Dual-purpose crops: the potential to increase cattle liveweight gains in winter across southern Australia
J. I. McCormick
A B G , J. W. Paulet A , L. W. Bell C , M. Seymour D , M. P. Ryan E and S. R. McGrath B F
A School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
B Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
C CSIRO Agriculture and Food, 203 Tor Street, Toowoomba, Qld 4350, Australia.
D Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development, PMB 50 Esperance, WA 6450, Australia.
E CSBP, PO Box 360, Esperance, WA 6450, Australia.
F School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
G Corresponding author. Email: jmccormick@csu.edu.au
Animal Production Science 61(11) 1189-1201 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN19231
Submitted: 18 April 2019 Accepted: 19 January 2021 Published: 22 June 2021
Abstract
Context: Dual-purpose wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and canola (Brassica napus L.) crops have been extensively researched for grazing in Australian farming systems, with a focus on grazing by sheep. In some regions, dual-purpose crops have been grazed by cattle, but there have been reports of animal health problems.
Aims: This paper sought to collate all known experiments conducted throughout Australia of cattle grazing dual-purpose crops, in order to evaluate grazing management options for cattle on dual-purpose crops that result in high growth rates and good animal health outcomes.
Methods: There were six experiments. In Expts 1–3, cattle were grazed on wheat crops with and without available mineral supplementation of NaCl and MgO in a 1:1 ratio. In Expt 3, lime was also added to the mineral mix. In Expts 4 and 5, dual-purpose crops were grazed in combination with annual pastures to determine whether strategic use of dual-purpose crops could increase whole farm livestock productivity. In Expt 6, cattle were introduced to dual-purpose canola with different periods of adaptation (0, 4 and 7 days). Liveweight gain was monitored regularly to assess differences between adaptation treatments.
Key results: Liveweight gain was increased by 0–27% when cattle grazing high quality, dual-purpose wheat were provided with mineral supplement. Cattle had an initial lag in growth rate when introduced to dual-purpose canola for grazing and this was not affected by the adaptation strategy used. Cattle that experienced a shorter adaptation period achieved higher weight gains more quickly. After the lag phase, average daily gain (ADG) was ≥2 kg/head.day, with an ADG over the entire grazing period for all treatments of 1.75 kg/head.day. The effect on the farm system was determined by extending the length of the grazing period on the dual-purpose crops. Grazing periods of shorter duration did not increase overall liveweight gains compared with grazing only pasture, whereas extending the period of dual-purpose crop grazing resulted in increased cattle weights.
Conclusions: Cattle benefit from the addition of mineral supplements when grazing a dual-purpose wheat crop, with a response similar to that previously demonstrated in sheep. Cattle can safely graze dual-purpose canola and achieve high ADG. Inclusion of dual-purpose crops can improve overall cattle performance in the farming system.
Implications: The potential area for production of dual-purpose crops within the Australian mixed farming zone is large and there may be insufficient livestock numbers within the zone to utilise the potential forage production. Cattle from other regions could be introduced during autumn and winter to realise this large forage potential during a period that is commonly a feed deficit on grazing-only properties. Estimates suggest that up to two million young cattle could be supported for 60 days, increasing liveweight by 90 kg/head.
Keywords: forage, livestock grazing, ruminant adaptation.
References
AGSURF (2020) AGSURF data. Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Australian Government, Canberra. Available at https://apps.daff.gov.au/AGSURF/agsurf.asp [Verified 16 April 2020]Amat S, Olkowski AA, Atila M, O’Neill TJ (2013) A review of polioencephalomalacia in ruminants: is the development of malacic lesions associated with excess sulfur intake independent of thiamine deficiency? Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences 1, 1
| A review of polioencephalomalacia in ruminants: is the development of malacic lesions associated with excess sulfur intake independent of thiamine deficiency?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ashby J (2011) Lifting whole farm profits at Howick: Grain and Graze 2 case study. Grains Research & Development Corporation, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Available at http://www.grainandgraze3.com.au/resources/240_FowlerCaseStudy.pdf [Verified 3 May 2021]
Ayres L, Clements B (2002) Forage brassicas: quality crops for livestock production. Agfact P2 1.13. NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange, NSW, Australia.
Bailey G (2014) Bloat in cattle and sheep. Primefact 416. NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange, NSW, Australia.
Barry TN (2013) The feeding value of forage brassica plants for grazing ruminant livestock. Animal Feed Science and Technology 181, 15–25.
| The feeding value of forage brassica plants for grazing ruminant livestock.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bell LW, Kirkegaard JA, Swan A, Hunt JR, Huth NI, Fettell NA (2011) Impacts of soil damage by grazing livestock on crop productivity. Soil & Tillage Research 113, 19–29.
| Impacts of soil damage by grazing livestock on crop productivity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bell LW, Lilley JM, Hunt JR, Kirkegaard JA (2015) Optimising grain yield and grazing potential of crops across Australia’s high-rainfall zone: a simulation analysis. 1. Wheat. Crop & Pasture Science 66, 332–348.
