scholarly journals Pasture growth on dairy farms in the Golden Bay and West Coast of the South Island

1998 ◽  
pp. 9-14
Author(s):  
K.L. Davis ◽  
N.A. Thomson ◽  
N.R. Mclean ◽  
D.A. Mccallum ◽  
R.J. Hainsworth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Coast ◽  
Difference Method ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Production Model ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
The South ◽  
Financial Return ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
The Difference

Pasture growth was monitored on 22 farms covering Golden Bay, Nelson, Murchison and West Coast districts during 1994 to 1997. Pasture growth was measured monthly from grazed pasture using the rising plate meter (RPM) and the difference method. Pasture growth from the South Island sites were compared with growth at the WestpacTrust Agricultural Research Station (WTARS) in South Taranaki, measured by the more traditional trim method, and the difference method as used in the South Island study. The pasture growth recorded was then used by the dairy farm production model UDDER to predict the planned start of calving (PSC), stocking rate and milksolids (MS) production at maximum net financial return for seven districts. At WTARS the average pasture production recorded by the difference method was 16.3 t DM/ ha and by the trim method, 12.9 t DM/ha, the greatest difference between the two methods occurring in late spring/early summer. Pasture production on the south Island sites varied from 9.6 (Taramakau) to 16.1 (Grey Valley) t DM/ha. The major factor identified as influencing pasture growth, in an environment where rainfall for 91% of the sites exceeded 2000 mm, was number of frosts. A multiple regression combining pasture production climatic and soil nutrient variables identified number of frosts and Olsen P as the major factors influencing pasture production (R2 = 0.25). The use of the growth from seven districts by UDDER showed a marked variation in management practices and MS output. PSC varied from the first 10 days in August (Takaka, Nelson, Westport) to the last 10 days in August (Murchison). Stocking rates ranged from 2.0 cows/ha at Motueka to 3.3 cows/ha on an irrigated farm in the Nelson district. MS production/ cow differed little among districts and MS production/ha reflected stocking rate, ranging from 650 kg/ha for Motueka to 1150 kg/ha for Nelson. The main factor driving stocking rate and PSC was winter pasture production. Keywords: climate, dairy production modelling, pasture production, soil fertility

scholarly journals Evaluation of Wheat Genotypes in Far Western Hills of Nepal

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-422
Author(s):  
Hari Kumar Prasai ◽  
Jiban Shrestha
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Treatment Effect ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Combined Analysis ◽  
Wheat Genotypes ◽  
Yield Trial ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Year 2013

Coordinated Varietal Trial (CVT) and Advanced Varietal Trial (AVT) of wheat were conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station,Doti during the year 2012 and 2013. Microplot Yield Trial (MPYT) were conducted during the year 2013. Total 20 genotypes were includedin CVT experiment of both years. Although the difference in grain yield due to genotypes was not found significant during the year 2012, NL1144 recorded the highest grain yield (4309 kg/ha) followed by NL 1140 (4295 kg/ha) and NL 1147 (4165 kg/ha) respectively. But in the year2013, NL 1097 produced the highest grain yield (4641 kg/ha) followed by NL 1135 (4383 kg/ha) and NL 1164 (4283 kg/ha) respectively.Statistically, the difference in grain yield due to genotypes was not found significant in the year 2013. Combined analysis over years was alsocarried out. Out of 20, only 10 genotypes were included in the CVT experiment, which were found similar in both years. Genotypes NL 1097(4079 kg/ha), NL 1140 (3814 kg/ha) and NL 1093 (3773 kg/ha) were found high yielding genotypes for river basin agro-environment of farwestern hills. Statistically, effect of year in tested characters was found significant whereas treatment effect was observed non-significant.Similarly, 20 genotypes of wheat were included in AVT of wheat during the year 2012 and 2013. Out of the genotypes included in AVT duringthe year 2012, KISKADEE No.1recorded the highest grain yield (3824 kg/ha) followed by CHEWINK No. 1 (3643 kg/ha) and WK 2120 (3583kg/ha). Statistically all the tested characters except grain yield were found significantly different due to genotypes. But in the same experimentof the year 2013, WK 2412 genotype recorded the highest grain yield (4407 kg/ha) followed by WK 2411 (4329 kg/ha) and Munal-1 (4054kg/ha). Statistically the difference in grain yield and other tested characters were found significantly different. Due to dissimilarity in the testedgenotypes we could not carry-out the combined analysis over years. Total 30 genotypes were included in the MPYT experiment of the year2013. Genotype WK 2272 recorded the highest grain yield (6080 kg/ha) followed by the genotypes WK 2274 (5152 kg/ha) and WK 2278(4480 kg/ha) respectively. Statistically, the difference in grain yield and other tested characters were found significantly different due togenotypes.Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 3(3): 417-422

