The effect of stocking rate on milk production from kikuyu grass pastures fertilized with nitrogen

1974 ◽  
Vol 14 (67) ◽  
pp. 155 ◽  
Author(s):  
RL Colman ◽  
AG Kaiser
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Annual Production ◽  
Dairy Production ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Unit Increase ◽  
Kikuyu Grass ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Stocking Rates

Dairy production was measured over two lactations on kikuyu grass pastures fertilized with 336 kg N ha-1year-1, at stocking rates from 2.47 to 4.94 cows ha-1. Mean butterfat production per cow was low, varying from 72 to 109 kg, and declined by 6.1 kg per cow (P < 0.05) for a unit increase in stocking rate. Annual production per hectare was high, reaching a maximum of 448 kg butterfat and increasing by 72.6 kg ha-1 (P < 0.01) for a unit increase in stocking rate. A supplement of crushed oats was fed at the highest stocking rate during early lactation. This increased production by up to 20 per cent. The stability of the system is discussed in relation to pasture productivity, soil fertility and animal production.

MAXIMIZING MILK PRODUCTION FROM PASTURE

1981 ◽  
pp. 82-91
Author(s):  
A.M. Bryant
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Dairy Production ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Limited Evidence ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Major Factors

Major factors influencing dairy production from pasture are briefly reviewed. Emphasis is on the results of New Zealand research on nutrition and management. Stocking rate, cow quality, liveweight' or condition at calving, level of feeding in early lactation, and nutritive value of pasture are considered to be important, but not grazing management during lactation. Limited evidence indicates that, in most instances, supplementary feeding during lactation is not economic. Modifications of management that are required as stocking rate increases are briefly discussed.

The intake and production of lactating Merino ewes and their lambs grazed at different stocking rates

1977 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 133 ◽  
Author(s):  
JP Langlands
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Milk Consumption ◽  
Total Organic Matter ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Maintenance Requirement ◽  
Stocking Rates

Grass and milk consumption and liveweight changes of lambs grazed at stocking rates ranging from 9 to 35 sheep/ha were measured during a 105 day lactation. Grass consumption and wool production of their mothers and of similar ewes without lambs were also determined. The forage and total organic matter intakes of the lamb increased with time while milk consumption declined; all three variables were negatively correlated with stocking rate. The intake of the ewe and its liveweight gain were not sensitive to increasing stocking rate, but wool production declined at higher stocking rates. The maintenance requirement of the ewes was estimated to be 218 kJ metabolizable energy/kg liveweight, and the efficiency with which metabolizable energy was utilized for milk production was 66%. Lactation increased the intake of the ewe but reduced its wool production.

Milk production from cows grazing on tropical grass pastures. 1. Effects of stocking rate and level of nitrogen fertilizer on the pasture and diet

1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 505 ◽  
Author(s):  
TM Davison ◽  
RT Cowan ◽  
RK Shepherd ◽  
P Martin
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Crude Protein Content ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Applied Nitrogen

A 3-year experiment was conducted at Kairi Research Station on the Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, to determine the effects of stocking rate and applied nitrogen fertilizer on the pasture yield and composition, diet selection by cows, and soil fertility of Gatton panic (Panicum maximum cv. Gatton) pastures. Thirty-two Friesian cows were used in a 4x2 factorial design: four stocking rates (2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 cows/ha), each at two rates of fertilizer application 200 and 400 kg N/ha.year. The higher rate of fertilization increased the pasture green dry matter on offer at all samplings (P < 0.01); the increase ranged from 1 106 kg/ha in summer to 548 kg/ha in spring. Green dry matter decreased ( P< 0.0 1) with increasing stocking rate, with mean yields of 3736 and 2384 kg/ha at 2.0 and 3.5 cows/ha, respectively. Weed yields increased over the 3 years at the higher stocking rates for pastures receiving 200 kg N/ha.year. The crude protein content of leaf and stem increased with increasing stocking rate and amount of applied nitrogen fertilizer. Values ranged from 12.1 to 26.5% of dry matter (DM) in leaf and from 3.7 to 13.8% DM in stem. In leaf, sodium concentration (range 0.05-0.20% DM) was increased, while phosphorus concentration (range 0.21-0.44% DM) was decreased by the higher rate of fertilizer application. Plant sodium and phosphorus levels were inadequate for high levels of milk production. Dietary leaf content and crude protein contents were consistently increased by both a reduced stocking rate, and the higher rate of fertilization. Cows were able to select for leaf and at the lowest stocking rate, leaf in the diet averaged 38%; while the leaf content of the pasture was 20%. Dietary leaf content ranged from 38 to 57% in summer and from 11 to 36% in winter. Dietary crude protein ranged from 13 to 15% in summer and from 7 to 11% in winter and was positively correlated with pasture crude protein content and dietary leaf percentage. Soil pH decreased (P<0.05) from an overall mean of 6.3 in 1976 to 6.1 at 200 N and 5.8 at 400 N in 1979. Soil phosphorus status remained stable, while calcium and magnesium levels were lower (P<0.01) after 3 years.

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.

