A study of merino sheep grazing a bladder saltbush (Atriplex vesicaria) –cotton-bush (Kochia aphylla) community on the riverine plain

1969 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 1123 ◽  
Author(s):  
AD Wilson ◽  
H Leigh ◽  
WE Mulham
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Grass ◽  
In Vitro Digestibility ◽  
Early Winter ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Seasonal Fluctuations ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Stocking Rates

A study was made of Merino sheep grazing a bladder saltbush (Atriplex vesicaria Hew. ex Benth.)–cotton-bush (Kochia aphylla R.Br.) community set stocked at three stocking rates (2.5, 1 .2, and 0.6 sheep/hectare) over a 3-year period. In spring the sheep preferred the perennial grass Danthonia caespitosa Gaudich. and the annuals Medicago polymorpha L. and Vulpia myuros (L.) K. C. Gmel. to the more abundant A. vesicaria. From summer to early winter the diet consisted mainly of A. vesicaria with the proportion of dead matter and Medicago burr increasing as the availability of A. vesicaria decreased. Seasonal fluctuations in wool growth were evident at all three stocking rates. Maximum wool growth rates occurred in spring when the nitrogen content (2.3%) and in vitro digestibility (65%) of the forage eaten was high. During autumn and early winter values for nitrogen (1.4%) and digestibility (50%) were lower and wool growth was at a minimum. At 0.6 sheep/ha animal productivity was maintained and there was little decline in the A. vesicaria population during the 3 years. Grazing eliminated all the A. vesicaria from the pasture stocked at 2.5 sheep/ha, and 98% at 1.2 sheep/ha. At these higher stocking rates the pasture proved incapable of maintaining the sheep for the 3-year period. The inability of A. vesicaria to recover after heavy or complete defoliation by grazing demonstrates the necessity of adopting a low stocking rate if the bush is to be retained.

A study of Merino sheep grazing a cotton-bush (Kochia aphylla)–grassland (Stipa variabilis–Danthonia caespitosa) community on the riverine plain

1968 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 947 ◽  
Author(s):  
JH Leigh ◽  
AD Wilson ◽  
WE Mulham
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Digestibility ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Dietary Crude Protein ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Main Component ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Low Rate

A study was made of Merino sheep continuously grazing a cotton-bush (Kochia aphylla R.Br.)–grassland (Stipa variabilis Hughes–Danthonia caespitosa Gaudich.) community over a 2 year period. Observations were carried out at two stocking rates (0.75 and 0.375 sheeplacre) and comparisons were made with plots from which K. aphylla had been mechanically removed. The aim of the study was to define the contribution made by K. aphylla (a drought-resistant chenopodiaceous shrub) to animal production and to examine the effects of the seasonal variation in composition, availability, and food value of the pasture on animal behaviour and performance. At the low rate of stocking K. aphylla contributed little to the diet of the sheep (max. 2% in autumn) despite its being at no time less than 20% of the forage available. At the high stocking rate its maximum contribution to the diet was 7% in late autumn. The major constituents of the diet in spring were the annuals Hedypnois rhagadioloides (L.) Willd. and Hypochoeris spp. and in summer the perennials Danthonia caespitosa and Kochia pentagona R.H. Anderson. D. caespitosa was also the main component during autumn at the low stocking rate but at the high stocking rate it was replaced in the diet by a high proportion of dead matter and Medicago burr. Seasonal variations in wool growth were greater at the high stocking rate than at the low rate, the lowest production occurring in autumn. Body weight and wool growth were not significantly altered by the presence of K. aphylla at either of the stocking rates. The lowest recorded value for dietary crude protein was 8.8%. Wool growth was closely related to the in vitro digestibility of the forage eaten and to the availability of green feed within the pasture.

A Comparative Study of Sheep Grazing a Semi-Arid Saltbush Pasture in Two Condition Classes.

1986 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 46 ◽  
Author(s):  
RD Graetz
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Landsat Imagery ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Broken Hill ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Stocking Rates

Measurements were made of the wool growth, body weight gain and diet of sheep grazing a saltbush pasture near Broken Hill, N.S.W. The experiment utilized a fenceline contrast in saltbush (Atriplex vesrcarra) density that was visible on Landsat imagery. It ran for five years (1976-1981) with a design of two pasture types by two stocking rates. Fleece weights varied from 3.9-6.0 kg/head and wool production from 0.6-2.9 kg/ha. Neither wool production per head nor bodyweight were substantially affected by stocking rate or pasture type. The composition and quality of the diets selected by sheep on both pastures were identical and of high nutritional value indicating their capability to accommodate differences in pasture composition. Pasture quality was not limiting between stocking rates or determined by the abundance of saltbush. Changes in pasture composition resulting from grazing and exclosure were small and of no significance.

