Production and gross margins for sheep and cattle grazed separately and together

Abstract

On annual pasture, ewes lambing in autumn and young steers grazed separately each at five stocking rates, and grazed together in a ratio of 4 : 1 at each of three stocking rates. Gross margin per hectare (GMH) from the sheep was greatest at the heaviest stocking rate that could be carried safely without supplementary feed, and from steers was greatest at the heaviest stocking rate at which a high proportion of carcases were first-grade, even in a year of poor pasture. Maximum GMH from the steers was obtained at a lighter equivalent stocking rate than that required for maximum GMH from the sheep. When the sheep and steers grazed together at a stocking rate where first-grade steer carcases were produced consistently, the loss in potential sheep GMH from reducing the sheep stocking rate to this level was greater than the value of any benefit from mixed stocking. This finding is discussed in relation to results from another environment where no difference was found between sheep and cattle in the stocking rate required for maximum GMH.