Pub Date : 2023-05-03DOI: 10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3577
N. Schon, A. Roberts, Rhys Narbey
Soil health was assessed across land conversions from forestry (Pinus radiata) to irrigated dairy pasture. Samples were collected and indicators of soil fertility, organic matter, soil physical condition and biological activity assessed. Soil health scores were calculated from the indicators and distance from optimum shown in radar plots. Soil health was improved for pastoral land use following conversion from forestry. The timesince forestry ceased and irrigation commenced had a signification effect on indicators of soil health, although many were not optimum even for the sites longest out of forestry/under irrigation. The main factors contributing to lower scores across all sites were suboptimal fertility,high C:N ratios, high macroporosity, low microbial respiration and low earthworm abundance and diversity. Some aspects (e.g., fertility) could be managed through nutrient application, while other aspects are more difficult to manage (e.g., C:N ratio and biological activity). Management targeting these properties may accelerate the path to a healthy and well-functioning soil. The inclusion of a wider range of indicators can help to better understand and manage soils during the conversion from forestry to pasture. This approach could be useful across all pasture systems to help ensure well-functioning soils.
{"title":"Assessing soil health following conversion from forestry to pasture in Canterbury","authors":"N. Schon, A. Roberts, Rhys Narbey","doi":"10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3577","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3577","url":null,"abstract":"Soil health was assessed across land conversions from forestry (Pinus radiata) to irrigated dairy pasture. Samples were collected and indicators of soil fertility, organic matter, soil physical condition and biological activity assessed. Soil health scores were calculated from the indicators and distance from optimum shown in radar plots. Soil health was improved for pastoral land use following conversion from forestry. The timesince forestry ceased and irrigation commenced had a signification effect on indicators of soil health, although many were not optimum even for the sites longest out of forestry/under irrigation. The main factors contributing to lower scores across all sites were suboptimal fertility,high C:N ratios, high macroporosity, low microbial respiration and low earthworm abundance and diversity. Some aspects (e.g., fertility) could be managed through nutrient application, while other aspects are more difficult to manage (e.g., C:N ratio and biological activity). Management targeting these properties may accelerate the path to a healthy and well-functioning soil. The inclusion of a wider range of indicators can help to better understand and manage soils during the conversion from forestry to pasture. This approach could be useful across all pasture systems to help ensure well-functioning soils.","PeriodicalId":36573,"journal":{"name":"Journal of New Zealand Grasslands","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42532094","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-03DOI: 10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3561
Wayne Hofmann, M. Neal, S. Woodward, T. ONeill
This research determined the accuracy and precision of Global Positioning System (GPS) enabled devices as a potential tool to automate the recording of onfarm grazing events, which can be used to indicate productivity of paddocks (with number of grazings per year), or, when combined with other farm data, estimate energy harvested. Static tests were initially conducted to determine the devices’ accuracy (location error) and precision (Circular Error Probability; CEP). Based on 11 Agtech and 22 mOOvement devices tested, the mean location error was 5.4 m and 34.2 m, respectively. The 95% CEP was 13.9 m and 77.6 m, respectively. In the subsequent on-farm study, 11 cows in a 400-cow milking herd were fitted with an Agtech and mOOvement ear tag and two with digitanimal collars. Data were analysed for the AM and PM grazing periods for four days. The digitanimal collars recorded 62.3% of total observations in the correct paddock, instead of adjacent paddocks or races, compared with 52.5% for the Agtech devices and 45.2% for the mOOvement ear tags. These results suggested that GPS technology isfeasible for the automated recording of grazing events. However, a longer-term study is required to demonstrate the value this technology could have for farmers.
