Modelling the effect on stocking rate and lamb production of allowing ewes to graze a dual-purpose wheat crop

2014
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton

Trial details

Researcher(s) MA Friend
SR McGrath
JM Virgona
Year(s) 2014
Contributor Central West Farming Systems
Trial location(s) Condobolin, NSW
Modelling the effect on stocking rate and lamb production of allowing ewes to graze a dual-purpose wheat crop locations
Aims

To report on trials showing the value of nitrogen.

Key messages

Slow pasture growth rates during winter limit the potential gross margins from autumn and early winter
lambing in southern New South Wales (NSW) by limiting stocking rates and/or increasing supplementary feed
requirements. Dual-purpose crops can reduce the winter feed gap in mixed-farming systems by increasing
the available feed in winter. The simulation software AusFarm was used to model a mixed-farming system
at Wagga Wagga with Merino ewes joined to terminal sires and grazing lucerne-subterranean clover pasture
over a 41-year period. A paddock of dualpurpose wheat was then added to the system, and ewes were
allowed to graze the wheat crop when feed on offer reached 850 kg DM/ha and before GS31.

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

The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Neville Herrmann, Eric Zurcher and Andrew Moore
(CSIRO) and Susan Robertson (CSU) for advice with setting up the model, and the financial contributions
of Meat and Livestock Australia, Australian Wool Education Trust, NSW Rural Assistance Authority and
Future Farm Industries CR.


Other trial partners Incitec Pivot Fertilisers
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type Cereal (Grain): Wheat
Treatment type(s)
  • Management systems: Mixed farming
  • Technology: Modelling
Trial type Experimental
Trial design Unknown

Condobolin 2014

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information
Trial source data and summary not available
Check the trial report PDF for trial results.
Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Condobolin, NSW Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Condobolin, NSW Kandosol
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 Condobolin NSW
2014 206.0mm
2013 206.6mm
2012 243.4mm
2011 179.2mm
2010 185.0mm
2009 73.3mm
2008 90.9mm
2007 80.4mm
2006 119.2mm
2005 154.3mm
2004 155.8mm
2003 154.0mm
2002 162.4mm
2001 230.3mm
2000 300.5mm
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.

Condobolin NSW

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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

2014 trial report



Trial last modified: 26-04-2018 19:14pm AEST