Effect of continuous and time-control grazing on grassland components in south-eastern Australia
P. M. Dowling A B G , D. R. Kemp B , P. D. Ball C , C. M. Langford D , D. L. Michalk A , G. D. Millar A , P. C. Simpson E and R. P. Thompson FA NSW Agriculture and CRC for Weed Management Systems, Orange Agricultural Institute, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia.
B Charles Sturt University/The University of Sydney, Rural Management, PO Box 883, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia.
C Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, New Town, Tas. 7008, Australia.
D NSW Agriculture, Goulburn, NSW 2580, Australia.
E Grangers Lane, Federal Highway, Goulburn, NSW 2580, Australia.
F Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, Scottsdale, Tas. 7260, Australia.
G Corresponding author. Email: pdowling@orange.usyd.edu.au
Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 45(4) 369-382 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA03104
Submitted: 25 May 2003 Accepted: 12 May 2004 Published: 23 May 2005
Abstract
Declining grassland productivity is a major concern in southern temperate Australia. Continuous grazing is thought to be a primary contributor to this decline, which is associated with the loss of perennial grasses. Landholders are evaluating grazing management strategies that might curb the loss of perennials and increase long-term productivity. This study reports on a comparison between continuous grazing and time-control grazing with sheep and cattle using a paired-paddock design at 5 locations in south-eastern Australia (lat. 30–42°S) over 6 years (1994–99). Pasture herbage mass, grassland species composition and basal cover of perennial grasses were assessed at 6-monthly intervals. Species abundance data were analysed by ANOVA, ordination (multi-dimensional scaling) and splining procedures to assess comparative trends between the 2 management treatments at each site. Species were categorised into major functional groups for analysis. Over all 5 sites there were few consistent differences between management treatments (continuous grazing v. time-control grazing). Basal cover was greater on the time-control grazing management compared with continuous grazing for most of the experimental period at 3 sites, but the initial values were also greater, resulting in a non-significant management × time interaction. Based on this study, we conclude that there was no apparent medium-term benefit of a multi-paddock rotational (time-control grazing) grazing system over continuous grazing for encouraging and maintaining a favourable botanical composition. The benefits for land managers from employing systems such as time-control grazing may accrue through other mechanisms. The study also highlights some of the difficulties with conducting on-farm paired-paddock research.
Additional keywords: basal cover, biomass, botanical composition, perennial grasses.
Acknowledgments
We thank Meat and Livestock Australia for financial support, and in particular Ian Rogan and Warren Mason for facilitating progress and development of the research program. We are indebted to the McKemey (Guyra), Mitchell (Armidale), Gundry (Tarago), Johnston (Newbridge) and Isles (Oatlands) families for allowing access to their databases and properties; Judy Earl and Chris Jones for permission to use their data; Helen Nicol for statistical advice and analyses; and Warren King, Sue Priest, Trevor Klein, Jenni Tarleton, Jonathon Knox and Andrew Beattie for expert assistance with data collection. We also thank Peter O’Reagain for helpful comments on the manuscript.
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