Effects of genotype, sex and stocking rate on postweaning efficiency and value-adding potential at turnoff of weaners grazing improved pasture in the Douglas Daly region of the Northern Territory

2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (11) ◽  
pp. 1272 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. Schatz ◽  
P. E. R. Ridley ◽  
D. J. M. La Fontaine ◽  
M. N. Hearnden
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Improved Pasture ◽  
The Way

An experiment was undertaken to establish the effects of genotype, sex and stocking rate on postweaning growth and value-adding potential at turnoff of weaners grazing improved pasture in the Douglas Daly region of the Northern Territory, Australia. The growth of 27 steer and 27 heifer weaners of four genotypes was studied each year for 4 years (i.e. n = 216 animals per year). Animals from each group were run at one of three stocking rates. The cattle were weighed monthly and fat depth was measured ultrasonically at the end of the postweaning year. Genotype had no significant effect on weight gain but one-quarter Charolais × three-quarters Brahman and Droughtmaster animals were significantly (P < 0.0001) leaner than Brahman (purebred and commercial) cattle at the end of the postweaning year. Steers grew more (12%; P < 0.0001) and were leaner (2.6 mm less P8 fat depth; P < 0.0001) than heifers. Animals that grazed at lower stocking rates gained more weight (P < 0.0001) but were not significantly fatter than those at higher stocking rates. The way these factors can be used to produce leaner animals with more value-adding potential for South-East Asian feedlots is discussed.

The effect of systems of grassland management and winter feeding on the productivity of an 18-month grass-cereal beef system

1978 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-107
Author(s):  
J. B. Moran ◽  
W. Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Grassland Management ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Field System ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Stocking Rates

ABSTRACTExperiments in two successive years with 24 cattle compared a six-paddock grazing system with a simpler two-field system. In each system the whole area was cut for conservation once during the season. The two systems were stocked each at 3·9 or 6·5 cattle/ha. In the following winters the cattle were offered grass silage (1974) or dried lucerne pellets (1975) ad libitum with two levels of barley.Daily gains on pasture were depressed by the higher stocking rate but there was no difference between grazing systems. The yield of conserved grass was least on the high stocking rate two-field system. The estimated output of utilized metabolizable energy per hectare was highest on the high stocking rate paddock grazing system but the output from the low stocking rate two-field system was almost as high. It was concluded that the latter system was valuable in many practical situations. Cattle that had been grazed at low stocking rates finished earlier in winter. There was some evidence of winter compensation in cattle weight gain on diets with dried lucerne pellets but not on grass silage diets.

Pasture management and animal production in Quebec: A review

1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 715-724 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hélène V. Petit
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Fertilizer Requirement ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Native Pastures ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
High Fertilization

Twenty percent of forage farmland was devoted to seeded and native pastures in 1991. Common white clover is widely found in native pastures but ladino clover is the main legume recommended. Timothy is the most popular grass for seeded pasture and its yield is increased by N fertilization. More than 30% ladino in pasture decreases the N fertilizer requirement. High fertilization of pasture where beef steers are kept at high stocking rates and moderately fertilized pasture where beef steers are kept at low stocking rates result in similar average daily gains. Excessive steer stocking rates can result in decreased herbage production at the end of the growing season which results in decreased weight gain. However, feeding concentrate can compensate for herbage shortage and maintain weight gain of steers with a high stocking rate similar to that of unsupplemented animals on pasture with a low stocking rate. The difference in total beef production per hectare between heavily and moderately fertilized pastures is only 10% higher for the former when herbage surpluses conserved as silage and hay are fed to steers during winter. When herbage allowance is not limiting, there appears to be no advantage in supplementing grazing cattle with concentrate or protein. Key words: Pasture, grazing, dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep

Animal production from naturalized and sown pastures at three stocking rates under coconuts in the Solomon Islands

1981 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 669-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. E. Watson ◽  
P. C. Whiteman
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Solomon Islands ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Brachiaria Decumbens ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Natural Pasture ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Brachiaria Mutica

SUMMARYA grazing study, comparing a naturalized and a sown pasture at three stocking rates, was conducted under a uniform stand of 65-year-old coconuts on a fertile soil in the Russell Islands. In a plot trial on this site there was no significant response to application of up to 400 kg N/ha/year over 2 years to Brachiaria decumbens. Average daily transmission of photosynthetically active radiation through the coconut canopy was 60% of full sunlight. The sown pasture consisted initially of para (Brachiaria mutica), signal (B. decumbens) and koronivia (B. humidicola) with the legumes Centrosema pubescens, Pueraria phaseoloides and Stylosanthes guianensis. The main species in the naturalized pasture were Axonopus compressus, Mimosa pudica, C. pubescens and Colopogonium mucunoides. Pastures were set stocked in two replicates over 3 years at 1·5, 2·5 and 3·5 animals/ha. There was no significant difference in live-weight gain between pastures in any year. Live-weight gain per head declined linearly with increasing stocking rate. Highest live-weight gain was 437 kg/ha/year in the 1st year at 3·5 animals/ha. The planted grasses declined from 60% at the start of grazing to 6% 8 months later. A. compressus increased from 2 to 24% over 3 years in the sown pasture, and from 12 to 34% of yield in the natural pasture. M. pudica increased from 27 to 44% in the sown, and remained approximately constant at 37% in the natural pasture. G. pubescens increased at 2·5 animals/ha, but was replaced by P. phaseoloides at 1·5 animals/ha and by A. compressus and M. pudica at 3·5 animals/ha. There were no significant effects of pasture treatments or stocking rate on copra yields. Where there is a cover of naturalized grasses and legumes under coconuts, cultivation and planting of exotic species cannot be recommended. Major improvement will come from thorough weed control and maintaining stocking rates between 1·5 and 2·5 animals/ha.

Cadmium concentrations in liver, kidney and muscle in Australian sheep and cattle

1988 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 291 ◽  
Author(s):  
JP Langlands ◽  
GE Donald ◽  
JE Bowles
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Australian Bureau ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Liver And Kidney ◽  
Australian Sheep ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Improved Pasture

Cadmium (Cd) concentrations in 1663 liver, 1779 kidney and 2526 muscle samples were measured in a residue survey organised by the Australian Bureau of Rural Science at meatworks throughout Australia. Cadmium concentrations in livers and kidneys were also determined in sheep ranging in age from newly born to 112 months of age which had been grazed throughout life at high or low stocking rates on an improved pasture dressed annually with superphosphate. Concentrations of Cd in the residue survey averaged (with median) 0.30 (0.11), 0.96 (0.28) and 0.03 (0.01) mg/kg freshweight in ovine liver, kidney and muscle respectively; the corresponding values in cattle were 0.18 (0.08), 0.65 (0.24) and 0.03 (0.01) mg/kg. Concentrations in liver and kidney were greater in older than in younger animals, at high than at low stocking rates, and in South and Western Australia than in other States. Cadmium concentrations increase with age because ruminants are born with a low Cd burden, and much of the Cd ingested and absorbed thereafter is retained as Cd-metallothionein in the liver and kidney. It is postulated that differences in Cd levels between geographical regions, species and stocking rate are partially due to the consumption of soil that had been fertilised with superphosphate containing Cd. Hepatic and renal Cd concentrations were highly correlated and were assumed to reflect Cd intake; correlations with copper concentrations were generally small. Eight per cent of kidneys exceeded maximum permissible Cd concentrations for human consumption (2.5 mg/kg), but only 2% of liver and 1% of muscle samples exceeded the statutory maxima (1.25 and 0.2 mg/kg respectively).

Grazing studies on the Guadalcanal Plains, Solomon Islands. 2. Effects of pasture mixtures and stocking rate on animal production and pasture components

1981 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 353-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. E. Watson ◽  
P. C. Whiteman
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Solomon Islands ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Green Leaf ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Stocking Rates

SummaryAnimal production was compared on three pastures, Brachiaria mutica (para), B. decumbens (signal) and Panicum maximum cv. Hamil (hamil) each sown with a common legume mixture of Centrosemapubescens (centro), Macroptilium atropurpureum cv. Siratro, and Stylosanthes guianensis cv. Endeavour (stylo), at four stocking rates, 1·8, 21·87, 31·86, and 41·85 animals/ha, over 4 years on the GuadalcanalPlains, Solomon Islands.Mean live-weight gain per head over the four stocking rates and 4 years on para pastures was 01·847, on signal pastures 01·838, and on hamil pastures 01·828 kg/head/day. Mean production per hectare at the optimum stocking rates were: para at 3.6 animals/ha, 607 kg; signal at 31·86 animals/ha, 442 kg; hamil at 21·87 animals/ha, 362 kg/ha/year.The high stocking rates of 31·86 and 41·85 animals/ha caused the hamil pastures to decline to the stage where they were destocked in the 4th year of grazing.Superior production on para pastures was not simply related to green dry matter (GDM) on offer. In the 1st year of grazing, GDM was highest in hamil pastures, but in the 2nd year highest in para, and in the 3rd year mean yields were similar in all pastures, but were very low at the 31·86 and 41·85 animals/ha stocking rate in the hamil pastures.Para pastures maintained highest legume contents. The quadratic relationship between live-weight gain/head and legume content was significant over all pastures and stocking rates. Live-weight gain (LWG) per head increased up to 15% legume content, after which there was little change. Yield of green leaf, percentage green leaf, and sward bulk density did not appear to be related to LWG/head. Para pastures had lower values for all these components than the other pastures.Chemical factors contributed to the higher animal production from para pastures. Para leaf maintained consistently higher in vitro dry-matter digestibility values. Na content of para averaged 01·812%, whereas other species were 01·801 to 01·802%, and below the critical level (01·805%) for animal intake. N and S in leaf material, and Cu in total tops were also consistently higher in para grass.Results of this grazing trial suggest that selection of grass species on the basis of quality including dry-matter digestibility and mineral content, on ability to persist with increasing stocking rate, on compatibility with legumes, and on growth habit are more important than selection for dry-matter yield.

Effect of stocking rate on Rhodes grass-stylo pasture in the northern guinea savanna zone of Nigeria 2. pasture and sheep. Performance

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-63
Author(s):  
O. S. Onifade ◽  
I. F. Adu ◽  
J. O. Akinola
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Curvilinear Relationship ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Rhodes Grass ◽  
Green Material ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Grazing Period ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Stem Leaf

Mixed pastures of Rhodes grass (Chloris gavana cv. Callide) and Stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis cv. Cook) were evaluated at five stocking rate, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 rams/ha over five grazing periods at Shika, Nigeria. The pastures were continuously grazed for 154 to 210 days beginning from late ruiny into dry season (August 10 April). Dry matter yields of stem, leaf, stem + leaf of C. gayana, green material and total herbage declined (P<0.01) as stocking rate and grazing days increased. However, the differences in yields of green material and leaf of C. Igayana at P4 and 30 rams/ha were not significant over the grazing periods. Daily live weight gain (g/headd) was negatively and linearly related to stocking rate. Mean live weight gains at the lowest and highest stocking rates were + 52 and -1 g/head/d in the second grazing season and 62 and 24 g/head/d in the fifth grazing period. Mean live weight production/ha and optimum stocking rates (OSR) in the first, second, third, fourth and fifth grazing periods were: 61.2kg, 17.8 sheep/ha; 155.5kg; 20.4 sheep/ha; 186.2kg, 24.9 sheep/ha; 129.4kg, 21.2 sheep/ha and 200.2kg, 26.0 sheep/ha, respectively. A curvilinear relationship was obtained between live weight gain ha and stocking rate. This study indicated that sheep at the highest and lowest stocking rates will need supplementary feeds after 100 and 128 days, respectively, if grazing commenced just before the end of the rain.

Stocking rate trials in Ankole, Uganda: I. Weight gain of Ankole steers at intermediate and heavy stocking rates under different managements

1974 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 497-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. N. Harrington ◽  
D. Pratchett
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Brachiaria Decumbens ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Stocking Rates

SUMMARYA series of stocking rate trials running for differing periods between 1961 and 1972 are summarized. Weight gains of steers grazed at 2·4, 1·2, 0·8 and 0·6 ha/300 kg animal on Cymbopogon/Hyparrhenia/Themeda pasture are detailed. Subtreatments included continuous and rotational grazing and the removal of the unpalatable Cymbopogon afronardus.Weight gains at 0·6 ha/animal were higher than a linear relationship between stocking rate expressed as animals/ha and weight gain would predict. This was ascribed to the dominance of the high quality grass Brachiaria decumbens at this grazing pressure.Rotational grazing was less productive than continuous grazing, because C. afronardus increased more rapidly under this management, but there was less soil erosion. Removal of C. afronardus increased cattle growth rates and gains/ha by over 40% at 0·6 ha/animal. The cost of clearing this weed should be recovered in 2 years from a commercial cattle ranch. A grazing pressure of ca. 0·8 ha/animal is expected to maximize long-term profits on C. afronardus-free Ankole rangeland and in 3 years in this trial average gains of 0·29 kg/day/animal were achieved. This was an annual production level of 131 kg/ha/annum, which compared with 53 kg/ha at 2·4 ha/animal and 143 kg/ha at 0·6 ha/animal.

