scholarly journals Stocking Rate and Energy Supplementation Effects on Replacement Beef Heifers Grazing Annual Ryegrass

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillermo Scaglia
Keyword(s):  
Lolium Multiflorum ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Annual Ryegrass ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Year Effect ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Energy Supplementation ◽  
Stocking Rates

The development of breeding heifers is a critical point in the beef cattle enterprise. The effect of stocking rate and supplementation strategy at high stocking rate were evaluated on Brahman influenced heifers (BW = 250±3.6 kg) continuously stocked on annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam. cv. ‘Nelson’) with the following treatments in a completely randomized design with 3 replicates: 1) LOW stocking rate (2.5 heifers/ha); 2) MED stocking rate (5.0 heifers/ha); 3) HIGH stocking rate (7.5 heifers/ha); 4) High stocking rate + 1% BW of ground corn (HIGH+C); and 5) High stocking rate + 1% BW of soybean hulls (HIGH+SBH). Dry matter intake was greater (P = 0.03) for heifers in LOW and MED, while those in HIGH, regardless receiving supplement or not, were the lowest. Heifers grazing LOW and MED did not differ (P = 0.06) in ADG. Supplemented heifers and those in MED produced the most beef per unit of land; however MED and HIGH were not significantly different. Grazing days was greater for LOW and supplemented heifers. There was a year effect for ADG, beef production, and grazing days which were smaller in year 1; however years 2 and 3 were not different (P > 0.05) between them except in production per hectare. Lower stocking rates allowed for appropriate BW gains. Level of supplementation affected DMI from ryegrass, replacing it and affecting animal performance. Weather conditions had an impact on forage production, hence affecting animal performance. Supplementation programs must consider level and type of energy supplement used.

scholarly journals 87 Evaluation of two stocking rates for grazing heifers on mixed sward native warm-season grass pastures in the Black Belt Prairie region

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 27-27
Author(s):  
Jane A Parish ◽  
Kalisha C Yankey ◽  
Libby S Durst
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Sorghastrum Nutans ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Little Bluestem ◽  
Year Effect ◽  
Plant Persistence ◽  
Stocking Rates

Abstract Optimal use of native warm-season grasses in pasture systems involves stocking grazing livestock at suitable rates. The study objective was to evaluate forage nutritive value and heifer ADG at two stocking rates on mixed-sward pastures of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi Vitman), little bluestem (Andropogon scoparius), and indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans L.). Pastures (3 replications) were stocked for 56 d during June and July in 2 yr with crossbred (Bos taurus) heifers (n = 24 heifers/year) stratified by initial BW (288.3 ± 1.7 kg) to one of two continuous stocking rates: 1.9 heifers/ha (HIGH) and 1.2 heifers/ha (LOW). Mean forage nutritive values on a DM basis were not different between HIGH and LOW stocking rates, respectively, for CP (7.0 ± 0.2% vs 6.7 ± 0.2%; P = 0.27), ADF (41.0 ± 0.6 vs. 41.4 ± 0.6; P = 0.64), NDF (69.9 ± 0.5 vs. 68.7 ± 0.5; P = 0.09), or relative feed value (RFV) (76.0 ± 1.0 vs. 76.9 ± 1.0; P = 0.53). There was a year effect (P < 0.01) and stocking rate x day effect (P < 0.01) for TDN. At LOW, TDN decreased from day 0 to day 28 (P = 0.02) and day 28 to day 56 (P = 0.02). At HIGH, TDN decreased (P < 0.01) from day 0 to day 28 but remained steady until day 56 (P = 0.21). There was a stocking rate x day interaction (P < 0.01) with ADG: LOW day 28 to 56 (1.20 ± 0.08 kg/day), HIGH day 0 to 28 (0.89 ± 0.08 kg/day), HIGH day 28 to 56 (0.44 ± 0.08 kg/day), and LOW day 0 to 28 (0.30 ± 0.08 kg/day). Further assessment of cattle ADG using more divergent stocking rates and plant persistence measures is warranted to inform ideal native grass stocking rate recommendations.

scholarly journals Impact of Climate Change on Livestock Returns and Rangeland Ecosystem Sustainability in the Southwest