| Optimising grain yield and grazing potential of crops across Australia’s high-rainfall zone: a simulation analysis. 1. Wheat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
BOM (2019) Climate statistics for Australian locations. Bureau of Meteorology, Australian Government, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Available at http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_072150.shtml [Verified 17 April 2019]
Bowman J, Sowell B (1997) Delivery method and supplement consumption by grazing ruminants: a review. Journal of Animal Science 75, 543–550.
| Delivery method and supplement consumption by grazing ruminants: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 9051478PubMed |
Briceno JV, Van Horn HH, Harris B, Wilcox CJ (1987) Effects of neutral detergent fiber and roughage source on dry matter intake and milk yield and composition of dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 70, 298–308.
| Effects of neutral detergent fiber and roughage source on dry matter intake and milk yield and composition of dairy cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 3033038PubMed |
Chakwizira E, Johnstone P, Fletcher AL, Meenken ED, Ruiter JM, Brown HE (2015) Effects of nitrogen rate on nitrate-nitrogen accumulation in forage kale and rape crops. Grass and Forage Science 70, 268–282.
| Effects of nitrogen rate on nitrate-nitrogen accumulation in forage kale and rape crops.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cheng L, McCormick J, Logan C, Hague H, Hodge MC, Edwards GR (2018) Liveweight gain and urinary nitrogen excretion of dairy heifers grazing perennial ryegrass–white clover pasture, canola, and wheat. Animal Production Science 58, 1073–1078.
| Liveweight gain and urinary nitrogen excretion of dairy heifers grazing perennial ryegrass–white clover pasture, canola, and wheat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Colnenne C, Meynard JM, Reau R, Justes E, Merrien A (1998) Determination of a critical nitrogen dilution curve for winter oilseed rape. Annals of Botany 81, 311–317.
| Determination of a critical nitrogen dilution curve for winter oilseed rape.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
CSIRO (2007) ‘Nutrient requirements of domesticated ruminants.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne, Vic., Australia)
de Ruiter J, Wilson D, Maley S, Fletcher A, Fraser T, Scott W, Berryman S, Dumbleton A, Nichol W (2009) Management practices for forage brassicas. DairyNZ, Hamilton, New Zealand. Available at https://www.dairynz.co.nz/media/443169/management_practices_forage_brassicas.pdf [Verified 13 July 2020]
Dove H, Kirkegaard JA (2014) Using dual-purpose crops in sheep-grazing systems. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 94, 1276–1283.
| Using dual-purpose crops in sheep-grazing systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24323974PubMed |
Dove H, McMullen KG (2009) Diet selection, herbage intake and liveweight gain in young sheep grazing dual-purpose wheats and sheep responses to mineral supplements. Animal Production Science 49, 749–758.
| Diet selection, herbage intake and liveweight gain in young sheep grazing dual-purpose wheats and sheep responses to mineral supplements.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dove H, Kelman WM, Kirkegaard JA, Sprague SJ (2012) Impact of magnesium–sodium supplementation on liveweight gains of young sheep grazing dual-purpose cereal or canola crops. Animal Production Science 52, 1027–1035.
| Impact of magnesium–sodium supplementation on liveweight gains of young sheep grazing dual-purpose cereal or canola crops.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dove H, Kirkegaard JA, Kelman WM, Sprague SJ, McDonald SE, Graham JM (2015) Integrating dual-purpose wheat and canola into high-rainfall livestock systems in south-eastern Australia. 2. Pasture and livestock production. Crop & Pasture Science 66, 377–389.
| Integrating dual-purpose wheat and canola into high-rainfall livestock systems in south-eastern Australia. 2. Pasture and livestock production.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Drewry JJ, Cameron KC, Buchan GD (2008) Pasture yield and soil physical property responses to soil compaction from treading and grazing: a review. Soil Research 46, 237–256.
| Pasture yield and soil physical property responses to soil compaction from treading and grazing: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fletcher AL, Chakwizira E (2012) Nitrate accumulation in forage brassicas. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 55, 413–419.
| Nitrate accumulation in forage brassicas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gunter SA, Combs GF (2019) Efficacy of mineral supplementation to growing cattle grazing winter-wheat pasture in northwestern Oklahoma. Translational Animal Science 3, 1119–1132.
| Efficacy of mineral supplementation to growing cattle grazing winter-wheat pasture in northwestern Oklahoma.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 32704876PubMed |
Healy D, Gilmour P, Campbell J (2013) Grain and Graze 2 Impact Report. Draft report. Roberts Evaluation, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
Hibbard CA, Rehberger TG, Swartzlander J, Parrott T (1998) Utilization of high nitrate forages by beef cows, dairy cows and stocker calves. In ‘Management of high nitrate forages for beef and dairy cattle’. Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station Conference Proceedings. (Oklahoma State University: Stillwater, OK, USA)
Hocking PJ, Norton RM, Good P (1999) Canola nutrition. In ‘Canola in Australia: the first 30 years’. (Eds PA Salisbury, TD Potter, G McDonald, AG Green) pp. 15–22. (Australian Oilseeds Federation)
Horn GW (2006) Growing cattle on winter wheat pasture: management and herd health considerations. Veterinary Clinics Food Animal Practice 22, 335–356.
