scholarly journals The effect of pasture species on lamb performance in dryland systems

1999 ◽  
pp. 23-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.J. Fraser ◽  
R.A. Moss ◽  
M.J. Daly ◽  
T.L. Knight
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
The Other ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Pasture Quality ◽  
Sheep Production

The effects of two contrasting forage supply options on forage and sheep production were evaluated on unirrigated farmlet systems at Winchmore, Mid-Canterbury. One option was based on perennial ryegrass pastures (Control), and the other (Improved) on hybrid ryegrass, tall fescue, and chicory pastures. All pasture types grew at similar low rates during winter but chicory grew more rapidly than the grasses during the summer droughts. The Control conserved more but required less conserved feed than the Improved system. Both had a feed deficit which averaged 23 and 42 kg DM/ewe respectively over the 2 years. The lambs on the Improved pastures grew more rapidly than the Controls throughout, exceeding the rate of the Controls by 142 and 165 g/head/day post-weaning in years 1 and 2 respectively. This resulted in considerably more lambs reaching target drafting weights on the Improved system, 92 vs. 53 and 97 vs. 58%, in years 1 and 2 respectively. This increased the income from lambs by $104 and $94/ ha in these years. Ewe liveweights were similar during pregnancy but differed during lactation and post-weaning at the end of which, ewes on Improved pastures were 6 and 4 kg heavier than the Controls in years 1 and 2 respectively. They consequently produced fleeces that were 10 and 12% heavier. The superior animal performance associated with the Improved system reflects higher pasture quality due to less endophyte and dead matter, and an increase in the proportion of the more nutritious components, legumes and chicory. Keywords: dryland, lamb production, pasture production, pasture quality, pasture species

scholarly journals Comparative studies on pasture and animal performance and parasite infestation in sheep grazing Yorkshire fog, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue pastures

1995 ◽  
pp. 89-93
Author(s):  
J. Hodgson ◽  
J.H. Niezen ◽  
F. Montossi ◽  
F. Liu ◽  
B.M. Butler
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Comparative Studies ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Condensed Tannins ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Parasite Infestation

The results are briefly reported of seven comparative studies on aspects of pasture and animal performance from pastures based on Yorkshire fog (Holcus Zanatus), perennial ryegrass (Lofiurn perenne) or tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) grown under adequate soil nutrient conditions (e.g., Olsen P 20-30 pg/g) and under continuous or rotational stocking by sheep. Pasture production, as measured by the stocking rate required to maintain specified sward conditions, was 2.5% greater on perennial ryegrass than on Yorkshire fog pastures, and 25% greater on Yorkshire fog than on tall fescue. Differences in liveweight gain and wool production in weaned lambs between pastures were relatively small and inconsistent, but levels of worm egg output were lower for lambs on Yorkshire fog than on tall fescue. The use of polyethylene glycol to bind condensed tannins reduced performance slightly in lambs on Yorkshire fog and tall fescue, but not those on perennial ryegrass. Keywords: condensed tannins, Festuca arundinacea, Holcus lanatus, lamb growth, Lolium perenne, wool production

scholarly journals Annual yield and botanical composition of four dryland grass species with or without nitrogen over six years

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus Talamini Junior ◽  
Shirin Sharifiamina ◽  
Elsa Axelle David ◽  
Annamaria Mills ◽  
Derrick Jan Moot
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
The Other ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Water Deficits

Nitrogen (N) and water availability affect pasture production and persistence. Yield and botanical composition of four monocultures of brome (BR), cocksfoot (CF), perennial ryegrass (RG) and tall fescue (TF) were evaluated with (+N) or without (-N) N at Ashley Dene farm, Canterbury, over six growth seasons from establishment in 2014/15 (Year 1) to 2019/20 (Year 6). Total annual yields ranged from 2.04 (RG-N; Year 1) to 12.7 t DM/ha/yr (CF+N; Year 3). Yields differed among species in Years 1, 3, 4 and 6 when TF pastures had the lowest production. There was no difference in DM production from BR, CF and RG pastures. Additionally, +N pastures produced ~55% more yield than –N pastures in Years 3 and 5 when spring/summer rainfall was adequate to maintain growth. Sown grasses accounted for >89% of total DM yield in Years 1 and 2 but the proportion of total annual DM production from sown species declined from Year 3. By Year 6, sown species accounted for 48±3.3 (TF) to 64±3.3% (BR, CF and RG) of total annual DM production. Generally, TF failed to perform in this dryland environment. In contrast, the production and persistence of the other three species were not different when subjected to water deficits alone.

