Autecology of some natural pasture species at Trangie, N.S.W.

1954 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 69 ◽  
Author(s):  
EF Biddiscombe ◽  
EG Cuthbertson ◽  
RJ Hutchings
Keyword(s):  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Natural Pasture ◽  
Production Pattern ◽  
June July

Features of the autecology of four native perennial grasses (Stipa, Chloris, and Digitaria spp.) and an important group of winter annual species are reported from a 5-yr study of a naturaI pasture at Trangie, N.S.W. The investigation was mainly concerned with the response of the species to changes in seasonal climatic conditions. The study period (1948–52) was relatively moist (mean annual rainfall 25.6 in.) and the growing season (May–November) longer than average. Available moisture showed considerable variation in autumn and spring, and was the primary factor in the variable success of germination and seedling survival among the perennial grasses. Plant development in the perennial grasses is discussed for three study intervals, March 1948–50 (above average rainfall), March 1950–51 (recurrent flooding over 8 months), and March 1951–52 (including a long, dry summer) ; in all pkriods striking fluctuations were noted in persistency and basal area of established plants, particularly the small plants of each species. Available moisture is advanced as the principal factor controlling seasonal distribution of green forage production by the perennial grasses, temperature becoming limiting only at midwinter (June–July). All species conformed to a similar production pattern, showing a midsummer minimum (except in January 1951), late summer and spring peaks, and a midwinter trough. Flowering and maturation periods are listed for the perennial grasses, and infrequent but heavy seed production recorded for all species. Characteristic features of the root systems are discussed in relation to drought resistance and response to effective rainfall. Germination of Medicago spp. was most frequent in May and June (1-in. soil temperature 51–61°F), but was also successful in March, April, and July. Erodium cygnorum and Hordezcm leporinum favoured late February to early May (65–75°F) for germination. Among high populations percentage seedling survival was low, even in a very favourable season. Given adequate winter moisture (as in 1948 and 1949), Medicago spp. and E. cygnorum showed virtually an exponential increase in green forage production between May and September. The level of September production of these species is shown to be correlated with moisture availability in April. The principal factors ensuring regular recurrence of the winter annuals in pastures of the Trangie environment are outlined and discussed.

Summer dormancy, regeneration and persistence of perennial grasses in south-western Australia

1977 ◽  
Vol 17 (88) ◽  
pp. 795 ◽  
Author(s):  
EF Biddiscombe ◽  
AL Rogers ◽  
RA Maller
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Internal Drainage ◽  
Plant Mortality ◽  
Podzolic Soils ◽  
Summer Dormancy ◽  
Better Than

Autumn growth and persistence of periodically grazed, spaced plant swards of eleven perennial grasses were measured at two sites registering 750 mm and 1120 mm annual rainfall respectively. The grasses were grown on gravelly podzolic soils of moderate internal drainage and depth of A horizon. After the third summer, autumn regrowth was generally better in Phalaris tuberosa lines than in lines of Dactylis glomerata, Festuca arundinacea and Lolium perenne, Festuca arundinacea cv. Melik and D. glomerata cv. Currie regenerated better than P. tuberosa lines in the first two autumn seasons at the drier site. Capacity for autumn growth appeared to be associated mainly with the level of dormancy achieved by basal buds at mid-summer, though relatively high dormancy of one or two lines at the drier site did not prevent significant plant mortality. Numbers of reproductive tillers per plant in spring and active basal buds per tiller in late summer were less important traits affecting the growth of some lines. We think that rankings for summer dormancy would be useful for screening future introductions for wetter parts (> 750 mm annual rainfall) of the south-western region of Western Australia.

Grazing management of natureal pastures at Trangie, NSW

1956 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 233 ◽  
Author(s):  
EF Biddiscombe ◽  
RJ Hutchings ◽  
G Edgar ◽  
EG Cuthbertson
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Body Weight Loss ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Natural Pasture ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Average Rainfall ◽  
Fleece Weight

Results of a 5-year grazing experiment on Stipa-Chlaris natural pasture are presented. Treatments were three rates of stocking each tested with continuous grazing, autumn deferment, and spring deferment. These were studied in relation to: (a) body weight and wool production of Merino wethers; (b) available feed; (c) density and basal area of the perennial grasses. Lighter stocking (one sheep/2 ac) showed little superiority in production per animal under the generally favourable rainfall conditions. There was only one interval of acute feed shortage in which heavier stocking (one sheep/ac) caused extreme body-weight loss and lower fleece weight. The spelling treatments gave no advantage over continuous grazing, either to sheep or to pasture. Effect of stocking rate on perennial grasses mainly depended upon the amount of rainfall received during certain growth stages of the species, e.g. the winter vegetative growth of Stipa, and the March-April maturation of Chloris and Digitaria. Generally, lighter stocking was favourable to plant density and basal area in seasons of average or below average rainfall; heavier stocking was best in wet seasons. Probable reasons for these relationships are discussed.

Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers and gypsum on a Danthonia caespitosa-Stipa variabilis grassland. 1. Response to fertilizer application over four successive years

1978 ◽  
Vol 18 (91) ◽  
pp. 253 ◽  
Author(s):  
GJ Tupper
Keyword(s):  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Phosphorus Fertilizers ◽  
Minimum Requirements

The effect of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers and gypsum was assessed over four years on a Danthonia caespitosa-Stipa variabilis grassland, growing on the semi-arid Riverine Plain in south-eastern Australia. Fertilizers were applied annually and gypsum once only. The treatments were combined factorially. Seasonal production of total dry matter and individual species, and nitrogen and phosphorus contents of the plant tops, were measured. Forage production increased in response to the additives in years in which the annual rainfall varied from well below to near average. They accentuated the normal pattern of a spring peak, but also gave lesser increases in production in winter and autumn. Summer production was not measured because of the absence of effective summer rainfall. Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers and gypsum all contributed to the increased production, and the combination of the three additives produced the greatest yield. Over all seasons the yield of grassland treated with nitrogen plus phosphorus plus gypsum averaged 250 per cent of the control, or approximately 1500 kg ha-1. The main contributors to increases in yield were D. caespitosa, S. variabilis, annual herbs, and legumes. The perennial grasses were particularly favoured by nitrogen fertilizer whereas the yield of legumes was suppressed. The yield of legumes increased greatly in response to phosphorus fertilizer. With the exception of two species, all plants which increased in yield are acceptable to sheep. Nitrogen and phosphorus contents were above the minimum requirements for domestic herbivores.

A survey of the natural pastures of the Trangie District, New South Wales, with particular reference to the grazing factor.

1953 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
EF Biddiscombe
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Grazing Intensities ◽  
Summer Maximum

The Trangie district has a rainfall of 1,750 points with a slight summer maximum, a high relative variability of rainfall, and high summer temperatures. Disclimax pasture communities produced by a range of sheep grazing intensities operative during the past 20-30 years are described. On light soils ungrazed pasture comprises a wide range of perennial grasses. Light grazing (1 sheep per 2 acres) gives increased dominance by Stipa fulcata. With successive increases in grazing pressure Chloris acicdaris and Stipa setacea become conspicuous in turn, only to be virtually replaced by Chloris trumata as grazing intensity reaches 1 sheep per 0.5 acre. On heavy soils Stipa aristiglumis is dominant under light grazing. With increased rate of stocking, first Sporobolus caroli and then Stipa setacea gain dominance. At the highest stocking rates all these species are largely replaced by Chloris truncata. Throughout the sere the number of species is far more restricted than on the light soils. The striking feature of these results is that though botanical composition of the perennial grass component on light and heavy soils respectively is vastly different under light grazing, it becomes similar under heavy grazing and almost identical under severe grazing. Degenerative changes common to pastures of both soil groups under increasing grazing pressure are the decline in density and basal area of the perennial grass component, the greater population of winter and summer annuals, and the declining contribution of perennial grasses to green forage production in the spring. The basis of these findings is firstly the measurement of basal area, density and yield of perennial grasses, and density and yield of annual species in pastures of varying stocking history, and secondly, the measurement of pasture composition in relation to increasing distance from watering points.

