The effect of time of grazing on bulrush millet (Pennisetum typhoides) at Katherine, N.T

Abstract

The liveweight gains of Shorthorn steers on bulrush millet at two beasts an acre, with grazing beginning late March, late April, and late May, were compared in each of the three seasons, 1965-67, at Katherine Research Station, N.T. Cattle on the later treatments were on native pasture from late March until millet grazing began. Liveweight gain on millet was significantly greater with a March start than with a May start (P<0.05), but total gains (native pasture plus millet) did not differ significantly between treatments. The proportions by dry weight of heads, leaf, and stem of millet, and the nitrogen content of these fractions, were estimated during grazing. Cattle grazed heads preferentially, and also preferred stem to leaf in the early stages of grazing. Their grazing preferences were not related to the nitrogen content of the plant fractions. A review of all tests ,of millet grazing at Katherine (18 between 1960 and 1967) showed that, between a late January and a late May start, the earlier grazing begins the higher the liveweight gain per head and per acre.