Comparison of stocking methods for beef production in northern Australia: seasonal diet quality and composition
Trevor J. Hall A F , John G. McIvor B , Paul Jones C , David R. Smith D and David G. Mayer E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Agri-Science Queensland, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), PO Box 102, Toowoomba, Qld 4350, Australia.
B CSIRO, 306 Carmody Road, St Lucia, Qld 4067, Australia.
C DAF, Locked Mail Bag 6, Emerald, Qld 4720, Australia.
D DAF, PO Box 976, Charters Towers, Qld 4820, Australia.
E DAF, EcoSciences Precinct, Boggo Road, Dutton Park, Qld 4102, Australia.
F Corresponding author. Email: trevor.hall@daf.qld.gov.au
The Rangeland Journal 38(6) 553-567 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ15122
Submitted: 11 December 2015 Accepted: 7 November 2016 Published: 16 December 2016
Abstract
Managing and measuring the grazing and nutrition of cattle are required to improve the productivity and profitability of beef businesses in northern Australia. The quality and composition of the diet selected by cattle grazing in three stocking methods (continuous, extensive rotation and intensive (cell) rotation) on nine commercial properties in Queensland were estimated using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy analyses of fresh faeces; 585 faecal samples were analysed between 2005 and 2009. Sites were in two regions (north and south Queensland) and on two vegetation communities, namely brigalow (Acacia harpophylla F. Muell. ex Benth.) on clay soils and eucalypts on light-textured soil types. Pastures were dominated by perennial sown exotic grass species, predominantly Cenchrus ciliaris L. (buffel grass) at five sites and Urochloa mosambicensis (Hack.) (Sabi grass) at one site, and by native perennial tussock grasses at three sites. Seasonal profiles of dietary crude protein, dry matter digestibility, faecal nitrogen concentration, proportion of non-grass, ratio of crude protein to digestibility and an estimate of liveweight gain are presented for each stocking method. Overall, dietary crude protein, digestibility, faecal nitrogen, the crude protein : digestibility ratio and liveweight gain were significantly higher for animals grazed continuously, with short rest periods, than for animals in extensive or intensive rotations. There was a significant interaction between stocking method and pasture growing conditions, measured as a simulated growth index, for dietary crude protein and faecal nitrogen. There was no difference between stocking methods during periods when the index was <0.2, indicating no pasture growth, but during periods of active growth (index >0.5), crude protein and faecal nitrogen were higher with continuous grazing than in the extensive and intensive rotations. For cattle producers considering alternative stocking methods, the results suggest they can obtain similar ecological responses under any of the three methods and diet quality will be higher during the pasture growing period in continuously grazed pastures.
Additional keywords: cell grazing, continuous grazing, dietary crude protein, digestibility, faecal near infrared reflectance spectroscopy, liveweight gain, rotational grazing.
References
Allen, V. G., Batello, C., Berretta, E. J., Hodgson, J., Kothmann, M., Li, X., McIvor, J., Milne, J., Morris, C., Peeters, A., and Sanderson, M. (2011). An international terminology for grazing lands and grazing animals. Grass and Forage Science 66, 2–28.| An international terminology for grazing lands and grazing animals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ash, A. J., McIvor, J. G., Corfield, J. P., and Winter, W. H. (1995). How land condition alters plant–animal relationships in Australia’s tropical savannas. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 56, 77–92.
| How land condition alters plant–animal relationships in Australia’s tropical savannas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Birch, H. F. (1960). Soil drying and soil fertility. Tropical Agriculture 37, 3–10.
| 1:CAS:528:DyaF3cXhtlalt7Y%3D&md5=c0a6965aab9bebc9c40010f12e9205d2CAS |
Boval, M., Coates, D. B., Lecomte, P., Decruyenaere, V., and Archimède, H. (2004). Faecal near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to assess chemical composition, in vivo digestibility and intake of tropical grass by Creole cattle. Animal Feed Science and Technology 114, 19–29.
| Faecal near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to assess chemical composition, in vivo digestibility and intake of tropical grass by Creole cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXjtFanu7k%3D&md5=c531dd2f48639252a691588cd9ded7a7CAS |
Briske, D. D., Derner, J. D., Brown, J. R., Fuhlendorf, S. D., Teague, W. R., Havstad, K. M., Gillen, R. L., Ash, A. J., and Willms, W. D. (2008). Rotational grazing on rangelands: reconciliation of perception and experimental evidence. Rangeland Ecology and Management 61, 3–17.
| Rotational grazing on rangelands: reconciliation of perception and experimental evidence.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Brooks, J., Anderson, M., and Urness, P. J. (1984). Infrared reflectance analysis of forage quality for elk. The Journal of Wildlife Management 48, 254–258.