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 336-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory L. Torell ◽  
Katherine D. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Current Method ◽  
Adaptive Methods ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Climate Projections ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Stocking Rates

Climate change will increase variability in temperature and precipitation on rangelands, impacting ecosystem services including livestock grazing. Facing uncertainty about future climate, managers must know if current practices will maintain rangeland sustainability. Herein, the future density of an invasive species, broom snakeweed, is estimated using a long-term ecological dataset and climate projections. We find that livestock stocking rates determined using a current method result in lower forage production, allowable stocking rate, and grazing value than an economically efficient stocking rate. Results indicate that using ecology and adaptive methods in management are critical to the sustainability of rangelands.

Grazing system and stocking rate effects on the productivity, botanical composition and soil surface characteristics of alfalfa-grass pastures

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 669-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Popp ◽  
W. P. McCaughey ◽  
R. D. H. Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Soil Surface ◽  
Surface Characteristics ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Basal Cover ◽  
Grazed Pastures ◽  
Litter Cover ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Stocking Rates

A 4-yr experiment was conducted (1991 to 1994) near Brandon, MB, to determine the effects of grazing system (continuous and rotational) and stocking rate [light (1.1 steers ha−1); heavy (2.2 steers ha−1)] on the productivity, botanical composition and soil surface characteristics of an alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.; approximately 70%), meadow bromegrass (Bromus biebersteinii Roem & Schult.; 25%) and Russian wild ryegrass [Psathyrostachys juncea (Fisch.) Nevski; 5%] pasture. Grazing season length was shorter (P < 0.05) for cattle in continuously compared with rotationally stocked pastures in 1991, while in 1993 and 1994 it was shortest (P < 0.05) in heavily stocked continuously grazed pastures. Carrying capacity (steer days ha–1) was greater (P < 0.05) in heavily stocked rotationally grazed pastures compared with other treatments in 1991, 1993 and 1994. In 1992, it was greater (P < 0.05) in heavy than light stocking rate treatments for both rotationally and continuously grazed pastures. Cattle usually gained more (P < 0.05) per day (kg d−1) and during the season (kg hd−1) at light than at heavy stocking rates, while total liveweight production (kg ha−1) was greater (P < 0.05) at heavy than at light stocking rates. Forage production and disappearance did not differ (P > 0.05) within grazing systems and stocking rates from 1991 to 1993, but in 1994, production and disappearance were greater (P < 0.05) at heavy than at light stocking rates. Mean seasonal herbage mass available and carry-over were greater (P < 0.05) in lightly stocked pastures than heavily stocked pastures from 1991 to 1994. After the first year of grazing, the proportion of alfalfa increased (P < 0.05), while grasses declined (P < 0.05) within all grazing treatments. In subsequent years, a trend was observed, where alfalfa declined and grasses increased in all pastures, except those stocked heavily and grazed continuously, which by 1994 had the greatest (P < 0.05) percentage of alfalfa. As years progressed, increases (P < 0.05) in basal cover concurrent with declines in bare ground were recorded on all grazing treatments, while litter cover often did not differ (P > 0.05) within either grazing system or stocking rate, except in 1992, when basal cover was lowest (P < 0.05), while litter cover was greatest (P < 0.05) on lightly stocked continuously grazed pastures compared with other treatments. Stocking rates were a key factor to optimizing individual animal performance and/or gain per hectare on alfalfa grass pastures, however differences in the effect of continuous and rotational stocking on pasture productivity were minimal. Key words: Alfalfa, grazing, stocker cattle, production

Intercropping black oat (Avena strigosa) and annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) can increase pasture leaf production compared with their monocultures

2016 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo G. Duchini ◽  
Gabriela C. Guzatti ◽  
Henrique M. N. Ribeiro-Filho ◽  
André F. Sbrissia
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Lolium Multiflorum ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Incident Radiation ◽  
Leaf Length ◽  
Annual Ryegrass ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Leaf Elongation ◽  
Leaf Production ◽  
Avena Strigosa