{"title":"GPS technology as a tool to aid pasture management on dairy farms","authors":"Wayne Hofmann, M. Neal, S. Woodward, T. ONeill","doi":"10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3561","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3561","url":null,"abstract":"This research determined the accuracy and precision of Global Positioning System (GPS) enabled devices as a potential tool to automate the recording of onfarm grazing events, which can be used to indicate productivity of paddocks (with number of grazings per year), or, when combined with other farm data, estimate energy harvested. Static tests were initially conducted to determine the devices’ accuracy (location error) and precision (Circular Error Probability; CEP). Based on 11 Agtech and 22 mOOvement devices tested, the mean location error was 5.4 m and 34.2 m, respectively. The 95% CEP was 13.9 m and 77.6 m, respectively. In the subsequent on-farm study, 11 cows in a 400-cow milking herd were fitted with an Agtech and mOOvement ear tag and two with digitanimal collars. Data were analysed for the AM and PM grazing periods for four days. The digitanimal collars recorded 62.3% of total observations in the correct paddock, instead of adjacent paddocks or races, compared with 52.5% for the Agtech devices and 45.2% for the mOOvement ear tags. These results suggested that GPS technology isfeasible for the automated recording of grazing events. However, a longer-term study is required to demonstrate the value this technology could have for farmers. ","PeriodicalId":36573,"journal":{"name":"Journal of New Zealand Grasslands","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42778844","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-03DOI: 10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3617
T. Dale, K. Tozer, P. Weir, M. Staincliffe
Forage crops options are required by dry-stock farmers to fill summer feed gaps. This trial compared a brassica monoculture with simple and hyper-diverse mixtures containing up to 21 forage species sown in October on a Waikato dry-stock farm. Two of the twelve treatments were established at paddock scale. Species included rape, oats, plantain and red clover. Seedling emergence was assessed four weeks after sowing and herbage production, metabolisable energy and botanical composition in mid-January. Rape was common in all mixtures for the provision of high-quality forage. Oats suppressed rape production, even at low sowing rates (<13 kg/ha), and reduced weed ingress. Plantain, sown at <2 kg/ha, contributed negligible dry matter in mid-January but provided ground cover and additional forage by late February. Red clover failed to establish. Most diverse treatments provided a similar energy yield (MJ ME/ha) to rape. Simple mixtures and hyperdiverse mixtures were similar for most metrics. Results at plot and paddock scale were consistent for the energy yield effects. When these data were combined with production costs, the energy costs were similar for most treatments. The most promising was a rape dominant mixture, with high energy yield, low weed abundance and low energy costs.
{"title":"Agronomic performance of summer forage crops on a Waikato dry-stock farm","authors":"T. Dale, K. Tozer, P. Weir, M. Staincliffe","doi":"10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3617","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3617","url":null,"abstract":"Forage crops options are required by dry-stock farmers to fill summer feed gaps. This trial compared a brassica monoculture with simple and hyper-diverse mixtures containing up to 21 forage species sown in October on a Waikato dry-stock farm. Two of the twelve treatments were established at paddock scale. Species included rape, oats, plantain and red clover. Seedling emergence was assessed four weeks after sowing and herbage production, metabolisable energy and botanical composition in mid-January. Rape was common in all mixtures for the provision of high-quality forage. Oats suppressed rape production, even at low sowing rates (<13 kg/ha), and reduced weed ingress. Plantain, sown at <2 kg/ha, contributed negligible dry matter in mid-January but provided ground cover and additional