Description
Development of novel grazing management practicesfor both livestock production and pollinator health is becoming increasingly crucial in pasture-based farming systems. The effect of pasture type and spring closing dates on lamb liveweight gain, pasture production, botanical composition, bloom density and bee visitation was monitored over 2 years at the Oregon State University in Corvallis. Total annual dry matter yield (DMY) of diverse pastures in 2020/2021 was 8.8 t DM ha-1 and this was greater (P-1) and legume pastures (6.6 t DM ha-1). In successive years, lambs grew faster in legume pastures (287, 215 g per head d-1) than diverse (207, 151 g per head d-1) and simple pastures (204, 132 g per head d-1 ). However, spring liveweight production (kg ha1 day-1) from pastures did not differ due to lower stocking density of legume pastures as compared to other two pasture mixtures. Bloom density (flower/m2) and bee visitation (bees/min-1 m2) were 25 and 40 times greater, respectively, with legume than simple pastures. Bloom density for diverse pastures were also relatively low, being 5.7 times lower than the legume pastures. Our findings indicated that diversification of pastures with forbs greatly increased pasture productivity, while legume pastures provided the highest pollinator benefit without penalizing lamb liveweight production in spring.
Citation
Caudillo, Mia; Melathopoulos, Andony; Smallman, Mary; Kinkaid, Sarah A.; Prado-Tarango, David E.; and Ates, Serkan, "Designing Dual-Purpose Management Strategies for Sheep Production and Pollinators in Dryland Pastures" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1997-2023). 143.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/XXV_IGC_2023/Utilization/143
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Designing Dual-Purpose Management Strategies for Sheep Production and Pollinators in Dryland Pastures
Development of novel grazing management practicesfor both livestock production and pollinator health is becoming increasingly crucial in pasture-based farming systems. The effect of pasture type and spring closing dates on lamb liveweight gain, pasture production, botanical composition, bloom density and bee visitation was monitored over 2 years at the Oregon State University in Corvallis. Total annual dry matter yield (DMY) of diverse pastures in 2020/2021 was 8.8 t DM ha-1 and this was greater (P-1) and legume pastures (6.6 t DM ha-1). In successive years, lambs grew faster in legume pastures (287, 215 g per head d-1) than diverse (207, 151 g per head d-1) and simple pastures (204, 132 g per head d-1 ). However, spring liveweight production (kg ha1 day-1) from pastures did not differ due to lower stocking density of legume pastures as compared to other two pasture mixtures. Bloom density (flower/m2) and bee visitation (bees/min-1 m2) were 25 and 40 times greater, respectively, with legume than simple pastures. Bloom density for diverse pastures were also relatively low, being 5.7 times lower than the legume pastures. Our findings indicated that diversification of pastures with forbs greatly increased pasture productivity, while legume pastures provided the highest pollinator benefit without penalizing lamb liveweight production in spring.
