The grazing value of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) for sheep production in the northern tablelands of New South Wales

2000 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 57 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. Ayres ◽  
M. J. McPhee ◽  
A. D. Turner ◽  
M. L. Curll
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Clover Pasture

The grazing value of phalaris–white clover and tall fescue–white clover pastures was compared in a temperate summer-rainfall environment in the high rainfall zone of eastern Australia. Data were derived from an experiment which evaluated pasture cultivars when grown in binary mixtures and grazed by sheep. The data were also simulated with the decision support system SheepO (Version 4.0) and validated by visual techniques, deviance measures, and statistical tests. The model generally simulated green biomass, liveweight gain, and clean fleece weight with acceptable accuracy. Pasture based on tall fescue–white clover produced more green pasture biomass in all seasons, in all years, and at both low (10 sheep/ha) and high (15 sheep/ha) stocking rates when compared with phalaris–white clover. Sheep grazing tall fescue–white clover pasture were turned off about 5 kg heavier each year and produced about 0.6 kg/head more clean fleece weight; the wool production per head of sheep grazing tall fescue–white clover at 15 sheep/ha was similar to that for sheep grazing phalaris–white clover pasture at 10 sheep/ha. These differences in wool production were accompanied by consistent effects on wool quality; the fleeces of sheep grazing tall fescue–white clover pasture were markedly sounder in tensile strength but broader in fibre diameter. These data and the SheepO simulations highlight the potential for pasture cultivars with enhanced seasonal growth and nutritive value to alleviate feed-gaps and improve the feed-base for grazing animals.

THE PERFORMANCE OF S170 TALL FESCUE IN CANTERBURY

1974 ◽  
pp. 214-215
Author(s):  
B.R. Watkin
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Trifolium Repens ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Selection Of

AN Aberystwyth selection of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), known as S170, was sown with certified New Zealand white clover (Trifolium repens) and re' clover (T. pratense) and compared under sheep grazing with other grass/clover pastures at the Grasslands Division Regional Station at Lincoln (Watkin, 1975) .

scholarly journals Improving the nutrition of Merino ewes during pregnancy increases the fleece weight and reduces the fibre diameter of their progeny's wool during their lifetime and these effects can be predicted from the ewe's liveweight profile

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 794 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. N. Thompson ◽  
M. B. Ferguson ◽  
D. J. Gordon ◽  
G. A. Kearney ◽  
C. M. Oldham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Opposite Effect ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Poor Nutrition

Nutrition of ewes during pregnancy can have permanent impacts on the production potential of their progeny. The hypothesis tested in the experiments reported in this paper was that improving the nutrition of Merino ewes during pregnancy and lactation increases the fleece weight and reduces the fibre diameter of their progeny’s wool during their lifetime. In addition, that these effects on the progeny’s wool production can be predicted from the ewe’s liveweight profile. At sites in Victoria and Western Australia in each of 2 years, a wide range in the liveweight and condition score profiles of Merino ewes was generated by varying the amount of supplements fed from joining to Day 100 of pregnancy and the amount of feed on offer grazed from Day 100 to weaning. The site in Victoria was based on perennial pastures and included both single- and twin-bearing ewes whereas the site in Western Australia was based on annual pastures and included single-bearing ewes only. The production and characteristics of wool from the progeny were measured until 51 months of age at the site in Victoria and 33 months of age at the site in Western Australia. The nutritional treatments and the resulting changes in ewe liveweight had significant impacts on the fleece weight and to a lesser extent the fibre diameter of wool produced by their progeny, but there were no consistent effects on other characteristics of progeny fleece wool. The fleece weight of the progeny was related to the liveweight change during pregnancy of their mothers (P < 0.05) and the relationships were similar for the two experiments at each site. At the site in Victoria, a loss of 10 kg in ewe liveweight between joining and Day 100 of pregnancy reduced fleece weight by ~0.2 kg at each shearing until 51 months of age whereas gaining 10 kg from Day 100 of pregnancy to lambing had the opposite effect. The effect of changes in ewe liveweight during late pregnancy on the fleece weight of their progeny at each shearing was of similar magnitude at the site in Western Australia. When evident, the effect of the ewe liveweight profile on the fibre diameter of progeny wool was opposite to the effect on clean fleece weight and the effect of poor nutrition in early to mid pregnancy could be completely overcome by improving nutrition during late pregnancy. Twin-born and reared progeny produced ~0.3 kg less clean wool at each shearing (P < 0.001) that was 0.3-μm broader (P < 0.001) than that from single-born progeny at the site in Victoria. However, the effects of varying ewe nutrition and ewe liveweight change during pregnancy on fleece weight and fibre diameter of progeny wool were similar (P > 0.05) for both single- and twin-born or reared progeny. Overall, these results supported our hypothesis and it is clear that the nutritional management of Merino ewes during pregnancy is important for optimal wool production from their progeny during their lifetime.

