Effect of flock size and grazing management on sheep production

1970 ◽  
Vol 10 (44) ◽  
pp. 271
Author(s):  
JR Donnelly ◽  
A Axelsen ◽  
FHW Morley
Keyword(s):  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
The Other ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Flock Size ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Grazed Pasture ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
Autumn And Winter

No effect of flock size on wool production was detected over twelve months in flocks of 3, 9, 27, or 135 sheep. Each flock was composed of equal numbers of Merino, Comeback, and Border Leicester X Merino weaners stocked at nine per acre on Phalaris tuberosa-Trifolium subterraneum pastures at Canberra. Liveweight gains and fleece weights of the sheep were similar whether they were set-stocked, rotated around three subdivisions of a rotationally grazed pasture, or in three flocks rotated around three subdivisions of a pasture, which was thus continuously grazed. These results indicate that rotation per se had no important effect on animal production. Merinos in mixed flocks, with Comebacks and Border Leicester X Merinos, gained significantly less weight during autumn and winter and significantly more weight during spring than Merinos in pure flocks at the same stocking rate. There were no differences between pure and mixed flocks in either of the other breeds.

Superphosphate utilization in clover ley farming. I. Effects on pasture and sheep production

1974 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 525 ◽  
Author(s):  
GD Kohn
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Wagga Wagga ◽  
First Year ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Ley Farming ◽  
Hordeum Leporinum ◽  
Sheep Production

From 1962 to 1966 an experiment was carried out at the Agricultural Research Institute, Wagga Wagga, N.S.W., with dry Merino sheep on an annual clover-grass pasture, in which the stocking rate and the rates of topdressing with superphosphate were varied. In the first year Trifolium subterraneum (subterranean clover) responded to superphosphate, particularly at the lowest stocking rates. In the following 2–3 years there was a change to Hordeum leporinum Link (barley grass) dominance. A greater amount of subterranean clover persisted over the years on the unfertilized plots than on the fertilized plots. Clover burr on these treatments was associated with better liveweight performance by sheep over the dry summer-autumn period. However, after the autumn rains germinating barley grass on the topdressed plots allowed rapid liveweight gains to be made by the sheep on those treatments. Greasy wool production per head, averaged over four shearings, was 4.81, 4.36 and 3.86 kg at 5, 10 and 15 sheep per ha respectively. Superphosphate had no significant effect on wool production. Liveweights decreased as the stocking rate increased. However, at a given stocking rate, the liveweight changes were influenced by changes in pasture composition induced by topdressing with superphosphate, as much as by total available pasture. It appears that in this clover ley farming area topdressing can be omitted in the pasture phase of a wool production system after 700 kg superphosphate ha-I have been applied to the soil.

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.

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.

An evaluation of cereal stubbles for sheep production

1976 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 881 ◽  
Author(s):  
JG Mulholland ◽  
JB Coombe ◽  
M Freer ◽  
WR McManus
Keyword(s):  
Plant Material ◽  
Green Plant ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Mineral Supplement ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
One Year ◽  
Cereal Residues ◽  
Stocking Rates

The production of young crossbred wethers grazing oat, barley and wheat stubbles was measured in each of three years at stocking rates ranging from 15 to 30/ha. In one year, production on 'weedy' stubbles was compared with that of 'clean' (weed-free) stubbles, and also the effect of a wheat–urea–mineral supplement on the production of sheep was measured on oat stubble. Liveweight change and wool production were significantly influenced by the availability of green plant material and by stocking rate, but not by supplementation. The maximum liveweight loss in any year was 7.5 kg and the maximum gain 6.0 kg, both recorded over 11 weeks' grazing. Mean daily clean wool production was 9.9 g/sheep at the lower stocking rate and 6.6 g/sheep at the higher rate, but production per hectare was 10–60% higher at the heavier stocking rate. The ranking of the crop stubbles with respect to animal production was not consistent from year to year. Intense selection for green plant material by sheep resulted in the proportion of green in the diet being nearly always greater than 80%, when the weight of this material on the plots was more than 40 kg dry matter/ha. It appeared that a low intake of nitrogen was not the main limitation to animal production. A maximum of only 36% of the crop residue which disappeared during the experiment could be accounted for as animal intake. Thus it is unlikely that the potential of cereal residues as a source of food for animal production will be realized with grazing sheep.

