND SHEEP PRODUCTION

1986 ◽  
pp. 211-215
Author(s):  
M.G. Lambert ◽  
D.A. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Research Area ◽  
Nitrogen Application ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Nitrogen Use ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Late Autumn ◽  
History Of ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
N Use

Effects of late-May/early June application of fertiliser nitrogen (N) on pasture and animal performance from hill pastures, were measured durmg 1982.1984 on four 10 ha farmlets at Ballantrae Research Area near Woodville. Two farmlets had a history of high superphosphate (375 kg/ha/year) application and were stocked at 16.1 ewes/ha and two farmlets that received less superphosphate (125 kg/ha/year) were stocked at 12 ewes/ha. Urea was applied at rates equivalent to 3kg N/ewe, or 50 and 37kg N/ha/year respectively on one high fertiliser and one low fertiliser farmlet. Pasture production responses were large and reliable (range of 17 to 34, average of 28kg DM/kg N), and extended through winter into spring. Average legume content of pastures was depressed from 12 to 8% by N applicahon. Ewes were heavier in winter and spring where N was applied, but not at mating in April/May. Lambing performance was similar across farmlets, but weaned lamb liveweight was 14% higher where N was applied. Nitrogen use resulted in 6% greater ewe wool production and 12% greater lamb wool production. Profitability of N use would have been enhanced if utilisatlon of N-boosted pasture had been greater, more responsive stock classes used, or application of superphosphate reduced temporarily. Keywords: Hill country, North Island, hill pastures, urea, fertiliser nitrogen, sheep production. wool production, lamb produchon, profItabIlity.

scholarly journals Pasture production gains from strategic winter nitrogen applications on a North Island sheep and beef hill country farm

2008 ◽  
pp. 117-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.R. Puha ◽  
W.Mcg King ◽  
V.T. Burggraaf ◽  
A.H.C. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Slope Aspect ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Late Autumn ◽  
Major Constraint ◽  
Key Words Nitrogen

Inadequate pasture growth from September to November has been a major constraint on animal production at Limestone Downs, Port Waikato. In an attempt to address this, urea was applied by air in two applications per year (late autumn + winter) at rates up to 250 kg N/ha/year for each of 3 years (2004-2007). Key words: nitrogen, slope, aspect, pasture growth, fertiliser response

scholarly journals Response to re-application of phosphate fertilisers on hill pasture where fertiliser had been withheld for seven years

1993 ◽  
pp. 67-71
Author(s):  
S.F. Ledgard ◽  
G.J. Brier
Keyword(s):  
Phosphate Rock ◽  
Nitrogen Availability ◽  
Research Area ◽  
N Fixation ◽  
Single Superphosphate ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Reactive Phosphate ◽  
Reactive Phosphate Rock ◽  
P Rate

A field experiment at the AgResearch Te Kuiti Research Area examined effects of re-application of phosphorus (P) fertilisers on production and composition of hill pastures (1520% slope) which had received no P for 7 years. Treatments were 0, 20, 40 and 80 kg P/ha/year as single superphosphate (SSP) or North Carolina reactive phosphate rock (RPR). The soil was a yellowbrown earth/yellow-brown loam intergrade with Olsen P 9. Re-application of P produced a rapid and large increase in pasture production of up to 42 and 61% in years 1 and 2, respectively, and brought production up to 95% of that measured in neighbouring regularly fertilised paddocks. The pasture response to RPR was less (PcO.01) than that to SSP in both years, particularly at the highest rate. This indicated that RPR was less suitable for capital application. The P response was due almost entirely to an increase in white clover growth, and N, fixation was estimated to increase from 30 to 130 kg N/ha/year. In year 2, there was an increase in ryegrass content of pasture receiving the high P rate and this was attributed to increased nitrogen availability due to increased N, fixation. Keywords: hill country, phosphorus, reactive phosphate rock, superphosphate

scholarly journals SOIL FERTILITY AND HILL COUNTRY PRODUCTION

1982 ◽  
pp. 153-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.G. Lambert ◽  
P.C. Luscombe ◽  
D.A. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Olsen P ◽  
Legume Growth

