The effects of frequent hard grazings at different times of the year on the productivity and species yields of a grass-clover pasture

Abstract

An experiment is described in which the effects of frequent hard grazings at different times of the ye'ar on the productivity and species yields of a pasture of short-rotation ryegrass, cocksfoot, and red and white clover were determined over an eighteen-month period. Frequent hard grazings during the winter encouraged the growth of all sown species, and dry-matter (d.m.) yields were high for these pastures after a change to less-intensive grazing in later seasons. Frequent hard grazings during the spring reduced immediate d.m. yields markedly but because there were no detrimental effects on plant survival of any of 'fhe sown species except red clover, subsequent d.m. yields of these pastures were also relatively high when the management system reverted to the less-intensive system. Frequent hard grazings during the summer resulted in widespread death of all sown species except white clover. Subsequent d.m. yields obtained from these pastures were ,thus severely reduced. Frequent hard grazings during the autumn reduced immediate d.m. yields by approximately 20% but, it is suggested that because the lightshielding clover canopy was controlled, yields obtained from the sown grass species in fhe following seasons were high. The results highlight the importance of summer grazing management to ensure persistency of pasture species, the importance of intensive grazing in the late autumn to bring a'bout a rapid change in botani'cal composition from dominance of summer-growing species ,to dominance of winter-growing species, and the relatively high yields obtained by avoiding long spelling during the winter. The results are discussed in relation to existing pasture-management principles and productivity.

Evaluation of ‘Grasslands Puna’ chicory (Cichorium intybusL.) in various grass mixtures under sheep grazing

“…Both chicory and red clover responded negatively to frequent grazing with particularly large responses for red clover. Responses for red clover are similar to those reported at the same site by Brougham (1959Brougham ( , 1960, particularly under hard grazing (low pasture residual after grazing) e.g., 74% yield reduction, and by Cosgrove & Brougham (1985) who reported that grazing frequency had the greatest influence in summer (50% yield reduction) with a 38% reduction in annual production. Comparatively lower responses for chicory are in line with results from this site in two short-term cutting experiments on pure chicory stands during late spring/early summer and late summer/autumn.…”

Morphogenesis in guinea grass pastures under rotational grazing strategies

“…This leaf elongation rate increase for intense and variable post-grazing height can result in higher forage production, once this morphogenetic characteristic particularly most relates to forage yield (Horst et al, 1978) and tiller emergence (Nelson et al, 1977). The present results are supported by the results of Brougham (1959Brougham ( , 1960, whose management procedures adopted in one season affected the forage yield in the subsequent ones. However, further research with Panicum maximum is needed to corroborate these patterns.…”

Assessment of the Current Grazing Intensity and Slope Status of Pastures in the Alai Valley, Kyrgyzstan

“…For instance, a change in grazing seasonality leads to different vegetation productivity levels, species, and structures (Marble and Harper, 1989;Mousel et al, 2003;Metzger et al, 2005). Brougham (1960) showed that frequent hard summer grazing activities resulted in the widespread death of desirable pasture plants in New Zealand. Ludwig (2000) has discussed that the activities of livestock were concentrated in the places near water owing to the animals' physiological dependence.…”