DROUGHT OCCURRENCE UNDER LITHUANIAN CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laima TAPARAUSKIENĖ ◽  
Veronika LUKŠEVIČIŪTĖ
Keyword(s):  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Standardized Precipitation Index ◽  
Vegetation Period ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Precipitation Record ◽  
Calculation Step ◽  
Drought Conditions ◽  
The Standardized Precipitation Index ◽  
June July

This study provides the analysis of drought conditions of vegetation period in 1982-2014 year in two Lithuanian regions: Kaunas and Telšiai. To identify drought conditions the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) was applied. SPI was calculated using the long-term precipitation record of 1982–2014 with in-situ meteorological data. Calculation step of SPI was taken 1 month considering only vegetation period (May, June, July, August, September). The purpose of investigation was to evaluate the humidity/aridity of vegetation period and find out the probability of droughts occurrence under Lithuanian climatic conditions. It was found out that according SPI results droughts occurred in 14.5 % of all months in Kaunas region and in 15.8 % in Telšiai region. Wet periods in Kaunas region occurred in 15.8 %, and in Telšiai region occurrence of wet periods was – 18.8 % from all evaluated months. According SPI evaluation near normal were 69.7 % of total months during period of investigation in Kaunas and respectively – 65.5 % in Telšiai. The probability for extremely dry period under Lithuania climatic conditions are pretty low – 3.0 % in middle Lithuania and 2.4 % in western part of Lithuania.

Effects of Dried Distillers’ Grains Cube Supplementation for Steers Grazing Introduced Pastures on Animal Performance and Forage Production

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 12-13
Author(s):  
Jordan Adams ◽  
Rodney Farris ◽  
Scott Clawson ◽  
Earl Ward ◽  
Paul Beck
Keyword(s):  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Distillers Grains ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Trenbolone Acetate ◽  
Dried Distillers Grains

Abstract We evaluated the effects of supplementing dried distillers’ grains cubes (DDGS) and re-implantation of steers (n = 149; BW = 238 ± 13.8 kg) grazing tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea)/bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) pastures (n = 9 pastures, 7.2 ± 2.90 ha) from 14 April to 17 September 2020 (n = 155 d) in a split-plot design on steer performance and forage production. Main plot supplemental treatments (n = 3 pastures/treatment) included 1) Fertilized Control (FC), no supplementation on fertilized pastures (112 kg N/ha); 2) Fertilized Supplement (FS), supplemental DDGS fed at 2.9 kg 3-d/wk on fertilized pastures; and 3) Supplement (S), supplemented DDGS at 0.75% BW/d on unfertilized pastures prorated for 5-d/wk feeding. Steers were previously implanted during receiving with 40 mg trenbolone acetate and 8 mg estradiol (REV-G; Revalor G, Merck Animal Health). On July 7, steers in each pasture were randomly assigned to one of three re-implant treatments: 1) no re-implant; 2) REV-G; or 3) 200 mg progesterone and 20 mg estradiol (Synovex S, Zoetis Animal Health). Steers in FS and S gained more (P < 0.01) than FC throughout the trial and final BW was greater (P < 0.01) for FS and S compared with FC. Unexpectedly, re-implanting had no effect on ADG (P = 0.57) or BW (P = 0.34), but statistical power may be lacking. Supplemental efficiency was greater in the late summer for FS (P = 0.05) compared to S. Fertilizing pastures in FS and FC did not affect biomass (P = 0.39), however, CP was increased (P = 0.01) and acid and neutral detergent fibers tended to decrease (P = 0.06) relative to S in the early summer (April, May, June, and July), but did not differ in late summer (August and September). Based upon our analysis, DDGS is a suitable supplement and can replace N fertilizer for steers grazing introduced pastures.

Increasing home-grown forage consumption and profit in non-irrigated dairy systems. 1. Rationale, systems design and management

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 221 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. F. Chapman ◽  
J. Hill ◽  
J. Tharmaraj ◽  
D. Beca ◽  
S. N. Kenny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Systems Design ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Winter Cereal ◽  
Dairy Systems ◽  
Milk Solids

