Determining optimal lamb stocking rates for grazing of dual purpose wheat

2007
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton

Trial details

Researcher(s) Geoff Dean (SFS/TIAR)
Regan Parkinson (SFS/TIAR)
Year(s) 2007
Contributor Southern Farming Systems
Trial location(s) Cressy, TAS
Determining optimal lamb stocking rates for grazing of dual purpose wheat locations
Aims

The aim of this study was to determine the optimal animal production and economic stocking rate for lambs grazing dual purpose wheat crops over winter and to assess the effects of different stocking rates and grazing intensity on subsequent plant growth and final
grain yield.

Key messages

Individual live‐weight gains were highest at the lower stocking rates, but income per hectare was considerably greater at the higher stocking rates with income over $1000/ha at rates of 40 and 50 lambs/ha. Grain yields tended to be higher for the lowest stocking rate but it is likely this was largely due to increased populations of ryegrass with higher grazing pressure.

Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Ian and AG Morrison for land and assistance with weighing lambs.


Other trial partners Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Grazing: Rate
Trial type Demonstration
Trial design Unreplicated

Cressy 2007

Sow date 12 March 2007
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information

Download results

Trial results Table 1

# Variety
Treatment 1
Grain yield (t/ha) Weeds (plants/m2)
1 Mackellar average of 30, 40 and 50 lambs/ha 5.44 21
2 Mackellar 20 lambs/ha 5.08 17
3 Mackellar 10 lambs/ha 6.3 3

Grain yield t/ha


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Weeds plants/m2


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Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Cressy, TAS Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Cressy, TAS Sodosol
Soil Moisture Source: BOM/ANU
Average amount of water stored in the soil profile during the year, estimated by the OzWALD model-data fusion system.
Year Cressy TAS
2007 238.8mm
2006 242.6mm
2005 242.5mm
2004 234.1mm
2003 243.1mm
2002 263.3mm
2001 328.8mm
2000 487.5mm
National soil grid Source: CSIRO/TERN
NOTE: National Soil Grid data is aggregated information for background information on the wider area
Actual soil values can vary significantly in a small area and the trial soil tests are the most relevant data where available

Soil properties

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Climate

Derived climate information

No observed climate data available for this trial.
Derived climate data is determined from trial site location and national weather sources.

Cressy TAS

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Some data on this site is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology

SILO weather estimates sourced from https://www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au/silo/
Jeffrey, S.J., Carter, J.O., Moodie, K.B. and Beswick, A.R. (2001). Using spatial interpolation to construct a comprehensive archive of Australian climate data , Environmental Modelling and Software, Vol 16/4, pp 309-330. DOI: 10.1016/S1364-8152(01)00008-1.

Trial report and links

2007 trial report



Trial last modified: 04-11-2019 11:01am AEST