Pasture systems to improve productivity of sheep in south-western Victoria. 1. Growth, composition, nutritive value and persistence of resown pastures

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Saul ◽  
Gavin Kearney ◽  
Dion Borg
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
P Rate ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
Over Time

Two pasture systems were compared at five on-farm sites across south-western Victoria between 1990 and 1996. The ‘typical’ pasture treatment mimicked the pasture and grazing management common in the region, with volunteer annual-based pastures fertilised with around 5 kg/ha phosphorus (P) each year. The ‘upgraded’ pasture treatments were resown to phalaris, perennial ryegrass and subterranean clover, and higher rates of fertiliser (13–25 kg P/ha.year) plus other nutrients were applied. Both pastures were set stocked with the participating farmers breeding ewes. Stocking rate was an emergent variable on each plot. The stocking rate on the typical treatments was based on normal farm practise. Initially, the stocking rate of the upgraded pastures was 15% higher than for the typical pastures and increased over time depending if the ewes in the upgraded pastures were heavier than those in the typical pastures. Measurements included soil fertility, pasture production, nutritive value and composition, and animal production. Net annual pasture production of the upgraded pastures was 10 500 kg/ha compared with 8700 kg/ha for the typical pastures. This average difference (18%) between the treatments was greatly influenced by the large advantage (40%) of the upgraded pasture in the wet year of 1992. Upgraded pastures had higher pasture production than typical pastures in spring but the reverse occurred in autumn. In a separate small plot experiment, the response of each pasture to higher P fertiliser applications was tested. In autumn and winter, there was a significant interaction between pasture type and P rate, with higher responses on the upgraded pastures. In spring, both pastures responded to increased P applications but the upgraded pastures were more responsive at all P rates. The upgraded pastures contained significantly higher legume content (30–50%) than the typical pastures (10–20%). The proportion of sown perennial grasses in the upgraded pasture declined from around 30 to 10% after 6 years displaced by annual grasses and broad-leaf weeds. Herbage from upgraded pastures had significantly higher crude protein content (2–7 units) and digestibility (1–10 units) than the typical pastures with the difference between the treatments increasing over time. The set stocking policy used in this experiment is likely to have exacerbated the decline in sown perennial grasses and implementation of some form of strategic or rotational grazing may have improved persistence. The experiment also highlights the importance of selecting perennial grasses able to cope with the local environment and grazing conditions. Despite the decline in perennials, these results show significant potential to improve pasture productivity and quality in south-western Victoria.

Relative abundances and size compositions of champagne crabs, Hypothalassia acerba, on two coasts and in different water depths and seasons

2004 ◽  
Vol 55 (7) ◽  
pp. 653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim D. Smith ◽  
Norman G. Hall ◽  
Ian C. Potter
Keyword(s):  
West Coast ◽  
Carapace Length ◽  
South Coast ◽  
The South ◽  
The West ◽  
Spatial Partitioning ◽  
Invertebrate Predators ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Catch Rates

Hypothalassia acerba was sampled seasonally using traps at depths of 35, 90, 145, 200, 255, 310 and 365 m on the west and south coasts of Western Australia. Catch rates peaked at depths of 200 m on the west coast and 145 m on the south coast but at similar temperatures of 16.1–17.1°C. The west and south coast catches contained 69% and 84% males respectively. The carapace length of H. acerba declined significantly by 4 mm for each 100 m increase in depth. The maximum carapace length of males was greater than females on the west coast (135 v. 113 mm) and south coast (138 v. 120 mm). Furthermore, after adjustment to a depth of 200 m, the mean carapace lengths of males were greater than females on both the west coast (96.6 v. 94.6 mm) and south coast (101.5 v. 91.4 mm), with the difference on the south coast being significant (P < 0.001). Thus, in summary, (1) distribution was related to depth and temperature; (2) body size was inversely related to water depth; and (3) males grew larger and were caught in greater numbers than females. There was also evidence that the distribution changed slightly with season and of spatial partitioning by H. acerba and other large deep-water invertebrate predators.

scholarly journals Assessing damage by manuka beetles (Pyronota spp) in flipped West Coast pastures

2012 ◽  
Vol 65 ◽  
pp. 295-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.E. Dunbar ◽  
P.W. Hateley ◽  
R.J. Townsend ◽  
S.M. Zydenbos ◽  
T.A. Jackson
Keyword(s):  
West Coast ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
The South ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Visual Damage ◽  
Low Levels