forage by late February. Red clover failed to establish. Most diverse treatments provided a similar energy yield (MJ ME/ha) to rape. Simple mixtures and hyperdiverse mixtures were similar for most metrics. Results at plot and paddock scale were consistent for the energy yield effects. When these data were combined with production costs, the energy costs were similar for most treatments. The most promising was a rape dominant mixture, with high energy yield, low weed abundance and low energy costs.","PeriodicalId":36573,"journal":{"name":"Journal of New Zealand Grasslands","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49113616","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-03DOI: 10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3570
D. Stevens, M. Casey, Charles C. Bennett, B. Thompson, N. Garden, Pat Garden
The potential for Lotus pedunculatus is greatest in acid soils of our hill and high country. However, its productivity and longevity are sensitive firstly to establishment success, secondly to nutrient supply and thirdly to the grazing management applied by the farmer. We investigated the role of sulphur fertiliser in productivity, and then tested the influence of defoliation regime on production and spread of Lotus after the establishment of high or low plant populations in low pH, high aluminium soils near Millers Flat. The mapping of soil test results to Lotus yield revealed a relationship between soil sulphur content and lotus growth. Sulphur was then applied at two sites (low or high productivity) at three rates (0, 24 or 78 kg S/ha) and measured over three years. To test the impacts of grazing management, defoliation regimes (seasonally to 2 or 5 cm residual height, or once per annum in autumn) were applied to paired plots of high or low initial plants numbers for three years, after a 12-month establishment period. The experimental site, at approximately 1000 masl, had a base vegetation cover of unimproved native tussock, with low soil pH and P (4.8 and 7 respectively) and high available Al (30-40 ppm), after fertiliser application at establishment. Herbage production, plant abundance and rhizome spread were measured. Lotus contributed between 65-85% of the herbage available for grazing (excluding tussocks). Total production ranged between 1900 and 3200 kg DM/ha/annum and was lower when initial plant numbers were lower. The addition of sulphur fertiliser did not alter dry matter yields over three years. Herbage yields were maximised by defoliation to 2 cm height each season or once in autumn. Measurements of the influence of defoliation intensity and initial plant numbers on rhizome spread are pending. The establishment of high plant numbers is essential to lotus stand productivity. Low herbage yields require relatively little nutrient inputs and yields were not affected by additional sulphur fertiliser in the five years after establishment. Impacts of defoliation regime and initial plant numbers will be ready before final paper submission. Subdivision of hill and high-country blocks will improve the longevity of Lotus stands. Ensuring an adequate number of lotus plant establish is key to enabling longevity. Impacts of spelling Lotus for whole growing seasons to aid spread will be included in the paper. Lotus maintains a consistent yield with small fertiliser inputs.
在我国山地和高原的酸性土壤中，莲花的潜力最大。然而，它的生产力和寿命首先对建立成功敏感，其次对养分供应敏感，第三对农民应用的放牧管理敏感。我们调查了硫肥料在生产力中的作用，然后测试了在Millers Flat附近的低pH、高铝土壤中建立高或低植物种群后，落叶制度对莲花生产和传播的影响。土壤试验结果与莲花产量的映射揭示了土壤硫含量与莲花生长之间的关系。然后在两个地点（低生产率或高生产率）以三种速率（0、24或78 kg S/ha）施用硫，并在三年内进行测量。为了测试放牧管理的影响，在12个月的建立期后，对初始植物数量高或低的成对地块应用落叶制度（季节性地至2或5厘米的剩余高度，或每年秋季一次），为期三年。该试验场地海拔约1000 masl，基本植被覆盖着未改良的本地柞蚕，在设施施肥后，土壤pH值和P值较低（分别为4.8和7），有效Al值较高（30-40ppm）。测定了牧草产量、植物丰富度和根茎分布。荷花占可供放牧牧草（不包括柞蚕）的65-85%。总产量在1900至3200公斤干/公顷/年之间，当初始植物数量较低时，产量较低。硫肥料的添加在三年内没有改变干物质的产量。通过每个季节或秋季一次落叶至2厘米的高度，牧草产量最大化。落叶强度和初始植物数量对根茎扩展的影响的测量尚待确定。建立高植株数量对莲座生产力至关重要。较低的牧草产量需要相对较少的营养投入，并且在建立后的五年内，产量不受额外硫肥料的影响。落叶制度和初始植物数量的影响将在最终论文提交前准备好。丘陵和高乡村街区的细分将提高莲花林的寿命。确保建立足够数量的莲花是长寿的关键。论文将包括拼写Lotus对整个生长季节的影响，以帮助传播。莲花通过少量的化肥投入保持了稳定的产量。
