Publication Date
1989
Location
Nice France
Description
Two-thirds of the grazing lands in Queensland are on infertile soils, low in organic matter, phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) (Weston et al., 1981). Pasture quality is low and average liveweight gain (L WG) of steers on these soils ranges from 0.10 to 0.30 kg/day compared to 0.40 to 0.50 kg/day on more fertile soils. Low herbage production limits carrying capacity to 3-10 ha/animal. The nutritive value can be improved by (i) direct supplementation of animals with N and P, (ii) introduction of a legume together with fertilizer and/or supplement P or (iii) use of heavily fertilized improved grasses ± legume. The second option is attractive if there is not a high fertilizer requirement. The study reported here was designed to provide information for an economic assessment of the use of fertilizer in beef production through improvement of soil fertility and legume growth. The approach used was to examine the role of P in steer growth on a grass-legume pasture and develop relationships between pasture or soil parameters and LWG.
Citation
Kerridge, P C. and McLean, R W., "Soil Fertility and Beef Production in the Semi-Arid Sub-Tropics" (1989). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 38.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session10/38)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Soil Fertility and Beef Production in the Semi-Arid Sub-Tropics
Nice France
Two-thirds of the grazing lands in Queensland are on infertile soils, low in organic matter, phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) (Weston et al., 1981). Pasture quality is low and average liveweight gain (L WG) of steers on these soils ranges from 0.10 to 0.30 kg/day compared to 0.40 to 0.50 kg/day on more fertile soils. Low herbage production limits carrying capacity to 3-10 ha/animal. The nutritive value can be improved by (i) direct supplementation of animals with N and P, (ii) introduction of a legume together with fertilizer and/or supplement P or (iii) use of heavily fertilized improved grasses ± legume. The second option is attractive if there is not a high fertilizer requirement. The study reported here was designed to provide information for an economic assessment of the use of fertilizer in beef production through improvement of soil fertility and legume growth. The approach used was to examine the role of P in steer growth on a grass-legume pasture and develop relationships between pasture or soil parameters and LWG.
