scholarly journals Animal production, economic results and lessons from nitrogen fertiliser use on dry hill country

2004 ◽  
pp. 35-40
Author(s):  
A.G. Gillingham ◽  
M.H. Gray ◽  
J.D. Morton
Keyword(s):  
Growth Conditions ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Soil P ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Production Economic ◽  
Net Margin ◽  
Fertiliser Use

Over a 7 year period, two trials were conducted on dry, steep hill country near Waipawa, central Hawkes Bay to examine the effects of combinations of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilisers on sheep and cattle production. Four farmlets were established and balanced so that each contained similar proportions of predominantly north and south facing aspects, and easy (0-200) and steep (>200) slopes. For Trial 1 from 1995 to 1999, the 'Low P' farmlets had a soil Olsen P test of 9 ìg/ml, and the 'High P' farmlets had a test of 28 ìg/ml (paddock averages). One each of the Low P and of the High P farmlets received N overall in early to mid winter at 30 kg/ha applied in urea fertiliser. The trial was stocked with an initial ratio of about 65:35 sheep (5 year old Romneys) to cattle (18 month old Friesian/Angus). The stocking rate for each farmlet was individually set to fully utilise the expected pasture growth on each farmlet during winter. Standard costs and returns were used for the economic analysis in all years. High soil P status and use of N fertiliser were not economically worthwhile unless ewe numbers were maximised and spring pasture was fully utilised. This was achieved by having farmlets fully stocked with ewes during winter with cattle introduced in early spring to control additional pasture growth. This strategy was particularly successful in a drought year (1998) when N fertiliser allowed a significantly higher ewe stocking rate during winter. The farmlets receiving N fertiliser averaged $148/ha economic net margin compared with $117/ha from those without N fertiliser. In Trial 2, differential application of P (to easy slopes only) and N fertilisers (to steep slopes only) occurred in two of the farmlets. This provided higher economic returns than in Trial 1. The plus-N farmlets averaged $234/ha compared with $184/ha for those without N fertiliser. A major advantage of the differential fertiliser application approach is that the appropriate N or P fertiliser is applied only to areas that will provide the best responses from that type of fertiliser The success of intensified fertiliser use and stocking of dry hill country is dependent on maximising pasture use while reliable soil moisture and pasture growth conditions prevail i.e. early winter- early spring. Outside this period management options must be flexible enough to cope with drying conditions at any time. Keywords: animal production, economic net margin, hill pastures, nitrogen, phosphorus

scholarly journals Potential impacts of different spring grazing strategies on lamb finishing in hill country

2015 ◽  
Vol 77 ◽  
pp. 131-140
Author(s):  
D.R. Stevens ◽  
A.J. Wall ◽  
B.R. Tho
Keyword(s):  
Simulation Modelling ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Feed Quality ◽  
Climatic Regions ◽  
Grazing Strategies ◽  
Management Approaches ◽  
Stocking Rates

How does the pasture cover at the beginning of lambing and the grazing strategy used in early spring influence the ability of a hill country sheep and beef farm to finish lambs? The results from an intensive pasture-mowing trial investigating three defoliation intensities (Lax, Moderate and Intense) starting from two herbage masses (1200 or 1500 kg DM/ha) during early spring were used to provide data on potential pasture consumption and feed quality from lambing to weaning for a breeding ewe flock. Using simulation modelling, this pasture data was used to estimate the potential lamb and ewe liveweight changes from birth to weaning at each of three different stocking rates (4.5, 8 and 10.5 twin-bearing ewes/ha) that closely represented the three defoliation intensities originally studied in a mowing trial. The impacts of these early-spring herbage masses and grazing intensities/ stocking rates on subsequent feed requirements and potential lamb finishing during the later summer and autumn period in four contrasting geo-climatic regions of New Zealand were then further investigated using simulation modelling. Variations in ewe and lamb weaning weights were evident and reflected the amount of pasture available through the different grazing management approaches. For all four geoclimatic regions studied, the Intense grazing, high stocking rate strategy generally produced the greatest gross revenue per ha from lamb sales out of the three grazing strategies investigated, though not significantly greater than the moderate stocking rate in summer dry environments. However, under Intense grazing, a high pasture cover (1500 kg DM/ha), in comparison to a low pasture cover (1200 kg DM/ha) at the start of ewe lactation further improved the gross revenue received from lamb sales, especially in the Canterbury and Waikato environments but less so in the Hawke's Bay and Southland environments. These variations demonstrate how iterations based on the same starting properties impact on weaning weight of lambs and post-weaning pasture growth and/or feed quality. Keywords: emergence, feed supply, geo-climatic regions, iteration, lactation, lamb weaning weight, pasture quality.