{"title":"Responses of Lotus pedunculatus to sulphur fertiliser and defoliation regime in high country","authors":"D. Stevens, M. Casey, Charles C. Bennett, B. Thompson, N. Garden, Pat Garden","doi":"10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3570","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3570","url":null,"abstract":"The potential for Lotus pedunculatus is greatest in acid soils of our hill and high country. However, its productivity and longevity are sensitive firstly to establishment success, secondly to nutrient supply and thirdly to the grazing management applied by the farmer. We investigated the role of sulphur fertiliser in productivity, and then tested the influence of defoliation regime on production and spread of Lotus after the establishment of high or low plant populations in low pH, high aluminium soils near Millers Flat. \u0000The mapping of soil test results to Lotus yield revealed a relationship between soil sulphur content and lotus growth. Sulphur was then applied at two sites (low or high productivity) at three rates (0, 24 or 78 kg S/ha) and measured over three years. To test the impacts of grazing management, defoliation regimes (seasonally to 2 or 5 cm residual height, or once per annum in autumn) were applied to paired plots of high or low initial plants numbers for three years, after a 12-month establishment period. The experimental site, at approximately 1000 masl, had a base vegetation cover of unimproved native tussock, with low soil pH and P (4.8 and 7 respectively) and high available Al (30-40 ppm), after fertiliser application at establishment. Herbage production, plant abundance and rhizome spread were measured. \u0000Lotus contributed between 65-85% of the herbage available for grazing (excluding tussocks). Total production ranged between 1900 and 3200 kg DM/ha/annum and was lower when initial plant numbers were lower. The addition of sulphur fertiliser did not alter dry matter yields over three years. Herbage yields were maximised by defoliation to 2 cm height each season or once in autumn. Measurements of the influence of defoliation intensity and initial plant numbers on rhizome spread are pending. \u0000The establishment of high plant numbers is essential to lotus stand productivity. Low herbage yields require relatively little nutrient inputs and yields were not affected by additional sulphur fertiliser in the five years after establishment. Impacts of defoliation regime and initial plant numbers will be ready before final paper submission. \u0000Subdivision of hill and high-country blocks will improve the longevity of Lotus stands. Ensuring an adequate number of lotus plant establish is key to enabling longevity. Impacts of spelling Lotus for whole growing seasons to aid spread will be included in the paper. Lotus maintains a consistent yield with small fertiliser inputs.","PeriodicalId":36573,"journal":{"name":"Journal of New Zealand Grasslands","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47237573","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-03DOI: 10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3583
R. Moss, D. Scobie, A. Noble, Anna Taylor, R. Dynes
This trial determined the effect of compost on mixed species pasture. Existing (five year old) perennial ryegrass provided the control. A mixture of perennial ryegrass, white clover and plantain was sown into sprayed-out treatment plots, giving five replicates of six treatments. One treatment was direct drilled another was cultivated and drilled. The remaining three were spread with compost (50, 100 or 150 t/ha wet weight) and cultivated. Plots were mown at 35 d intervals for two years with clippings returned to the sward. Although grass established well at 500 plants/m2 plantain quickly came to dominate in all renewed plots, at 55-61% of DM in year 1 and 57-79% of DM in year 2. Grass contributed 29-35% of DM in year 1 and 10-30% in year 2, with clover 5-8% in year 1 and 10-14% in year 2. Grass dominated control plots (73 and 82% DM, respectively), while clover contributed more DM in absence of plantain (22% and 17%). Compost did not affect production. Cultivation gave a slight advantage over direct drilling, but new swards produced <50% the total DM of the control (P<0.05). Substantial investment was involved, so rewards need to be considerable to recoup costs.
