Publication Date
1985
Location
Kyoto Japan
Description
An experiment determined the effect of infestation by bent grass on the productivity of pastures grazed by sheep in Victoria. The 5-year study of liveweights and wool production from sheep grazing bent grass and treated pasture demonstrated that the presence of bent grass can reduce the productivity from sheep grazing such pastures by up to 63%. Thorough, shallow cultivation (5-7 cm deep) during summer, followed by resowing of more desirable species, produced the greatest increase in animal production. The average wool production/head of wethers grazed at 8.6/hectare on pasture dominated by bent grass was the same as that of sheep at 14.1/hectare on treated pasture. The increased wool production was related to higher liveweight of the sheep on the treated pasture during winter. The experiment proves the value of renovating pastures dominated by bent grass, in terms of increased production from grazing animals.
Citation
Boyd, M E., "Effect of Bent Grass (Agrostis tenuis) on the Growth and Wool Production of Sheep in South East Australia" (1985). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 12.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1985/ses7/12)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Effect of Bent Grass (Agrostis tenuis) on the Growth and Wool Production of Sheep in South East Australia
Kyoto Japan
An experiment determined the effect of infestation by bent grass on the productivity of pastures grazed by sheep in Victoria. The 5-year study of liveweights and wool production from sheep grazing bent grass and treated pasture demonstrated that the presence of bent grass can reduce the productivity from sheep grazing such pastures by up to 63%. Thorough, shallow cultivation (5-7 cm deep) during summer, followed by resowing of more desirable species, produced the greatest increase in animal production. The average wool production/head of wethers grazed at 8.6/hectare on pasture dominated by bent grass was the same as that of sheep at 14.1/hectare on treated pasture. The increased wool production was related to higher liveweight of the sheep on the treated pasture during winter. The experiment proves the value of renovating pastures dominated by bent grass, in terms of increased production from grazing animals.