| Infrared reflectance analysis of forage quality for elk.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cattle, S. R., and Southorn, N. J. (2010). Macroporosity of pasture topsoils after three years of set-stocked and rotational grazing by sheep. Australian Journal of Soil Research 48, 43–57.
| Macroporosity of pasture topsoils after three years of set-stocked and rotational grazing by sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Coates, D. B. (1999). Faecal spectroscopy (NIRS) for nutritional profiling of grazing cattle. In: ‘People and Rangelands: Building the Future. Proceedings of the VI International Rangeland Congress’. Townsville, Qld. (Eds D. Eldridge and D. Freudenberger.) pp. 466–467. (VI International Rangelands Congress Inc.: Aitkenvale, Qld.)
Coates, D. B. (2002). Using faecal NIRS to predict growth rate in grazing cattle. Final Report Project NAP3.116, Meat and Livestock Australia, Sydney, NSW.
Coates, D. B. (2004). Improving nutritional management of grazing cattle: improving reliability of faecal NIRS calibration equations. Final Report Project NAP3.121, Meat and Livestock Australia, Sydney, NSW.
Coates, D. B., and Dixon, R. M. (2007). Faecal near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (F.NIRS) measurements of non-grass proportions in the diet of cattle grazing tropical rangelands. The Rangeland Journal 29, 51–63.
| Faecal near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (F.NIRS) measurements of non-grass proportions in the diet of cattle grazing tropical rangelands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Coates, D. B., and Dixon, R. M. (2008). Development of near infrared analysis of faeces to estimate non-grass proportions in diets selected by cattle grazing tropical pastures. Journal of Near Infrared Spectroscopy 16, 471–480.
| Development of near infrared analysis of faeces to estimate non-grass proportions in diets selected by cattle grazing tropical pastures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhsVKhs7rL&md5=7bd0833f8f8881ba986d1b30d29f5a7fCAS |
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland Government (2012). Fodder trees for beef cattle. Available at: www.daf.qld.gov.au/environment/drought/managing-drought/drought-strategies/fodder-trees-for-survival-feeding-of-beef-cattle (accessed 10 September 2016).
Dixon, R. M., and Coates, D. B. (2005). The use of faecal NIRS to improve nutritional management of cattle in northern Australia. Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition in Australia 15, 65–75.
Dixon, R. M., and Coates, D. B. (2010). Diet quality estimated with faecal near infrared reflectance spectroscopy and responses to N supplementation by cattle grazing buffel grass pastures. Animal Feed Science and Technology 158, 115–125.
| Diet quality estimated with faecal near infrared reflectance spectroscopy and responses to N supplementation by cattle grazing buffel grass pastures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXmvVSrsro%3D&md5=fad972be07e551e7b0b5b6875ead49c3CAS |
Dixon, R. M., and Coates, D. B. (2015). Application of faecal near infrared spectroscopy to manage the nutrition and productivity of grazing ruminants. In: ‘International Conference on Forages in Warm Climates. Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Forages in Warm Climates’. 1–3 June 2015. (Eds A. R. Evangelista, C. L. S. Avila, D. R. Casagrande, M. A. S. Lara and T. F. Bernardes.) pp. 207–230. (Organising Committee of the 1st International Conference on Forages in Warm Climates and University of Lavras: Lavras, Brazil.)
Gardener, C. J. (1980). Diet selection and liveweight performance of steers on Stylosanthes hamata-native grass pastures. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 31, 379–392.
| Diet selection and liveweight performance of steers on Stylosanthes hamata-native grass pastures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gatenby, A. (1999). Rangeland management: sustainable agriculture requires sustainable profit. In: ‘Outlook ’99. Proceedings of the National Agriculture and Resource Outlook Conference’. Vol. 2, Agriculture. pp. 165–172. (Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics: Canberra, ACT.)
Graham, T., Myers, R., Doran, J., Catchpoole, V., and Robbins, G. (1985). Pasture renovation: the effect of cultivation on the productivity and nitrogen cycling of a Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) pasture. In: ‘Proceedings of the XV International Grassland Congress’. 24–31 August 1985, Kyoto, Japan. (Eds Nihon Gakujutsu Kaigi and Nihon Sochi Gakkai.) pp. 24–31. (Science Council of Japan, Japanese Society of Grassland Science: Nishi-nasuno, Tochigi-ken, Japan.)
