Publication Date

1993

Description

A model for predicting the live-weight gain-(LWD) of cattle from climatic conditions and pasture and cattle attributes was developed. The model was calibrated and validated against the data from a long-term grazing experiment on brigalow soil, sown with green panic pastures. When validated, the model tended to overestimate LWG as the proportion of green panic (Panicum maximum var. trichoglume) in the pasture decreased, because the model was calibrated, without considering species composition, to data from years when green panic was dominant. This study emphasises the limitations of empirical models of grazing systems. The study also implies that there is an advantage to animal production of maintaining green panic in pastures.

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Prediction of Live-Weight Gain of Cattle Grazing Pastures on Brigalow Soil

A model for predicting the live-weight gain-(LWD) of cattle from climatic conditions and pasture and cattle attributes was developed. The model was calibrated and validated against the data from a long-term grazing experiment on brigalow soil, sown with green panic pastures. When validated, the model tended to overestimate LWG as the proportion of green panic (Panicum maximum var. trichoglume) in the pasture decreased, because the model was calibrated, without considering species composition, to data from years when green panic was dominant. This study emphasises the limitations of empirical models of grazing systems. The study also implies that there is an advantage to animal production of maintaining green panic in pastures.