Animal production from a Sorghum almum pasture in south-east Queensland

1964 ◽  
Vol 4 (15) ◽  
pp. 326 ◽  
Author(s):  
JJ Yates ◽  
LA Edye ◽  
JG Davis ◽  
KP Haydock
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Close Relation ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
No Production ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Green Material

A grazing experiment on Sorghum almum pastures, one of which received 200 lb nitrogen an acre a year, as urea, was carried out at Lawes in south-east Queensland. Pastures were grazed continuously at three set stocking rates : 1 beast to 1 1/2 acres, 1 beast per acre, and 2 beasts per acre. Grazing commenced 3 1/2 months after sowing and continued for two years. Mean liveweight production over the whole period at the medium stocking rate of one beast per acre was 0.92 lb a head a day. Production was closely related to stocking rate : gain per head decreased and production per acre increased as stocking rate increased. Nitrogen fertilizer increased animal production at the heaviest stocking rate. Seasonal pattern of animal production was influenced by stocking rate, but, in general, a winter--early spring period of small gains or losses of weight was followed by a rapid increase in late spring--early summer, with the rate of gain decreasing from mid-summer onwards. This followed the seasonal pattern of pasture production : little or no production over the cool dry winter, but high yields of forage during summer. No close relation was detected between liveweight gain and green forage available in the period of rapid increase in liveweight. During the phase of declining pasture and animal production, liveweight increment was related to available pasture expressed as green material minus S. almum stem. Crude protein content of unfertilized S. almum varied from 15 per cent for green material in spring to 2.5 per cent for the dry forage available in winter. Urea increased both yield and protein content.

The design and interpretation of experiments to study animal production from grazed pasture

1968 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. B. Owen ◽  
W. J. Ridgman
Keyword(s):  
Simple Model ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Personal Communication ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Grazed Pasture ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Pasture Productivity

SUMMARYExperiments designed to assess differences between treatments in pasture productivity as measured by the production of animals are complicated by the stocking rates chosen. The paper attempts toderive a simple model relating production per animal and production per unit area to stocking rate for meat animals, based on biological considerations.A method is proposed which would allow meaningful grazing experiments to be carried out employing only one stocking rate, thus considerably reducing the expense of this type of experimentation.The model is applied to some recent data obtained by Hodgson (1966) and Appleton (1967, personal communication).

Beef production from native pastures sown to fine-stem stylo in the Burnett region of south-eastern Queensland

1979 ◽  
Vol 19 (97) ◽  
pp. 140 ◽  
Author(s):  
EJ Bowen ◽  
KG Rickert
Keyword(s):  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Management Options ◽  
North West ◽  
Heteropogon Contortus ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Native Pastures ◽  
Stocking Rates

At Gayndah, south-eastern Queensland, a native Heteropogon contortus pasture, sown to fine-stem stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis var. intermedia), and invaded by red natal grass (Rhynchelytrum repens), was grazed by weaner steers from June 1 in three treatments : heavy and light put-and-take grazing for five years from 1971, and set-stocked at 1.37 animals ha-1 for two years from 1974. Weight gains in the put-and-take treatments were not significantly different. The mean annual liveweight gain was 167 kg animal-1 at a mean equivalent stocking rate of 1.47 animals ha-1. Over the same period unsown native pasture, cleared of timber, gave a gain of 62 kg animal-1 at 0.62 animals ha-1. In all seasons except summer, weight gains declined linearly with stocking rate and in 1972-73, with a mean equivalent stocking rate of 2.66 animals ha-1, the annual gain was almost halved. When equivalent stocking rates were 0.9, 0.9, 1.8 and 1.2 animals ha-1 in winter, spring, summer and autumn, the respective gains were 4, 73, 65 and 45 kg animal-1. The set-stocked treatment had a mean annual gain of 147 kg animal-1. At another site 116 km north-west of Gayndah, two paddocks of Heteropogon contortus and fine-stem stylo were set-stocked with weaners over four years. One paddock had four applications of superphosphate of 250 kg ha-1. The mean annual liveweight gains were significantly different, being 154 and 143 kg animal-1 in the fertilized and unfertilized paddocks at mean stocking rates of 0.83 and 0.74 animals ha-1, respectively. In a grazing protection experiment the density of fine-stem stylo declined exponentially with an accumulation of pasture dry matter in spring and summer. Heavy continuous grazing, an annual hay cut and an accidental fire all increased the density of fine-stem stylo. Management options to maintain the density of fine-stem stylo and the relative importance of the legume and grass to animal production are discussed.