Soil, pasture and animal responses to 2 levels of superphosphate were measured within a farmlet trial, at Ballantrae hill country research area, near Woodville, during 1975-80. Soil and pasture measurements were also made for 3 years before the trial started. Pastures, which were dominated by low-fertility-tolerant grasses (LFTC;), moss and flatweeds, were oversown with 4 legumes before the trial started. Soil Olsen P level was 5 under untopdressed pasture in 1973, and 9 in 1975 after application of 500 kg/ ha superphosphate. Superphosphate rates were 120 (on low fertiliser areas q LF) and 640 (on high fertiliser areas = HF) kg/ ha/ yr average during 1975/80. Annual pasture production (adjusted for variable summer rainfall) was 7.1 t DM/ ha from untopdressed pasture and 8.1 t following 500 kg superphosphate/ ha in 1973-74. LF production rose to 8.5, and HF to 12.0, in 1980. Legume contribution rose from 5% in untopdressed pasture to 18% and 23% in LF and HF respectively in 1975/76. By 1979/80 legume contribution had steadily declined to 10% on both treatments, probably due to a measured increase in soil N availability and increased competitiveness of associated grasses. Ryegrass content rose at both fertiliser levels, while LFTG content fell; these trends were greatest under HF. Winter stocking rate was increased from 6 to 10.9 and 14.9 su/ha on LF and HF-respectively. Per animal performance did not decrease. A range of techniques which could increase efficiency of superphosphate use in hill country is discussed. These techniques include: selective application to responsive pastures; spring application; grazing management to encourage legume growth.

Effect of chemical removal of grasses from pasture leys on pasture and sheep production

1987 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 349 ◽  
Author(s):  
CW Thorn ◽  
MW Perry
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Annual Grass ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Annual Grasses ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
Stocking Rates

Pasture production, pasture composition and quality, and liveweight, body condition and wool growth of Merino weaner wethers were monitored over 2 seasons and at 2 stocking rates (4 and 8 sheep/ha) on a mixed annual grass-legume pasture sprayed with propyzamide to control grasses. Propyzamide virtually eliminated annual grasses from the pasture (less than 5 kg/ha of grass dry matter in spring v. 403 kg/ha on untreated pasture in 1981) and this carried over into the second season (61 kg/ha v. 647 kg/ha in spring 1982). Propyzamide treated pastures had less total dry matter (P = 0.05) throughout 1981: however, except for a single sample date, there was no effect of propyzamide on total available pasture in the second season. Increased growth of clover and capeweed compensated for the absence of the grasses. The higher stocking rate reduced available clover, capeweed and total dry matter (P = 0.05) throughout both years. Sheep grazing grass-free pastures had lower liveweights during winter in both years, but made compensatory gains during late spring and summer consistent with the higher quality (1.6 v. 1.07% nitrogen when sampled in January) of propyzamide treated pastures. In 198 1, wool growth rates were reduced at the higher stocking rate and total clean wool production was reduced from 4.55 kg/sheep at 4/ha to 3.65 kg/sheep at 8/ha. Pasture treatment had no effect on wool production in either year. The implications of using selective herbicides to remove the annual grass component of legume-based annual pastures in south-western Australia are dis cussed in relation to pasture and sheep production.

scholarly journals Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum): its history and current and future research in New Zealand

2003 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 61-72
Author(s):  
M.L. Smetham
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Moisture Deficit ◽  
History Of ◽  
Future Research Directions

This review covers the history of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) and its present occurrence in New Zealand; a review of research and conclusions to be drawn from this; and examines past and future research directions. Subterranean clover has been important in terms of area of use in New Zealand since the late 1930's. Today it makes a significant contribution to pasture production on steep, north-facing North Island hill country where effective rainfall is low, and in other areas where soil moisture drops below wilting point for between 2 weeks and 5 months of the year. Research has identified the superiority of cultivars possessing a compact, ground-hugging habit of growth, and flowering late, in late October - early November, for use in North Island hill country. In drier areas, more research is needed to identify superior cultivars, although there is evidence that lines in the mid-season or early mid-season flowering groups may be appropriate. A major problem for the use of subterranean clovers in New Zealand is the slow breakdown of hardseededness. About 7 M ha of land in New Zealand is mapped as being subject to slight to severe moisture deficit (an area which could with advantage support subterranean clover), but further research is needed to identify appropriate cultivars for 4.8 M ha or more of this area. Key words: history, New Zealand, research, Trifolium subterraneum

scholarly journals Long term effects of withholding phosphate application on North Island hill country: Te Kuiti

1990 ◽  
pp. 21-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.B. O'Connor ◽  
C.E. Smart ◽  
S.F. Ledgard
Keyword(s):  
Research Area ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Soil Test ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Olsen P ◽  
Noticeable Increase

A farmlet grazing trial at the Te Kuiti Research Area (20 km south of Te Kuiti) began in April 1983 to study the effects on production of reducing or withholding fertiliser over a 6-year period. The effects of withholding fertiliser are considered in this paper. The soils on which the trial was conducted are Mahoenui or Mangatea silt loams typical of 1.3 million ha of North Island hill country. Applications of 250 kg/ha/annum of superphosphate had been applied for 10 years before the trial began, leading to Olsen P tests of 14. In spite of moderate soil test levels, declines in both animal and pasture production where fertiliser was withheld were evident from year 2. By years 3-4 onwards, production declines of some 20-30% were evident. Effects on pasture composition where fertiliser was withheld were evident, with less white clover and more moss and weeds. No noticeable increase in scrub weeds or brush weeds occurred. Maintaining a high stocking rate (or stock pressure) was considered a dominant factor in this regard. Keywords grazing trial, fertiliser, hill country, phosphate, animal production, pasture production

scholarly journals Improved forages to enhance hill country sheep production

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 225-231
Author(s):  
T.J. Fraser ◽  
D.R. Stevens ◽  
R.W. Scholfield ◽  
B.J. Nelson ◽  
A.J. Nelson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Forage Quality ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Poor White ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
Farm Programme ◽  
On Farm