The profitability of dairy businesses in southern Australia is closely related to the amount of feed consumed from perennial ryegrass-dominant pasture. Historically, the dairy industry has relied on improvements in pasture productivity and utilisation to support profitable increases in stocking rate and milk production per hectare. However, doubts surround the extent to which the industry can continue to rely on perennial ryegrass technology to provide the necessary productivity improvements required into the future. This paper describes the design and management of a dairy systems experiment at Terang in south-west Victoria (780-mm average annual rainfall) conducted over four lactations (June 2005–March 2009) to compare the production and profitability of two forage base options for non-irrigated dairy farms. These options were represented by two self-contained farmlets each milking 36 mixed-age, autumn-calving Holstein-Friesian cows at peak: (1) well managed perennial ryegrass pasture (‘Ryegrass Max’, or ‘RM’); and (2) perennial ryegrass plus complementary forages (‘CF’) including 15% of farmlet area under double cropping with annual species (winter cereal grown for silage followed by summer brassica for grazing on the same land) and an average of 25% of farmlet area in perennial pasture based on tall fescue for improved late spring–early summer feed supply. The design of these systems was informed by farming systems models (DairyMod, UDDER and Redsky), which were used to estimate the effects of introducing different forage options on farm profitability. The design of the CF system was selected based on modelled profitability increases assuming that all forage components could be managed to optimise forage production and be effectively integrated to optimise milk production per cow. Using the historical ‘average’ pasture growth curve for the Terang district and a mean milk price of $3.71 per kg milk solids, the models estimated that the return on assets of the RM and CF systems would be 9.4 and 15.0%, respectively. The objectives of the experiment described here were to test whether or not such differences in profitability could be achieved in practice, and to determine the risks associated with including complementary forages on a substantial proportion of the effective farm area. Key results of the experiment are presented in subsequent papers.

Protein-energy ratio for forage production efficiency

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Н. Зезин ◽  
М. Намятов
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Milk Productivity ◽  
Agricultural Research Institute ◽  
Oil Crops ◽  
Protein Energy ◽  
Research Institute

Исследования Уральского НИИСХ и опыт передовых хозяйств Свердловской области показывают, что для повышения эффективности и стабильности кормопроизводства необходимо в структуре кормовых культур увеличивать удельный вес высокобелковых, высокоэнергетических и засухоустойчивых культур, производить подсев многолетних трав ежегодно на площади не менее 60 тыс. га, а в перспективе 7080 тыс. га. За последние 7 лет (20112018 годы) площади люцерны в области увеличились в 2 раза (до 23 тыс. га), кукурузы по зерновой технологии в 2,4 раза (до 20,9 тыс. га) и масличных культур в 3,1 раза (до 30,8 тыс. га). Опыт СПК Килачёвский Ирбитского района показывает, что освоение научно обоснованных биологизированных севооборотов, прошедших изучение в стационарных опытах Уральского НИИСХ, позволяет ежегодно получать высокие и стабильные урожаи всех сельскохозяйственных культур. В этом хозяйстве каждая кормовая культура размещается в своём севообороте. В СПК Килачёвский и ряде других хозяйств Свердловской области большое значение придаётся возделыванию люцерны, кукурузы и масличных культур. Площадь этих культур в расчёте на одну корову мы назвали белковоэнергетическим коэффициентом (БЭК). Анализ показал тесную взаимосвязь между белковоэнергетическим коэффициентом и молочной продуктивностью. Так, в СПК Килачёвский в 2016 году при удое 10196кг БЭК был равен 1,25 в 2017 году удой достиг 10798кг, БЭК 1,43 в 2018 году соответственно 11493 кг и 1,47 при количестве коров 29002977 голов. According to the investigations conducted at the Ural Agricultural Research Institute and experience of the leading farms in the Sverdlovsk region high effectiveness and stability of Forage Production requires wide cultivation of droughtresistant crops rich in protein and energy as well as seeding over 60 thousand ha (in the future 7080 thousand ha) by perennial grasses annually. For the last 7 years (20112018) areas of alfalfa increased by 2 times (up to 23 thousand ha), grain maize by 2.4 times (up to 20.9 thousand ha), oil crops by 3.1 times (up to 30.8 thousand ha). SPK Kilachevskiy (agricultural production cooperative) reported that the use of approved crop rotations tested at the Ural Agricultural Research Institute resulted in annual high and stable yields of all the crops. SPK Kilachevskiy and other farms of the region widely grow alfalfa, maize and oil crops. Land area for the cultivation of these crops per one cow is called proteinenergy coefficient (PEC). Proteinenergy coefficient was shown to have a significant correlation with milk productivity. SPK Kilachevskiy reported that in 2016 PEC and milk yield reached 1.25 and 10196 kg in 2017 1.43 and 10798 kg in 2018 1.47 and 11493 kg, respectively under 29002977 cows.