scholarly journals Fall and spring seeding date effects on herbicide-tolerant canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 419-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. Clayton ◽  
K. N. Harker ◽  
J. T. O’Donovan ◽  
R. E. Blackshaw ◽  
L. M. Dosdall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Brassica Napus L ◽  
Seeding Date ◽  
Herbicide Tolerant ◽  
Root Maggot ◽  
Crops Yield

More flexible and effective weed control with herbicide-tolerant B. napus canola allows for additional seeding management options, such as fall (dormant) and early spring (ES) seeding. Field experiments were conducted at Lacombe and Beaverlodge (1999–2001), Didsbury (1999–2000), and Lethbridge (2000–2001), Alberta, Canada, primarily to evaluate the effect of fall (late October-November), ES (late April-early May), and normal spring (NS) (ca. mid-May) seeding dates on glufosinate-, glyphosate-, and imidazolinone-tolerant canola development and yield. Fall seeding resulted in 46% lower plant density and nearly double the dockage than spring seeding. ES-seeded canola had 19% higher seed yield and 2.1% higher oil content than fall-seeded canola. ES seeding significantly increased yield compared to fall-seeded canola for 8 of 10 site -years or compared to NS seeding for 4 of 10 site-years; ES-seeded canola equalled the yield of NS-seeded canola for 6 of 10 site-years. Yield response to seeding date did not differ among herbicide-tolerant cultivars. Seeding date did not influence root maggot damage. Seeding canola as soon as possible in spring increases the likelihood of optimizing canola yield and quality compared to fall seeding and traditional spring seeding dates. Key words: Dormant seeding, seeding management, root maggot, herbicide-resistant crops, yield components, operational diversity

Changes in pasture and animal production resulting from the use of windbreaks

1980 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 967 ◽  
Author(s):  
JJ Lynch ◽  
JB Donnelly
Keyword(s):  
Animal Production ◽  
The Other ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Important Place ◽  
Grazed Pastures ◽  
Sheet Iron

The effect of windbreaks was studied in an experiment in which sheep were grazed continuously at 15, 30 and 37.5 ha-1 for five years. The paddocks were either square or rectangular in shape with fences of sheet iron or wire. In the square paddocks the sheet iron fences acted as a windbreak providing protection for plants and animals. In the first two years when rainfall was well below average, sheep in sheltered paddocks at 37.5 sheep ha-1 had marginally higher production than sheep in the other treatments, while at 15 sheep ha-L the productivity of the sheltered sheep was markedly higher. During the remaining three years, there were no large differences between treatments in herbage or animal production at the lowest stocking rate, while at the highest stocking rate sheep in sheltered paddocks had substantially higher production than those in unsheltered treatments. At 30 sheep ha-1 there was also increased plant and animal productivity from sheltered paddocks during the last two years of the experiment. This experiment is one of the first to show the effect of a windbreak on grazed pastures. The results indicate that shelter may have an important place in increasing pasture and animal production in the temperate areas of Australia.

scholarly journals MANAGEMENT OF LATE SPRING-EARLY SUMMER PASTURE SURPLUSES IN HILL COUNTRY

1984 ◽  
pp. 199-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.W. Sheath ◽  
R.W. Webby ◽  
W.J. Pengelly
Keyword(s):  
Early Spring ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Late Spring ◽  
First Year ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Summer Pasture ◽  
Animal Performances ◽  
Grazing Policy ◽  
Made In

Comparisons of controlling late spring to early summer pasture growth on either easy or steep contoured land with either a fast rotation or continuous grazing policy were made in self-contained farmlets for two years. Pasture control was maintained over more land by controlling steep land first and with continuous grazing. Animal performances (ewes, steers) were generally similar for the mid-November to early January treatment period, and subsequently until May shearing. In the first year better animal performances occurred in "steep control" farmlets during winter and early spring, but this was less evident in the second year. Priority control of steep land during late spring-early summer is recommended because of likely longer-term benefits in pasture composition,density and production. Quick rotation grazing through the period provides a better ability to recognise and manage pasture quantities and should be adopted if summer droughts are anticipated. For well fenced properties in summer-wet areas and with integrated stock grazing, continuous grazing during late spring-early summer may be equally suitable. Keywords: hill country, grazing management, pasture control

scholarly journals CRITICAL INPUTS INTO GISBORNE HILL COUNTRY

1984 ◽  
pp. 27-37
Author(s):  
M.J. Fitzharris ◽  
D.F. Wright
Keyword(s):  
East Coast ◽  
Farm Management ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Management Study ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Farm Production ◽  
The Future ◽  
Farm Profit ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Practical Implications