Recently, sheep and beef farms in New Zealand have been out-competed for prime land by dairy and horticulture farming. This means that industry targets to increase sheep and beef production have to be achieved on farms with constraints on pasture production. They are increasingly restricted to hilly and other locations with variable climates and soils, and landscape constraints on farming practices. These challenges lead to the formation of two on farm projects within the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Demonstration Farm programme to improve production from permanent pastures on sheep and beef farms. The first of these was a 4 year evaluation at Whangara Farms North of Gisborne looking at improving forage supply on both noncultivatable hill and flat to easy country through spraying out existing vegetation and oversowing or direct-drilling with white clover and plantain. The second project at Aria in the King Country concentrated on improving the forage quality and quantity at critical times of the year. Clovers and plantain were established through cultivation. Both projects showed that forage and animal production increased after the introduction of clovers and plantain. However, plantain at Whangara did not persist beyond the fourth year from sowing. Poor white clover establishment at Aria resulted in substituting red and white clover for plantain from the second year with improved forage and animal performance. At both sites the costs associated with introducing new forages was repaid within the first 2 years. Keywords: hill country development, forage species, forage quality, whole farm systems

scholarly journals Nitrogen use on Canterbury dryland pastures

1994 ◽  
pp. 23-26
Author(s):  
J.D. Morton ◽  
S.D. Mcbride
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
N Fixation ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Nitrogen Use ◽  
Nitrogen Fertiliser ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Clover Content ◽  
N Use

Results from the first two years of a farmlet trial carried out on a dryland Lismore soil near Ashburton, Mid Canterbury are reported. Farmlet treatments were 0, 25 (25 N) and 50 (50 N) kg N/ha applied as urea in mid-April of 1992 and 1993. Stocking rates for each farmlet were 9.5, 10.5 and 11.5 (Year l), and 11, 12 and 13/ha Borderdale ewes/ha (Year 2). For both years of the trial, there were small increases in mean pasture cover from N use despite the higher stocking rates on the N farmlets. Both mean clover content (14%) and N fixation rates (36 kg N/ha/year) were low but only declined slightly with N use. Average lamb carcass weight was lower on the 25 N and 50 N farmlet than the nil N farmlet (16.9 cf 18.3 kg). Despite this decrease, lamb carcass production per ha was significantly higher on the 50 N farmlet (216 kg/ha) compared with the nil N farmlet (199 kg/ha), Similar wool weights per ewe between farmlets resulted in an increase in wool production per ha from both N farmlets (25 N - 34.9 kg/ha, 50 N - 38 kg/ha) compared to nil N (30.8 kg/ha). Keywords: clover content, lamb production, nitrogen fertiliser, nitrogen fixation, stocking rate, wool production

scholarly journals Effects of reactive phosphate rock and superphosphate on sheep and pasture production in hill country

1991 ◽  
pp. 197-202
Author(s):  
S.F. Ledgard ◽  
K.R. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Phosphate Rock ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Net Benefit ◽  
Single Superphosphate ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Reactive Phosphate ◽  
Reactive Phosphate Rock ◽  
A Site

Arad reactive phosphate rock (RPR) and single superphosphate(SSP) were compared as phosphate fertilisers in a sheep farmlet grazing trial and in two mowing trials over 3 years. The trials were on a volcanic ash soil at the MAF Te Kuiti Research Area on a site with limited fertiliser addition in the previous 2 years (Olsen P soil test averaged 10 in the grazing trial). Soil sulphur levels were high and there was no requirement for added sulphur over the -3 years of the trial. Pasture and animal measurements showed responses to SSP in all years, with RPR being initially less effective than SSP. By year 3, responses from RPR were near those from SSP. Economicassessmentof thegrazing trial corresponded with production data, except in year 1 when there was little benefit from either fertiliser. SSP was more cost-effective than RPR in year2 whereas they were similarin year 3. Over the 3 years, both fertilisers were profitable and there was an apparent cumulative net benefit from SSP over RPR. It was estimated that by year 4 the cumulative net benefit would be similar for both fertilisers or would be reversed in favour of RPR. Keywords reactive phosphate rock, hill country, grazing trial, superphosphate, mowing trials

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