Multi-species pastures have been viewed as a means to increase forage production relative to monocultures through enhanced three-dimensional occupation of the canopy, which will intercept and use the incident radiation more efficiently. For this to occur, increased production of photosynthetically active tissues such as leaves is required. We tested the hypothesis that intercropping of black oats (Avena strigosa Schum.) and annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) can increase total and leaf forage production compared with their monocultures. Monocultures and mixed pastures of black oat and annual ryegrass were established, and their tiller morphogenetic and structural traits, as well as components of herbage production, were measured throughout the usage period of the pastures. There was no difference between treatments for total growth rate (77.1 kg dry matter (DM) ha–1 day–1), but annual ryegrass pastures presented the greatest stem growth rate (38.1 kg DM ha–1 day–1). Taking into account only the vegetative phase, the intercropped pasture produced 20% more leaf than the monocultures. There were no differences between species, either in monoculture or intercropped, for phyllochron, final leaf length, leaf elongation duration and leaf elongation rate. The most important modification in morphogenetic variables due to the inter-specific competition was an increase in senescence rate of annual ryegrass leaves. The average specific green leaf weight in the intercropping pastures corresponded to 84.6% and 137.5% of those values observed for black oat and annual ryegrass pastures, respectively. On the other hand, the intercropping pastures presented 43.5% more tillers than the black oat pastures and 17.8% fewer tillers than the annual ryegrass pastures. It is suggested that intercropping black oat and annual ryegrass does not change tiller ontogenetic processes and that the association of their different size and shape in intercropped pastures could increase pasture leaf production over their monocultures.

scholarly journals Herbage production, botanical and plant-part composition of mixed black oat (Avena strigosa Scherb.) annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) pastures under different management strategies

2019 ◽  
pp. 1826-1832
Author(s):  
André Brugnara Soares ◽  
André Luis Finkler da Silveira ◽  
Tangriani Simioni Assmann ◽  
Daniel Schmitt
Keyword(s):  
Accumulation Rate ◽  
Lolium Multiflorum ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Plant Part ◽  
Canopy Height ◽  
Annual Ryegrass ◽  
Forage Production

Mixing annual ryegrass and black oat can improve forage production in subtropical and temperate areas with integrated crop-livestock systems. Thus, we evaluated the forage production dynamics of mixed annual ryegrass-black oat pastures under different management strategies based on canopy height and supplement level. Pastures were continuously stocked with Boer goats at two grazing heights (12 or 21 cm); animals received or did not receive energy supplements (0 and 15 g kg-1 of body weight). These treatments were applied using a factorial scheme (2 × 2) and randomized block design with three replications. We evaluated the herbage accumulation rate (kg of DM h-1 day-1) using the exclusion cage technique, herbage mass (HM, kg of DM ha-1) using the double sampling technique, and botanical and plant-part composition (%) of destructive samplings. Supplementation had no effect on the parameters measured (P ≤ 0.05). Annual ryegrass become the predominant species during the experimental period and mainly at the lowest canopy height. Total herbage production during the 131 days of pasture utilization was 10,280 kg of DM ha-1. The herbage accumulation rate was similar between the two canopy heights; however, it varied throughout experimental period. Leaf lamina mass was lower in treatments 12 cm up to 102 after sowing; after that, they were equivalent. At the end of the study, herbage mass was 2720 kg DM ha-1 with the 21-cm treatment and 2170 kg DM ha-1 with the 12-cm treatment. It is recommended to maintain mixed annual ryegrass-black oat pastures at 12 cm in height. Reasons are discussed throughout the text.

Effect of stocking rate and grazing frequency on a Siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum)/Setaria anceps cv. Nandi pasture

1979 ◽  
Vol 19 (98) ◽  
pp. 318 ◽  
Author(s):  
RM Jones
Keyword(s):  
Total Yield ◽  
Rest Period ◽  
Residual Effect ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Good Recovery ◽  
Seedling Regeneration ◽  
Seed Reserves ◽  
Macroptilium Atropurpureum ◽  
Stocking Rates