Manuka beetles (Pyronota festiva and P setosa) have become a major problem in dairy pastures developed on flipped soils on the South Islands West Coast The beetles rapidly invaded these new pastures and signs of damage appeared within 13 seasons Damage is caused by beetle larvae feeding on the roots of grasses and clovers creating damage patches of dead and dying plants A visual damage scale has been prepared to assist farmers to grade damage and provide a basis to make control decisions Damage rankings were estimated by assessing both the proportion of the paddock with obvious damage patches and the overall vigour of the pasture Increasing damage severity was shown to be strongly correlated with numbers of beetle larvae in the soil Pastures invaded by manuka beetles had lower autumn production and if untreated overall pasture production declined to very low levels within 23 seasons due to poor pasture composition and low pasture covers It is estimated that milk yields on affected farms have been depressed by 30 where no controls have been implemented It is recommended that pastures with high damage gradings should either be treated with insecticide or renewed

Wool production, ground cover and botanical composition of pastures grazed by Merino wethers in central western New South Wales. 2. Barrel medic pasture

1973 ◽  
Vol 13 (64) ◽  
pp. 510 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Brownlee
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
New South ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Additional Treatment ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Barrel Medic ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Pasture Area

Two grazing experiments were performed between 1965 and 1969 at the Agricultural Research Station, Condobolin, to determine the carrying capacity of Jemalong barrel medic (Medicago truncatula) pasture. In each experiment the pasture was set stocked with Merino wethers at 3.1, 4.1 and 6.2 ha-1. An additional treatment stocked at 6.2 ha-1 was included in which two-thirds of the pasture area was saved during autumn or periods of feed shortage while stock were confined to the other one-third. In both experiments the pasture supported 3.1 wethers ha-1 under set stocking for three years with little supplementary feeding and regenerated successfully each year. No major changes in botanical composition were recorded, and Jemalong medic remained the major component of the pasture. Autumn saving at 6.2 ha-1 mitigated the effects of the high stocking rate on both animal and pasture, but did not result in worthwhile animal production increases.

The value to Merino ewes and lambs of continued superphosphate topdressing on a subterranean clover pasture ley

1976 ◽  
Vol 16 (79) ◽  
pp. 197 ◽  
Author(s):  
OR Southwood ◽  
DG Saville ◽  
AR Gilmour
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Clover Pasture

In an experiment at the Agricultural Research Station, Temora, New South Wales, Merino breeding ewes with their lambs grazed continuously from 1966 to 1970 at three stocking rates, 5, 7.5 and 10 ewes ha-1, on annual Trifolium subterraneum clover pasture topdressed every autumn with superphosphate fertilizer at nil, 94 or 188 kg ha-1. Stocking rate had an effect on ewe body weight in autumn each year and in winter and spring of the last year but it had no effect no wool production per ewe. Apart from the dry year, stocking rate had no effect on lamb performance. Superphosphate had little effect on ewe body weight and none on wool production but there were more lambs on the fertilized treatments than on the unfertilized pastures in 1967 when rainfall was low. Fertilizer encouraged barley grass dominance whereas the pasture not topdressed grew more clover and produced more burr. With no topdressing, available soil phosphate declined steadily over the five years to less than half the initial level. The results indicate that in a spring lambing, Merino ewe enterprise in the southern New South Wales wheat belt, where clover-ley farming is the general practice, annual pasture topdressing is no longer necessary after approximately 1000 kg ha-1 superphosphate has been applied to the soil and the fertilizer is continued through the cropping phase.

scholarly journals Hill country farm investment options - cocksfoot pasture vs. superphosphate fertiliser

1999 ◽  
pp. 17-21
Author(s):  
D.J. Barker ◽  
D.G. Sheppard ◽  
A.D. Mackay ◽  
N. Dymock
Keyword(s):  
Dactylis Glomerata ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Financial Return ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Economic Return ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata L ◽  
Farm System

Farmers can choose between investment in pasture species or fertiliser, however, there are few comparisons of these options. This paper reports on the effects of 'Grasslands Wana' cocksfoot, (Dactylis glomerata L.) introduction and superphosphate application on pasture production in hill country. The effects of pasture production on bullbeef production were subsequently modelled using Stockpol®. Pasture, bull and financial performance was measured within four self-contained farmlets (each approximately 9 ha) at the AgResearch Ballantrae Hill Country Research Station; half of two farmlets had been oversown with Wana in autumn 1992 and two farmlets were untreated "Resident" hill pasture. The Wana farmlets generated an average $42.80/ha greater income than Resident farmlets. On average, modelling with Stockpol found gross financial return was increased by 80% by application of 40 kgP/ha ($715.26/ha) compared to nil fertiliser ($397.84/ha). With a cost of fertiliser of $2.44/kgP applied ($97.60) this predicted return was highly profitable. If the establishment costs of Wana were spread over the life of the pasture economic responses would be greater from investment in Wana cocksfoot, however, in the short term, economic responses were greater from investment in fertiliser. In the medium term a combination of investment in Wana establishment and fertiliser input would likely maximise the economic return. Keywords: bull beef, Dactylis glomerata L., farm system, 'Grasslands Wana' cocksfoot, Stockpol®, superphosphate