Steer gains, pasture yield and pasture composition on native pasture and on native pasture oversown with Indian couch (Bothriochloa pertusa) at three stocking rates

1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (7) ◽  
pp. 755 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Grass ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Heteropogon Contortus ◽  
Native Pasture ◽  
Unit Increase ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Pasture Yield

Summary. Pasture production and steer liveweight gain were compared on native pasture (Bothriochloa decipiens, Heteropogon contortus, Themeda triandra and Chrysopogon fallax) and on native pasture oversown with Indian couch or Indian bluegrass (Bothriochloa pertusa). This grass was not a planned introduction to the area but is spreading in Central and North Queensland and its value as a pasture species is questioned by graziers. There were 3 nominal stocking rates of 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 steers/ha. Each paddock was stocked with 3 steers of stratified ages. The experiment was sown in March 1988 and terminated in June 1993. The experiment, sited 50 km south of Townsville in eucalypt woodland on a solodic-solodised-solonetz soil, was sown in March 1988 and terminated in June 1993. Increases in stocking rate resulted in a linear decline in both pasture yield (by 3–5 t/unit increase in stocking rate) and steer gains (by more than 100 kg/unit increase in stocking rate). Differences between pastures were apparent only at the medium and high stocking rates where, over time, Indian couch gave higher pasture yields and steer gains. Younger steers gained far more weight than older steers. Mean gains over 3 years were weaners 125 kg/year, yearlings 93 kg/year and 2-year-old steers 46 kg/year. Native pasture remained fairly stable botanically at the low stocking rate, but the tufted perennial grass species declined at both the medium and high stocking rates. Sowing Indian couch hastened the botanical changes due to stocking rate, and it became the dominant species at these higher stocking rates. At the low stocking rate, the contribution of Indian couch declined from initial values indicating that this is not an invasive species in the area at a low stocking rate. Contribution of Indian couch to pasture yield was linearly related to stocking rate. Nutritional quality of the Indian couch was similar to the other native perennial grasses though calcium concentration was higher. Increased steer gains were related to higher yield on Indian couch pastures at the higher stocking rates rather than to improved quality. Maximum liveweight gain/ha was achieved at about 0.6 steers/ha. Stocking at 0.9 steers/ha was not sustainable. Even at the low stocking rate, steers would need to spend about 2.8 years on the pastures after weaning to reach 500 kg liveweight. It was concluded that B. pertusa is a useful pasture grass in this environment giving steer gains equal to, or higher than, the gains from the native pasture which it replaced.

scholarly journals Simulating the impact of fertiliser strategies and prices on the economics of developing and managing the Cicerone Project farmlets under climatic uncertainty

2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (8) ◽  
pp. 806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Behrendt ◽  
James M. Scott ◽  
Oscar Cacho ◽  
Randall Jones
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
High Rainfall ◽  
Efficient Management ◽  
Fertiliser Application ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Future Management

The application of fertilisers to pastures in the high rainfall regions of southern Australia has contributed to large increases in carrying capacity following the widespread adoption of the practice since the late 1940s. Recently, large shifts in the worldwide demand for fertiliser inputs have lead to large rises in the cost of fertiliser inputs. These increasing costs have significant potential ramifications on the future management of soil fertility and its interaction with the persistence and profitability of sown pastures, especially during periods of climatic uncertainty. A dynamic pasture resource development simulation model was used to investigate the implications of fertiliser rates and costs on the efficient management of soil fertility under climatic uncertainty. The framework also allowed the investigation of how the management of soil fertility interacts with the utilisation of pasture resources through different stocking rates. In the application of this method to the Cicerone Project farmlets case study, fertiliser input costs were found to influence the optimal combination of fertiliser inputs and stocking rate. Analyses of the dynamic interaction between fertiliser application and cost, stocking rate and the persistence of desirable species enabled the identification of the most risk-efficient strategies. The implications for grazing industries in the high rainfall regions of southern Australia are discussed.

Pasture yield and composition changes in a Central Queensland black speargrass (Heteropogon contortus) pasture in relation to grazing management options

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 477 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Orr ◽  
W. H. Burrows ◽  
R. E. Hendricksen ◽  
R. L. Clem ◽  
M. T. Rutherford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Total Yield ◽  
Individual Plant ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Heteropogon Contortus ◽  
Diet Supplements ◽  
The Stability ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Pasture Yield

A grazing study commenced in 1988 at Calliope, Central Queensland, measured the effects of stocking rate, legume over-sowing and animal diet supplements/burning on pasture and animal production in a native black speargrass (Heteropogon contortus) pasture. This paper reflects on changes in yield and pasture composition between 1988 and 1996, during which time the seasonal rainfall was below average. At the pasture community scale, the highest stocking rate of 1 steer/2 ha reduced pasture yield but had little impact on pasture composition. The frequency of H. contortus showed no clear differences due to stocking rate although there was a slight overall trend for it to decline with time. The frequency of increaser species such asChloris divaricata was highest at the highest stocking rate. At the individual plant scale, the density of H. contortus plants declined at high stocking rate. The proportion of the sown legume Stylosanthes scabra cv. Seca increased with time reaching a density of 15 plants/m 2 and contributing 33% to the total yield in the legume treatments. Burning has reduced the occurrence of H. contortus compared with that in unburnt native pasture and this may be due to the stocking rates being too high following the fire. These results indicate the stability of pasture composition across a 4-fold range of stocking rates from 1988 to 1996. This study needs to continue, at least through a period of above average rainfall, to determine further effects of stocking rate and pasture type on pasture composition.

