Publication Date
1997
Description
Sheep production on an annual and perennial pasture stocked at 11.5 dse/ha, was compared in a mediterranen environment at Manypeaks in Western Australia. The annual sward comprised of 48% subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.), 20 % annual grasses (Lolium rigidum Gaudin, Hordeum leporinum Link, Vulpia bromoides (L.) S.F. Gray) and 32% capeweed (Arctotheca calendula L.). The perennial sward was 19% kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum), 36% subterranean clover, 43% annual grasses (Lolium rigidum Gaudin, Hordeum leporinum Link, Vulpia bromoides (L.) S.F. Gray) and only 2% capeweed which was displaced by kikuyu. Both pasture types had similar growth rates in autumn, winter and spring (25 to 29, 24 to 26 & 52 to 53 kg dry matter (DM)/ha/day respectively). In summer and early autumn feed on offer (FOO) was consistently higher by between 0.5 to 2.0 tDM/ha in the perennial pasture. FOO accumulated in a similar fashion in both treatments throughout the growing season and by late spring had reached 3.4 tDM/ha. Sheep liveweights in summer and early autumn were maintained at around 44 kg on both pastures until April/May at which time liveweight fell on the annual sward at a rate of 149 gm/hd/day as a result of availability of feed limiting intake. Liveweight gain was similar at 133 gm/hd/day on both treatments during the growing season (gain for period 22 kg/ hd). The results of this study suggest that a perennial pasture based on kikuyu grass would be similar to an annual sward during the growing season with the additional benefit of superior feed supply for livestock during summer and early autumn.
Citation
Sanford, P; Gladman, J; and Cransberg, L, "Sheep Production on an Annual and Perennial Pasture in Southwest Australia" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 37.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session29/37
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Sheep Production on an Annual and Perennial Pasture in Southwest Australia
Sheep production on an annual and perennial pasture stocked at 11.5 dse/ha, was compared in a mediterranen environment at Manypeaks in Western Australia. The annual sward comprised of 48% subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.), 20 % annual grasses (Lolium rigidum Gaudin, Hordeum leporinum Link, Vulpia bromoides (L.) S.F. Gray) and 32% capeweed (Arctotheca calendula L.). The perennial sward was 19% kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum), 36% subterranean clover, 43% annual grasses (Lolium rigidum Gaudin, Hordeum leporinum Link, Vulpia bromoides (L.) S.F. Gray) and only 2% capeweed which was displaced by kikuyu. Both pasture types had similar growth rates in autumn, winter and spring (25 to 29, 24 to 26 & 52 to 53 kg dry matter (DM)/ha/day respectively). In summer and early autumn feed on offer (FOO) was consistently higher by between 0.5 to 2.0 tDM/ha in the perennial pasture. FOO accumulated in a similar fashion in both treatments throughout the growing season and by late spring had reached 3.4 tDM/ha. Sheep liveweights in summer and early autumn were maintained at around 44 kg on both pastures until April/May at which time liveweight fell on the annual sward at a rate of 149 gm/hd/day as a result of availability of feed limiting intake. Liveweight gain was similar at 133 gm/hd/day on both treatments during the growing season (gain for period 22 kg/ hd). The results of this study suggest that a perennial pasture based on kikuyu grass would be similar to an annual sward during the growing season with the additional benefit of superior feed supply for livestock during summer and early autumn.