{"title":"Plantain dominated in mown mixed swards, but produced less than the original ryegrass-dominant sward","authors":"R. Moss, D. Scobie, A. Noble, Anna Taylor, R. Dynes","doi":"10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3583","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3583","url":null,"abstract":"This trial determined the effect of compost on mixed species pasture. Existing (five year old) perennial ryegrass provided the control. A mixture of perennial ryegrass, white clover and plantain was sown into sprayed-out treatment plots, giving five replicates of six treatments. One treatment was direct drilled another was cultivated and drilled. The remaining three were spread with compost (50, 100 or 150 t/ha wet weight) and cultivated. Plots were mown at 35 d intervals for two years with clippings returned to the sward. Although grass established well at 500 plants/m2 plantain quickly came to dominate in all renewed plots, at 55-61% of DM in year 1 and 57-79% of DM in year 2. Grass contributed 29-35% of DM in year 1 and 10-30% in year 2, with clover 5-8% in year 1 and 10-14% in year 2. Grass dominated control plots (73 and 82% DM, respectively), while clover contributed more DM in absence of plantain (22% and 17%). Compost did not affect production. Cultivation gave a slight advantage over direct drilling, but new swards produced <50% the total DM of the control (P<0.05). Substantial investment was involved, so rewards need to be considerable to recoup costs.","PeriodicalId":36573,"journal":{"name":"Journal of New Zealand Grasslands","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47534897","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-03DOI: 10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3572
S. McCoard, S. Hea, A. Molenaar, K. Lowe, M. Broadhurst, D. Stevens
Background: In contrast to global dairy sheep production systems, sheep milking is an emerging industry in New Zealand. For some producers, natural rearing of the lamb is a requirement to meet market expectations, while for others it is a lower-cost farm system option. The objective was to merge science and practice to determine the feasibility of a mixed suckling and milking system compared to a traditional exclusive suckling management system on growth performance of the progeny and dam milk production in an outdoor pasture-based dairy sheep farming system at commercial scale. Approach: At 14 days postpartum, twin- and triplet-bearing mixed-age East Friesian ewes were randomly allocated to either a mixed system of once-a-day milking, suckling and early weaning (MS, n=61) or control with exclusive suckling and later weaning (Ctrl, n=57) using a randomized block design. Lamb pre- and post-weaning growth rates to 4 months of age and ewe milk yield and composition during lactation were evaluated. Ewe lamb mammary gland size at 4 months of age and ewe cisternal capacity in late lactation was measured using ultrasonography. Results: MS lambs had lower live weight at weaning (14.6 vs. 16.7 kg, P<0.001) but post-weaning average daily gain and mammary gland mass did not differ between groups. Ewe lamb mammary mass was positively associated with post-weaning but not pre-weaning live weight gain (P<0.01). Ewe milk yield and composition post-weaning was not affected by the rearing system. Ewe cisternal capacity was positively associated with milk yield but was not affected by the rearing method. Conclusions: This study highlights that the MS compared to Ctrl system had no short- or long-term negative effects on lamb growth, health, weaning age and post-weaning mammary development compared to lambs exclusively suckled prior to weaning. Practical implications of conclusions: This study highlights that a mixed system of suckling and once-a-day milking from 14 days postpartum has no short- or long-term negative effects on lamb growth, health, weaning age and post-weaning mammary development compared to lambs exclusively suckled prior to weaning. No post-weaning impacts on dam milk yield and composition were observed but the mixed suckling and milking system supported increased capture of commercial milk in early lactation. Ultrasonography was also employed successfully as a non-invasive tool to evaluate mammary gland development in lambs at 4 months of age and cisternal capacity and milkability of ewes in late lactation.