Five stocking rates, ranging from 0.8 to 2.8 beasts ha-1, and three frequencies of grazing were imposed on a five-year-old Siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum)/Setaria anceps cv. Nandi pasture at Samford, south-east Queensland. The three grazing frequencies involved grazing for four days every three, six or nine weeks. Plots were individually grazed from 1972 to 1976 and the residual effect of treatments was measured over a grazing-free period in 1977. Within the three week grazing frequency both Siratro yield and total yield declined markedly with increased stocking rate, with an increased invasion of prostrate species such as blue couch (Digitaria didactyla). The decline in Siratro yield at higher stocking rates was less marked in the nine week system where there was much less invasion of prostrate species. However, it is suggested that the value of rotational grazing with a long rest period as a means of maintaining Siratro productivity could be largely at stocking rates where the pasture is overgrazed in terms of animal performance. Siratro density and seedling regeneration were largely unaffected by treatment and there was a good recovery of Siratro in the heavily grazed treatments during the grazing-free period at the end of the experiment. However, Siratro soil seed reserves declined with increased stocking rate and there was a much greater decline in flowering and seeding. On this basis it is predicted that if grazing treatments had been continued the heavily grazed pastures would eventually have reached the stage where Siratro would not recover with spelling.

scholarly journals Sward structure and nutritive value of Alexandergrass fertilized with nitrogen

2016 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 385-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo R. Salvador ◽  
Luciana Pötter ◽  
Marta G. Rocha ◽  
Anelise P. Hundertmarck ◽  
Maria José O. Sichonany ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Accumulation Rate ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Structure Changes ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Level Increase ◽  
N Utilization ◽  
Sward Structure

This experiment evaluated forage production, sward structure, stocking rate, weight gain per area and nutritive value of forage as grazed by beef heifers on Alexandergrass (Urochloa plantaginea (Link) Hitch) pasture fertilized with nitrogen (N): 0; 100; 200 or 300 kg of N/ha. The experiment was a completely randomized design following a repeated measurement arrangement. The experimental animals were Angus heifers with initial age and weight of 15 months and 241.5±5 kg, respectively. The grazing method was continuous, with put-and-take stocking. N utilization, regardless of the level, increase by 25% the daily forage accumulation rate and the weight gain per area by 23%. The level of 97.2 kg N/ha leads to a higher leaf blade mass and increases by 20% the leaf:stem ratio. Alterations in sward structure changes the nutritive value of forage as grazed. The utilization of 112.7 kg of N/ha allows the highest stocking rate (2049.8 kg of BW/ha), equivalent to 7.5 heifers per hectare.

Time of first autumn irrigation and the yield and animal production of a subterranean clover-annual ryegrass pasture

1970 ◽  
Vol 10 (44) ◽  
pp. 279 ◽  
Author(s):  
LF Myers ◽  
VR Squires
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Annual Ryegrass ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Seed Yields ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Clover Content

In two experiments at Deniliquin, New South Wales, the length of the prewinter growing season of an irrigated pasture was controlled by varying the date of the opening autumn irrigation : Irrigation began in February, March, or April for treatments T1, T2, and T3 respectively. In the first, winter yields of ungrazed pasture (July) fell by approximately 1500 lb DM/acre for each month that the first irrigation was delayed after February. Clover content of the pasture was progressively less as the opening irrigation was delayed. Seed yields were unchanged by length of growing season, but increased markedly with increased phosphate supply. In the second experiment, which was grazed at three stocking rates (5, 7, and 10 sheep/acre), the response to treatments was less than in the first (ungrazed) experiment. Pasture yield (available feed) and liveweight gain were similar on treatments T1 and T2. However, at the 10 sheep/acre rate, T1 plots survived for 14 months longer than T2plots. There was no evidence that a stocking rate of 7 sheep/ acre could not be maintained indefinitely on the treatment T1. Annual production exceeded 68 lb clean wool (90 lb greasy) an acre and the plots were supporting a total liveweight exceeding 1000 lb/acre. The influence of autumn rains on the response to early autumn irrigation and the practical implications of the results are discussed briefly.

scholarly journals Stocking rate impacts performance and economics of grazing beef steers on mixed-grass prairies of the Southern Great Plains1