The performance of young sheep grazing pastures sown to combinations of lucerne or subterranean clover with ryegrass or phalaris

1972 ◽  
Vol 12 (56) ◽  
pp. 240 ◽  
Author(s):  
KFM Reed ◽  
RW Snaydon ◽  
A Axelsen
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Legume Species ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
High Production ◽  
Supplementary Feed ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Clover Pasture

Young sheep were rotationally grazed, at two stocking rates, on pasture sown to combinations of two legume species (lucerne or subterranean clover) and two grass species (a mixture of annual and biennial ryegrass or phalaris) at Canberra. Liveweight gains were 45 per cent greater, and wool production was 10 per cent greater, on the lucerne dominant pasture (87 per cent lucerne) than on the grass dominant subterranean clover pasture (8 per cent subterranean clover). The differences were maximum during summer, but also occurred during spring. Mortality and supplementary feed requirement on grass dominant pasture was double that on lucerne pasture. Liveweight gains were 13 per cent greater on pasture sown to ryegrass than on pasture sown to phalaris. Sheep mortality was eight times greater on the phalaris than on the ryegrass pasture, and survival feed requirements at least double. The superior animal production from lucerne pasture was due mainly to the ability of lucerne to grow during periods of low rainfall and to maintain a high production of legume in the pasture.

Assessing Wiltshire Horn-Merino crosses. 1. Wool shedding, blowfly strike and wool production traits

1994 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 717 ◽  
Author(s):  
KA Rathie ◽  
ML Tierney ◽  
JC Mulder
Keyword(s):  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
The Other ◽  
Wool Fibre ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Phenotypic Correlations ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Head Neck

Wiltshire Horn-Merino (WH-M) crosses of 1/2, 5/8 and 3/4 Merino content were compared over 10 years for wool shedding, blowfly strike frequency and wool production traits. Merinos and 1/2 Merino WH-M were compared over 4 years. For wool production traits, 1/2 and 5/8 Merino WH-M ewes were compared to Border Leicester-Merino (BL-M) ewes over 2 years. Shedding increased with age for all WH-M genotypes, with 3/4 Merinos showing less shedding than 1/2 Merinos at all ages. At 1 and 2 years of age, 5/8 Merinos were intermediate between the other 2 WH-M genotypes, but at later ages they were similar to 1/2 Merinos. All genotypes showed less shedding at the belly site than the head, neck and breech as lambs, but not at older ages. Phenotypic correlations between sites on the same sheep were high, averaging 0.85. Repeatability estimates for each site ranged from 0.26 to 0.45. Shedding increased most with age in the 1/2 Merinos, and least in the 3/4 Merinos. Little or no shoulder and back wool was shed by most sheep. All 1/2 and 5/8 Merinos and most 3/4 Merinos had bare legs and points. Blowfly strike incidence was far higher in Merinos than 1/2 Merinos, in all years. Among WH-M, blowfly strike incidence increased as Merino content increased, in all years. All WH-M were far inferior to both Merinos and BL-M in total greasy wool weight and all its components, and also in clean fleece weight, with their level of inferiority increasing as their Merino content declined. Wool fibre diameter for all WH-M was coarser than for Merinos, but was a little finer than for BL-M. Fibre diameter increased in the WH-M as their Merino content declined. All WH-M had lower wool yields than the Merinos or BL-M. In some years the 314 Merinos had lower wool yields than the 1/2 and 5/8 Merinos, which were similar in all years. Shedding caused numerous genotype x age interactions in wool weight and its components, as Merinos and BL-M did not shed, and with the WH-M shedding increased most with age in the 1/2 Merinos, and least in the 3/4 Merinos. Due to preferential shedding from the belly and other low-value areas, the WH-M inferiority in total wool weight was less severe for fleece weight. Winter shearing succeeded in harvesting some wool from WH-M that would be shed before a summer shearing, but not enough to alter rankings among genotypes. All WH-M genotypes have wool too coarse, and not enough of it, to compete as a wool sheep with the Merino at current wool prices under usual Australian pastoral conditions. In areas where mustering is difficult or blowfly strike unusually severe, WH-M genotypes may find a niche.

Autumn-Grazed Orchardgrass-White Clover Pasture: Nutritive Value of Herbage and Lamb Performance

jpa ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. E. Turner ◽  
D. P. Belesky ◽  
J. M. Fedders ◽  
M. B. Solomon
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Clover Pasture

Effect of stocking rate on fleece measurements and their relationships in merino sheep

1976 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
DH White ◽  
BJ McConchie
Keyword(s):  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Major Determinant ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Rate Experiment ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
One Year ◽  
Staple Length

The wool characteristics of Merino wethers were measured for 6 years in a stocking rate experiment. The decline in fleece weight due to increasing stocking rate from 4.9 to 12.4 sheep per hectare was usually accompanied by a reduction in fibre diameter and staple length and an increase in staple crimp frequency. The magnitude of these responses differed considerably between years; in one year clean fleece weight was reduced by 50%, with an associated reduction of 5 µm in mean fibre diameter and one of 2 cm in staple length. In four of the six years of the experiment, variation in fibre diameter accounted for at least 50% of the variation in wool production between stocking rate treatments. The relationships between clean fleece weight and fibre diameter were similar between years, mean fibre diameter being reduced by about 1.8 �m for each kilogram reduction in clean fleece weight. Fibre diameter is the major determinant of wool price, and this information should improve the prediction of economic responses to changes in stocking rate.

