Better management of intensive rotational grazing systems maintains pastures and improves animal performance

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (12) ◽  
pp. 1131 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Badgery ◽  
G. Millar ◽  
K. Broadfoot ◽  
J. Martin ◽  
D. Pottie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diet Quality ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Faecal Analysis ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata L ◽  
Utilisation Data ◽  
Stocking Rates

Grazing management has been identified as a means of increasing livestock production and improving the composition of perennial pastures. The benefits of intensive rotational grazing have been the subject of much debate, but few studies have evaluated contrasting management of intensive rotational systems. A grazing management experiment was established on a pasture with cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L., varieties Porto and Kara) as the dominant species, to investigate different stocking rates, paddock numbers and rotation speeds, and a flexible treatment that adjusted grazing time, rest periods and stock numbers for optimal pasture utilisation. Data were collected on pasture composition and diet quality assessed by using faecal analysis, animal weight changes and pasture characteristics. Animal production per hectare was greatest for fast rotations (56 days’ rest) at high stocking rates (HStR, 13.6 dry sheep equivalents (DSE) ha–1), but continuous grazing (CG) was equally productive. Although flexible grazing based on the 3–4-leaf stage was proposed as the best balance between pasture production and quality, this treatment had lower stocking rates (9.2 DSE ha–1) and was not as productive. No treatment negatively affected pasture composition over the 4-year period. Area of bare ground was highest for the HStR CG treatment; however, the 30-paddock rotations were able to limit bare ground at the same stocking rate. The results indicated that intensive rotational grazing could be effectively managed by using green herbage allowance. In spring, green herbage allowance needed to be 1–1.5 kg green dry matter (DM) DSE–1 day–1, which increased to 5 kg green DM DSE–1 day–1 as the quality of green DM decreased, to allow selective grazing to enhance diet quality.

Grazed pasture parameters. I. Pasture dry-matter production and availability in a stocking rate and grazing management experiment with dairy cows

1966 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.G. Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Dry Matter Production ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Grazed Pasture ◽  
Matter Production

1. Net pasture dry matter production and available pasture dry matter were measured over 3 years in a small-scale replica of the study of the effects of dairy cow grazing management and stocking rate reported by McMeekan & Walshe (1963).2. The four treatments were(i) Controlled rotational grazing, light stocking rate (0.95 cows/acre).(ii) Controlled rotational grazing, heavy stocking rate (1.19 cows/acre).(iii) Uncontrolled, set stocked grazing, light stocking rate (0.95 cows/acre).(iv) Uncontrolled, set stocked grazing, heavy stocking rate (1.19 cows/acre).3. The pasture measurement technique employed measured net pasture production (gains through new growth minus losses from all sources). It is argued that this parameter, rather than absolute pasture production, governs the changes in the dry matter feed supply to the grazing animal.

The inter-relationships of grazing method and stocking rate in the efficiency of pasture utilization by dairy cattle

1963 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. P. McMeekan ◽  
M. J. Walshe
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Vanishing Point ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Stocking Rates

1. A large-scale grazing management study comparing rotational grazing and continuous grazing with dairy cows at two stocking rates over four complete production seasons is described.2. The four treatments were: (i) controlled grazing, light stocking rate; (ii) controlled grazing, heavy stocking rate; (iii) uncontrolled grazing, light stocking rate; (iv) uncontrolled grazing, heavy stocking rate.Each treatment involved 40 cows for a first 2-year phase and 42 cows for the following 2 years. Each herd had a normal age distribution pattern and seven 2-year-old first lactation heifers (17% of total herd) were introduced each year to maintain this pattern.3. Stocking rate was the more important factor affecting the efficiency of pasture utilization as measured by per acre output of milk and butterfat. In general, high stocking was associated with higher outputs per acre despite lower yields per animal.4. Grazing method was of less importance. In general, controlled rotational grazing was superior to uncontrolled continuous grazing, both per animal and per acre, but the average influence even of these extremes of management was only half that of stocking rate.5. Significant interactions between stocking rate and grazing method existed. Under continuous grazing a point was reached where production per acre declined to the vanishing point with increased stocking rate due to excessive depression of per cow yield: this point was not reached under rotational grazing at the same high stocking levels.6. The results suggest that optimum stocking rate under rotational grazing occurs at a level some 5–10% higher than under continuous grazing. A depression of 10–12% in per cow yield, compared with more lenient grazing, corresponds with optimum stocking level irrespective of the grazing system. This estimate is suggested as a guide line in applying the principles involved.

