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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 45(4)

Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees. complex pastures in southern New South Wales, Australia: a comparison with Medicago sativa L. and Phalaris aquatica L. pastures under rotational grazing

W. H. Johnston A B D , P. S. Cornish A and V. F. Shoemark C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC, NSW 1797, Australia.

B Present address: NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, PO Box 189, Queanbeyan, NSW 2620, Australia.

C NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, PO Box 5336, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: bill.johnston@dipnr.nsw.gov.au

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 45(4) 401-420 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA03117
Submitted: 11 June 2003  Accepted: 24 May 2004   Published: 23 May 2005

Abstract

A grazing experiment conducted in Wagga Wagga (New South Wales) from September 1993 to September 1998 compared the productivity of pastures containing 3 palatable types of summer-active Eragrostis curvula complex, with pastures containing either Medicago sativa or Phalaris aquatica. Issues relating to the management of E. curvula pastures were also investigated. Herbage growth rates of the P. aquatica and M. sativa pastures were highest in winter and spring; E. curvula pastures were most productive in summer and autumn. Stocking rates equivalent to 30–40 dry sheep were carried by the pastures during their growing seasons. Throughout the study, the pastures were dominated by their respective sown perennial species, however, a suite of desirable and undesirable annual grasses and annual legumes usually contributed >20% of total herbage mass in spring. The P. aquatica pasture contained a higher proportion of weedy species than the other pastures, especially C4 grasses and broadleafed species, and towards the end of the experiment it was also invaded by several native perennial grasses. Overall, the wool yield from the M. sativa pasture was 0.5–1.0 kg/animal.year higher than the other pastures. Management to minimise herbage accumulation on the E. curvula pastures was a key issue, and provided that pastures were grazed heavily, this was achieved by the rotational grazing strategy used in the experiment. It was concluded that palatable varieties of E. curvula have a useful and complementary role as perennial pastures in southern Australia. By increasing herbage availability in summer and autumn, E. curvula may improve management flexibility for a wide range of pastures that are commonly grown on farms.

Additional keywords: grazing trial, put-and-take grazing, pasture production, lovegrass, pasture management.


Acknowledgments

John Aveyard was instrumental in initiating this research and his support and mentoring was greatly appreciated. The work was partially funded by the Wool Research and Development Corporation. The assistance of support staff including Tom and John Rodham, Greg White, Sarah McGeoch and Rob LeLievre, and Terry Koen’s help with statistical analysis was also greatly appreciated.


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