A Further Investigation of the Effect of Nitrogen and Stocking Rate on the Productivity of Pasture for Beef Cattle

Two experiments, each of 6 weeks dnration, were conducted in 1972. In Expt 1, 24 cattle were grazed in individnal paddocks during July and August and received one of 4 treatments over a 6-weeks period: no supplements; straw ad lib; 3-3 kg/day sugar-beet pulp; 40 kg/day molasses. Mean daiiy liveweight gains were significantly increased by the sugar-beet pulp and molasses supplements; which also increased OM and DOM intake significantly. The increase in total OM intake per kg OM in the supplement was 0-48 for sugar-beet pulp and 0-67 for molasses.In Expt 2, 18 cattle grazed in groups of 3 during November and December. Two groups each received 0-5, 3-5 or 6-5 kg/day sugar-beet pulp over a 6-weei{S period. Tliere was no significant difference in liveweight gain between treatments, and no significant difference in total intake. Intake from pasture declined with increasing level of supplement, so that the average increase in OM intake per kg OM in the supplement was 0-28.Hie results are discussed in relation to availability of pasture and the effects of the supplements on intake.

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The performance of beef animals on a permanent pasture*

Elliott

Dale

Barnes

1978

Grass and Forage Science

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Between 1967 and 1975, 416 beef animals were grazed rotationally on an indigenous pasture (11-65 ha) containing Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Poa trivialis and Agrostis spp. and dicotyledonous plants, but little Lolium perenne or TrifoUum repens. Part of the land received fertilizer nitrogen at rates varying between 120 and 200 kg ha~* each year and part did not; some of the land was grazed only and some was cut and then grazed.The winter gains of the animals (approx. 45 kg) were more variable and less than the summer gains (approx. 155 kg). Summer gain was inversely correlated with winter gain. An increase in initial weight of animals purchased from 1973 onwards did not increase either winter or summer gain. Friesians gained more than Hereford-cross animals during the winter, but there was no difference in summer gain.During 9 years the average animal weight per grazed ha in April was increased from 1260 to 2122 kg. The mean total gain on 11 65 ha of grass was 6486 kg per annum in the first 3 years and 7266 kg per annum in the last 3 years. The average annual production was 590 kg liveweight gain and 1-01 t hay or 2-33 t silage per ha. The output of fertilized grass in 1975 was calculated as 842 Livestock Unit Grazing Days (LUGD) per ha and that from unfertilized grass as 360 LUGD per ha. The overall output of

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A Further Investigation of the Effect of Nitrogen and Stocking Rate on the Productivity of Pasture for Beef Cattle

Cited by 3 publications

References 3 publications

Effect of Grazing Method, Nitrogen Level, Supplementary Feeding and Stocking Rate on the Performance of Young Grazing Bulls

Effect of Grazing Method, Nitrogen Level, Supplementary Feeding and Stocking Rate on the Performance of Young Grazing Bulls

The Influence of Type and Level of Supplementary Feed on Intake and Performance of Beef Cattle on Pasture

The performance of beef animals on a permanent pasture*

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