The results of an analysis of four years data, 1975/76-1978/79, from a farm management study of Gisborne-East Coast hill country farms were presented at the 1980 Grasslands Conference. Analysis of three more years data, 1979/80-1981/82, essentially confirms the association of fencing and fertiliser with high levels of animal production. Recent escalating costs of fertiliser have cast doubts on its profitability. High stocking rates (usually beyond 12 su/ha) and high proportions of cattle (usually up to 50% of su) have emerged as other factors consistently associated with greater productivity and frequently with profitability. It is suggested that manipulation of these factors would be worthy of farmers consideration. The practical implications for the future of these findings are discussed. Keywords: Farm production, farm profit, Gisborne hill country

scholarly journals ECONOMICS OF NITROGEN USE IN DAIRYING

1982 ◽  
pp. 70-75
Author(s):  
D.A.L. Buxton
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
The Other ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Nitrogen Use

During the last 10 to 15 years, the use of fertiliser N at low rates on New Zealand dairy farms has become more popular. There are many ways in which fertiliser N can be used to increase pasture and milkfat production. Five of those options are analysed, viz. I. High rates of N. 2. Bridging a spring feed deficit. 3. Increasing stocking rate. 4. Earlier calving. 5. More cow condition. Research work is finding the best times and rates of application of N. The extra pasture produced must then be utilised to maximise milkfat responses. Trials have shown that the use of high rates of fertiliser N ( > 80 kg N/ha) is unlikely to be profitable on N.Z. dairy farms. N used to enable more cows to be wintered, and then milked in early spring, appears to be very profitable, due to better utilisation of later spring-autumn pasture growth. The other three options are also profitable, but the increase in total farm milkfat production is only 3 to 4%. The options need to be tested more thoroughly with models and grazing experiments.

Pasture management in semi-arid tropical woodlands: dynamics of perennial grasses

2007 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 87 ◽  
Author(s):  
John G. McIvor
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Exotic Grasses ◽  
Heteropogon Contortus ◽  
Basal Cover ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
North East

The effects of a range of pasture management options (introduced legumes and grasses, superphosphate, timber treatment, cultivation before sowing and stocking rate) on the basal cover of perennial grasses were measured from 1982 to 1991 at two sites, ‘Hillgrove’ and ‘Cardigan’, near Charters Towers, in north-east Queensland. Colonisation and survival of eight native and exotic grasses were followed in permanent quadrats in a subset of treatments. Overall, there were significant changes in total basal cover of plots between years and with tree killing, but no significant differences in sown pastures, fertiliser or stocking rate. Basal cover increased when defoliation levels were less than 40% but increases were smaller at higher levels of defoliation and basal cover often declined when defoliation was greater than 60%. Basal cover declined when growing seasons were <10 weeks, remained static with 10–15 weeks growth, and increased when growing seasons were 16 weeks or longer. There was some colonisation in all years but large differences between years. The differences in colonisation between systems were generally small but there was a general trend for higher colonisation at higher stocking rates. Bothriochloa ewartiana (Domin) C.E.Hubb. and Chrysopogon fallax S.T.Blake had low, Heteropogon contortus (L.) P.Beauv. ex Roem.&Schult., Cenchrus ciliaris L. and Aristida spp. had intermediate, and Bothriochloa pertusa (L.) A.Camus and Urochloa mosambicensis (Hack.) Dandy had high colonising ability. Survival of individual species was generally similar at both sites except for Urochloa mosambicensis. Heteropogon contortus and U. mosambicensis at ‘Hillgrove’ were short-lived (<10% survival after 4 years), B. ewartiana, Themeda triandra Forssk. and Aristida spp. had intermediate survival (10–50%), and C. ciliaris, C. fallax, B. pertusa and U. mosambicensis at ‘Cardigan’ were long-lived (>50% survival). Annual survival rates increased with plant age, were higher in good growing seasons than in poor seasons, were higher for large plants than small plants, and were lower at high defoliation levels than where defoliation was less severe. The differences between species in ability to colonise and survive, and the small influence of management compared to seasonal effects on survival, are discussed to explain species performance in pastures.

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