Register      Login
Animal Production Science Animal Production Science Society
Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Performance of sheep systems grazing perennial pastures. 1. Pasture persistence and enterprise productivity

Susan M. Robertson A B C , John C. Broster A B D and Michael A. Friend A B C E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (Charles Sturt University and NSW Department of Primary Industries), Albert Pugsley Place, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.

B Cooperative Research Centre for Future Farm Industries, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.

C School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.

D School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.

E Corresponding author. Email: mfriend@csu.edu.au

Animal Production Science 60(3) 388-405 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN18555
Submitted: 4 September 2018  Accepted: 6 May 2019   Published: 31 December 2019

Abstract

Sheep production can be optimised by matching the pasture supply curve to feed demand. This study evaluated the production from four management systems with Merino ewes during 2006–2010 in southern New South Wales by using different combinations of lambing time (winter, split, spring), ram breed (Merino, terminal), and percentage of summer-active pasture species (40% or 20% lucerne, Medicago sativa). All systems were stocked at a similar midwinter rate (dry-sheep equivalents per hectare of 8, 10.2, 13, 11.2 and 11.2 in the successive seasons 2006–2010), and there were three replicates of each system. Groundcover and pasture persistence were not adversely impacted by sheep system because sheep were removed at predetermined biomass triggers. Wool production per hectare was up to 178% or 12 kg/ha higher (P < 0.001) in systems where a later month of lambing allowed an increase in number of ewes per hectare at the same midwinter stocking rate. The quantity of lamb sold was not consistently higher in any one system, or in systems producing both crossbred and Merino lambs vs only Merino lambs, owing to variation in the weight and age of lambs at sale, but was increased (P < 0.001) by 175 kg/ha with use of 40% compared with 20% lucerne in a high-rainfall year. The risk of requiring high levels of supplementary feeding was higher in systems with later lambing because of below-average rainfall between 2006 and 2009. Large increases in production can be achieved from the same pasture base through choice of management system with different lambing time, stocking rate or ram breed, but flexibility is needed to optimise production in varying seasonal conditions.

Additional keywords: agricultural systems, alfalfa, grazing management, nutrition, reproduction.


References

BOM (2019) Climate data online. Commonwealth of Australia, Bureau of Meteorology, Canberra, ACT. Available at http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/data/index.shtml [Verified 24 June 2019]

Byrne F, Robertson MJ, Bathgate A, Hoque Z (2010) Factors influencing potential scale of adoption of a perennial pasture in a mixed crop–livestock farming system. Agricultural Systems 103, 453–462.
Factors influencing potential scale of adoption of a perennial pasture in a mixed crop–livestock farming system.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Campbell NA, Arnold GW (1973) The visual assessment of pasture yield. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and Animal Husbandry 13, 263–267.
The visual assessment of pasture yield.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Cayley JWD, Kearney GA (2000) Profitable use of phosphorus fertiliser for temperate pastoral Australia. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 13, 191–194.

Christian KR (1987) Matching pasture production and animal requirements. In ‘Temperate pastures: their production, use and management’. (Eds JL Wheeler, CJ Pearson, GE Robards) pp. 463–476. (Australian Wool Corporation/CSIRO: Melbourne)

Collins WJ (1981) The effects of length of growing season, with and without defoliation, on seed yield and hard-seededness in swards of subterranean clover. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 32, 783–792.
The effects of length of growing season, with and without defoliation, on seed yield and hard-seededness in swards of subterranean clover.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Curtis K (2009) Wool Desk Report: June 2009 flock demographics and producer intentions. February 2009 national survey results. Department of Agriculture and Food, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Davis CH (1976) Nutrition: drought, production and supplementary feeding. In ‘Sheep production guide’. pp. 157–193. (The Livestock and Grain Producers Association of New South Wales: Sydney)