The influence of winter nutrition, grazing system and stocking rate on the performance of spring-calving Hereford × Friesian cows and their calves 2. Grazing system and stocking rate

1982 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Baker ◽  
J. M. Barker ◽  
Y. L. P. Le Du
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Calf Growth ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Friesian Cows

ABSTRACTForty-eight Hereford × Friesian cows and their South Devon calves were paddock grazed at high or low stocking rates of 412 or 206 cows and calves per ha in experiment 1, and either paddock grazed or set stocked at high or low stocking rates of 4·12 or 2·74 cows and calves per ha in experiments 2 to 4.There was no significant effect of grazing system on milk yield, milk composition or calf growth but in experiment 2 paddock-grazed cows gained more weight than those set stocked. Cows at low stocking rates gained more weight than those at high stocking rates and, in general, gave more milk. Calf growth rates were also higher at low stocking rates in experiments 1, 3 and 4 but not in experiment 2. Milk composition was not significantly affected by stocking rate. There were substantial increases in calf live-weight gain per ha at the high stocking rate but, because of a lower gain by cows, the differences in total live-weight gains per ha for cows and calves were much smaller.

The Effects of Perennial Grasses, Stocking Rate and Rainfall on Sheep Production in a Semi-Arid Woodland of Eastern Australia.

1999 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 199 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Freudenberger ◽  
A Wilson ◽  
R Palmer
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Green Leaf ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Semi Arid

A grazing study was conducted in a semi-arid mulga (Acacia aneura) woodland to determine the relative importance of variables controlling sheep production in this environment. The study was based on six sheep stocking rates (0.3-0.8 sheeplha) with the exclusion of other large herbivores including kangaroos and feral goats. The availability of forage and its components, together with the wool growth and live weight of the sheep were measured every three months for seven years from October 1986. Annual rainfall accounted for 60% of the annual variation in live weight gain per head and 79% of the variation in wool growth per head. Stocking rate accounted for an additional 10% of the variation. Rainfall accounted for this large proportion of variation by its strong influence on the yield of green leaf which accounted for 78% of the variation in live weight gain and 66% of the variation in wool growth. Green leaf was a determinant of sheep production because of its superior crude protein content and digestibility compared to dry leaf and stem. The species comprising this green leaf had an influence on sheep production only during drier years when the presence of palatable perennial grasses became important to sheep production. The frequency and yield of perennial grasses were greatly diminished at high stocking rates. This change in forage composition caused a decline in sheep productivity as detected by a loss of linearity in the relationship between stocking rate and live weight gainlhead. We conclude that adjusting stocking rates is required in this environment for maintenance of long-term sheep productivity and landscape function. The loss of palatable perennial C, grasses over much of the region has reduced livestock productivity and increased the variability in forage availability. Stock numbers should be adjusted at critical times to avoid losing perennial grasses that are important for sheep production in drier years. New grazing strategies are required to restore these grasses to the region.

The influence of size of animal and stocking rate on the herbage intake and grazing behaviour of cattle

1983 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. F. Zoby ◽  
W. Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Small Animals ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Large Animals ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Friesian Cattle ◽  
Grazing Behaviour

SUMMARYTwenty-four Friesian cattle classed as large, medium or small and from 776 to 163 kg initial live weight (LW) were grazed over two successive 8-week periods. Two stocking rates were imposed and there were four replicates. Trios of animals, including one of each size, grazed in each paddock. Cattle changed stocking rate in mid-season. Herbage intake, live-weight gain and grazing behaviour were recorded.The stocking rates resulted in large differences in herbage allowance and consequent differences in intake, live-weight gain and grazing behaviour. The large cattle were least able to compensate for the higher stocking rate by increasing grazing time or frequency of biting. Average herbage organic-matter (OM) intakes ranged from 13 g OM/kg LW for large animals to 28 g OM/kg LW for the small animals.

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