| Growing cattle on winter wheat pasture: management and herd health considerations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16814021PubMed |
Kelly J (2013) Rape blindness (polioencephalomalacia) in cattle. Flock & Herd Case Notes. District Veterinarians of New South Wales. Available at http://www.flockandherd.net.au/cattle/reader/rape-blindness.html [Verified 13 December 2019]
Kirkegaard JA, Sprague SJ, Hamblin PJ, Graham JM, Lilley JM (2012) Refining crop and livestock management for dual-purpose spring canola (Brassica napus). Crop & Pasture Science 63, 429–443.
| Refining crop and livestock management for dual-purpose spring canola (Brassica napus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lilley JM, Bell LW, Kirkegaard JA (2015) Optimising grain yield and grazing potential of crops across Australia’s high-rainfall zone: a simulation analysis. 2. Canola. Crop & Pasture Science 66, 349–364.
| Optimising grain yield and grazing potential of crops across Australia’s high-rainfall zone: a simulation analysis. 2. Canola.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lowe LB, Ball GJ, Carruthers VR, Dobos RC, Lynch GA, Moate PJ, Poole PR, Valentine SC (1991) Monensin controlled‐release intraruminal capsule for control of bloat in pastured dairy cows. Australian Veterinary Journal 68, 17–20.
| Monensin controlled‐release intraruminal capsule for control of bloat in pastured dairy cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 2018451PubMed |
Masters DG, Hancock S, Refshauge G, Robertson SM, McGrath S, Bhanugopan M, Friend MA, Thompson AN (2019) Mineral supplements improve the calcium status of pregnant ewes grazing vegetative cereals. Animal Production Science 59, 1299–1309.
| Mineral supplements improve the calcium status of pregnant ewes grazing vegetative cereals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McCormick JI, Virgona JM, Lilley JM, Kirkegaard JA (2015) Evaluating the feasibility of dual-purpose canola in a medium-rainfall zone of south-eastern Australia: a simulation approach. Crop & Pasture Science 66, 318–331.
| Evaluating the feasibility of dual-purpose canola in a medium-rainfall zone of south-eastern Australia: a simulation approach.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McGrath SR, Bhanugopan MS, Dove H, Clayton EH, Virgona JM, Friend MA (2015) Mineral supplementation of lambing ewes grazing dual-purpose wheat. Animal Production Science 55, 526–534.
| Mineral supplementation of lambing ewes grazing dual-purpose wheat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McGrath SR, Street SH, Krebs GL, Ataollahi F, Bhanugopan MS, Friend MA (2021) Utilising dual-purpose crops to produce prime lambs: comparison of White Dorper and Merino sheep on crops and pasture. Animal Production Science.
| Utilising dual-purpose crops to produce prime lambs: comparison of White Dorper and Merino sheep on crops and pasture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Moore AD (2009) Opportunities and trade-offs in dual-purpose cereals across the southern Australian mixed-farming zone: a modelling study. Animal Production Science 49, 759–768.
| Opportunities and trade-offs in dual-purpose cereals across the southern Australian mixed-farming zone: a modelling study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Moore AD, Bell LW, Revell DK (2009) Feed gaps in mixed-farming systems: insights from the Grain & Graze program. Animal Production Science 49, 736–748.
| Feed gaps in mixed-farming systems: insights from the Grain & Graze program.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pinchak WE, Worrall WD, Caldwell SP, Hunt LJ, Worrall NJ, Conoly M (1996) Interrelationships of forage and steer growth dynamics on wheat pasture. Journal of Range Management 49, 126–130.
| Interrelationships of forage and steer growth dynamics on wheat pasture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Radcliffe J, Dove H, McGrath D, Martin P, Wolfe E (2012) Review of the use and potential for dual purpose crops. Grains Research & Development Corporation, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Available at https://publications.csiro.au/rpr/download?pid=csiro:EP124204&dsid=DS1 [Verified 27 April 2020]
Sanford P, Kemp D, Lodge G, Garden D, Grimm M, Graham J (1998) Pasture theme protocol. In ‘Themes and experimental protocols for sustainable grazing systems’. (Ed. GM Lodge) pp. 12–29. (Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation: Canberra, ACT, Australia)
Thomas DT, Wilmot MG, Kelly RW, Revell DK (2011) Adaptation behaviour of local and rangeland cattle relocated to a temperate agricultural pasture. Animal Production Science 51, 1088–1097.
| Adaptation behaviour of local and rangeland cattle relocated to a temperate agricultural pasture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Virgona JM, Gummer FAJ, Angus JF (2006) Effects of grazing on wheat growth, yield, development, water use, and nitrogen use. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 57, 1307–1319.
| Effects of grazing on wheat growth, yield, development, water use, and nitrogen use.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zadoks JC, Chang TT, Konzak CF (1974) A decimal code for the growth stages of cereals. Weed Research 14, 415–421.
| A decimal code for the growth stages of cereals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
