Observations on the utilization by cattle of Axonopus affinis following foliar application of urea, molasses and monosodium phosphate

Abstract

A supplement containing urea, molasses, monosodium phosphate and cobalt chloride was supplied in strips at weekly intervals to a mature carpet grass (Axonopus affinis) pasture in south-eastern Queensland during the autumn-winter months of 1958 and 1959. In both experiments stock showed a marked preference for the treated strips immediately after spraying. This preference was not evident 24 hours after treatment. Failure to obtain a response in body-weight in cattle from the foliar application of urea and molasses to mature carpet grass is attributed to the high degree of selectivity of grazing and the interval between treatments, together with the short-term response in palatability in this environment.