Pasture production and sward dynamics under sheep grazing
J.A. Baars, K.T. Jagusch, C.B. Dyson, P.A. Farquhar
Ruakura Animal Research Station, Hamilton
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1981, 41: 101-111
Different grazing rotations were applied to perennial
ryegrass/white clover pastures on two soil types (peat and clay).
Grazing intensity and pre-grazing levels of dry matter had major effects
on herbage production. On the clay during spring-summer there was no
difference in total herbage production between hard and lax defoliation.
However, both live herbage production and ryegrass tiller numbers were
higher with hard grazing, while the dead matter content was lower than
with lax grazing. On the more drought-prone peat soil lax grazing gave
higher dry matter (DM) production than hard grazing. Spring-summer
grazings should not be delayed beyond 3000 kg standing DM/ha, as this may
result in a considerable decrease in autumn-winter production. A
changeover from hard to lax grazing intensity resulted in the highest
total and live herbage production during autumn-winter.
Implications of herbage death and long spelling intervals are discussed
with reference to defoliation intensity, DM production and tiller
numbers.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Last Updated 12-09-1998
