Phalaris and ryegrass pastures for animal production in Hawkes Bay

D.F. Wright, W.M. Kain, G.J. Hamilton, M.W.A. Slay, M.S. Luckman

Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, Palmerston North and Takapau Research Station, Waipukurau

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1981, 41: 119-124

The performance of phalaris aquatica L. 'Grasslands Maru'/white clover (Trifolium repens L. 'Grasslands Huia') pastures and of the lambs set stocked on them from January to September 1979 was at least as good as that of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. 'Grasslands Nui') pastures and of the lambs set stocked on them from January to September 1979 was at least as good as that of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. 'Grasslands Nui')/white clover. Stock grazing phalaris pastures produced 0.35 kg more wool and were 2.3 kg heavier than those on ryegrass. The trial was ended in September because 10% of the 70 lambs had died from phalaris toxicity and a further 29% showed symptoms. Although the productive performance of the lambs that appeared unaffected was adequate, the widespread use of this phalaris cultivar cannot be encouraged. Liveweight responses to insecticide occurred on both pasture mixtures.

Keywords: NZSAPAB;

Last Updated 12-09-1998