Herbage intake and production of Merino sheep grazing native and improved pastures at different stocking rates

1974 ◽  
Vol 14 (68) ◽  
pp. 307 ◽  
Author(s):  
JP Langlands ◽  
JE Bowles
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Native Pastures ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Improved Pasture

Estimates were made of the herbage intake, nutritive value of the diet, liveweight, wool production, efficiency of wool production and fleece characteristics of fine wool merino sheep grazing native pastures at stocking rates of 1.9, 3.7 and 5.6 sheep ha-1. The effects of increased stocking rates on these variables, and differences between improved and native pastures were examined by regression analysis. Organic matter digestibility declined with increasing stocking rate and was consistently less on native than on improved pasture as were the N content and the ratio, N : organic matter digestibility in the diet. Organic matter intake/sheep did not differ between pasture types or stocking rates, but digestible organic matter, digestible nitrogen and nitrogen intakes were less on native pasture, and paralleled seasonal changes in nutritive value, minimum values being recorded in late winter. Both wool production/sheep and liveweight were greater on improved pastures. Wool production ha-1 was 4 to 10 times greater on improved than on native pastures at stocking rates at which wool production/sheep were similar. Efficiency of wool production expressed as g wool/100 g digestible organic matter consumed was greater on improved pasture but when expressed/100 g nitrogen intake, sheep grazing native pasture were more efficient. Possible reasons are discussed. The maintenance requirements for energy appeared to be similar on both types of pasture. Fleeces produced on native pastures were generally lighter with shorter staple lengths, and appeared to be one spinning count finer than those produced on improved pasture. They were also superior in terms of softness and colour but were less uniform.

Stocking intensity and pastoral production: II. Herbage intake of Merino sheep grazed at different stocking rates

1973 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Langlands ◽  
I. L. Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Pastoral Production ◽  
Drought Conditions ◽  
Asymptotic Relationship ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
The Relationship

SummaryEstimates were made at monthly intervals between January and December 1965 of the intake and nutritive value of the diet of unmated Merino ewes grazed continuously at stocking rates ranging from 2·5 to 37·1 sheep/ha. Oesophageally fistulated sheep were used to estimate intake and nutritive value.Drought conditions existed during the experiment. Digestibility declined linearly with increasing stocking rate. The intercepts of the relationship between digestibility and stocking rate differed between months, being at a maximum in spring. Nitrogen content was also greatest in spring but did not change consistently with increasing stocking rate. Organic-matter intake declined linearly with stocking rate and increased asymptotically with total herbage available, the asymptotic relationship being the more precise. Neither relationship differed significantly between months. Organicmatter intake/ha increased continuously with increasing stocking rate and the maximum intake was predicted to occur at a stocking rate greater than that at which the sheep survived.

Stimulation of wool growth by thyroxine implantation. II. Feed intake of grazing Merino wethers treated repeatedly with thyroxine.

1964 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 676 ◽  
Author(s):  
LJ Lambourne
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Maintenance Requirements ◽  
Substantial Rise ◽  
Stimulation Of

Estimates have been made of the feed intake of wethers that received implantations of 60 mg thyroxine every 3 months, and of untreated sheep, grazing together. The estimated intake of digestible organic matter (D.O.M.) by treated wethers was higher than that of controls in 24 out of 27 measurement periods. The difference in feed intake was least in the iirst month after implantation, when the treated sheep lost weight, and greatest in the second and third months when the treated sheep were regaining weight. The overall increase in intake resulting from thyroxine treatment (20–25%) was greater than the increase in wool production (7% greasy weight, 3-7 % clean weight), and the efficiency of wool production was therefore lower in thyroxinetreated wethers. From the relationships between feed intake and rate of weight change it was concluded that in the month after implantation, when pulse rates indicated a substantial rise in metabolic rate, the maintenance feed requirement was raised from about 560 g to about 780 g D.O.M. per day. Observations in two winters with recently shorn sheep gave estimates of maintenance requirements for untreated wethers ranging from 850 to 1300 g D.O.M. per day. During recovery from repeated thyroxine implantation the wethers gained in weight no more efficiently than the controls. The mechanism of action of exogenous thyroxine is discussed in the light of these and other data.

Studies in the wool production of grazing sheep. 4. Variation between sheep in intake, wool production, and efficiency

1966 ◽  
Vol 6 (20) ◽  
pp. 96 ◽  
Author(s):  
WR McManus ◽  
GW Arnold ◽  
ML Dudzinski
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Grazing Sheep ◽  
Stocking Rates

The results of a three-year experiment with Merino wethers grazed at four stocking rates were examined. There were consistent differences between individual sheep at all times of the year in their intake of digestible organic matter (DOMI), clean wool production (WP), and in their efficiency of conversion of food to wool (E). Within stocking rates there were no consistent relationships between DOMI and WP.