Stocking intensity and pastoral production: III. Wool production, fleece characteristics, and the utilization of nutrients for maintenance and wool growth by Merino sheep grazed at different stocking rates

1973 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Langlands ◽  
I. L. Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Live Weight ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Unit Increase ◽  
Rate Of Decline ◽  
Stocking Rates

SummaryWool production and wool characteristics are reported for a 5-year period in which sheep grazed Phalaris tuberosa–Trifolium repens pastures at stocking rates ranging from 2·5 to 37·1 sheep/ha. The utilization of nutrients for maintenance and wool production were calculated over shorter periods.Maximum wool production/ha was always recorded at the highest stocking rate attained. The highest annual maximum was 111 kg clean wool/ha in 1963–4. The decline in wool production/sheep/unit increase in stocking rate was greatest during winter and the amplitude of the seasonal rhythm in wool production increased with stocking rate.At high stocking rates wool count increased, staple length and character declined, colour and handle improved, soundness tended to decline and fibre entanglement (cotting) to increase particularly during drought. Live-weight gain/sheep also declined with stocking rate, the rate of decline being greatest during drought. Maximum live-weight change/ha was attained at a lower stocking rate than maximum wool production/ha.The maintenance requirement of grazing sheep was estimated to be 58·3 kcal metabolizable energy/day/kg live weight and did not vary consistently with stocking rate. The value was 79% greater than the requirements for penned sheep estimated from fasting heat production.Efficiency of wool production was defined as wool grown/100 g digestible organic matter intake (ED) and as wool grown/100 g nitrogen intake (EN). EN declined linearly with increasing stocking rate but the intercepts differed between months, and were least in late winter and early spring. En declined with stocking rate in winter and increased during summer. At low stocking rates, ED showed some variation throughout the year but this was much greater at high stocking rates.

An evaluation of the production potential of six tropical grasses under grazing. 3. Responses to set stocking rates under continuous grazing

1992 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 693 ◽  
Author(s):  
TR Evans ◽  
JB Hacker
Keyword(s):  
Animal Production ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Production Potential ◽  
Species Response ◽  
Highest Weight ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Average Rainfall ◽  
Kikuyu Grass ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Grazing Pressures

The response of 3 setaria cultivars, the setaria variety splendida, kikuyu grass, and pangola grass to stocking rates of 4-6 steers/ha under continuous grazing was evaluated over a 3-year period. On a year-round basis, averaged over stocking rates, liveweight gain per ha ranged from 822 kg on Narok (164 kg/steer) to 568 kg on Kazungula (114 kg/steer). Narok produced the highest weight gains in summer and winter (142 and 23 kg/steer, respectively). The greatest winter weight loss was from steers grazing Nandi and Kazungula (both -15 kg/steer). Animal production in a year of above-average rainfall, in both summer and winter periods, was markedly reduced overall, even though the quantity of feed on offer was increased. The year x grass interaction was statistically significant in summer, but year x stocking rate and grass x stocking rate were not. Species response to stocking rate showed a linear relationship between stocking rate and liveweight gain per steer, declining with increasing stocking rate, except for Narok setaria where the reverse occurred over the range of 4-6 steers/ha. The results of this experiment support those previously published on these 6 grasses and demonstrate the species potential for good levels of animal production per ha and their ability to withstand high grazing pressures and to maintain weed-free pastures.

scholarly journals Preliminary results of a grazing trial in the Syrian Steppe.

1967 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 198-206
Author(s):  
J.P.H. Van der Veen
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Desert Soil ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Experiment Station ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Wool Yield ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Stream Bed

A trial was begun in 1963 at the Wadi al A'azib Range and Sheep Experiment Station to compare stocking rates of 9.0, 6.0 and 4.5 ha/sheep on animal production (liveweight of ram and ewe lambs, milk production and unwashed wool yield) and on the composition and density of the vegetation which was classified into 5 units: (a) valley stream-bed and floodplain on alluvial silt, (b) valley terrace on higher floodplain, (c) Artemisia herbaalba associations on marly soils, (d) Haloxylon articulation associations in small valleys and on hill-slopes, (e) Haloxylon articulatum/Noea mucronata associations on shallow, stony, grey desert soil on folded limestone hills. Fresh herbage yields in 1964 were 3129, 1126, 1312 and 859 kg/ha for areas (a), (b), (d) and (e), respectively. Average yields were lower at the higher stocking rate in the drought year 1966, but results were generally inconclusive. It was concluded that, pending further work, a stocking rate of 4.5 ha/adult ewe would not seriously deplete the grazable herbage.-M.G.W. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)

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