Sensitivity of breeding objectives to prices and genetic parameters in Australian Corriedale and Polwarth dual-purpose sheep

1993 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 259 ◽  
Author(s):  
NM Fogarty ◽  
AR Gilmour
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Selection Index ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Price Differentials ◽  
Breeding Objective ◽  
Feed Costs ◽  
Fleece Weight

A profit equation was developed for Australian Corriedale and Polwarth dual-purpose sheep kept for both wool and lamb production. Ten traits contribute to income and costs and were included in the breeding objective. These encompass wool production, fibre diameter, and feed intake of breeding ewes and hogget ewe replacements; sale weight and carcass fat depth of lambs; and reproductive rate and mature weight of ewes. The relative economic value for each trait in the enterprise was calculated from the profit equation using income and costs for 1 year. Overall gain ($A) and gain in each trait in the breeding objective from selection using an index of hogget greasy fleece weight, hogget fibre diameter, dam's number of lambs weaned, lamb weight, and lamb fat depth are reported. The sensitivity of the genetic changes in each trait in the breeding objective and index coefficients were assessed for a range of prices of products and feed costs. Sensitivity to changes in heritabilities and genetic correlations was also assessed. The incorporation of these maternal traits into LAMBPLAN is discussed. For the standard parameters and prices used, gain in leanness accounted for one-third of overall gain ($/ewe. s.d. of selection). Other traits that contributed to overall gain were fibre diameter (28%), reproduction (18%), and growth (14%). There was a small gain through feed intake (8%), and a very small loss in wool weight. Measures of fatness, growth, and fibre diameter were the important traits in the selection index. Inclusion of hogget greasy fleece weight and dam's number of lambs weaned each added <1% to the efficiency of the selection index. Varying the sale price for lamb and the price differentials for fibre diameter and fat depth had the greatest impact on overall gain. High lamb price increased gains in both reproduction and lamb weight, whereas, high price differentials for fibre diameter and fat mainly increased gains in the particular trait. A large range in prices for wool had very little effect on the individual traits or overall. Changing feed costs had little effect on overall gain, although high feed cost reduced gains from reproduction which were compensated by reduced feed intake. Halving the heritability value for each trait reduced overall gain, largely through reduction in the trait. Varying the genetic correlations of wool production with other traits had little effect. However, when genetic correlations of reproduction with weight, fat, and fibre diameter were varied there were changes in overall gain, largely through reproduction.

Wool yield and characteristics of Dorset, Leicester and Sunffolk breeds and their ‘DLS’ cross

1977 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 651-653 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. H. Fahmy ◽  
J. A. Vasely
Keyword(s):  
First Generation ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Average Fibre Diameter ◽  
Average Fibre ◽  
Wool Yield ◽  
Fleece Weight

SUMMARYGreasy fleece weight (12 months growth) and wool samples from hip and shoulder regions were taken on 15 Dorset, 20 Leicester, 20 Suffolk and 17 DLS ewes (a cross of ½ Dorset, ¼ Leicester, ¼ Suffolk obtained by mating DL rams to DS ewes and DS rams to DL ewes). The purpose of the study was to compare wool production and characteristics of the first generation of DLS with that of the three breeds of origin. Wool production of DLS was 3·58 kg, 8·8 and 14% higher than that of Suffolk and Dorset, but 11% lower than that of Leicester (P< 0·01). The percentage of clean wool was highest in Leicester (78·3%), followed by DLS, Dorset and Suffolk (76·1, 74·3 and 70·5%, respectively). The average fibre diameter of the DLS and Leicester was 38 /m, 4 /m thicker than that for Suffolk and Dorset (P < 0·01). Average fibre length was 15 cm in DLS and Dorset, 6 cm shorter than in Leicester, and 3 cm longer than in Suffolk (P < 0·01). The variability in fibre diameter and length was highest in Leicester, followed closely by DLS.

A note on the effect of the F gene on wool production and live weight of Booroola × South Australian Merino rams

1985 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 367-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. Ponzoni ◽  
M. R. Fleet ◽  
J. R. W. Walkley ◽  
S. K. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Pleiotropic Effects ◽  
High Fecundity ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
F Gene ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Australian Merino ◽  
Staple Length

ABSTRACTThe effect of the high fecundity Booroola Merino gene (F) on wool production and live weight of Booroola x South Australian Merino rams classified as being offspring of FF, F+ or ++ Booroola sires was investigated. The characters studied were: greasy fleece weight in lambs, hogget (approx. 15 months old) greasy fleece weight and the associated scouring yield, clean fleece weight, fibre diameter, staple length and wool style; birth weight and live weight gains from birth to weaning in September (3 months of age), from September to the following March, and from March to September. There were no significant differences among sire genotypes in the characters studied. The results suggest that the F gene had no undesirable pleiotropic effects on wool and live-weight traits.

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