scholarly journals COMMENTS ON THE GRAZING MANAGEMENT SESSION

1984 ◽  
pp. 207-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Milligan
Keyword(s):  
Management System ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Critical Levels ◽  
Research Environment ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Better Than

This collection of papers does four significant things: 1. It concentrates on hill country. 2. Precisely defines the research environment in pasture levels and animal production terms. One can clearly see the consequences in animal production at different times of the year when pre-grazing and residual herbage levels are defined and varied and to see the effects of different grazing systems at these pasture levels. Much better than high vs low stocking rates. 3. Attempts to set pature targets as well as animal production targets. 4. Defines critical pasture DM levels both below which pasture production is reduced, and above which control is lost. The proximity to these critical levels will, for a farmer, more precisely define the grazing management system he should adopt and the levels of animal production he should be able to achieve

Differences among orchardgrass cultivars in response to hay and rotational grazing management

1995 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. A. Papadopoulos ◽  
M. A. Price ◽  
L. F. Laflamme ◽  
N. R. Fulton ◽  
G. M. Hunter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practice ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
First Year ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Cultivar Development ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata L ◽  
Tiller Density

This study was conducted to compare orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) cultivar performance under contrasting management systems (hay vs. rotational grazing) during the first two production years. The trial consisted of eight orchardgrass cultivars broadcast seeded in a randomized complete-block design, with three replications. The perimeter of each replication was fenced, and the area was divided into two sections. The first section was managed as a simulated hay production system. The second section was managed by simulating a rotational grazing system using crossbred ewes. Dry matter (DM) yield was determined before harvesting or grazing. Tiller density (TD) and leaf area index (LAI) were measured on four cultivars prior to harvesting and grazing. Excellent DM yield and persistence were obtained from all cultivars in both years under hay management but varied considerably under grazing management. Cultivar ranking according to DM yield under hay management was different from ranking based on performance under pasture management. One group of four cultivars had a decrease in yield of 19.9% in the second year of grazing, over the first year, but yield of the remaining group increased by 5.7% (SED = 9.83). Production of hay was similar for both groups. Early-maturing cultivars yielded 7% more DM and had higher crop growth rates (CGR), LAI and TD than late-maturing cultivars. Growth characteristics of orchardgrass cultivars as measured by DM yield, CGR, LAI and TD were modified by management practice. As a result, evaluating orchardgrass varieties under a hay management system was not effective in determining their performance under grazing. Key words:Dactylis glomerata, cultivar evaluation, cultivar development, grazing, yield, yield components

Managing saffron thistle in pastures with strategic grazing

2002 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 313 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Grace ◽  
R. D. B. Whalley ◽  
A. W. Sheppard ◽  
B. M. Sindel
Keyword(s):  
Late Spring ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Grazing Land ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Stocking Rates

Saffron thistle (Carthamus lanatus L.) is a widespread and troublesome weed in grazing land throughout much of eastern Australia. Conventional control measures are not feasible in much of this area, so the prospect for controlling saffron thistle through strategic grazing with sheep was investigated. By sowing seeds, and counting seedlings that emerged, we found that as little as 2 cm of pasture cover reduced the number of seedlings that emerged by 96% compared with bare ground. Grazing experiments showed that the survival of saffron thistle rosettes was reduced by 12% in plots that were strategically rested for one month in autumn, followed by grazing at high stocking rates. Grazing in late spring, when plants produced flowering stems, killed 20% of thistles before they set seed. A comparison of thistle density and pasture composition on farms that practice strategic grazing with neighbouring farms that used continuous grazing supported these results. Pastures had few thistles when perennial grasses accounted for over 35% of groundcover. We conclude that grazing management can help control saffron thistle.

Effect of deferred autumn grazing and stocking rate of sheep on pasture production in a Mediterranean-type climate

1976 ◽  
Vol 16 (79) ◽  
pp. 181 ◽  
Author(s):  
TH Brown
Keyword(s):  
South Australia ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Wimmera Ryegrass ◽  
June July ◽  
Stocking Rates

The effect of deferred autumn grazing and stocking rate on an annual pasture was monitored for five years at Kybybolite Research Centre in the south-east of South Australia. Pasture availability, yearly production and botanical composition were measured under a series of eight stocking rates from 12.4 to 29.7 Merino wethers per hectare. Autumn deferment resulted in extra available pasture during the winter months of June, July and August. However, the continously grazed pastures reached the same level of availability as the deferred pastures in spring. By the third year of the experiment yearly pasture production irrespective of grazing management was greatly reduced at the higher stocking rates. This reduction was associated with an invasion of Poa annua and Juncus bufonius. Autumn deferment tended to favour the growth of Wimmera ryegrass at the lower stocking rates whereas continuous grazing tended to favour clover growth at these stocking rates.

A comparison of continuous grazing and deferred autumn grazing of Merino ewes and lambs at 13 stocking rates

1977 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 947 ◽  
Author(s):  
TH Brown
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Grazed Pastures ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Lamb Growth

The performance of Merino ewes and their lambs was measured when the sheep were either continuously grazed or autumn-deferred on annual pastures. The two management systems were compared at a series of 13 stocking rates from 4.9 to 19.8 ewes ha-1 for 5 years from 1970 to 1974 at the Kybybolite Research Centre, South Australia. The deferred sheep were fed in yards on a mixture of oat grain and hay at 6.8 kg per head per week during the 6-week deferment period. It was found that the continuously grazed ewes required very little hand-feeding up to a stocking rate of 17.3 ewes ha-1. Grazing management had little or no effect on wool production in ewes or lambs, on the number of lambs born and weaned, or on lamb growth rates. Although the incidence of pregnancy toxaemia was very low (1%) it was higher in the deferred treatments. Autumn deferment resulted in extra pasture during the winter months of June and July. However, the continuously grazed pastures reached the same level of availability as the deferred pastures in late winter and early spring. Total yearly pasture production tended to be greater on the continuously grazed pastures and increased as the stocking rate increased. It is concluded that there is little merit in adopting an autumn deferment system of grazing management for Merino ewes and lambs. A relationship between lamb growth rate and both available pasture and pasture height is presented. It would appear that pasture height measurements are no better predictors of Iamb growth rates than pasture yield measurements.

Effects of grazing management and stocking rate on pasture production, ewe liveweight, ewe fertility and lamb growth on subterranean clover-based pasture in Western Australia

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 161 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Lloyd Davies ◽  
I. N. Southey
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Lamb Growth

Border Leicester x Merino ewes joined to Dorset Horn rams were grazed for 3 years on subterranean clover-based pastures established on virgin ground at Bakers Hill, Western Australia, at 3 stocking rates and 2 systems of grazing management (viz. continuous grazing compared with a deferred grazing system which was designed to ensure that pasture availability met the nutritional requirements of breeding ewes at critical phases of their reproductive cycle). Both stocking rate and grazing management affected pasture availability: there was always a greater amount of pasture available on offer under the deferred grazing system. However, this extra pasture rarely increased animal production; the effect of the deferred grazing compared with continuous grazing was inconsequential for ewe liveweight in late pregnancy and for lamb growth rate. The deferred grazing system promoted grass dominance at all stocking rates whereas there was only 24% grass under continuous grazing at the high stocking rate. Stocking rate on some occasions affected ewe liveweight at joining but always affected the prelambing weight. The highest stocking rate on some occasions reduced twinning rate. Stocking rate (particularly in 1966) affected lamb growth rate. The combination of the effect of stocking rate on twinning rate, lamb survival and lamb growth rate resulted in a lower proportion of lambs achieving 30 kg liveweight per lamb marked at higher stocking rates (3-year mean low stocking rate 106% lambs marketed; medium stocking rate 95% and high stocking rate 80%). In 1966, total plasma ketones were lower and plasma glucose (measure of ewe metabolic status) was higher on the deferred system than on the continuously grazed system.

Simplified rotational grazing management of dairy cows: effects of rates of stocking and concentrate

1991 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Hoden ◽  
J. L. Peyraud ◽  
A. Muller ◽  
L. Delaby ◽  
P. Faverdin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Yield Improvement ◽  
Concentrate Supplementation ◽  
Stocking Rates

SUMMARYAn experiment was carried out in Normandy between 1986 and 1988 over c. 6 months in each year, using a simplified rotational grazing technique (two paddocks in spring, four in autumn) with a total of 162 high-yielding cows (mean milk yield of 30·0 kg/day at turn-out). Three stocking rates, designated control (C: 2·3 cows/ha over the total area of the system), moderate (M: 2·6 cows/ha = 115% of C) and high (H: 3·0 cows/ha = 130% of C), were compared at two rates of concentrate supplement, 3·7 kg/cow per day and 0·5 kg/cow per day. Individual milk yield differed by a non-significant 5% between the extreme stocking rates (21·3 v. 20·3 kg fat-corrected milk (FCM) for treatments C and H, respectively). Milk production/ha was 23% greater in the H treatment (9816 v. 7970 kg FCM for H and C, respectively). Concentrate supplementation led, on average, to a 9% milk yield improvement (21·8 v. 20·0 kg FCM for high and low rates, respectively), i.e. a mean efficiency of 0·6 kg FCM/kg supplement. This response tended to be greater in the higher-yielding cows and for the high stocking rate. The sward measurements contributed to a better understanding of herbage utilization by the cows.

GORSE CONTROL WITH GOATS

1984 ◽  
pp. 152-159
Author(s):  
J.E. Radcliffe
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
One Year ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Effective Treatments

A grazing management trial in North Canterbury. compares the effects on burnt gorse, of goats or sheep grazed alone, or in mixtures with two goats equivalent to one sheep, with either rotational grazing or set stocking. Also, sheep alone are mob stocked on burnt gorse, and goats alone, set stocked on unburnt gorse. Goats alone at stocking rates up to 35/ha and a sheep/goat mixture which is rotationally grazed, have reduced gorse to negligible proportions after two years, although relatively few burnt gorse stumps have yet died. Gorse control has been less successful where a sheep/goat mixture has been set stocked or where sheep have been mob stocked at 2001ha. The least effective treatments have been sheep either set stocked or rotationally grazed at up to 17,5/ha. Stands of dense unburnt gorse up to 2m high were reduced from 66% gorse cover to 7% using 44 goats/ha set stocked for one year. Stocking rates of up to IO goats/ha had little effect on land with 50% gorse cover, but 30 goats/ha reduced gorse to 5% cover in the subsequent year. The persistence of five grass species ('Grasslands Nui' perennial ryegrass, 'Grasslands Wana' and 'Grasslands Apanui'cocksfoot, 'Massey Basyn' Yorkshire fog and browntop) and their abilities to suppress gorse, were compared under rotational and set stocked goat managements. After two years, there were no significant differences among grasses under rotational grazing, but browntop had become significantly moresuccessful than Apanui cocksfoot, under set stocking. Gorse cover was-=&% in all grass species treatments, including the unsown control plots, with no significant differences between set stocking and rotational grazing. Keywords: Gorse, goats, sheep, grazing management, ryegrass, cocksfoot, Yorkshire fog, browntop.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document