The effect of prior history of superphosphate application and stocking rate on faecal and nutrient distribution on grazed natural pastures.

Abstract

Soil samples and sheep faeces were collected from sites which were systematically distributed within paddocks in a long-term grazing trial on temperate rangeland on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. The soil samples were analysed by standard techniques for a range of plant nutrients. Most of the plant nutrients examined accumulated strongly in the sheep camp areas. The rate of superphosphate application affected the distribution of plant nutrients and stocking rate affected faecal distribution. It was concluded that both these factors could affect both production and composition of grazed natural pastures.