Growth of an annual pasture on virgin land in South-Western Australia including effects of stocking rate and nitrogen fertilizer

1967 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 447 ◽  
Author(s):  
EAN Greenwood ◽  
HL Davies ◽  
ER Watson
Keyword(s):  
Ammonium Sulphate ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Virgin Land ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Bromus Mollis

A pasture of Bromus mollis L. and Trifolium subterraneum L., sown on virgin land, was grazed by sheep for 4 years. Three rates of ammonium sulphate were factorially combined with two stocking rates. Stocking rates of 8 and 12 sheep/ha had similar effects on growth rate of the sward and influenced botanical composition only in the second and third year of grazing. Ammonium sulphate increased the proportion of B. mollis and volunteer grasses, and reduced T. subterraneum and dicotyledonous volunteers. B. mollis persisted only where ammonium sulphate was applied. T. subterraneum, in the absence of nitrogen fertilizer, was highly dominant for 3 years, then declined to 40% by the fifth year. Where nitrogen fertilizer was applied in large quantities the clover did not persist even at the higher stocking rate. The annual dry matter production of the swards which did not receive the nitrogen fertilizer was poor (c. 6000 kg/ha); the possible causes of this are discussed. Ammonium sulphate increased winter growth in the early years of the experiment. In the later years, large quantities of straw accumulated on the ammonium sulphate plots, regeneration was poor, and the nitrogen fertilizer ineffective. Growth curves of the sown species are presented and discussed.

Liveweight and wool growth of sheep in response to the quantity and botanical composition of annual pasture induced by nitrogen fertilizer and stocking treatments

1972 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1101 ◽  
Author(s):  
HL Davies ◽  
EAN Greenwood
Keyword(s):  
Ammonium Sulphate ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
First Year ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Nitrogen Concentrations ◽  
Sheep Production

For five years, three rates of ammonium sulphate (N0, N1, and N3: 0, 280, and 840 kg/ha/year) were applied as a split dressing to ,a pasture of Bromus mollis L. and Trifolium subterraneum L. which was continuously grazed by wethers set-stocked at 8.6 and 12.4 sheep/ha. The N0 treatment produced clover dominance, N1 a mixed sward, and N3 grass dominance. The higher stocking rate increased the proportion of clover in the mixed sward. These differences in botanical composition produced three significant effects on the relation between liveweight gain and quantity of green pasture on offer. An increase in the proportion of clover in the sward increased: (1) the quantity of herbage dry matter on offer required for liveweight maintenance; (2) the maximum rate of liveweight gain; (3) the quantity of dry matter on offer at the point of 90% maximum liveweight gain. Regressions of those three parameters on botanical composition accounted for over 90% of the variance. The effects of treatments on liveweight at other times of the year are also described. In the first year of grazing ammonium sulphate increased liveweight, apparently because of increased pasture on offer after emergence. In subsequent years the effect of ammonium sulphate was reversed: liveweight was reduced, and this was associated with lower nitrogen concentrations in, and lower quantities of, herbage produced. Wool elongation rates were greatest in spring and lowest prior to the germinating rains in autumn. Elongation rate was unaffected by stocking rate and only slightly affected by ammonium sulphate. From January to April, greatest elongation occurred on the grass-dominant N3 paddocks; from May to December greatest elongation occurred on the clover-dominant N0 paddocks. The implications of the role of nitrogen fertilizer in relation to sheep production in the winter rainfall regions of Australia are discussed.