A comparison of the forage value for sheep of buckwheat and sorghum stubbles grown on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales

1979 ◽  
Vol 19 (98) ◽  
pp. 297 ◽  
Author(s):  
JG Mulholland ◽  
JB Coombe
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
New South ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Weight Losses ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Forage Value ◽  
Stocking Rates

Two grazing experiments were conducted to evaluate buckwheat and sorghum stubbles as forage for sheep. The stubbles were stocked by young crossbred wethers at 10 and 20 ha-1 for 55 days on the buckwheat and 81 days on the sorghum. Measurements were made at regular intervals of the availability and composition of plant material, diet selection, the intake of digestible organic matter (DOM) and liveweight change, while wool production was measured over each experimental period. More than one-third of the sheep grazing buckwheat stubble were affected by fagopyrism (buckwheat poisoning) and this probably reduced both liveweight gain and wool production. Buckwheat residues had a similar nitrogen content to sorghum (1 .0% vs 0.87%), but a lower organic matter digestibility (43.7% vs 57.1%). Mature buckwheat plants were not eaten readily. Mean liveweights of sheep on buckwheat stubble declined throughout the experimental period and overall changes were -3.8 and -7.0 kg for the low and high stocking rates, respectively. Corresponding values for sheep on sorghum stubble were 0.3 and -4.6 kg, although weight losses at the higher stocking rate did not occur until after 40 days grazing. For the same length of grazing as the buckwheat (55 days) the liveweight changes for sorghum were 0.2 and -1.2 kg, respectively. Wool growth rate was low for both stubbles but was more than 60% higher for sheep on the sorghum. Values for each stocking rate were 3.86 and 2.67 (g clean dry wool day-1) for the buckwheat, and 5.39 and 4.33 for the sorghum. It was concluded that sorghum stubble is a useful source of grazing for sheep on the Southern Tablelands but buckwheat stubble, because of its low acceptability, poor nutritional value and the risk of fagopyrism, is of very limited value.

Efficiency of wool production of grazing sheep. 3. The use of sulphur-containing amino acids to stimulate wool growth

1970 ◽  
Vol 10 (47) ◽  
pp. 665 ◽  
Author(s):  
JP Langlands
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Peritoneal Cavity ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Grazing Sheep ◽  
Native Pastures

Merino sheep grazing native and improved pastures were given up to 2.2 g DL-methionine each day through an abomasal cannula. Wool growth of sheep grazing improved and native pastures was increased significantly by up to 30 and 41 per cent respectively. Nine sheep with abomasal camulae were maintained in pens, and were infused into the abomasum with 7 g DL-methionine per week given on either one, two, or seven days each week. Wool growth was significantly increased by daily infusions of DL-methionine but the response was less when the methionine was given on only one or two days each week. Dorset Horn wethers were given single injections of up to 50 g DL-methionine or L-cystine subcutaneously or into the peritoneal cavity. The rate of excretion of urinary sulphur was recorded following the injection. DL-methionine was rapidly excreted but L-cystine was excreted more slowly. In a series of trials quantities of DL-methionine, methionine hydroxy analogue (MHA) or L-cystine were injected subcutaneously or intra-peritoneally into grazing Merino sheep. DL-methionine did not increase wool growth and MHA was toxic. Twenty-eight g L-cystine given as two compressed pellets each month into the peritoneal cavity increased wool growth by approximately 22 per cent over the 8-week experim6ntal period.

Effect of pasture availability and shearing stress on herbage intake of grazing sheep

1963 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 364 ◽  
Author(s):  
JL Wheeler ◽  
TF Reardon ◽  
LJ Lambourne
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Cold Stress ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Shearing Stress ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Grazing Sheep ◽  
Index Methods

Digestible organic matter (D.O.M.) intakes of sheep grazing various pastures were measured by faecal index methods in three 4- to 6-week experiments. No correlation could be found between the weight of pasture available (over the range 150–2900 Ib dry weight per acre of green herbage) and the D.O.M. intake of sheep. During two experiments the sheep were shorn. Shortly after, voluntary D.O.M. intakes rose significantly by 42–62%. Concurrently the hay intake of other sheep yarded nearby rose by 20–51% following shearing. Cold stress is probably responsible for these increases.

Studies in the wool production of grazing sheep. 1. Seasonal variation in feed intake, liveweight and wool production

1964 ◽  
Vol 4 (15) ◽  
pp. 392 ◽  
Author(s):  
GW Arnold ◽  
WR McManus ◽  
IG Bush
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
First Year ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Annual Grasses ◽  
Stocking Rates

A four year experiment is described in which Merino wethers were continuously grazed on Phalaris- subterranean clover pasture containing some annual grasses, at three rates for a year and at four rates in subsequent years. For the first year of the experiment a pasture of annual grasses and subterranean clover was also studied at three stocking rates. From the time that the eco-systems that were established reached an equilibrium there was rarely less than 2500 lb of herbage dry-matter an acre available on the lowest stocking rate and rarely more than 1000 lb an acre on the highest stocking rate. There was a significant difference in wool cut per head only in the first year ; over the last three years of the experiment it was slightly lower on the highest and lowest stocking rates than on the intermediate stocking rate. Wool production per acre was proportional to stocking rate. Large seasonal fluctuations were recorded in estimated digestible organic matter intake, liveweight, and wool production. Peaks of intake, liveweight gain, and wool production occurred in autumn and spring but at different dates at different stocking rates. At all but the highest stocking rate, wool production per unit time was lower in summer than in winter. Estimated herbage intake increased with decreasing availability of pasture. Digestibility of the diet, availability of pasture, and body condition of the sheep appeared to affect intake. Despite a higher estimated herbage intake on the higher stocking rate treatments, wool production was no higher.

A note on herbage intake by Greyface ewes on perennial ryegrass white clover swards in the autumn

1991 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Gunn ◽  
J. M. Doney ◽  
W. F. Smith ◽  
A. D. M. Smith ◽  
D. A. Sim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Long Term Effect ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Stocking Rates

The effects on herbage intake of changes of herbage mass associated with different stocking rates were studied in Greyface (Border Leicester × Scottish Blackface) ewes in the autumn. Intake was measured in 5-day periods in late September (PI), late October (P2) and late November (P3) on two established, perennial ryegrass/white clover swards (SI and S2). Both swards had previously been variably stocked to produce areas with a range in herbage masses, some of which were grazed continuously (G) at stocking rates declining from 18 to 6 ewes per ha.Intake was also measured in P2 and P3 on other areas of the swards which were ungrazed for 6 weeks in September and October (C) and then stocked at 18 ewes per ha. Intakes of dry matter, organic matter and digestible organic matter were 16 g, 10 g and 7·5 g/kg live weight, respectively. Organic matter digestibility was 075 in PI and P2 but declined in P3.Differences in herbage intake and digestibility arose largely because of differences between the swards in herbage mass, sward height and sward density. Ewes in condition scores > 3·00 in early September had lower intakes at all times than did thinner ewes. Changes in sward management associated with different strategies of use had little long-term effect on herbage intake. Keywords: digestibility, herbage, sheep, stocking rate.

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.

scholarly journals Rejuvenation affects nutritive value of long-established tame forages

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 621-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. A. Lardner ◽  
S. B. M. Wright ◽  
R. D. H. Cohen ◽  
P. Curry ◽  
L. MacFarlane
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Practical Method ◽  
Black Soil ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Burn Treatment ◽  
Animal Data ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Site

Rejuvenation of forage stands is probably the most economic and practical method to improve production and quality of forage stands. Animal data are ultimately needed to validate the viability of the rejuvenation technique. This study determined animal responses to changes in forage nutrient composition following three methods of rejuvenation. Smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) hay was harvested from rejuvenated plots on Black Chernozemic and Gray Luvisolic soils in Saskatchewan and fed to 24 ram lambs. The hay was harvested at two stages of maturity from plots that underwent the following rejuvenation techniques, selected to provide a range of responses: deep-banded liquid plus broadcast granular fertilizer (providing 200 kg N ha-1, 90 kg P2O5 ha-1, 46 kg K2O ha-1, 24 kg S ha-1), spring burn, and control. As maturity advanced, digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) (g d-1 kg-0.75) decreased (P < 0.05) for all diets harvested from burn and fertilizer plots. DMI (g d-1) and DOMI were always greater (P < 0.05) for hay (both early or late harvest) from the rejuvenated plots than from control plots. Grass-legume hay harvested early from spring burn treatment from the Gray Luvi solic soil site had a greater (P < 0.05) voluntary intake, (85.4 g d-1 kg-0.75) as compared with forage from control plots (76.2 g d-1 kg-0.75). Apparent digestibilities of DM and organic matter were greater (P < 0.01) for early harvested forage from control plots at the Gray Luvisolic soil site than early harvested hay from the fertilized plots. Metabolizable energy content was higher (P < 0.05) for early harvested hay from burn and fertilized plots at the Black soil site than hay from control plots. These results suggest that existing forage species, if harvested early, can be responsive to rejuvenation, resulting in improved animal performance. Key words: Rejuvenation, fertilizer, burn, lamb, grass-legume hay

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document