Sources of valuable traits for perennial grass breeding

2021 ◽  
pp. 78-89
Author(s):  
LZ Baistruk-Hlodan ◽  
MM Кhomiak ◽  
HZ Zhapaleu
Keyword(s):  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Trifolium Pratense ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Phleum Pratense ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Starting Material ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Daily Growth ◽  
Galega Orientalis

Aim. The purpose was to identify collection accessions – sources of valuable traits to use as starting material for creating varieties of perennial grasses in Western Ukraine. Results and Discussion. Perennial grasses play an essential role in improving the efficiency of forage production. They produce a fodder mass that contains major macro- and micronutrients, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and other nutrients in available forms, with a high energy protein saturation. Practice shows that due to the introduction of varietal crops into production in combination with optimal technologies of their cultivation, which allows revealing the potential of each variety, it is possible to additionally obtain 20-30% higher yields of fodder mass annually and harvest 2 to 3-fold seed yields. In 2016-2020, a search was carried out and 570 new accessions of perennial grasses were recruited, of which 201 were legumes and 369 were graminaceous grasses. The collection contains 1,319 accessions, of which 232 are Trifolium pratense L., 115 are Trifolium repens L., 49 are Trifolium hybridum L., 107 are Lotus corniculatus L., 80 belong to other legume species (Medicago, Galega orientalis L. Galega orientalis L. and Trifolium species), 131 are Phleum pratense L., 187 are Dactylis glomerata L., 146 are Lolium perenne L., 53 are Arrhenatherum elatius (L.) J. et C.Presl., 67 are Festuca rubra L., 28 are Festuca trachyphylla L., 32 are Bromopsis inermis (Leyss.) Holub, 92 belong to other species of other types of graminaceous grasses (Festuca pratensis Huds., Festuca arundinacea Schreb., Agrostis alba L. etc.). Accessions that enter the Department are registered and sown for propagation in the field. After examination, valuable accessions are transferred to the National Depository and registered in the National Catalogue; the rest of the obtained seeds are used in working collections. Conclusions. The best collection accessions were identified by a set of economically valuable traits: sources of daily growth of shoots (30), winter hardiness (28), plant height (22), yield of green mass upon haymaking (28) and pasture (19) use, forage productivity (15), seed productivity (25), foliage (21), and disease resistance (23). They can be recommended as starting material to create varieties of perennial grasses with high yields of forage mass and seeds for various applications.

scholarly journals Limestone and phosphorus application and forage production in natural pastures with sodseeding of cool-season species

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 3681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelson Eduardo Prestes ◽  
Cassandro Vidal Talamini do Amarante ◽  
Cassiano Eduardo Pinto ◽  
Gabriel Avila Prestes ◽  
Guilherme Doneda Zanini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Linear Growth ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Triple Superphosphate ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Natural Pasture ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Phosphorus Application

Natural pastures are important ecosystems that both contribute to biodiversity conservation and provide an important source of income, especially for cattle ranchers. While these pastures yield fairly low productivity, they can be improved by increasing soil fertility and introducing species with high productive potentials. In this sense, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of applying limestone and phosphorus, as well as introducing cool-season species with a mixture of species dominated by Schizachyrium tenerum Nees, into a natural pasture in the Catarinense Plateau. The experiment was conducted from January 2010 to December 2013; the treatments consisted of superficial distribution of limestone in proportions of 3.6, 7.2, 11.0, and 14.4 t ha-1, as well as distribution of phosphorus in the form of triple superphosphate in proportions of 35, 70, 105, and 140 kg of P2O5 ha-1. In addition, cool-season species were overseeded. The experiment consisted of a randomized block design with subdivided plots and three replications. Limestone was applied to the main parcel, whereas phosphorus was applied to the subplots. There was no interaction between the levels of limestone and phosphorus. The application of 11.0 t ha-1 of limestone yielded the highest forage production, with 3,932.2 kg of dry matter (DM) ha-1 during the second year. Red clover was the species that best reacted to the additions, with levels of 7.2 and 11.0 t ha-1 over the 4 years. In addition, phosphorus provoked a positive response throughout the experiment. The highest forage production was observed during the second year, with an addition of 140 kg P2O5 ha-1 (4,419.4 kg DM ha-1). Only one-eighth of the recommended amount of limestone (3.6 t ha-1) allowed for the establishment and persistence of the legumes introduced into natural pastures. These additions, associated with increasing levels of phosphorus, yielded linear growth in the production of forage in natural pastures with a mixture of species dominated by Schizachyrium tenerum Nees.

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