Milk production from cows grazing on tropical grass pastures. 1. Effects of stocking rate and level of nitrogen fertilizer on the pasture and diet

1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 505 ◽  
Author(s):  
TM Davison ◽  
RT Cowan ◽  
RK Shepherd ◽  
P Martin
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Crude Protein Content ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Applied Nitrogen

A 3-year experiment was conducted at Kairi Research Station on the Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, to determine the effects of stocking rate and applied nitrogen fertilizer on the pasture yield and composition, diet selection by cows, and soil fertility of Gatton panic (Panicum maximum cv. Gatton) pastures. Thirty-two Friesian cows were used in a 4x2 factorial design: four stocking rates (2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 cows/ha), each at two rates of fertilizer application 200 and 400 kg N/ha.year. The higher rate of fertilization increased the pasture green dry matter on offer at all samplings (P < 0.01); the increase ranged from 1 106 kg/ha in summer to 548 kg/ha in spring. Green dry matter decreased ( P< 0.0 1) with increasing stocking rate, with mean yields of 3736 and 2384 kg/ha at 2.0 and 3.5 cows/ha, respectively. Weed yields increased over the 3 years at the higher stocking rates for pastures receiving 200 kg N/ha.year. The crude protein content of leaf and stem increased with increasing stocking rate and amount of applied nitrogen fertilizer. Values ranged from 12.1 to 26.5% of dry matter (DM) in leaf and from 3.7 to 13.8% DM in stem. In leaf, sodium concentration (range 0.05-0.20% DM) was increased, while phosphorus concentration (range 0.21-0.44% DM) was decreased by the higher rate of fertilizer application. Plant sodium and phosphorus levels were inadequate for high levels of milk production. Dietary leaf content and crude protein contents were consistently increased by both a reduced stocking rate, and the higher rate of fertilization. Cows were able to select for leaf and at the lowest stocking rate, leaf in the diet averaged 38%; while the leaf content of the pasture was 20%. Dietary leaf content ranged from 38 to 57% in summer and from 11 to 36% in winter. Dietary crude protein ranged from 13 to 15% in summer and from 7 to 11% in winter and was positively correlated with pasture crude protein content and dietary leaf percentage. Soil pH decreased (P<0.05) from an overall mean of 6.3 in 1976 to 6.1 at 200 N and 5.8 at 400 N in 1979. Soil phosphorus status remained stable, while calcium and magnesium levels were lower (P<0.01) after 3 years.

Effect of fertilizer nitrogen, stocking rate and autumn deferment of grazing in association with hay cutting on the root structure of annual pasture species

1976 ◽  
Vol 16 (78) ◽  
pp. 110 ◽  
Author(s):  
JJ Doyle ◽  
MJ Sharkey
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Root Structure ◽  
Root Branching ◽  
Grass Roots ◽  
Hordeum Leporinum ◽  
Main Components

Length, weight, branching and chemical composition of roots of barley grass (Hordeum leporinum) and subterranean clover, (Trifolium subterraneum), the main components of a non-irrigated pasture were measured in the fourth year of an experiment on pastures grazed by Corriedale wethers. The grazing treatments were in a factorial design (2 x 2 x 3) replicated three times, with three stocking rates, two levels of nitrogen fertilizer and two methods of management. Grass and clover density was reduced progressively as stocking rate was increased from 10 to 12 to 17 wethers ha-1 but the surviving plants at maturity had vigorous root systems. This performance of annual species contrasts with that of perennial pasture species where root development and root branching may be expected to decline with increase in grazing pressure. Applications of nitrogen fertilizer annually at rates of 0 or 67 kg ha-1 had little effect on density of grasses or clovers but clover roots were lighter and had fewer rhizobia nodules where nitrogen fertilizer had been applied. The management of pasture by deferment of grazing during regeneration was beneficial to clover plants in that their root structure was larger at maturity; similar effects were not evident in grass roots.