Lucerne persistence and the productivity of ewes and lambs grazed at two stocking rates within different management systems

1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (77) ◽  
pp. 747 ◽  
Author(s):  
OR Southwood ◽  
GE Robards
Keyword(s):  
Plant Density ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
New South ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Rotational Systems ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Lamb Growth

From 1967 to 1971 a grazing experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Temora, New South Wales with Merino ewes and first cross spring lambs on lucerne pastures. Set stocking was compared with a number of rotational systems at twice replicated stocking rates of five and ten ewes ha-1. The rotational systems consisted of either five or seven paddocks each grazed to give a constant pasture recovery time of 36 days year round, or 36 days mid-summer to mid-winter and 24 days when lambs were present. Stocking rate was the only variable affecting ewe wool production and body weight. During the driest year the constant rotation was the best treatment, whereas in the wetter year ewes managed in a variable rotation grew most wool. The number of lambs born and their birth weight did not vary among treatments. Growth rate was slower at the higher stocking rate but the management treatments had no effect on lamb growth. Lucerne plant density decreased by half during the first three years of the experiment. Thereafter plant density was maintained in the rotationally grazed systems. Under continuous grazing at the high stocking rate no lucerne survived after four months but at the low stocking rate most remaining plants died after a spring drought in 1971.

A comparison of the productive performance of single and twin born Merino ewes

1963 ◽  
Vol 3 (10) ◽  
pp. 235 ◽  
Author(s):  
RB Dun ◽  
RS Grewal
Keyword(s):  
Significant Interaction ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Skin Area ◽  
Productive Performance ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Level Of Significance

A comparison has been made of the productive performance of448 single and 466 twin born ewes. The data was obtained over eight years from five autumn mated, single character selection flocks maintained at Trangie Agricultural Research Station. The following highly significant, mean percentage differences were recorded in favour of singles :-fold score, 16.5 ; weaning weight, 12.8 ; 18 month body weight, 3.9 ; greasy fleece weight, 2.9. A 4.3 per cent difference in classing score and a 2.2 per cent difference in clean fleece weight approached the 5 per cent level of significance (P<0.1). Weaning weight analysis revealed a significant interaction between year and type of birth caused by the relatively improved performance of twins in years which favoured lamb growth. An analysis of the components of clean fleece weight showed that the lowered wool production of twins was associated with a decrease in the total number of wool fibres per sheep, caused by reductions in skin area and in the proportion of secondary fibres. Twins and singles did not differ in fibre density, diameter or length. The analysis of fertility (total number of lambs mothered at the first two matings) showed a significant interaction between type of birth and jock. Single born Weight Minus ewes were more fertile, whereas in the other four flocks the difference favoured twins. Without the Weaning Weight Minus flock, twins showed a highly significant advantage of 16.9 per cent in percentage lambs mothered. This difference could be wholly accounted for by higher incidence of multiple births.

scholarly journals CHANGING SEASONAL GROWTH OF PASPALUM PASTURES BY OVER-DRILLING RYEGRASS AND WHITE CLOVER CLOVER

1988 ◽  
pp. 135-140
Author(s):  
E.R. Thorn
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Noticeable Increase ◽  
Free Environment ◽  
A Current ◽  
Better Than

Volunteer summer-growing paspalum is often present in dairy pastures of northern New Zealand. When paspalum becomes the dominant grass winter/spring pasture production is reduced. This creates management problems on seasonal dairy farms because cow feed requirements and milkfat production are highest in winter/spring. This paper gives data from a current experiment at Ruakura Agricultural Research Station in which Roundup herbicide was used to provide a competitlon-free environment for the overdrilling of cool-season pasture species. Herbicide rates of 6, 4, 2 and 0 l/ha were applied in autumn 1965 before overdrilling a mixture of Ellett ryagrass and Grasslands Kopu white clover. A fifth treatment was the original pasture which was not sprayed or overdrilled. High rates (4-6 I/ha) of Roundup completely elimmated paspalum from the pasture and immediately reduced the white clover to a low proportion (less than 10% of dry matter). The sprayed and overdrilled pastures have remained ryegrass dominant over the duration of the experiment. In 1985 and 1966, winter/spring production from the new ryegrass dominant pastures were significantly better than from the original paspalum dominant pasture. The implications of the noticeable increase in paspalum in the renewed pastures are discussed. Keywords: pasture renewal, pasture renovation, Roundup herbicide, pasture botanical composition, seasonal pasture productlo".

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