Managing dairy calves using continuous stocking and sward
surface height - a review
S.J. BLUETT AND K.A. MACDONALD
Dexcel, Private Bag 3221, Hamilton, New Zealand.
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NZSAP 2002 Abstract No. 32
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 62:
124-127
The objectives of this review are (i) to examine the role of
continuous stocking management in grazing experiments and on farm; (ii)
to discuss the measurement of sward surface height; (iii) and to present
experimental liveweight gain data obtained from calves continuously
stocked from weaning to nine months of age. Sward height can be used as
a guide in cultivar evaluations to maintain equal sward conditions
between plots and treatments using put-and-take and continuous stocking
management. Continuous stocking management can also be used on farm to
achieve the recommended liveweight targets for dairy calves. However,
further research is needed to determine the optimum sward height for
calves. Weaned Friesian dairy heifers continuously stocked from November
2000 to April 2001 at Dexcel, Hamilton, and grazed to a mean sward
height of 5 cm, steadily gained 0.8 kg/day, reaching a final mean of
live weight of 226 kg at 9 months of age. The average stocking rate over
this period was 7.1 calves/ha and the total liveweight gain was 822
kg/ha. These calves achieved the recommended liveweight targets set for
replacement dairy heifers.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
forage evaluation; liveweight gain; pasture management; sward
stick
Last Updated 30/07/2002