Dear BD, Cocks PS, Wolfe EC, Collins DP (1998) Established perennial grasses reduce the growth of emerging subterranean clover seedlings through competition for water light and nutrients. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 49, 41–51.
Established perennial grasses reduce the growth of emerging subterranean clover seedlings through competition for water light and nutrients.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Dear BD, Sandral GA, Virgona JM, Swan AD, Orchard BA, Cocks PS (2007a) Lucerne, phalaris, and wallaby grass in short-term pasture phases in two eastern Australian wheatbelt environments. 2. Effect of perennial density and species on subterranean clover populations and the relative success of 3 clover cultivars of different maturity. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 58, 123–135.
Lucerne, phalaris, and wallaby grass in short-term pasture phases in two eastern Australian wheatbelt environments. 2. Effect of perennial density and species on subterranean clover populations and the relative success of 3 clover cultivars of different maturity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Dear BS, Virgona JM, Sandral GA, Swan AD, Orchard BA (2007b) Lucerne, phalaris, and wallaby grass in short-term pasture phases in two eastern Australian wheatbelt environments. 1. Importance of initial perennial density on their persistence and recruitment, and on the presence of weeds. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 58, 113–121.
Lucerne, phalaris, and wallaby grass in short-term pasture phases in two eastern Australian wheatbelt environments. 1. Importance of initial perennial density on their persistence and recruitment, and on the presence of weeds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Donnelly JR, Moore AD, Freer M (1997) GRAZPLAN: decision support systems for Australian grazing enterprises. I. Overview of the GRAZPLAN project, and a description of the MetAccess and LambAlive DSS. Agricultural Systems 54, 57–76.
GRAZPLAN: decision support systems for Australian grazing enterprises. I. Overview of the GRAZPLAN project, and a description of the MetAccess and LambAlive DSS.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Fogarty NM, Hopkins DL, Van de Ven R (2000) Lamb production from diverse genotypes. 1. Lamb growth and survival and ewe performance. Animal Science 70, 135–145.
Lamb production from diverse genotypes. 1. Lamb growth and survival and ewe performance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Freer M, Jones D (1984) Feeding value of subterranean clover, lucerne, phalaris and Wimmera ryegrass for lambs. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 24, 156–164.
Feeding value of subterranean clover, lucerne, phalaris and Wimmera ryegrass for lambs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Freer M, Moore AD, Donnelly JR (1997) GRAZPLAN: decision support systems for Australian grazing enterprises. II. The animal biology model for feed intake, production and reproduction and the GrazFeed DSS. Agricultural Systems 54, 77–126.
GRAZPLAN: decision support systems for Australian grazing enterprises. II. The animal biology model for feed intake, production and reproduction and the GrazFeed DSS.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Gicheha MG, Edwards GR, Bell ST, Burtt ES, Bywater AC (2013) Embedded risk management in dryland sheep systems. II. Risk analysis. Agricultural Systems 124, 1–11.
Embedded risk management in dryland sheep systems. II. Risk analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hall D, Wolfe E, Cullis B (1985) Performance of breeding ewes on lucerne–subterranean clover pastures. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 25, 758–765.
Performance of breeding ewes on lucerne–subterranean clover pastures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hayes RC, Dear BS, Li GD, Virgona JM, Conyers MK, Hackney BF, Tidd J (2010) Perennial pastures for recharge control in temperate drought-prone environments. Part 1: productivity, persistence and herbage quality of key species. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 53, 283–302.
Perennial pastures for recharge control in temperate drought-prone environments. Part 1: productivity, persistence and herbage quality of key species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hooper S (2010) Australian lamb: financial performance of slaughter lamb producing farms, 2007–08 to 2009–10. Research report 10.1. ABARE project 3364. Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Canberra, ACT, Australia.

Hutchings T, Nordblom T (2011) A financial analysis of the effect of the mix of crop and sheep enterprises on the risk profile of dryland farms in south-eastern Australia. Australian Farm Business Management 8, 19–42.

Hutchinson KJ (1992) The grazing resource. In ‘Proceedings 6th Australian Agronomy Conference’. Armidale, NSW. (Eds K Hutchinson, PJ Vickery) pp. 54–60. (Australian Society of Agronomy)

Isbell RF (2002) ‘The Australian Soil Classification.’ Revised Edition. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)

IWTO (2015) ‘IWTO red book specifications.’ (International Wool Textile Organisation: Brussels)

Jefferies BC (1961) Tasmanian Journal of Agriculture 32, 19–21.