Effect of management system and stocking rate on the performance of ewes and lambs

1976 ◽  
Vol 16 (83) ◽  
pp. 810 ◽  
Author(s):  
BD Hill ◽  
DG Saville
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Management System ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
The Body ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Lamb Growth

A grazing experiment was conducted at Cowra, on the western slopes of New South Wales, on a pasture consisting of lucerne (Medicago sativa) and annual species including capeweed (Arctotheca calendula), barley grass (Hordeum leporinum). wimmera ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) . The performance of Border Leicesterx Merino ewes mated to Dorset Horn rams and the growth of their progeny was compared under rotational and set stocked grazing management systems, with and without a 20 per cent area of lucerne saved for grazing when additional feed was required. There was one stocking rate (8.7 ewes ha-1) in 1966 and two (8.7 ewes ha-1 and 13.0 ewes ha-1) in 1967 to 1969. Rotational grazing decreased the lamb growth rate but increased the number of lambs born. The management system did not affect the body weight or wool production of the ewes. Lucerne was quickly eliminated from the set stocked areas and was greatly reduced in the rotational systems. Capeweed became dominant in the set stocked areas. Saving increased the number of lambs born at the high stocking rate in 1967 to 1969. In 1966 saving reduced lamb growth, ewe body weight and wool growth in the rotational system. The high stocking rate increased wool production per hectare, but decreased the number of lambs born and, in 1967, the lamb growth rate.

Liveweight and wool growth of sheep in response to the quantity and botanical composition of annual pasture induced by nitrogen fertilizer and stocking treatments

1972 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1101 ◽  
Author(s):  
HL Davies ◽  
EAN Greenwood
Keyword(s):  
Ammonium Sulphate ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
First Year ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Nitrogen Concentrations ◽  
Sheep Production

For five years, three rates of ammonium sulphate (N0, N1, and N3: 0, 280, and 840 kg/ha/year) were applied as a split dressing to ,a pasture of Bromus mollis L. and Trifolium subterraneum L. which was continuously grazed by wethers set-stocked at 8.6 and 12.4 sheep/ha. The N0 treatment produced clover dominance, N1 a mixed sward, and N3 grass dominance. The higher stocking rate increased the proportion of clover in the mixed sward. These differences in botanical composition produced three significant effects on the relation between liveweight gain and quantity of green pasture on offer. An increase in the proportion of clover in the sward increased: (1) the quantity of herbage dry matter on offer required for liveweight maintenance; (2) the maximum rate of liveweight gain; (3) the quantity of dry matter on offer at the point of 90% maximum liveweight gain. Regressions of those three parameters on botanical composition accounted for over 90% of the variance. The effects of treatments on liveweight at other times of the year are also described. In the first year of grazing ammonium sulphate increased liveweight, apparently because of increased pasture on offer after emergence. In subsequent years the effect of ammonium sulphate was reversed: liveweight was reduced, and this was associated with lower nitrogen concentrations in, and lower quantities of, herbage produced. Wool elongation rates were greatest in spring and lowest prior to the germinating rains in autumn. Elongation rate was unaffected by stocking rate and only slightly affected by ammonium sulphate. From January to April, greatest elongation occurred on the grass-dominant N3 paddocks; from May to December greatest elongation occurred on the clover-dominant N0 paddocks. The implications of the role of nitrogen fertilizer in relation to sheep production in the winter rainfall regions of Australia are discussed.

Tactical versus continuous stocking in perennial ryegrass-subterranean clover pastures grazed by sheep in south-western Victoria. 1. Stocking rates and herbage production

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
pp. 1099 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Waller ◽  
P. W. G. Sale ◽  
G. R. Saul ◽  
G. A. Kearney
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Soil Fertility Status ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
Terminal Sire ◽  
Autumn And Winter ◽  
Stocking Rates

A 4-year field experiment was carried out in south-western Victoria to determine whether tactical stocking might improve perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) persistence and prime lamb production, compared with the more common practice of year-around continuous stocking. Tactical stocking consisted of variable length summer, autumn and winter rotations and continuous stocking in spring. The 2 grazing strategies were compared on 2 contrasting pastures: an upgraded pasture, sown with newer cultivars of perennial ryegrass and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) with 26 kg phosphorus/ha.year, and a more typical naturalised perennial ryegrass pasture receiving 6 kg phosphorus/ha.year. Paddocks were grazed by Border Leicester x Merino ewes, which were mated to a terminal sire to lamb in September. The effects of the grazing systems and pasture treatments on herbage production and stocking rate are presented in this paper. Herbage production was similar between the treatments, but tactical stocking significantly increased herbage mass during the growing season (P<0.05) compared with continuous stocking. In spring each year, the herbage mass generally exceeded 3000 kg dry matter/ha in tactically stocked paddocks and averaged 500–900 kg dry matter/ha higher than the mass on continuously stocked paddocks. This enabled the year-round stocking rate to be increased by an average of 9% over the 4 years of the experiment. We considered that the stocking rates could not be further increased, despite the higher herbage mass in spring, as stock reduced the dry herbage to a low residual mass by the opening rains in autumn. In contrast, stocking rates averaged 51% higher on the upgraded pasture compared with the typical pasture over the 4 years of the experiment. This indicates that pasture improvement and soil fertility status have a much greater impact on productivity than changes to grazing method. However, tactical stocking was able to increase the sustainability of prime lamb production on upgraded pastures in a dry summer climate, by maintaining herbage cover on the paddocks over the summer–autumn period.