Effect of stubble height and irrigation management on the growth, botanical composition and persistence of perennial ryegrass, tall fescue and chicory swards in cool-temperate Tasmania

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam D. Langworthy ◽  
Richard P. Rawnsley ◽  
Mark J. Freeman ◽  
Ross Corkrey ◽  
Keith G. Pembleton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Irrigation Treatment ◽  
Full Irrigation ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
North West ◽  
Irrigation Water Use ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Cool Temperate

The profitability of dairying in south-eastern Australia can be improved by increasing pasture production during summer–autumn, when growth rates for the existing perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) feedbase are low. A study undertaken in cool-temperate north-west Tasmania examined the effect of stubble height and irrigation management on swards of perennial ryegrass, continental (summer-active) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and chicory (Cichorium intybus L.). Irrigation treatments included full irrigation (~20mm applied at every 20mm precipitation deficit), deficit irrigation (~20mm applied at alternate full-irrigation events) and rainfed (no irrigation). All species achieved greater summer–autumn yields when repeatedly defoliated to stubble heights of 35 or 55mm than when defoliated to 115mm, irrespective of irrigation treatment. Swards were managed under a common defoliation schedule of nine defoliation events in 12 months. Under full irrigation, second-year tall fescue achieved a greater summer–autumn yield than perennial ryegrass (by 10%, or 0.7 t DM ha–1), highlighting the potential role of tall fescue in north-west Tasmania. This was further demonstrated by the high marginal irrigation water-use index values (1.6–2.7 t DM ML–1) of tall fescue. By contrast, summer–autumn growth achieved by chicory was less than or equal to perennial ryegrass.

Herbage characteristics of perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot, tall fescue and timothy pastures and their relationship with animal performance under upland conditions

1982 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Davies ◽  
T. E. H. Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Phleum Pratense ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
The Other ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Grass Species

SUMMARYHerbage characteristics of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and timothy (Phleum pratense L.) pastures were obtained whilst rotationally grazed by ewes and their single lambs at a fixed stocking rate of 25/ha on an upland site (305 m O.D.) in mid-Wales. Drymatter production of cocksfoot averaged 32·1 kg/ha/day over the 3-year duration of the trial (1975·7) and was 13·3 kg/ha/day lower than that of the other three grass species. This resulted in a 8 kg/ha/day reduction in dry-matter intake on cocksfoot; this was significantly lower (P < 0·05) than that achieved on the other grasses, which were similar to one another around 36 kg/ha/day.In vitro digestibility of the herbage ranked in the order perennial ryegrass > timothy = cocksfoot > tall fescue. Intake of digestible organic matter (DOMI) was lower on cocksfoot than on perennial ryegrass and timothy. Differences were also detected in crude protein, water-soluble carbohydrates and sodium composition between species.Dry-matter intake was positively correlated with herbage growth rates (r = 0·95, P < 0·001) but not to digestibility of herbage on offer (r = 0·18). Both ewe and lamb live-weight gains were positively related to intake of dry matter and DOMI.Reference is made to comparative yield data between the grasses obtained under cutting trials. In the 2nd and 3rd harvest years (1967–1967) growth rates in the grazing experiment were 76, 61, 81 and 80% of the 66·2, 66·7, 67·8 and 65·0 kg D.M./ha/day obtained under a cutting regime on perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot, tall fescue and timothy swards respectively. This illustrates the danger involved in assessing the potential of grasses based on such information.The results are discussed in relation to the value of the species for use under grazing in the uplands.

scholarly journals Philobota sp (Lepidoptera Oecophoridae) a potential new pasture pest in New Zealand

