The impacts of change in forage quality and seasonality on sheep farm profitability

Webby, R. W.; Sheath, G. W.

doi:10.33584/jnzg.2000.62.2380

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…The supply of high quality pasture is crucial for maximizing animal performance in pasture‐based ruminant production systems, with imposed grazing management decisions significantly influencing sward productivity and quality (Francis & Smetham, ; Webby & Sheath, ). Grass, either grazed or conserved, can supply up to 95% of the energy requirements of sheep (Davies & Penning, ), providing producers in temperate grazing regions an ideal opportunity to maximize output from grass through increased herbage dry‐matter (DM) production and utilization (Keady, Hanrahan, & Flanagan, ; Shalloo, Kennedy, Wallace, Rath, & Dillon, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the effects of ewe prolificacy potential and stocking rate on herbage production, utilization, quality and sward morphology in a temperate grazing system

Earle

McHugh

Boland

et al. 2017

Grass and Forage Science

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This study investigated the effect of ewe prolificacy potential (PP; predicted number of lambs born ewe−1 year−1), stocking rate (SR; ewes/ha) and their interaction on herbage dry matter (DM) production, utilization, quality and sward morphology within a temperate grass‐based lamb production system. The study had a 2 × 3 factorial design, consisting of two ewe PP as dictated by sire breed (180 medium prolificacy potential (MP—Suffolk crossbred) and 180 high prolificacy potential ewes (HP—Belclare crossbred)) and three SR: low (LSR; 10 ewes/ha), medium (MSR; 12 ewes/ha) and high (HSR: 14 ewes/ha). Each treatment was managed in a rotational grazing system, with LSR, MSR and HSR treatments grazing to target post‐grazing sward heights (PGSH) of 4.55, 4.15 and 3.75 cm respectively. Herbage DM production (above target PGSH) and utilization were highest at the HSR, intermediate at the MSR and lowest at the LSR (p < .001). Ewe PP had no effect on herbage DM production, utilization, quality or sward morphology (p > .05). The proportion of leaf in the sward (above target PGSH) was 4% greater in MSR and HSR compared with LSR (p < .05). In conclusion, findings demonstrate the potential to support increased ewe PP through the selection of ewe genotypes of a genetically higher PP and lower mature live weight and increased SR within a temperate grass‐based lamb production system.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the effects of ewe prolificacy potential and stocking rate on herbage production, utilization, quality and sward morphology in a temperate grazing system

Earle

McHugh

Boland

et al. 2017

Grass and Forage Science

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“…This was driven by better feed quality increasing animal liveweight gain. Correspondingly, Webby and Sheath (2000) demonstrated that altering feed quality was a much stronger driver of farm profitability than increasing dry matter production. Higher energy content in legume-based pasture has consistently been identified as key to increased profitability (Stevens et al, 2012;Rendel et al, 2017;Stevens and Casey 2017;Moot et al, 2019).…”

Section: Whole Farm Efficiencymentioning

confidence: 99%

Profit, productivity, and eco-efficiency of using Caucasian clover/ grass pastures in hill country farms

Stevens

Taylor

2023

Journal of NZ Grasslands

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Legumes have the potential to alter farm eco-efficiency, but options for low fertility hill country are limited. Caucasian clover tolerates low fertility while producing pastures with high legume content. If we establish significant amounts of Caucasian clover-based pastures in our hill country farms, can we increase the eco-efficiency and profitability of those farms? We used published data to predict the production of Caucasian clover-based pastures, based on weather data and soil moisture deficit prediction, for four farms representative of low rainfall in the South Island. Scenarios with 10, 20 or 30% of the farm improved with Caucasian clover/grass pastures were compared to current systems. A staged approach was used to sequentially add increased lamb finishing, increase hogget liveweight, improve ewe nutrition and more beef finishing. This aimed to utilise the extra high-quality feed produced. Ecoefficiency measures of GHG emissions were compared to productivity measures of product per hectare and profitability. An analysis of return on investment will be provided. Results are currently being analysed. Initial indications mirror previous work where legumes are added to the farm system. Emissions per kg of product are reduced, though overall emissions may increase as the total amount of product is increased. These will be presented in detail in the final paper. The transition to incorporate Caucasian clover changes feed supply due to slow establishment and this varies dependent on the location. We will explore the impacts of this variability on the implications of adding Caucasian clover to farm systems in this low rainfall environment in the full paper. Ecoefficiency improvements can be gained by introducing legumes. However, transition costs to introduce Caucasian clover need to be recognised and planned for before the benefits can be captured. Understanding of the climatic conditions on individual farms will ensure good planning and execution when establishing Caucasian clover and capturing the benefits in both eco-efficiency and profitability.