Hall, T. J. (1981). The nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations of some pasture species in the Dichanthium–Eulalia grasslands of north-west Queensland. Australian Rangeland Journal 3, 67–73.
| The nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations of some pasture species in the Dichanthium–Eulalia grasslands of north-west Queensland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hall, T. J., McIvor, J. G., Reid, D. J., Jones, P., MacLeod, N. D., McDonald, C. K., and Smith, D. R. (2014). A comparison of stocking methods for beef production in northern Australia: pasture and soil surface condition responses. The Rangeland Journal 36, 161–174.
| A comparison of stocking methods for beef production in northern Australia: pasture and soil surface condition responses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hao, J., Dickhoefer, U., Lin, I., Müller, K., Glindemann, T., Schönbach, P., Schiborra, A., Wang, C., and Susenbeth, A. (2013). Effects of rotational and continuous grazing on herbage quality, feed intake and performance of sheep on a semi-arid grassland steppe. Archives of Animal Nutrition 67, 62–76.
| Effects of rotational and continuous grazing on herbage quality, feed intake and performance of sheep on a semi-arid grassland steppe.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hawkins, H. (2016). Does holistic planned grazing work in rangelands? A global meta-analysis. In: ‘The Future Management of Grazing and Wild Lands in a High-tech World. Proceedings of the 10th International Rangeland Congress’. 16–22 July 2016, Saskatoon, Canada. (Eds A. Iwaasa, H. A. Lardner, M. Schellenberg, W. Willms and K. Larson.) pp. 933–934. (10th International Rangeland Congress: Saskatoon, Canada.)
Henderson, R. J. F. (1997). ‘Queensland Plants: Names and Distribution.’ (Queensland Department of Environment: Brisbane, Qld.)
Hirschfeld, D. J., Kirby, D. R., Caton, J. S., Silcox, S. S., and Olson, K. C. (1996). Influence of grazing management on intake and composition of cattle diets. Journal of Range Management 49, 257–263.
| Influence of grazing management on intake and composition of cattle diets.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Holm, A. McR., and Eliot, G. J. (1980). Seasonal changes in the nutritive value of some native pasture species in north-western Australia. Australian Rangeland Journal 2, 175–182.
| Seasonal changes in the nutritive value of some native pasture species in north-western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jackson, D., Hall, T., Reid, D., Smith, D., and Tyler, R. (2009). Delivery of faecal NIRS and associated decision support technology as a management tool for the northern cattle industry. Final Report Project NBP.303, Meat and Livestock Australia, Sydney, NSW.
Jeffrey, S. J., Carter, J. O., Moodie, K. B., and Beswick, A. R. (2001). Using spatial interpolation to construct a comprehensive archive of Australian climate data. Environmental Modelling & Software 16, 309–330.
| Using spatial interpolation to construct a comprehensive archive of Australian climate data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Joyce, S. (2000). Change the management and what happens: a producer’s perspective. Tropical Grasslands 34, 223–229.
Kirch, B. H., Moser, L. E., Waller, S. S., Klopfenstein, T. J., Aiken, G. E., and Strickland, J. R. (2007). Selection and dietary quality of beef cattle grazing smooth bromegrass, switchgrass, and big bluestem. The Professional Animal Scientist 23, 672–680.
Littleboy, M., and McKeon, G. M. (1997). Subroutine GRASP: grass production model. Documentation of the Marcoola version of Subroutine GRASP. Appendix 2 of ‘Evaluating the risks of pasture and land degradation in native pastures in Queensland’. Final report, Project DAQ124A, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra, ACT. pp. 76.
Lyons, R. K., and Stuth, J. W. (1992). Fecal NIRS equations for predicting diet quality of free-ranging cattle. Journal of Range Management 45, 238–244.
| Fecal NIRS equations for predicting diet quality of free-ranging cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lyons, R. K., Stuth, J. W., and Angerer, J. P. (1995). Technical note: fecal NIRS equation field validation. Journal of Range Management 48, 380–382.
| Technical note: fecal NIRS equation field validation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McArthur, S. (1998). Practical evidence supports cell grazing benefits. Australian Farm Journal – Beef September, 8–9.
McCollum, F. T., and Gillen, R. L. (1998). Grazing management affects nutrient intake by steers grazing tallgrass prairie. Journal of Range Management 51, 69–72.
| Grazing management affects nutrient intake by steers grazing tallgrass prairie.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McCosker, T. (1994). The dichotomy between research results and practical experience with time control grazing. Australian Rural Science Annual 1994, 26–31.
McCosker, T. (2000). Cell grazing – the first 10 years in Australia. Tropical Grasslands 34, 207–218.
McKeon, G. M., Ash, A. J., Hall, W. B., and Stafford Smith, M. (2000). Simulation of grazing strategies for beef production in north-east Queensland. In: ‘Applications of Seasonal Climate Forecasting in Agricultural and Natural Ecosystems – The Australian Experience’. (Eds G. Hammer, N. Nicholls and C. Mitchell.) pp. 227–252. (Kluwer Academic Press: Dordrecht, The Netherlands.)