2011 ◽  
Vol 64 ◽  
pp. 285-285
Author(s):  
A.J. Popay ◽  
D. Gunawardana
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Nursery Area ◽  
The Other ◽  
Plant Health ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Trial Site

In February 2010 caterpillars initially identified as a species of Philobota (Lepidoptera Oecophoridae) were found in a nursery area at Ruakura Research Centre in Hamilton The identification was confirmed by MAFs Plant Health and Environment Laboratory (PHEL) This genus is endemic to Australia where over 400 species are known a few of which are regarded as minor pests of pasture A survey of the Ruakura site found Philobota in three other areas two of which bordered urban areas It was found infesting perennial ryegrass and tall fescue trials in two parts of the campus and in pasture areas in the other two locations suggesting this insect is primarily a grass feeder It is highly likely Philobota is not confined to Ruakura and there is no evidence that the infestation originated at this site Although few live caterpillars could be found by August 2010 observations in 2011 suggest populations have multiplied in at least one trial site Commonly called the pasture tunnel moth this insect is univoltine and weaves characteristic tunnels from grass and debris with chimneys that protrude above ground Caterpillars reared at PHEL yielded only female moths which have been tentatively identified as Philobota nr pilipes

Summer-active perennials in pasture systems improve seasonal pasture distribution without compromising winter-spring production

2013 ◽  
Vol 64 (7) ◽  
pp. 673 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. N. Ward ◽  
S. G. Clark ◽  
G. A. Kearney ◽  
M. R. McCaskill ◽  
M. C. Raeside ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Valley Floor ◽  
Dry Matter Accumulation ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Accumulation Rates ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Triple Systems

Improved dryland pastures for sheep and beef cattle production in south-western Victoria are typically based on summer-dormant cultivars of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) or phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.). These are highly productive in spring but exhibit low accumulation rates over summer–autumn. Summer-active perennial pasture species could potentially alleviate this summer–autumn feed gap. Three pasture systems that used different pastures on each of the three landscape classes (crest, slope, and valley floor) were compared over 4 years. The perennial ryegrass system (henceforth Ryegrass) had a different ryegrass cultivar on each landscape class. The Triple system used lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) (crest), perennial ryegrass (slope), and summer-active tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb) Darbysh.) (valley floor). The Novel system used chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) (crest), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) or hybrid ryegrass (L. × boucheanum Kunth.) (slope), and kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst. ex Chiov.) (valley floor). The pastures were grazed by either one (in the case of the Novel system) or three (in the case of the Ryegrass and Triple systems) animal systems that varied over the life of the experiment. Total annual herbage accumulation of the Ryegrass and Triple systems did not differ. The Novel system consistently had lower total annual dry matter accumulation than the other two systems. Lucerne pastures generally had the highest accumulation rates over summer, followed by the chicory pastures. The kikuyu pastures responded well to summer rainfall but otherwise had similar accumulation rates to the perennial ryegrass and tall fescue pastures over summer. Tall fescue pastures grew well in autumn following wet summers. In spring the perennial ryegrass pastures based on Fitzroy or Avalon were highly productive but seldom grew faster than other pastures. The results support the hypothesis that incorporating deep-rooted, summer-active perennial species will increase pasture production over summer–autumn compared with conventional pasture systems but not at the expense of winter–spring production.

PERSISTENCE OF A RANGE OF GRASSES IN A CONTINENTAL CLIMATE

1999 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Wilman ◽  
K. H. Dong ◽  
Z. L. Jin
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
The Other ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
The Third ◽  
Harvest Year ◽  
Hybrid Cultivar ◽  
Continental Climate

The possibility of growing grasses of higher quality than tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) in a continental climate with cold winters, hot summers and low precipitation was investigated with and without irrigation at Taigu, Shanxi, China. Tall fescue was compared with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) and a perennial ryegrass × meadow fescue hybrid cultivar in field swards, managed by cutting, during the year of sowing and in the three subsequent years. Tall fescue persisted satisfactorily throughout the experiment, even without irrigation. With irrigation, the other three grasses persisted satisfactorily to the end of the second harvest year and fairly satisfactorily to the end of the third harvest year. Without irrigation, the other three grasses had incomplete ground cover in the second harvest year and did not recover from the third winter.

