Phosphorus supplementation improves the growth and reproductive performance of female Brahman cattle grazing phosphorus-deficient pastures in the Victoria River District, Northern Territory, Australia
T. J. Schatz
A * , K. D. McCosker B C and C. Heeb D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A NT Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade, GPO Box 3000, Darwin, NT 0801, Australia.
B Centre for Animal Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld 4343, Australia.
C Formally NT Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade, GPO Box 1346, Katherine, NT 0851, Australia.
D NT Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade, Victoria River Research Station, PMB 48, Katherine, NT 0852, Australia.
Animal Production Science 63(6) 544-559 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN21565
Submitted: 9 November 2021 Accepted: 29 November 2022 Published: 3 January 2023
© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing
Abstract
Context: There is a paucity of information on the responses to phosphorus (P) supplementation of breeder herds grazing P-deficient rangelands in northern Australia.
Aims: A study examined the production and economic benefits of P supplementation of Brahman females grazing P-deficient pastures in the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia.
Methods: Two treatment groups (initially n ~ 90) grazed two similar P-deficient paddocks for 5 years after weaning (at approximately 6 months of age). Management was the same except that the loose lick mineral supplement either contained P (+P) or did not contain P (−P). Performance attributes were measured from commencement until after the cows had the opportunity to calve during three successive annual cycles.
Key results: The cows in the +P treatment were overall heavier (P < 0.001), taller (P < 0.001) and had higher plasma inorganic P (PiP) concentrations (P < 0.001) than did those in the −P treatment at every measurement date after the first wet season. Pregnancy rates in lactating cows were 25%, 39% and 63% units higher (P < 0.01) in +P in 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively and overall average weaner weight was 33 kg heavier (P < 0.001) in +P. Due to higher weaning rates and heavier weaning weights, +P produced about AU$39 365 more value of weaners per 100 heifers allocated to each treatment than did −P over the first three calf crops. The cumulative mortality rate was 12% higher in the −P over the 5 years (14.8% vs 2.2%, P < 0.01), and would have been even higher if at-risk −P cows had not been fed additional supplements. Return on investment calculations indicated that each AU$1 spent on P supplement returned AU$4.98 in value of extra calves weaned and AU$7.88 in extra total liveweight increase over the 5 years of the study.
Conclusions: The large production and financial benefits from P supplementation observed in this study are relevant to most northern Australian properties where soils are P deficient, although the magnitude of response is likely to vary depending on the level of P deficiency.
Implications: The large production and economic benefits from P supplementation in this study demonstrated the importance of P supplementation for breeder herds grazing P-deficient pastures.
Keywords: Brahman, cattle, fertility, growth, northern Australia, phosphorus, PiP, supplementation, mortality.
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