Effects of grazing lucerne supplementation and stocking rate on sheep and native pasture productivity in the Queensland Traprock region : Progress report 1962-65

Abstract

The first 3 yr of results of a grazing experiment on native pastures dominated by Bothriochloa decipiens and Dichanthium humilis are presented. Treatments were as follows: (a) 0.67 ac/sheep, with one-sixth of the area under lucerne, (b) 1.0 ac/sheep, with one-sixth of the area under lucerne, (c) 1.0 ac/sheep, native pasture only, (d) 2.0 ac/sheep, native pasture only. Total dry weight (living and dead material) and dry weight of living material, as measured by cutting to ground level every 6 weeks, were consistently greater in the native pasture areas grazed under treatments (b) and (d) than in (a) and (c). In July-Oct., treatment (b) gave the best liveweight increase, but compensatory weight gains were evident subsequently in the other treatments, except in the dry summer of 1964-5. The lucerne supplement also increased wool yield.-A.M.H.