Effects of pasture species mixture, management, and environment on the productivity and persistence of dairy pastures in south-west Victoria. 1. Herbage accumulation and seasonal growth pattern

2004 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. N. Nie ◽  
D. F. Chapman ◽  
J. Tharmaraj ◽  
R. Clements
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
The Other ◽  
First Year ◽  
Seasonal Growth ◽  
Short Term ◽  
South West ◽  
Species Mixture

An experiment was conducted on 2 contrasting soil types for 4 years (1998–2001) to determine the effects of plant species mixture, management inputs, and environment on sown species herbage accumulation (SSHA) and seasonal growth pattern of pastures for dairy production. Five pasture types, combined with 3 management treatments, were established in south-west Victoria. Three of the pasture types were based on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.). One pasture type included short-term, winter- or summer-active species in the perennial ryegrass–white clover mixture. The final pasture type was based on the perennial grasses cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), and phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.). The 3 management treatments involved different levels of fertiliser input and weed/pest control. Pasture type had a significant impact on SSHA in 3 of 4 years. In the first year, the mixture based on cocksfoot, tall fescue, and phalaris had the lowest SSHA, but this pasture matched other types from 1999 onwards and yielded the highest in 2000, the year with the driest summer during the experiment. Ryegrass–white clover mixture based on old cultivars had generally lower SSHA than the other types except in the first year. Higher fertiliser inputs increased SSHA by 16–28% in 1998, 1999, and 2001. There was a significant site × pasture type interaction on SSHA in 2000. The mixture based on cocksfoot, tall fescue, and phalaris produced up to 1–2 t DM/ha.year more than the other types in summer and autumn in dry–normal years. The inclusion of short-term species, or more stoloniferous white clover cultivars, in the ryegrass–white clover mixture, had little effect on SSHA, or on the seasonal distribution of pasture growth. Pastures based on perennial grasses other than perennial ryegrass appear to have potential for altering the seasonality of pasture growth in south-west Victoria, although the benefits resulting from changing pasture type will depend on environment. Overall, increasing management inputs usually had a greater effect on SSHA than changing pasture type, but management responses were also affected by environment, particularly through the effects of a dry season on a sandy soil type.

scholarly journals Grasslands Advance tall fescue establishment and animal performance

1994 ◽  
pp. 117-119
Author(s):  
T.J. Fraser ◽  
T.B. Lyons
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
The Other ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Annual Grass ◽  
Seedling Vigour ◽  
Grass Production ◽  
Animal Growth

Tall fescue (Festuca urundinacea Schreb.) pastures in New Zealand have been considered to have slow establishment (Grasslands Roa) or lower summer quality (the faster establishing AU Triumph). Three experiments were conducted to study the establishment vigour, herbage production and animal growth rates of a new tall fescue cultivar, Grasslands Advance. Establishment vigour of Advance was similar to that of Au Triumph and 30% greater than that of Roa. Advance and AU Triumph were 17 and 8% higher in annual grass production than Roa, with Advance significantly out yielding the other two cultivars in the warm season. Animal performance per head of young sheep on Roa was significantly higher than on AU Triumph in spring, both Advance and Roa having a significant advantage over AU Triumph in the warm season. Keywords: animal performance, Festuca arundinacae, herbage production, pasture establishment, seedling vigour

scholarly journals THE PERFORMANCE OF DAIRY CATTLE GRAZING TWO VARIETIES OF TALL FESCUE

1974 ◽  
pp. 200-208
Author(s):  
G.F. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Cattle Grazing ◽  
The Other ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Clover Content

Two varieties of tall fescue were compared with 'Grasslands Ariki' ryegrass as feeds for lactating, and growing catmtle. In three shortterm experimeats the dairy cows grazing the different types of pasture produced similar quantities of milk and in most cases the fat and protein contents did not differ significantly. On the other hand, the exclusion of clover from the grass swards led to a lower milk production. Liveweight gains were consistently higher for yearling cattle grazing Ariki ryegrass compared with the two fescue swards. The invitro digestibility of S170 was lower than the value for G4710 but because of the high clover content of the S170 pastures animal performance was similar.

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