The patterns of wool growth of Merino sheep grazing three Chenopod shrub rangelands.

1980 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
RD Graetz
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variations ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
The West ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Management Regime ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Different Types

Annual fleece we~ghts and the seasonal varldtlon m uool growth of Peppm Merino wethers were measured for nearlv tlve years on three paddocks on the pastoral property 'Pme Creek' in the West Darlnlg distr~ct of Nea South Wales. The paddocks had the same stocking rate but encloyed different types of shrub rangelands - saltbush, pearl bluebush and degraded bluebush. Annual fleece weights varied between 4.0 and 5.3 kg (clean scoured) per sheep with no significant differences between the flocks in the different paddocks in any year. There were only small differences within years in the seasonal variations in wool growth for sheep from the three paddocks. Analysis of the relationships between ramfall and fleece weights during the experimental period and from 18 years of property records revealed that under the conservative stocking management regime of this property, wool cut per head \%as largely independent of the previous year's ramfali.

Supplementary feeding pattern and rate of liveweight gain in winter-spring affect wool production of young Merino sheep on the south coast of Western Australia

1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 1093 ◽  
Author(s):  
PT Doyle ◽  
TW Plaisted ◽  
RA Love
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Supplementary Feeding ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Staple Strength ◽  
Stocking Rates

The effects of different supplementary feeding practices in summer-autumn and management strategies on green pasture on liveweight change, wool growth rate, annual wool production and wool characteristics of young Merino wethers were examined at 2 farms. The grain feeding treatments were lupins (L) or lupins and oats (LO) fed in amounts that were adjusted to try and maintain liveweight, or lupins and oats (LOG) fed at a higher rate. The objectives of liveweight maintenance or gain were not always achieved, but liveweight patterns differed between LOG compared with L or LO during summer-autumn. The sheep used at farm 1 were aged 4.5 months and liveweight 32 kg at the start of the experiment, while those at farm 2 were 6.5 months and liveweight 39 kg. The stocking rate in summer-autumn was 8 wethers/ha at both farms. During supplementation, sheep on LOG had a higher (P<0.05) liveweight change compared with those on L or LO (farm 1, 15 v. -8 g/sheep. day; farm 2, -35 v. -51 g/sheep. day) and clean wool growth rates (farm 1, 7.1 v. 6.4 g/sheep. day; farm 2, 5.1 v. 4.8 g/sheep.day). The sheep on LOG grew broader (P<0.05) wool than those on L or LO (farm 1, 19.0 v. 18.5 �m; farm 2, 21.7 v. 20.8 �m), and at farm 1 length was also greater (P<0.05) (114 v. 111 mm), while at farm 2 staple strength was greater (P<0.01) (22.9 v. 16.4 N/ktex). There were no significant differences in annual clean wool production. There were positive (P<0.01) relationships between staple strength and liveweight change to the time of minimum liveweight in summer-autumn. After green pasture on offer reached 500 kg DM/ha in autumn, different liveweight change patterns were achieved in 2 groups (LS, lower stocking rates; HS, higher stocking rates) of sheep at each farm by adjusting stocking rates. Within a farm, the LS and HS groups were comprised of equal numbers of sheep from each replicate of the supplementary feeding treatments. There were differences (P<0.05 to 0.01) in liveweight change between LS and HS (farm 1, 93 v. 72 g/day; farm 2, 127 v. 60 g/day), the differences being more pronounced at farm 2. The differential stocking rates at farm 2 resulted in differences in clean wool growth rates (P<0.01), in clean wool production (4.22 v. 4.53 kg, P<0.05), and fibre diameter (20.8 v. 21.4 �m, P<0.01), but there were no significant effects on staple length or strength. There were no significant effects of the supplementary feeding treatments imposed in summer-autumn on the responses to the stocking rate treatments on green pasture.

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.