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A Beck ◽  
Matthew R Beck ◽  
Stacey A Gunter ◽  
Jon T Biermacher ◽  
Robert L Gillen
Keyword(s):  
Growing Season ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Grazing Season ◽  
Net Return ◽  
Mixed Grass ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Growing Season Precipitation

Abstract Stocking rate is a fundamental management factor that has major impacts on animal performance, profitability, and long-term sustainability of native range ecosystems. This research was conducted to determine the effects of stocking rate on performance and economics of growing steers grazing a mixed-grass prairie on a rolling upland red shale ecological site at the Marvin Klemme Range Research Station (35° 25′ N 99° 3′ W). The recommended sustainable stocking rate at this location is suggested to be 25 animal unit days (AUD)/ha. Steers [n = 836, initial body weight (BW) ± SD = 216 ± 11.7 kg] grazed at seven stocking rates ranging from 4.13 ha/steer to 1.83 ha/steer over a 7-yr period, from 1990 to 1996, with year considered the random replication. During the experimental period, overall climatic conditions were favorable for forage production with average growing season precipitation of 118% of the long-term average over the 7-yr experiment, and only 1 yr (1994 with only 57% of the long-term average) with growing season precipitation substantially less than the long-term average. Over the entire summer grazing season, average daily gain (ADG) decreased linearly (P &lt; 0.01) with increasing stocking rate, such that for each additional hectare available per steer ADG increased by 0.05 kg/d (R2 = 0.88). Contrary to ADG, BW gain per hectare over the grazing season increased linearly (P &lt; 0.01) with increasing stocking rate, as stocking rate increased from 4.13 ha/steer to 1.83 ha/steer BW gain per hectare doubled from 33.1 kg/ha to 66.8 kg/ha, respectively. With land costs included in the economic analysis, net return per hectare increased linearly (P &lt; 0.01) from $13 [U.S. Dollars [USD]) at the 4.13 ha/steer to $52/ha at the 1.83 ha/steer. For each additional hectare per steer, net return was reduced by $15.80 (USD)/steer and $15.70 (USD)/ha. In favorable climatic conditions, such as during this 7-yr experiment, economically optimal stocking rates can be more than doubled compared with the stocking rate recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Soil Conservation Service. Increasing stocking rates decrease individual animal performance but maximize BW gain per hectare, which leads to the increasing economic returns observed. Research is needed to determine the long-term implications of these stocking rates during unfavorable growing conditions and setting stocking rates based on seasonal weather patterns and extended weather outlook predictions.

Effects of stocking rate and energy supplementation on milk production from tropical grass-legume pasture

1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (77) ◽  
pp. 740 ◽  
Author(s):  
RT Cowan ◽  
IJR Byford ◽  
TH Stobbs
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Panicum Maximum ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Temperate Pastures ◽  
Energy Supplementation ◽  
Milk Solids ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Tropical Grass

Forty Friesian cows were grazed continuously on a green panic (Panicum maximum var. trichoglume)/glycine (Glycine wightii cv. Tinaroo) pasture at stocking rates of 1.3, 1.6, 1.9 and 2.5 cows ha-1 for two years on the Atherton Tableland, Queensland. A supplement of 3.6 kg crushed maize cow-1 day-1 was fed for 50 days post-partum to half the cows in each group in both years. Milk yield per cow was reduced from 3811 kg lactation-1 at 1.3 cows ha-l to 3289 kg lactation-1 at 2.5 cows ha-1. With increasing stocking rate milk yield per hectare increased linearly to 8309 kg ha-1 at 2.5 cows ha-1. At 1.9 and 2.5 cows ha-1 cows lost weight over the two years and in late lactation levels of milk solids were often low. Also at these stocking rates cows had to be supplemented for up to 60 days during the main dry season. Legume content of the pasture declined linearly (P < 0.05) with increasing stocking rates. Maize feeding in early lactation increased milk yield over the total lactation by approximately 12 per cent, the response being 2.3 kg milk per kg maize fed, Response was greater at lighter stocking rates as cows in the heavier stocking rate treatments dried off prematurely. It was concluded that per hectare milk production from tropical grass/legume pastures can approach that from temperate pastures and that energy supplementation early in lactation would substantially increase per cow production.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document