The effect of pasture species on lamb performance in dryland systems

Abstract

<jats:p>The effects of two contrasting forage supply options on forage and sheep production were evaluated on unirrigated farmlet systems at Winchmore, Mid-Canterbury. One option was based on perennial ryegrass pastures (Control), and the other (Improved) on hybrid ryegrass, tall fescue, and chicory pastures. All pasture types grew at similar low rates during winter but chicory grew more rapidly than the grasses during the summer droughts. The Control conserved more but required less conserved feed than the Improved system. Both had a feed deficit which averaged 23 and 42 kg DM/ewe respectively over the 2 years. The lambs on the Improved pastures grew more rapidly than the Controls throughout, exceeding the rate of the Controls by 142 and 165 g/head/day post-weaning in years 1 and 2 respectively. This resulted in considerably more lambs reaching target drafting weights on the Improved system, 92 vs. 53 and 97 vs. 58%, in years 1 and 2 respectively. This increased the income from lambs by $104 and $94/ ha in these years. Ewe liveweights were similar during pregnancy but differed during lactation and post-weaning at the end of which, ewes on Improved pastures were 6 and 4 kg heavier than the Controls in years 1 and 2 respectively. They consequently produced fleeces that were 10 and 12% heavier. The superior animal performance associated with the Improved system reflects higher pasture quality due to less endophyte and dead matter, and an increase in the proportion of the more nutritious components, legumes and chicory. Keywords: dryland, lamb production, pasture production, pasture quality, pasture species</jats:p>

The effect of weaning weight on subsequent lamb growth rates

“…Twelve independent farmlets, consisting of three replicate farmlets for each of "control" and "improved" pastures (resident (old) pastures and new pastures based on improved cultivars respectively), under both dryland and irrigated management systems, were set up at Winchmore Research Station, near Ashburton, Canterbury, as detailed in Fraser et al (1999) and Moss et al (2000). Liveweight gain data presented in the current paper are from the lambings in the springs of 1997of , 1998, only data from the dryland farmlets are used, since the lambs from the irrigated farmlets were split at weaning into two mobs, light and heavy, so are unsuitable for the type of analysis used in the current paper.…”

The effect of pasture species on pasture and animal performances in irrigated systems

“…This experiment ran concurrently with the abovementioned unirrigated systems. As both series had a largely common methodology it will not all be reported here as it was reported by Fraser et al (1999).…”

“…Potential pasture growth from the four pasture types and overall herbage mass from each system was measured at monthly intervals using the methodology described by Fraser et al (1999). Herbage botanical composition was measured from representative paddocks before lamb grazing post-weaning.…”

“…This would offer greater flexibility to farmers and meat exporting companies to meet required market specifications in terms of supply and carcass grades. This is the second paper in a series that relates to sheep forage systems research first reported in Fraser et al (1999).…”

The Programmed Approach™ to pasture renewal and cropping

“…The economic benefits of pasture renewal are well documented (Fraser et al 1999;Webby 2004). These benefits arise not only from growing more dry matter per hectare from the new pastures but also from improved forage quality (Woodfield 1999).…”