Olson, K. C., and Malechek, J. C. (1988). Heifer nutrition and growth on short duration grazed crested wheatgrass. Journal of Range Management 41, 259–263.
| Heifer nutrition and growth on short duration grazed crested wheatgrass.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ortega, I. M., Soltero-Gardea, S., Drawe, D. L., and Bryant, F. C. (1997). Evaluating grazing strategies for cattle: nutrition of cattle and deer. Journal of Range Management 50, 631–637.
| Evaluating grazing strategies for cattle: nutrition of cattle and deer.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Payne, R. W., Harding, S. A., Murray, D. A., Soutar, D. M., Baird, D. B., Glaser, A. I., Welham, S. J., Gilmour, A. R., Thompson, R., and Webster, R. (2011). REML analysis of mixed models. In: ‘The Guide to Genstat Release 14, Part 2: Statistics’. (VSN International: Hemel Hempstead, UK.)
Peck, G., Buck, S., Hoffman, A., Holloway, C., Johnson, B., Lawrence, D., and Paton, C. (2011). Review of productivity decline in sown grass pastures. Final report, Project B.NBP.0624, Meat and Livestock Australia, Sydney, NSW.
Peck, G., Chudleigh, F., Guppy, C., Johnson, B., and Lawrence, D. (2015). Use of phosphorus fertiliser for increased productivity of legume-based sown pastures in the Brigalow Belt region – a review. Final report, Project B.NBP.0769, Meat and Livestock Australia, Sydney, NSW.
Pitts, J. S., and Bryant, F. C. (1987). Steer and vegetation response to short duration and continuous grazing. Journal of Range Management 40, 386–389.
| Steer and vegetation response to short duration and continuous grazing.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Popp, J. D., McCaughey, W. P., and Cohen, R. D. H. (1997). Effect of grazing system, stocking rate and season of use on diet quality and herbage availability of alfalfa-grass pastures. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 77, 111–118.
| Effect of grazing system, stocking rate and season of use on diet quality and herbage availability of alfalfa-grass pastures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Provenza, F. D., Villalba, J. J., Dziba, L. E., Atwood, S. B., and Banner, R. E. (2003). Linking herbivore experience, varied diets, and plant biochemical diversity. Small Ruminant Research 49, 257–274.
| Linking herbivore experience, varied diets, and plant biochemical diversity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Robbins, G. B., Rickert, K. G., and Humphreys, L. R. (1986). Productivity decline in sown tropical grass pastures with age: the problem and possible solutions. Proceedings of the Australian Society of Animal Production 16, 319–322.
Sparke, R. (2000). Cell grazing – a producer’s perspective. Tropical Grasslands 34, 219–222.
Stuth, J. W., Kapes, E. D., and Lyons, R. K. (1989). Use of near infrared spectroscopy to assess nutritional status of cattle diets on rangeland. In: ‘Proceedings of the XVI International Grassland Congress’. 4–11 October 1989, Nice, France. (Ed. R. Desroches.) pp. 889–890. (Association Française pour la production fourragère: Versailles, France.)
Taylor, C. A., Kothmann, M. M., Merrill, L. B., and Elledge, D. (1980). Diet selection by cattle under high-intensity low-frequency, short duration, and merrill grazing systems. Journal of Range Management 33, 428–434.
| Diet selection by cattle under high-intensity low-frequency, short duration, and merrill grazing systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Teague, R. (2014). Deficiencies in the Briske et al. rebuttal of the Savory methods. Rangelands 36, 37–38.
| Deficiencies in the Briske et al. rebuttal of the Savory methods.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Teague, R., Provenza, F., Kreuter, U., Steffens, T., and Barnes, M. (2013). Multi-paddock grazing on rangelands: why the perceptual dichotomy between research results and rancher experience? Journal of Environmental Management 128, 699–717.
| Multi-paddock grazing on rangelands: why the perceptual dichotomy between research results and rancher experience?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tothill, J. C., Hargreaves, J. N. G., Jones, R. M., and McDonald, C. K. (1992). BOTANAL – a comprehensive sampling and computing procedure for estimating pasture yield and composition. 1. Field sampling. Tropical Agronomy Technical Memorandum No. 78, CSIRO Division of Tropical Crops and Pastures, Brisbane, Qld.
VSN International (2012). ‘Genstat for Windows.’ 15th edn. (VSN International: Hemel Hempstead, UK.)
Weston, E. J., and Harbison, J. (1980). ‘Map 3: Native Pasture Communities.’ (Queensland Department of Primary Industries: Brisbane, Qld.)
Whish, G. (2011). Land types of Queensland. Version 2.0. Prepared by the Grazing Land Management Workshop Team, PR07-3212, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Brisbane, Qld.