The relative feeding value of a new pasture legume, eastern star clover (Trifolium dasyurum), compared with subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum)

2005 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hayley C. Norman ◽  
David G. Masters ◽  
Allan J. Rintoul ◽  
Matt G. Wilmot ◽  
Vijay Jayasena ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Health ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Eating Quality ◽  
In Vitro Digestibility ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Feeding Value ◽  
Pasture Legume

An accession of eastern star clover (Trifolium dasyurum C. Presl.), a new species to agriculture, has been identified by the National Annual Pasture Legume Improvement Program for commercial release in Australia. This paper reports the findings of an experiment designed to assess the feeding value of eastern star clover compared with a commercial cultivar of subterranean clover (T. subterraneum L. cv. Dalkeith). The hypothesis tested in this experiment is that sheep grazing eastern star clover will have similar growth rates, condition scores, and wool production to sheep grazing subterranean clover. Additionally, it is hypothesised that the sheep grazing the different clover species will have similar health and meat quality. The relative feeding value of the 2 clover species was tested using 14-month-old Merino wethers, grazing 8 by 0.5 ha plots (4 of each species). Stocking rates were such that herbage mass availability would not have limited feed intake. Liveweight, wool growth, and animal health were monitored. After 10 weeks of grazing, 2 animals from each plot were slaughtered for sensory analysis of meat. Although there were generally no differences in liveweight change, condition, or wool growth between sheep grazing eastern star or subterranean clovers, sheep in the subterranean clover plots grew faster during the first month of grazing. There were no differences in meat eating quality (tenderness, juiciness, or flavour), animal health, or vegetable matter contamination of wool. The data suggest that the clovers had the same relative feeding value despite herbage mass from the eastern star clover plots having lower in vitro digestibility, crude protein, and higher fibre than herbage mass from the subterranean clover plots. Given that there was a minimum of 1000 kg/ha of herbage mass in the plots, it is likely that sheep gazing the two clovers were able to maintain the same weight by selecting the high quality components of the pasture. Differences in plant quality are associated with differences in reproductive strategies of the clovers.

Rape and sunflower seed meals as supplements for sheep grazing cereal stubbles

1987 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 513 ◽  
Author(s):  
JB Coombe ◽  
A Axelsen ◽  
H Dove
Keyword(s):  
Rapeseed Meal ◽  
High Variability ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Sunflower Meal ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Wheat Stubble ◽  
Daily Intakes ◽  
Stocking Rates

In 2 experiments, Merino sheep aged about 18 months grazed cereal stubbles for 12 weeks and were either: (i) given no supplement; (ii) given free access to blocks containing 30% urea; or received daily about 300 g DM sheep-1 of (iii) rapeseed meal (RSM); (iv) formaldehyde-treated RSM (FRSM); (v) sunflower meal (SFM); or (vi) formaldehyde-treated SFM (FSFM). In experiment 1, wethers grazed a barley stubble at stocking rates (SR) of 18 and 36 sheep ha-1, and in experiment 2, mixed flocks of wethers and ewes grazed wheat stubble at 10 and 20 sheep ha-1. Mean daily intakes of urea were about 8.5 and 11.5 g sheep-1 for experiments 1 and 2 respectively. Both forms of SFM were readily eaten throughout, but in both experiments, intakes of RSM and FRSM were low and were characterised by high variability from day to day, and among individual sheep within groups. In both experiments, all sheep gained some weight during the first 2-3 weeks; thereafter control and urea fed sheep lost weight at mean rates varying from about 96 to 180 g day-1 depending on SR. Feeding SFM or FSFM reduced this loss to about 20 g day-1 at SR of 10-20 ha-1, and to 60 g day-1 at a SR of 36 ha-1, while losses were intermediate in sheep fed RSM or FRSM. In experiment 1, daily wool growth rates varied from about 5.5 g clean dry wool (CDW) sheep-1 for control and urea-fed sheep to about 11 g CDW sheep-1 for sheep fed SFM and FSFM; respective daily rates in experiment 2 were 3.6 and 8.2 g CDW sheep-1. Wool growth of sheep fed RSM and FRSM was intermediate in both experiments. When ewes were mated on high-quality feed after grazing stubbles, conception was delayed for about 14 days in a high proportion (about 40%) of those ewes that had lost considerable weight during stubble grazing. This effect was overcome by feeding daily 300 g DM sheep-1 of SFM for 7 days prior to and during mating. Delayed conception extended the lambing period. although final numbers of lambs born were not different among groups.

