Publication Date

1993

Description

Four 8-ha areas of bermudagrass-based (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) grazing systems were sodseeded and received annual N fertiliser as follows: I) clover (Trifolium sp.)+81 kg Nnm, 2) annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam)+clover +81 kg N/ha, 3) ryegrass+clover+l39 kg N/ ha, and 4) ryegrass+139 kg N/ha. Monthly forage accumulation was estimated for 3 years by clipping samples from 2 exclosures/pasture. Environmental conditions had a significant effect on total annual forage dry matter (DM) production. Systems 3 and 4 produced more (P<0.05) forage DM than Systems 1 and 2 (11.0 v. 10,3 Mg/ha). System I produced more (P<0.l) forage DM than 2 (10.6 ll, 9.8 Mg/ha). Systems 3 and 4 were similar, producing I 1.0 Mg/ha. Monthly forage accumulation was lowest in winter (December to February) and highest in spring and summer (March to August). The results of this study demonstrate that at a low N level, there was no benefii from including ryegrass in the system and al a moderate N level, there was no benefit from including clover.

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Development of Grass-Clover Pasture Systems for Autumn-Calving Beef Cows. I. Forage Production

Four 8-ha areas of bermudagrass-based (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) grazing systems were sodseeded and received annual N fertiliser as follows: I) clover (Trifolium sp.)+81 kg Nnm, 2) annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam)+clover +81 kg N/ha, 3) ryegrass+clover+l39 kg N/ ha, and 4) ryegrass+139 kg N/ha. Monthly forage accumulation was estimated for 3 years by clipping samples from 2 exclosures/pasture. Environmental conditions had a significant effect on total annual forage dry matter (DM) production. Systems 3 and 4 produced more (P<0.05) forage DM than Systems 1 and 2 (11.0 v. 10,3 Mg/ha). System I produced more (P<0.l) forage DM than 2 (10.6 ll, 9.8 Mg/ha). Systems 3 and 4 were similar, producing I 1.0 Mg/ha. Monthly forage accumulation was lowest in winter (December to February) and highest in spring and summer (March to August). The results of this study demonstrate that at a low N level, there was no benefii from including ryegrass in the system and al a moderate N level, there was no benefit from including clover.