Kemp D, Dowling P (1991) Species distribution within improved pastures over central N.S.W. in relation to rainfall and altitude. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 42, 647–659.
Species distribution within improved pastures over central N.S.W. in relation to rainfall and altitude.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Kopke E, Young J, Kingwell R (2008) The relative profitability and environmental impacts of different sheep systems in a Mediterranean environment. Agricultural Systems 96, 85–94.
The relative profitability and environmental impacts of different sheep systems in a Mediterranean environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Langlands JP, Donald GE, Paull DR (1984) Effects of different stocking intensities in early life on the productivity of Merino ewes grazed as adults at two stocking rates. 3. Survival of ewes and their lambs, and the implications for flock productivity. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and Animal Husbandry 24, 57–65.
Effects of different stocking intensities in early life on the productivity of Merino ewes grazed as adults at two stocking rates. 3. Survival of ewes and their lambs, and the implications for flock productivity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lodge GM (1991) Management practices and other factors contributing to the decline in persistence of grazed lucerne in temperate Australia: a review. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 31, 713–724.
Management practices and other factors contributing to the decline in persistence of grazed lucerne in temperate Australia: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lodge GM, Murphy SR, Harden S (2003) Effects of continuous and seasonal grazing strategies on the herbage mass, persistence, animal productivity and soil water content of a Sirosa phalaris–subterranean clover pasture, North-West Slopes, New South Wales. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 43, 539–552.
Effects of continuous and seasonal grazing strategies on the herbage mass, persistence, animal productivity and soil water content of a Sirosa phalaris–subterranean clover pasture, North-West Slopes, New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lubulwa M, Thompson T (2015) Australian lamb: financial performance of slaughter lamb producing farms, 2012–13 to 2014–15. Research report 15.4. Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, Canberra, ACT, Australia.

Mannetje L, Haydock KP (1963) The dry-weight-rank method for the botanical analysis of pasture. Journal of the British Grassland Society 18, 268–275.
The dry-weight-rank method for the botanical analysis of pasture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Masters DG, Stewart CA (1990) Wool growth and reproduction. In ‘Reproductive physiology of Merino sheep: concepts and consequences’. (Eds CM Oldham, GB Martin, IW Purvis) pp. 265–274. (School of Agriculture (Animal Science), The University of Western Australia: Perth)

Masters D, Edwards N, Sillence M, Avery A, Revell D, Friend MA, Sanford P, Saul G, Beverley C, Young J (2006) The role of livestock in the management of dryland salinity. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46, 733–741.
The role of livestock in the management of dryland salinity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

McDonald W, Orchard P (2015) Using DSEs and carrying capacities to compare sheep enterprises. Available at https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/budgets/livestock/sheep-gross-margins-october-2015/background/dse [Verified 18 July 2019]

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 |

Nie Z, Norton MR (2009) Stress tolerance and persistence of perennial grasses: the role of the summer dormancy trait in temperate Australia. Crop Science 49, 2405–2411.
Stress tolerance and persistence of perennial grasses: the role of the summer dormancy trait in temperate Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Obst JM (1987) Grazing management and pasture utilization by sheep, goats or cattle. In ‘Temperate pastures: their production, use and management’. (Eds JL Wheeler, CJ Pearson, GE Robards) pp. 477–485. (Australian Wool Corporation/CSIRO: Melbourne)

Packer EL, Clayton EH, Cusack PMV (2011) Rumen fermentation and liveweight gain in beef cattle treated with monensin and grazing lush forage. Australian Veterinary Journal 89, 338–345.
Rumen fermentation and liveweight gain in beef cattle treated with monensin and grazing lush forage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21864305PubMed |

Phillips ML, Campbell IP (1998a) Improved lamb growth rates from winter cleaning of pastures. Animal Production in Australia 22, 307

Phillips ML, Campbell IP (1998b) Winter cleaning of pastures and shearing reduces seed contamination in lambskins. Animal Production in Australia 22, 308

Reed K, Snaydon R, Axelsen A (1972) The performance of young sheep grazing pastures sown to combinations of lucerne or subterranean clover with ryegrass or phalaris. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 12, 240–246.
The performance of young sheep grazing pastures sown to combinations of lucerne or subterranean clover with ryegrass or phalaris.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Reeve J, Sharkey M (1980) Effect of stocking rate, time of lambing and inclusion of lucerne on prime lamb production in north-east Victoria. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 20, 637–653.
Effect of stocking rate, time of lambing and inclusion of lucerne on prime lamb production in north-east Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Reeve I, Kaine G, Lees JW, Barclay E (2000) Producer perceptions of pasture decline and grazing management. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 40, 331–341.
Producer perceptions of pasture decline and grazing management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Reeves DW (1997) The role of soil organic matter in maintaining soil quality in continuous cropping systems. Soil & Tillage Research 43, 131–167.
The role of soil organic matter in maintaining soil quality in continuous cropping systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Reuter D, Dyson C, Elliott D, Lewis D, Rudd C (1995) An appraisal of soil phosphorus testing data for crops and pastures in South Australia. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 35, 979–995.
An appraisal of soil phosphorus testing data for crops and pastures in South Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Robertson SM, Friend MA (2019a) Performance of sheep systems grazing perennial pastures. 2. Wool quality and lamb growth. Animal Production Science.
Performance of sheep systems grazing perennial pastures. 2. Wool quality and lamb growth.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Robertson SM, Friend MA (2019b) Performance of sheep systems grazing perennial pastures. 3. Fertility, fecundity and lamb survival. Animal Production Science.
Performance of sheep systems grazing perennial pastures. 3. Fertility, fecundity and lamb survival.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Robertson SM, Friend MA (2019c) Performance of sheep systems grazing perennial pastures. 4. Simulated seasonal variation and long-term production. Animal Production Science.
Performance of sheep systems grazing perennial pastures. 4. Simulated seasonal variation and long-term production.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Robertson SM, Southwell AF, Friend MA (2014) Modelling the risk of different joining times and lamb sale policies. Animal Production Science 54, 1694–1698.
Modelling the risk of different joining times and lamb sale policies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Sackett S, McEachern S, Holmes P, Duff DC, Condon T (2004) AgInsights 2004: knowing the past: shaping the future. Final report to MLA for Project SCSB. Meat and Livestock Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