Effect of time of joining and rate of stocking on the production of Corriedale ewes in southern Victoria. 3. Wool growth and the composition and availability of pasture

1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (73) ◽  
pp. 159 ◽  
Author(s):  
PA Kenney ◽  
IF Davis
Keyword(s):  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
The Other ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Brome Grass ◽  
Stocking Rates

A study was made during a three year period (1 968-1 970) of wool production by a flock of 540 ewes grazing annual pasture at Werribee, Victoria. The ewes were stocked at three rates (5, 7 1/2 and 10 ewes ha-1) and lambed between July 6 and August 20 or between September 10 and October 29 each year. Fibre diameter and length of wool samples were measured in 1968, 1969 and 1970 ; in 1970 growth of greasy wool was calculated from staples of dye-banded wool. Wool growth was reduced in all ewes during late pregnancy and early lactation but was not affected during late lactation in ewes lambing in September. The proportion of tender fleeces from all ewes was greater in 1970 and the weight of fleeces from only those ewes bearing single lambs was less in all years for ewes lambing in July than for ewes lambing in September. More ewes were barren and fewer ewes had twins in July and consequently the mean fleece weights of all ewes from both groups were similar. Fleeces from ewes stocked at 10 ha-1 were lighter, shorter and finer than fleeces from ewes stocked at 5 and 7 1/2 ha-1, but the proportion of tender fleeces did not differ between the groups. Wool production of ewes stocked at 5 and 7 1/2 ha-1 increased from 1968 to 1970, whereas that of ewes at 10 ha-1 did not. This was associated with differences in pasture availability and composition. At 10 ewes ha-1 less pasture was present in winter and spring in 1970 than in 1968, whereas at the other stocking rates it was greater. In 1970 the density of weeds in autumn was greater and in spring more silver grass (Vulpia spp.) and less brome grass (Bromus spp.) was available at the high stocking rate.

Provision of high nitrogen roughage to sheep as a supplement to low nitrogen roughage

1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (74) ◽  
pp. 342 ◽  
Author(s):  
GE Robards ◽  
GR Pearce
Keyword(s):  
Poor Response ◽  
Control Group ◽  
In Vitro Digestibility ◽  
High Nitrogen ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Low Nitrogen ◽  
Basal Ration

Three feeding experiments and a digestibility study are reported in which the effects of supplementing low nitrogen roughages with roughages of high nitrogen content were studied. In each feeding experiment the effect of varying the frequency of supplementation was examined. During the first experiment intake of lucerne hay was greater (P < 0.05) than the intake of oaten hay and higher wool growth rates and liveweight changes were recorded. When the oaten and lucerne hays were alternated at intervals of one, two, three or four days, the average intake and rate of liveweight change was intermediate between the two previous levels, but the rate of wool production was similar to when lucerne hay was offered alone. There were no differences in total intake, clean wool production or liveweight change due to the frequency with which the two rations were alternated. The second experiment involved the feeding of a fixed quantity of lucerne hay with a. five times as much oaten hay or b. ad libitum oaten hay. The lucerne hay was given daily and every second, fourth and eighth days, and there was an unsupplemented control group. During the restricted feeding period frequent supplementation resulted in higher liveweight gain but there was no effect on wool growth. When oaten hay was provided ad libitum the poor response to supplementation and the large variation in intake within groups resulted in no significant differences in wool production or liveweight change between groups. The results of the third experiment indicate that the digestibility or degree of lignification of the basal ration affects the likelihood of a response to supplementation. It was shown that frequent supplementation of pasture hay resulted in higher intake, liveweight and wool production. On the other hand, substitute feeding with little change in animal production occurred when lucerne hay was offered to similar sheep consuming a basal ration of oaten hay which had a higher level of fibre and a lower in vitro digestibility than the pasture hay.

Studies on the nutritive value of the diet selected by grazing sheep IV. Variation in the diet selected by sheep differing in age, breed, sex, strain and previous history

1969 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 369-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Langlands
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Content ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Previous History ◽  
In Vitro Digestibility ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Faecal Nitrogen ◽  
Grazing Sheep ◽  
Grazing History

SUMMARYThe ability of two groups of six Merino wethers aged 6 and 66 months to digest a lucerne ration was examined in order to detect possible biases in the use of faecal nitrogen as a faecal index substance. Earlier work with this technique had indicated a difference in selectivity between young and older sheep. No difference in ability to digest the ration was observed and it was concluded that the earlier observation was not an artefact in the faecal nitrogen technique. Oesophageal fistulae were prepared in 120 sheep differing in breed, sex, age, strain and previous history. Determinations were made of the nitrogen content, and in one experiment of the in vitro digestibility of the diet selected by sheep grazing various pastures. Significant differences in the nitrogen content of the diet selected by sheep varying in breed, age and previous grazing history were recorded on some pastures on some occasions but not on others. No significant differences were observed between sheep varying in strain or sex. No reason could be suggested for the occasional differences between groups in the nitrogen content or digestibility of the diet selected, but it appeared unlikely that it would be a major source of variation in the productivity of the different groups at pasture.

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