The effect of sheep and cattle grazing on a mixed ryegrass/kikuyu/white clover pasture in Northland

G.J. Goold

Ruakura Soil and Plant Research Station, Hamilton

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1981, 41: 95-100

Pastures grazed with cattle (at mean annual stocking rates of 9 and 6/ha) became kikuyu dominant and higher yielding over the summer and autumn than equivalent sheep grazed pastures (stocked at 45 and 30/ha) with a mean annual yield advantage of 18%. The sheep pastures contained more ryegrass and annual grasses in the spring and less kikuyu than cattle grazed pastures.

The higher stocked treatment of sheep and cattle resulted in significantly lower pasture yields in all seasons except summer. The kikuyu content of pastures in the spring increased and ryegrass content was reduced at the higher stocking level.

Liveweight gains of cattle and sheep were reduced at the higher stocking level and indications were that production per hectare was also reduced with the cattle, although sheep production slightly increased.

Sheep stocked at the higher level produced 10% less wool/hd than the lower stocked sheep.

The stability of these animals and pasture systems are discussed in relation to local farm practice.

Keywords: NZSAPAB;