Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-8ctnn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T02:38:36.363Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The inter-relationships of grazing method and stocking rate in the efficiency of pasture utilization by dairy cattle

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

C. P. McMeekan  and
M. J. Walshe
C. P. McMeekan
Affiliation:
Ruakura Animal Research Station, New Zealand
M. J. Walshe
Affiliation:
Ruakura Animal Research Station, New Zealand
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

1. A large-scale grazing management study comparing rotational grazing and continuous grazing with dairy cows at two stocking rates over four complete production seasons is described.

2. The four treatments were: (i) controlled grazing, light stocking rate; (ii) controlled grazing, heavy stocking rate; (iii) uncontrolled grazing, light stocking rate; (iv) uncontrolled grazing, heavy stocking rate.

Each treatment involved 40 cows for a first 2-year phase and 42 cows for the following 2 years. Each herd had a normal age distribution pattern and seven 2-year-old first lactation heifers (17% of total herd) were introduced each year to maintain this pattern.

3. Stocking rate was the more important factor affecting the efficiency of pasture utilization as measured by per acre output of milk and butterfat. In general, high stocking was associated with higher outputs per acre despite lower yields per animal.

4. Grazing method was of less importance. In general, controlled rotational grazing was superior to uncontrolled continuous grazing, both per animal and per acre, but the average influence even of these extremes of management was only half that of stocking rate.

5. Significant interactions between stocking rate and grazing method existed. Under continuous grazing a point was reached where production per acre declined to the vanishing point with increased stocking rate due to excessive depression of per cow yield: this point was not reached under rotational grazing at the same high stocking levels.

6. The results suggest that optimum stocking rate under rotational grazing occurs at a level some 5–10% higher than under continuous grazing. A depression of 10–12% in per cow yield, compared with more lenient grazing, corresponds with optimum stocking level irrespective of the grazing system. This estimate is suggested as a guide line in applying the principles involved.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 61 , Issue 2 , October 1963 , pp. 147 - 166
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1963

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Brumby, P. J. (1960). Proc. N.Z. Soc. Anim. Prod. p. 99.Google Scholar
Campbell, A. G. (1961). Unpublished data. Ruakura Anim. Res. Sta., Hamilton, N.Z.Google Scholar
Karlovsky, J. (1961). Unpublished data. Ruakura Soil Fertility Res. Sta., Hamilton, N.Z.Google Scholar
McMeekan, C. P. (1946). Principles of Animal Production. Whitcombe and Toombs, Ltd.Google Scholar
McMeekan, C. P. (1955). Bull. N.Z. Dep. Agric. Bull. no. 228.Google Scholar
McMeekan, C. P. (1956). Proc. 7th. Int. Grassl. Congr. p. 146.Google Scholar
McMeekan, C. P. (1960). Proc. 8th. Int. Grassl. Congr. Plenary Paper.Google Scholar
Shannon, P. (1962). Proc. N.Z. Anim. Prod. Soc. (in the Press).Google Scholar
Wallace, L. R. (1957). Proc. Ruakura Farmers' Conf. p. 166.Google Scholar
Walshe, M. J. & Conway, A. (1960). Proc. 8th Int. Grassl. Congr. p. 548.Google Scholar
Whittleston, W. G. (1949). Bull. Handbook Machine Milking, no. 266 N.Z. Dep. Agric.Google Scholar