Tactical versus continuous stocking in perennial ryegrass-subterranean clover pastures grazed by sheep in south-western Victoria. 1. Stocking rates and herbage production

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
pp. 1099 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Waller ◽  
P. W. G. Sale ◽  
G. R. Saul ◽  
G. A. Kearney
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Soil Fertility Status ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
Terminal Sire ◽  
Autumn And Winter ◽  
Stocking Rates

A 4-year field experiment was carried out in south-western Victoria to determine whether tactical stocking might improve perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) persistence and prime lamb production, compared with the more common practice of year-around continuous stocking. Tactical stocking consisted of variable length summer, autumn and winter rotations and continuous stocking in spring. The 2 grazing strategies were compared on 2 contrasting pastures: an upgraded pasture, sown with newer cultivars of perennial ryegrass and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) with 26 kg phosphorus/ha.year, and a more typical naturalised perennial ryegrass pasture receiving 6 kg phosphorus/ha.year. Paddocks were grazed by Border Leicester x Merino ewes, which were mated to a terminal sire to lamb in September. The effects of the grazing systems and pasture treatments on herbage production and stocking rate are presented in this paper. Herbage production was similar between the treatments, but tactical stocking significantly increased herbage mass during the growing season (P<0.05) compared with continuous stocking. In spring each year, the herbage mass generally exceeded 3000 kg dry matter/ha in tactically stocked paddocks and averaged 500–900 kg dry matter/ha higher than the mass on continuously stocked paddocks. This enabled the year-round stocking rate to be increased by an average of 9% over the 4 years of the experiment. We considered that the stocking rates could not be further increased, despite the higher herbage mass in spring, as stock reduced the dry herbage to a low residual mass by the opening rains in autumn. In contrast, stocking rates averaged 51% higher on the upgraded pasture compared with the typical pasture over the 4 years of the experiment. This indicates that pasture improvement and soil fertility status have a much greater impact on productivity than changes to grazing method. However, tactical stocking was able to increase the sustainability of prime lamb production on upgraded pastures in a dry summer climate, by maintaining herbage cover on the paddocks over the summer–autumn period.

The effects of stocking rate and nitrogen fertilizer on the productivity of irrigated perennial pasture grazed by dairy cows. 2. Animal production

1980 ◽  
Vol 20 (106) ◽  
pp. 537 ◽  
Author(s):  
KR King ◽  
CR Stockdale
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
Protein Production ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Milk Products ◽  
Maximum Production ◽  
Total Milk ◽  
Stocking Rates

The relation between the stocking rate of dairy cows and their production from irrigated perennial pasture, with and without nitrogen (N) fertilizer, was studied over 2 years at Kyabram, Victoria. Pastures were rotationally grazed at stocking rates ranging from 4.4 to 8.6 cows ha-1. In each year, N treatments were topdressed four times at a rate of 56 kg N ha-1. For every additional cow per ha, production per ha decreased by 260 and 329 kg of milk, 12.3 and 15.5 kg of butterfat, and 10.7 and 14.5 kg of protein for years 1 and 2, respectively. In year one, the highest production of milk and butterfat (17,900 and 847 kg ha-1, respectively) was from cows stocked at 8.6 cows ha-1, and for protein (597 kg ha-1) from 7.6 cows ha-1. In year 2, production per ha of all milk products maximized and then declined. Maximum production of milk and butterfat (14,180 and 675 kg ha-1, respectively) was at 6.6 cows ha-1, and protein (508 kg ha-1) at 5.9 cows ha-1. Increasing stocking rate also reduced the liveweight of cows at all times. Topdressing with N fertilizer had no effect on total milk or butterfat production per cow, but consistently increased protein production. The range in response increased from 2 to 7 kg protein per cow at 4.4 and 8.6 cows ha-1, respectively. Application of N fertilizer increased liveweight per cow, with greater increases occurring at high stocking rates. In year 2, the efficiency of butterfat production over the whole year was 29.9, 29.3 and 37.0 kg of DM (pasture and supplements) per kg of butterfat produced for 4.4, 6.6 and 8.6 cows ha-1, respectively.

Impact of phosphorus application and sheep grazing on the botanical composition of sown pasture and naturalised, native grass pasture

2004 ◽  
Vol 55 (12) ◽  
pp. 1213 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. O. Hill ◽  
R. J. Simpson ◽  
A. D. Moore ◽  
P. Graham ◽  
D. F. Chapman
Keyword(s):  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Annual Species ◽  
Basal Cover ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
P Application ◽  
Phosphorus Application ◽  
Stocking Rates

Botanical composition (basal cover) was measured in 4 replicated pasture treatments based on Phalaris aquatica and Trifolium subterraneum at Hall, ACT (unfertilised with low and high stocking rate; fertilised with low and high stocking rate) and in 2 unreplicated pasture treatments based on native perennial grasses (Austrodanthonia spp. and Microlaena stipoides) and T. subterraneum at Bookham, NSW (unfertilised and low stocking rate; fertilised and high stocking rate). Current economic pressures are encouraging graziers to increase their use of phosphorus (P) fertiliser and to adopt higher stocking rates. The objective of the research was to determine the changes in botanical composition that may result from these changes in grazing systems management. At Hall, annual species differed in their responses to P fertility. Notably, basal cover of Bromus spp. increased significantly with P application, whereas Vulpia spp. decreased significantly. Basal cover of T. subterraneum also increased significantly with P application when stocking rate was high, but was reduced by P application if stocking rate was low. Basal cover of perennial grasses (P. aquatica and Holcus lanatus) was significantly higher at low stocking rate when P was applied. The botanical composition of high stocking rate treatments was relatively stable over time, which contrasted with less stable composition at low stocking rate. At Bookham, fertilised pasture in unreplicated paddocks appeared to have a higher basal cover of productive annual species (i.e. Bromus spp. and T. subterraneum), but native perennial grasses appeared to have lower basal cover in comparison with the unfertilised area. These results indicated that in some cases, the influence of P fertiliser and high stocking rates on botanical composition was favourable (i.e. increased basal cover of P. aquatica and T. subterraneum) and in others it could be detrimental (i.e. lower basal cover of native perennial grasses).

Effect of stocking rate, season and pasture characteristics on liveweight gain of beef steers grazing perennial pastures

1989 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 1277 ◽  
Author(s):  
PR Bird ◽  
MJ Watson ◽  
JWD Cayley
Keyword(s):  
Total Mass ◽  
Tritiated Water ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Large Component ◽  
Grazed Pastures ◽  
Dead Material ◽  
Stocking Rates

In each of 4 years (1975-78) yearling steers at stocking rates (SR) of 1.1-3.6 steers/ha continuously grazed pastures sown in 1971 with Trifolium subterraneum cv. Mt. Barker, Phalaris aquatica cv. Australian and Lolium perenne cv. Victorian at Hamilton from Mar. to Jan. Data on liveweight gain (LWG), fat depth and pasture attributes were collected over the 4 years. Body composition was estimated periodically over the first 2 years, using tritiated water. Relationships between LWG and SR were established and the overall annual effect was LWG (kg)=237-39.7 SR. However, most or all of the gains made at intermediate or higher SR were achieved in the spring and summer. Compensatory gains in these 5 months were greatest at 3 steers/ha but varied from 6.5 kg (in 1976) to 34 kg (in 1978) more than achieved at the lowest SR. The heaviest steers had more subcutaneous fat and steers at higher SR were leanest, but in 1 year of prolonged spring growth (1978) there was no difference in fat depth at any SR despite a 68 kg difference in liveweight (W) between lowest and highest SR. Seasonal LWG was modelled from W and/or pasture mass (green and dead fractions). Use of green pasture mass rather than total mass substantially improved precision in all seasons. A smaller but significant further improvement was obtained using green mass, dead mass and the interaction in the regressions. Severe penalties to LWG occurred in grazed pastures with a large component of dead material.

Response of skeleton weed (Chondrilla juncea) to applied superphosphate and grazing management

1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (72) ◽  
pp. 102 ◽  
Author(s):  
GD Kohn ◽  
EG Cuthbertson
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Wagga Wagga ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Lolium Rigidum ◽  
Fertilizer Rate ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Stocking Rates

The influence of pasture topdressing with superphosphate and of stocking rate on the Chondrilla uncea population in a clover-ryegrass (Trifolium subterraneum-Lolium rigidum) pasture was measured in a grazing experiment at Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, over the period 1962 to 1966. Superphosphate application reduced final weed populations at all stocking rates. Continuous grazing maintained skeleton weed populations at a low level, but increasing the stocking rate from 5 to 15 sheep ha-1 had little influence on weed numbers. A management comparison at a high stocking rate-high fertilizer rate showed that rotational grazing increased the weed population compared with continuous grazing systems.

Some variables influencing production of prime lamb and wool from pasture

1971 ◽  
Vol 11 (52) ◽  
pp. 498
Author(s):  
GW Arnold ◽  
A Axelsen ◽  
HR Gharaybeh ◽  
HW Chapman
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Reproductive Rate ◽  
Bromus Inermis ◽  
Early Winter ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Brome Grass ◽  
Stocking Rates

In an experiment at Canberra, A.C.T., extending over four years, crossbred and Merino ewes were grazed at three stocking rates on pastures of either phalaris (Phalaris tuberosa), phalaris combined with separate paddocks of brome grass (Bromus inermis), and cocksfoot (Dactyllis glomerata), or separate paddocks of brome grass and cocksfoot. Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) was present in all pastures. One-, two-, and three-paddock systems and two times of lambing were also compared. Pasture availability and animal productivity were measured. Early lambing resulted in more prime lambs although the later lambs had slightly higher rates of gain. At the highest crossbred stocking rate studied (seven ewes per acre) wool production per acre was still increasing, but number of prime lambs and lamb liveweight gain did not increase above stocking rates of five ewes per acre. More feed was available to ewes during late pregnancy on treatments allowing feed rationing in autumn and early winter, but neither rationing nor including brome grass and cocksfoot in the system increased animal productivity beyond that achieved by grazing phalaris continuously. At stocking rates up to six ewes per acre, animal production was greatest from phalaris grazed continuously. Stocking rates were designed to provide similar weights of either Merino or crossbred ewes per acre at each stocking level. Because more lambs were born to crossbred ewes they had less feed than Merinos in spring and summer at all stocking rates. Lambs from crossbred ewes were heavier at birth and grew faster than lambs from Merino ewes. More prime crossbred lambs were produced per acre at all stocking levels. The reproductive rate and lamb production of Merino ewes dropped sharply with increased stocking rate. Fleeceweights were similar for both breeds, particularly at low stocking rates. Wool production per acre increased with stocking rate and was higher from Merinos at each level.

The effects of stocking rate and nitrogen fertilizer on the productivity of irrigated perennial pasture grazed by dairy cows. 1. Pasture production, utilization and composition

1980 ◽  
Vol 20 (106) ◽  
pp. 529 ◽  
Author(s):  
CR Stockdale ◽  
KR King
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Stocking Rates

The effects of stocking rate and nitrogen (N) fertilizer on the productivity of irrigated perennial pasture grazed by dairy cows was studied for 2 years at Kyabram, Victoria. There were ten treatments: five stocking rates ranging from 4.4 to 8.6 cows ha-l at both 0 and 224 kg N ha-1 year-1 . Although weeds did not invade the pasture, increases in stocking rate resulted in reduced daily pasture growth, and this was related to the level of residual pasture after grazing. Annual pasture production in both years declined by 0.394 t DM ha-1 for every additional cow per ha. The levels of the herbage minerals, N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Na were adequate from an animal health point of view at all stocking rates, at least in the short term. The response to N fertilizer declined from 17 to 3 kg DM kg-1 N applied, as stocking rate increased from 4.4 to 8.6 cows ha-1, and it appeared that this response was due mainly to an increase in the growth of the grasses. Apart from the stocking rate responses, which are specific to the Kyabram environment, a number of relations were found, which showed how residual pasture after grazing, pasture allocation and pasture utilization at a single grazing, influenced pasture intake. Providing allowances are made for pasture type and the level to which any particular pasture type can be grazed, these relations could be expected to give a reasonable assessment of pasture intake in other environments.

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