Effects of time-controlled and continuous grazing on total herbage mass and ground cover

Farm Table dit :

Study showed that time controlled grazing can increase total herbage mass and ground cover when compared to continuous grazing at similar stocking levels

What is the problem?

Time-controlled grazing has been put forward as an alternative to continuous grazing, which has been documented to reduce pasture productivity and decline soil surface. However, little research had been performed on how time controlled grazing affected ground organic matter and land surface protection.

What did the research involve?

  • Sub-tropical region of Australia – commercial property in southeast Queensland
  • 2001-2006
  • 44 permanent sampling location sites
  • Herd of merinos with different sizes in different grazing events (1,750 – 4577 DSE) moved between 21 paddocks
  • In time-controlled grazing, paddock grazed with an average of 12.3DSE/ha over 14 days (mean) and rested.
  • In continuous grazing, pasture stocked with constant ~1.6DSE/ha.

What were the key findings?

  • Herbage mass under time controlled grazing increased to 140% in 2006 (compared to 2001). Outcomes higher where soil deeper and slope gentler
  • Ground cover under time controlled grazing significantly higher percentages in all years of the study
  • Ground cover increased from 54% to 89%
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Bradley Dawson
Bradley Dawson

Bradley est un rédacteur chevronné de Farm Table, fort d'une expérience de plusieurs dizaines d'années dans le journalisme et la création de contenu. Ancien producteur et journaliste pour le site Web de Telstra Sports, il a perfectionné ses compétences en matière de création de contenu attrayant et informatif. Aujourd'hui, il met son expertise au service du secteur agricole australien en rédigeant des articles de grande qualité qui informent et soutiennent la communauté agricole australienne.

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