Effect of spelling newly sown pastures

Abstract

Newly sown pure swards of Wimmera ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) were either grazed or spelled (deferred) for five weeks after emergence in autumn and then evaluated with young Merino wethers stocked at 10 sheep ha-1. Sheep on deferred pastures had higher intakes and liveweight than on plots continuously grazed. Spelling increased the availability of pasture for prehension due to a greater weight of herbage being offered and the more erect growth form. Under continuous grazing the animal productivity on clover was much lower than on ryegrass but following deferment, both species had similar productivity. The beneficial effects of spelling after emergence were manifest over the ensuing ten months by liveweight, fleeceweight and number of days of grazing. Spelling also increased seed reserves at the end of summer and the number of plants re-establishing at the beginning of the next growing season.