SCA (Ed.) (1990) ‘Feeding standards for Australian livestock: ruminants.’ (CSIRO: Melbourne)

Simpson JR, Bromfield SM, McKinney GT (1974) Effects of management on soil fertility under pasture. 1. Influence of experimental grazing and fertiliser systems on growth, composition and nutrient status of the pasture. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and Animal Husbandry 14, 470–478.
Effects of management on soil fertility under pasture. 1. Influence of experimental grazing and fertiliser systems on growth, composition and nutrient status of the pasture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Southwood OR, Robards GE (1975) Lucerne persistence and the productivity of ewes and lambs at two stocking rates within different management systems. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and Animal Husbandry 15, 747–752.
Lucerne persistence and the productivity of ewes and lambs at two stocking rates within different management systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 31882948PubMed |

Trapnell LN, Ridley AM, Christy BP, White RE (2006) Sustainable grazing systems: economic and financial implications of adopting different grazing systems in north-eastern Victoria. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46, 981–992.
Sustainable grazing systems: economic and financial implications of adopting different grazing systems in north-eastern Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

van Dijk AIJM, Beck HE, Crosbie RS, de Jeu RAM, Liu YY, Podger GM, Timbal B, Viney NR (2013) The Millennium Drought in southeast Australia (2001–2009): natural and human causes and implications for water resources, ecosystems, economy, and society. Water Resources Research 49, 1040–1057.
The Millennium Drought in southeast Australia (2001–2009): natural and human causes and implications for water resources, ecosystems, economy, and society.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Virgona JM, Avery AL, Graham JF, Orchard BA (2000) Effects of grazing management on phalaris herbage mass and persistence in summer-dry environments. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 40, 171–184.
Effects of grazing management on phalaris herbage mass and persistence in summer-dry environments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Warn L, Webb Ware J, Salmon L, Donnelly J, Alcock D (2006) Analysis of the profitability of sheep wool and meat enterprises in southern Australia. Final Report for Project 1.2.6. Sheep Cooperative Research Centre, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia.

White RE, Helyar KR, Ridley AM, Chen D, Heng LK, Evans J, Fisher R, Hirth JR, Mele PM, Morrison GR, Cresswell HP, Paydar Z, Dunin FX, Dove H, Simpson RJ (2000) Soil factors affecting the sustainability and productivity of perennial and annual pastures in the high rainfall zone of south-eastern Australia. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 40, 267–283.
Soil factors affecting the sustainability and productivity of perennial and annual pastures in the high rainfall zone of south-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Young JM, Thompson AN, Kennedy AJ (2010) Bioeconomic modelling to identify the relative importance of a range of critical control points for prime lamb production systems in south-west Victoria. Animal Production Science 50, 748–756.
Bioeconomic modelling to identify the relative importance of a range of critical control points for prime lamb production systems in south-west Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Young JM, Thompson AN, Curnow M, Oldham CM (2011) Whole-farm profit and the optimum maternal liveweight profile of Merino ewe flocks lambing in winter and spring are influenced by the effects of ewe nutrition on the progeny’s survival and lifetime wool production. Animal Production Science 51, 821–833.
Whole-farm profit and the optimum maternal liveweight profile of Merino ewe flocks lambing in winter and spring are influenced by the effects of ewe nutrition on the progeny’s survival and lifetime wool production.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |