Beef production from lucerne and subterranean clover pastures. 2. Bloat occurrence and effect of anti-bloat capsules

1980 ◽  
Vol 20 (107) ◽  
pp. 688 ◽  
Author(s):  
RD FitzGerald ◽  
EC Wolfe ◽  
RH Laby ◽  
DG Hall

Over 3 years (1975-77), the occurrence of bloat was recorded in steers grazing two legumedominant pastures, one (LC) containing lucerne (Medicago sativa) and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) and the other (C) subterranean clover. The effect of intraruminal capsules on both the occurrence of sub-lethal bloat and liveweight gain was assessed in spring 1976 (anti-bloat capsules), and in spring 1977 (anti-bloat and monensin capsules, singly and together). In unprotected steers, bloat occurred only during winter or early spring on both pastures. Over the 3 years, seven steers died from bloat on LC, and three on C. Sub-lethal bloat (rumen distention) was more frequent and severe on LC than on C in 1975 and 1976. However, in 1977 it was more frequent on LC in June-July, but more frequent on C in August-September; there was no difference in severity between pastures. The anti-bloat capsules halved the rumen distention index and improved liveweight gain by an average of 0.2-0.3 kg/head day-1 for short periods in October 1976 and August 1977. The results with monensin capsules were inconclusive. Bloat occurrence is discussed in relation to pasture and environmental conditions, and to beef production on lucerne-clover and clover pastures.

1955 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 673 ◽  
Author(s):  
KD McLachlan

Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) was grown on 32 virgin soils in pot cultures, and the yield responses to phosphorus, sulphur, and molybdenum were determined for each soil. The soils were collected from a wide area in eastern Australia, extending from south-western Victoria to southern Queensland. Sulphur deficiency occurred almost as frequently as phosphorus deficiency. In fact, 75 per cent. of the soils were deficient in both phosphorus and sulphur. Thirty-one per cent. were deficient in all three elements. The effect of the interaction between the elements on the occurrence and intensity of the deficiencies is shown. Molybdenum responses were obtained only after the other deficiencies had been corrected. A deficiency in one of the elements is no indication of deficiency or sufficiency of either of the other two. There was no correlation between the occurrence or intensity of the deficiencies and the geological origin of the soil parent material, the climate of the regions from which the soils were collected, or such soil characters as colour, organic matter, and texture. Responses to phosphorus were less on the black earths than on the red or yellow podzolic soils; those on the red earths were intermediate. The intensity of sulphur deficiency increased, and the intensity of molybdenum deficiency decreased, with increasing soil pH.


1999 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 1047 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Dear ◽  
M. B. Peoples ◽  
P. S. Cocks ◽  
A. D. Swan ◽  
A. B. Smith

The proportions of biologically fixed (Pfix) plant nitrogen (N) and the total amounts of N2 fixed by subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) growing in pure culture and in mixtures with different densities (5, 10, 20, or 40plants/m2) of newly sown phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.) or lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) were followed over 3 years in a field study using the 15N natural abundance technique. The amount of fixed N in subterranean clover was linearly related to shoot biomass. Over the 3-year period, subterranean clover fixed 23–34 kg N/t shoot biomass compared with 17–29 kg N/t shoot biomass in lucerne. Based on above-ground biomass, pure subterranean clover fixed 314 kg N/ha over the 3 years compared with 420–510 kg N/ha by lucerne–clover mixtures and 143–177 kg N/ha by phalaris–clover mixtures. The superior N2 fixation by the lucerneŒsubterranean clover mixtures was due to the N fixed by the lucerne and the presence of a higher subterranean clover biomass relative to that occurring in the adjacent phalaris plots. In the first year, 92% of subterranean clover shoot N was derived from fixation compared with only 59% of lucerne. The reliance of clover upon fixed N2 remained high (73–95%) throughout the 3 years in all swards, except in pure subterranean clover and lucerne in August 1996 (56 and 64%, respectively). Subterranean clover usually fixed a higher proportion of its N when grown in mixtures with phalaris than with lucerne. The calculated Pfix values for lucerne (47–61% in 1995 and 39–52% in 1996) were consistently lower than in subterranean clover and tended to increase with lucerne density. Although lucerne derived a lower proportion of its N from fixation than subterranean clover, its tissue N concentration was consistently higher, indicating it was effective at scavenging soil mineral N. It was concluded that including lucerne in wheat-belt pastures will increase inputs of fixed N. Although lucerne decreased subterranean clover biomass, it maintained or raised Pfix values compared with pure subterranean clover swards. The presence of phalaris maintained a high dependence on N2 fixation by subterranean clover, but overall these swards fixed less N due to the lower clover herbage yields. Perennial and annual legumes appear compatible if sown in a mix and can contribute more N2 to the system than where the annual is sown alone or with a perennial grass. These findings suggest that increases in the amount of N2 fixed can be achieved through different legume combinations without interfering greatly with the N fixation process. Different combinations may also result in more efficient use of fixed N2 through reduced leaching. Further work looking at combinations of annuals possibly with different maturity times, different annual and perennial legume combinations, and pure combinations of perennial (e.g. lucerne) could be investigated with the aim of maximising N2 fixation and use. Grazing management to encourage clover production in mixtures with phalaris will be necessary before the potential of subterranean clover to contribute fixed N2 in these swards is fully realised.


1968 ◽  
Vol 8 (35) ◽  
pp. 702 ◽  
Author(s):  
DF Smith

Mixed swards of barley grass (Hordeum leporinum) and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) of two densities were grown at two levels of nitrogen. Growth was started at two different times mid- April and mid-May-and at each time half the plots were subjected to moisture stress. The swards were harvested after nine weeks of growth. The survival of clover plants was reduced by an early start, moisture stress and nitrogen addition : much more so than barley grass. The root : shoot ratios of both species were calculated ; both showed some sensitivity to the time of break and moisture stress, and the grass was also affected by the other two factors. Total sward production and the ratios of clover to grass varied widely Grass daminance was favoured by moisture stress or a late break, and both of these factors tended to override the effect of higher soil nitrogen in determining clover-grass balance. Total sward production more dependent on density than any other factor, especially with the later start. Higher nitrogen was effective in boosting production only if the break was early and there was no moisture stress.


1972 ◽  
Vol 12 (57) ◽  
pp. 392 ◽  
Author(s):  
AA McGowan ◽  
IH Cameron

The effect of time of application of superphosphate on the dry matter produced from a subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum)annual grass pasture was studied. Treatments involved an annual topdressing of superphosphate, at 125 kg ha-1, in a particular month of the year, for each of the twelve months ; there was also an unfertilized control. In winter, dry matter yield was increased by 350-1190 kg ha-1 when superphosphate was applied at any time of the year. Winter yields were higher after application in January to May (mean 1570 kg ha-1) than in October to December (mean 1190 kg ha-1) or in June-July (mean 1230 kg ha-1). In spring, the greatest increases in dry matter yield were from topdressing in August or September (1600 and 1210 kg ha-1 respectively). Spring yields following application in other months were smaller but usually significantly greater than the yield of unfertilized pasture. The response to autumn application of superphosphate was much greater in winter than in spring. This was not due to a lower phosphorus requirement by the pasture in spring than in winter.


1967 ◽  
Vol 7 (24) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
GB Taylor ◽  
RC Rossiter

Seed production and persistence of the Carnamah, Northam A, Dwalganup, and Geraldton strains of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) were examined in undefoliated swards in the wheatbelt of Western Australia. The early flowering characteristic of Carnamah was not always associated with higher seed yields. Only when there was a well-defined, early finish to the growing season, or when flowering was very much earlier in Carnamah (viz., following an early 'break' to the season), did this strain clearly outyield both Northam A and Geraldton. The seed yield of Dwalganup was generally inferior to that of the other strains. Factors affecting regeneration are discussed. Under low rainfall conditions, poorer germination-regulation of Carnamah, compared with Geraldton and Northam A, would be expected to result in poorer persistence unless offset by higher seed yields in the Carnamah strain.


2016 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 69 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. McCaskill ◽  
M. C. Raeside ◽  
S. G. Clark ◽  
C. MacDonald ◽  
B. Clark ◽  
...  

Pastures sown to lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) with a perennial non-legume could increase feed supply relative to traditional pastures based on subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.). Such mixtures might also be preferable to pure lucerne pastures, which are prone to weed invasion. Yield and water-use efficiency (harvested dry matter per unit evapotranspiration) of mixtures with lucerne or subterranean clover were compared a field experiment established under rainfed conditions at Hamilton, Victoria. Soil moisture and dry matter production were measured over 2 years. Treatments included chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Shreb.) with either lucerne or subterranean clover; pure lucerne; and phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) with only subterranean clover. In the second year, dry matter production from lucerne mixtures exceeded that of equivalent mixtures with subterranean clover in spring, summer and winter. In spring, the lucerne component continued producing for longer than the clover component through its use of deeper stored soil water, and in summer, lucerne continued to grow slowly after the grass component had entered a drought-induced dormancy. In winter, the contribution from the lucerne component complemented, rather than competed with, that from the non-legume component. Water-use efficiencies during winter–spring ranged from 4 kg ha–1 mm–1 for chicory–clover to 27 kg ha–1 mm–1 for a fescue–lucerne mixture, and during summer–autumn from nil for cocksfoot–clover to 13 kg ha–1 mm–1 for a fescue–lucerne mixture. This study demonstrates that lucerne-based mixtures can increase forage supply per unit water use relative to traditional pastures based on subterranean clover.


1952 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 300 ◽  
Author(s):  
JJ Yates ◽  
NH Brittan

Somatic chromosome number and morphology in certain strains of subterranean clover and in species of several other fairly closely related genera have been observed. Dwalganup, Yarloop, Mt. Barker, Wenigup, Burnerang, and Red Leaf strains have each 16 fairly small chromosomes, the chromosome complexes being similar to one another and to that obtained by Wexelsen (1928) for the species. Palestine and Israel strains have each 12 large chromosomes, bearing no apparent relationship to those of the other strains but being the same in number and of a similar order of size to those found in Vicia sativa. Chromosome number and morphology may explain the failure to obtain intervarietal crosses involving Palestine, but not the low percentage of successful crosses between other strains. It is suggested that perhaps Palestine and Israel may be more correctly classed as strains of a separate species and that, with regard to their origin, Wexelsen's idea of mutational changes in isolated species offers probably the best explanation.


1980 ◽  
Vol 20 (107) ◽  
pp. 678 ◽  
Author(s):  
EC Wolfe ◽  
RD FitzGerald ◽  
DG Hall ◽  
OR Southwood

The production and management of weaner steers on two pasture types were studied over 3 years at Wagga Wagga in southern New South Wales. One pasture (LC) was sown with a mixture of lucerne (Medicago sativa) and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) and the other (C) was sown only with subterranean clover. On each pasture the management treatments were 1.3 and 2.0 steers ha-' in 1975, and 2.1 and 3.0 steers ha-1 in 1976 and 1977, with a grain supplement at the heavier stocking rate in all years. Each year, steers gained more liveweight in February-March or April-May on LC than on C, and this advantage was maintained or increased until slaughter in the following January. The faster growth of steers on lucerne-clover was always associated with an increased supply of green herbage. Annual liveweight gain on LC exceeded that on C by 20-30 kg/head in 1975 and 1977, and by up to 90 kg/head in 1976, when the rainfall pattern was unsuitable for clover growth. Carcases from steers on LC were heavier (all years), covered with a greater depth of fat (1 975 and 1976) and showed better eye muscle development (1 76 and 1977) than those on C. In 1975, neither stocking rate nor supplementary feeding affected liveweight or carcase development. In the following 2 years, increasing the stocking rate from 2 to 3 steers ha-1 reduced annual liveweight gains by 35-40 kg/head. Oat grain supplements (2-3 kg/head day-1 in February-March, June-July and December-January) improved weight gains and carcase quality on both pasture types in 1977, but only on C in 1976


1954 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 356 ◽  
Author(s):  
WM Hutton ◽  
JW Peak

Induced autotetraploidy in the Dwalganup variety of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) resulted in total dry weight increases of 60 and 65.5 per cent. at flowering and maturity respectively. In the other four varieties the tetraploids had decreased yields of dry matter compared with the diploids, although the decreases for leaf weights at flowering were nonsignificant in Mount Barker and Tallarook, as was the total dry weight reduction in Tallarook at maturity. There were no significant differences between the diploids and tetraploids in percentage moisture content. When early development was stimulated by growth in a glass-house, the tetraploids of all varieties showed a significant increase in yield of green matter. The level of increased growth was maintained only in Dwalganup, and decreased in other varieties during flowering. An analysis was made of the way in which the different plant parts mere changed by tetraploidy. Where decreased growth occurred, the leaves and stems were coarser. In all varieties a reduced seed-setting followed autotetraploidy, although in Dwalganup the yield of seed per plant was not affected.


1995 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 1091 ◽  
Author(s):  
TJ Ridsdill-Smith

Responses of redlegged earth mite (Halotydeus destructor) to seedlings of three resistant and four susceptible varieties of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) were measured after 7 or 14 days in pot experiments in the glasshouse. With a single variety/pot, mites on resistant varieties (DGI007, EP145SubD and Rutherglen B) produced 45% of the progeny that were produced by mites on the susceptible varieties (89838G, Dalkeith, Junee and 70088B). Number of stages completed and survival were little affected by varieties. Feeding damage (silvering of cotyledons) on resistant varieties averaged 45% of that on susceptible varieties with a single varietylpot. H. destructor fed less on resistant varieties in choice than in single variety experiments. On Junee and 89838G seedlings, feeding damage was similar to that on other susceptible varieties, but there were about half as many H. destructor progeny as on Dalkeith and 70088B. Mites laid more eggs on soil away from Junee plants, compared to the other three susceptible varieties. Different factors adversely affected the number of progeny produced on resistant varieties and on Junee.


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