Publication Date
1985
Location
Kyoto Japan
Description
Two experiments were carried out to examine the effects of mixed stocking with cattle and sheep on aspects of herbage production and utilization from sown swards. On plots grazed down over three days both sheep and cattle tended to concentrate their grazing activity progressively on areas of sward previously grazed by the opposite species. Cattle were shown to be much less tolerant of cattle dung than of sheep dung, but sheep were relatively tolerant of both sheep and cattle dung. In a second study sheep and cattle were grazed alone, or in combination, on swards maintained at similar surface heights under continuous stocking. Rates of herbage growth and net production were substantially greater on plots maintained at 4.5 cm by sheep alone, or combinations of sheep and cattle, than on those grazed by cattle alone. There were no differences on plots maintained at 3.0 cm. Herbage intakes tended to be greater for sheep and cattle grazing in combination than those grazing separately on 4.5 cm swards, but there were no differences on 3.0 cm swards. It is concluded that these experiments provide little evidence to suggest that the animal production advantages claimed for mixed stocking systems can be explained in terms of enhanced levels of herbage production or efficiency of utilization. The results of the intake studies were not conclusive.
Citation
Hodgson, J; Arosteguy, J C.; and Forbes, T.D A., "Mixed Grazing by Sheep and Cattle: Effects on Herbage Production and Utilization" (1985). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 18.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1985/ses11/18)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Mixed Grazing by Sheep and Cattle: Effects on Herbage Production and Utilization
Kyoto Japan
Two experiments were carried out to examine the effects of mixed stocking with cattle and sheep on aspects of herbage production and utilization from sown swards. On plots grazed down over three days both sheep and cattle tended to concentrate their grazing activity progressively on areas of sward previously grazed by the opposite species. Cattle were shown to be much less tolerant of cattle dung than of sheep dung, but sheep were relatively tolerant of both sheep and cattle dung. In a second study sheep and cattle were grazed alone, or in combination, on swards maintained at similar surface heights under continuous stocking. Rates of herbage growth and net production were substantially greater on plots maintained at 4.5 cm by sheep alone, or combinations of sheep and cattle, than on those grazed by cattle alone. There were no differences on plots maintained at 3.0 cm. Herbage intakes tended to be greater for sheep and cattle grazing in combination than those grazing separately on 4.5 cm swards, but there were no differences on 3.0 cm swards. It is concluded that these experiments provide little evidence to suggest that the animal production advantages claimed for mixed stocking systems can be explained in terms of enhanced levels of herbage production or efficiency of utilization. The results of the intake studies were not conclusive.
