A comparison of four pasture types for the wheat belt of southern New South Wales

Abstract

Four pasture types: subterranean clover/annual grass, subterranean clover/phalaris, lucerne/ subterranean clover, and lucerne/phalaris/subterranean clover were grazed by dry ewes at two stocking rates (8.9 and 13.3 sheep ha-1) from August 1969 until May 1973. Sheep on pasture containing lucerne were an average 2.4 kg heavier than sheep on subterranean clover with phalaris or annual grass. The difference increased to as much as 7 kg in summer and was usually maintained over the winter. Sheep on subterranean clover/phalaris pastures were heavier in favourable seasons and lighter in poorer seasons than those on subterranean clover/annual grass. Generally, these liveweight effects were reflected in wool production.