Superphosphate on perennial pastures. I. Effects of a pasture response on sheep production

1977 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 991 ◽  
Author(s):  
ML Curll
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
South Wales ◽  
History Of ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
Gross Margins

From 1973 to 1975 in the Mediterranean environment of southern New South Wales, superphosphate was applied annually at four rates (0, 62, 125 and 250 kg ha-1) to an established perennial pasture with a substantial history of superphosphate use. The pasture was continuously grazed by Border Leicester × Merino ewes (at 10 and 13.3 ha-1), so that plant growth responses to superphosphate could be assessed in sheep production terms and an estimate made of the monetary value of these responses. Growth rate of unfertilized pastures declined over the experimental period, and depending on the quantity of superphosphate applied and stocking rate, responses of fertilized pastures ranged from 20 to 36% in 1973, 28 to 157% in 1974 and 75 to 233% in 1975. From having similar proportions of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum), pastures tended towards clover dominance with little (62 kg ha-1) or no superphosphate, particularly at high stocking rate, and to grass dominance at higher rates of superphosphate, particularly at low stocking rate. By increasing the level of available pasture, superphosphate increased wool production and ewe liveweight, lambs reared, their growth rate and the percentage that reached marketable weight (32 kg). These trends were similar at both stocking rates. Significant quadratic response relationships existed between these parameters and rate of superphosphate. Withholding superphosphate caused a progressive reduction in gross margins of about 37% over the 3 year trial period, while its application increased gross margins, relative to those from unfertilized pastures, by a maximum 10, 42, and 140% for the first, second and third year respectively. It is suggested that these pasture responses calibrated in animal production terms may be extended to other situations most effectively by using the data to test and improve tentative models used to predict fertilizer requirements.

The impact of rabbits on a grazing system in eastern New South Wales. 2. Sheep production

2002 ◽  
Vol 42 (7) ◽  
pp. 917 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. S. Fleming ◽  
J. D. Croft ◽  
H. I. Nicol
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
The Body ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
Short Term Experiment ◽  
The Impact

Much research, time and money have been invested in the control of rabbits in Australia, yet the relationship between rabbit density and livestock production losses has not been quantified. We experimentally investigated the variations in sheep production parameters caused by 4 densities of rabbits, 0, 24, 48 and 72 rabbits/ha. Medium to strong wool merino wethers were run at a constant stocking rate in replicated plots with rabbits at 4� different densities. Sheep liveweight and body condition and wool production variables were measured over 3�years. Low to medium densities of rabbits were not found to reduce liveweights of wethers, whereas wethers run with the high density of rabbits were significantly lighter. The presence of rabbits reduced the body condition of sympatric sheep with the lowest body condition recorded at the high rabbit density. Mean greasy fleece weights, wool yields and clean-fleece weights were significantly different between densities of rabbits. Wethers run with the high rabbit density grew less wool than the wethers run with the other 3 densities of rabbits. The cumulative gross return per ha from wool production was highest for the medium rabbit density and lowest at high rabbit density. At the conclusion of this short-term experiment, the presence of some rabbits enhanced returns from wool production because of lower fibre diameter and comparable clean-fleece weights of fleeces grown at low and medium rabbit densities. These production characteristics might have been caused by synergistic effects on pasture growth or a sheep stocking rate that was too conservative for the prevailing seasonal conditions. At high rabbit density, competition for pasture between rabbits and sheep overrode possible synergistic and understocking effects. The economic implications of the presence of rabbits on merino sheep production are discussed.

Evaluation of natural annual pastures at Trangie in central western New South Wales. 1. Sheep production

1973 ◽  
Vol 13 (62) ◽  
pp. 238
Author(s):  
RJ Campbell ◽  
DG Saville ◽  
GE Robards
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Sheep Wool

Natural annual pasture at Trangie, New South Wales, was set stocked from August, 1967 to December 1970 at rates of 2.5, 3.7, and 4.9 merino wethers per ha to determine an optimum stocking rate for the pasture type. All stocking rates were supported without the necessity to hand feed any sheep. Wool production per head was reduced significantly by increased stocking rate in 1968, but not in 1969 and 1970. The suppression of barley grass at the higher stocking rates appeared to benefit animal production in 1969. Substitution of portion of the natural annual pasture with areas of lucerne or natural perennial pasture was also investigated and found to be ineffective in increasing wool production per head above that of wethers at similar rates of stocking on natural annual pasture alone. Possible reasons for the apparent failure of the grazing supplements, particularly lucerne, are discussed in terms of grazing pressure and management strategies.

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