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“…The inclusion of sociological research acknowledges that people play an extremely important part in the Field et al 1981;McCall et al 1986;Marshall et al 1991;Webby et al 1995;Rollo et al 1996;Woodward et al 2000;Ridler et al 2001;Woodward et al 2001;Rendel et al 2013;Spooner & Li 2013 Economic Beck & Dent 1987;Marshall et al 1991;Webby et al 1995;Ridler et al 2001;Rendel et al 2013 Environmental Synge et al 2013;Vogeler et al 2014White et al 2010Dynes et al 2011;Mackay et al 2012McCall 1984aMcCall 1984b;McCall et al 1986;Journeaux et al 1987;Parker et al 1992;Barker & Baars 1993;Stevens et al 2000;Webby & Sheath 2000;Murray et al 2007;White et al 2010;Dynes et al 2011;Mackay et al 2012;Beck & Dent 1987Journeaux et al 1987;Parker et al 1992;Korte & Rhodes 1993;Dake 1994;Barker et al 1999;Ormond et al 2002;Stevens et al 2000;Webby & Sheath 2000;White et al 2010;Dynes et al 2011;…”

Section: Sociology Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Farming systems research: purpose, history and impact in New Zealand hill country

Stevens¹,

Casey²,

Cousins³

2016

NZGA R&P Series

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A review of the literature accessed 234 papers that referenced farm or farming systems research in New Zealand hill country. These were categorised into resource allocation/productivity, modelling, farm studies and sociology. Sociology was further categorised into social, cultural, resilience, policy and regulation, and system behaviour and change. Farming systems research developed over the 5 decades studied from 9 papers in 1960-1975, to a peak of 60 papers during the 1986-1995 decade. The number of papers accessed during the latest decade, 2006-2015, was 57. The focus of research has changed significantly from an initial emphasis on biophysical processes and productivity, peaking in the 1976-1985 decade and then tapering off. This provided data for the development of models that could generate many more comparisons at lower cost. Modelling of the biophysical farm and economic outcomes has been steady through the decades from 1986 to present. The impacts of policy and regulation have featured strongly in the 1986-1995 decade after agricultural deregulation, and again in the 2006-2015 decade as consumer and societal concerns about the environment have emerged. Resilience of the farming system, encompassing production, economic, social and environmental trade-offs, has emerged as a topic being most prevalent in the most recent decade from 2006-2015. The discipline of farm systems research has also matured over this time as a greater range of research techniques, over a wider range of subject matter have been applied. An evolution of the discipline has also seen the integration of the principles of complex adaptive systems into the work. Keywords: cultural, economic, environmental, farm systems, modelling, policy, production, regulation, resilience, social

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The impacts of change in forage quality and seasonality on sheep farm profitability

Cited by 6 publications

References 12 publications

Evaluation of the effects of ewe prolificacy potential and stocking rate on herbage production, utilization, quality and sward morphology in a temperate grazing system

Evaluation of the effects of ewe prolificacy potential and stocking rate on herbage production, utilization, quality and sward morphology in a temperate grazing system

Profit, productivity, and eco-efficiency of using Caucasian clover/ grass pastures in hill country farms

Farming systems research: purpose, history and impact in New Zealand hill country

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