背景：与全球奶羊生产系统不同，绵羊挤奶是新西兰的一个新兴产业。对一些生产商来说，自然饲养羔羊是满足市场预期的要求，而对另一些生产商而言，这是一种成本较低的农场系统选择。其目的是将科学与实践相结合，以确定在商业规模的户外牧场奶羊养殖系统中，与传统的纯乳管理系统相比，混合乳和挤奶系统对后代生长性能和坝奶生产的可行性。方法：在产后14天，使用随机分组设计，将双胎和三胎的混合年龄East Friesian母羊随机分配到每天一次挤奶、哺乳和早期断奶的混合系统（MS，n=61）或纯哺乳和后期断奶的对照组（Ctrl，n=57）。对断奶前和断奶后至4个月大的羔羊生长率以及泌乳期间的母羊产奶量和成分进行了评估。用超声技术测量了4个月大时母羊的乳腺大小和泌乳后期母羊的贮池容量。结果：MS羔羊断奶时的活重较低（14.6 kg vs.16.7 kg，P＜0.001），但断奶后的平均日增重和乳腺质量在各组之间没有差异。断奶后乳量与断奶前活重增加呈正相关（P<0.01），断奶后产奶量和乳成分不受饲养制度的影响。母羊的池容量与产奶量呈正相关，但不受饲养方法的影响。结论：本研究强调，与断奶前完全哺乳的羔羊相比，MS与Ctrl系统相比，对羔羊的生长、健康、断奶年龄和断奶后乳房发育没有短期或长期的负面影响。结论的实际意义：这项研究强调，与断奶前纯母乳喂养的羔羊相比，产后14天开始的哺乳和每天一次挤奶的混合系统对羔羊的生长、健康、断奶年龄和断奶后乳房发育没有短期或长期的负面影响。断奶后未观察到对母奶产量和成分的影响，但混合哺乳和挤奶系统支持在泌乳早期增加对商品奶的捕获。超声检查也被成功地用作一种非侵入性工具，用于评估4个月大羔羊的乳腺发育以及泌乳后期母羊的贮池容量和挤奶能力。
{"title":"Effect of weaning system on lamb growth, mammary gland development and ewe milk production in dairy sheep managed in an outdoor pasture-based commercial farming system","authors":"S. McCoard, S. Hea, A. Molenaar, K. Lowe, M. Broadhurst, D. Stevens","doi":"10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3572","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3572","url":null,"abstract":"Background: In contrast to global dairy sheep production systems, sheep milking is an emerging industry in New Zealand. For some producers, natural rearing of the lamb is a requirement to meet market expectations, while for others it is a lower-cost farm system option. The objective was to merge science and practice to determine the feasibility of a mixed suckling and milking system compared to a traditional exclusive suckling management system on growth performance of the progeny and dam milk production in an outdoor pasture-based dairy sheep farming system at commercial scale. \u0000 \u0000Approach: At 14 days postpartum, twin- and triplet-bearing mixed-age East Friesian ewes were randomly allocated to either a mixed system of once-a-day milking, suckling and early weaning (MS, n=61) or control with exclusive suckling and later weaning (Ctrl, n=57) using a randomized block design. Lamb pre- and post-weaning growth rates to 4 months of age and ewe milk yield and composition during lactation were evaluated. Ewe lamb mammary gland size at 4 months of age and ewe cisternal capacity in late lactation was measured using ultrasonography. \u0000 \u0000Results: MS lambs had lower live weight at weaning (14.6 vs. 16.7 kg, P<0.001) but post-weaning average daily gain and mammary gland mass did not differ between groups. Ewe lamb mammary mass was positively associated with post-weaning but not pre-weaning live weight gain (P<0.01). Ewe milk yield and composition post-weaning was not affected by the rearing system. Ewe cisternal capacity was positively associated with milk yield but was not affected by the rearing method. \u0000 \u0000Conclusions: This study highlights that the MS compared to Ctrl system had no short- or long-term negative effects on lamb growth, health, weaning age and post-weaning mammary development compared to lambs exclusively suckled prior to weaning. \u0000 \u0000Practical implications of conclusions: This study highlights that a mixed system of suckling and once-a-day milking from 14 days postpartum has no short- or long-term negative effects on lamb growth, health, weaning age and post-weaning mammary development compared to lambs exclusively suckled prior to weaning. No post-weaning impacts on dam milk yield and composition were observed but the mixed suckling and milking system supported increased capture of commercial milk in early lactation. Ultrasonography was also employed successfully as a non-invasive tool to evaluate mammary gland development in lambs at 4 months of age and cisternal capacity and milkability of ewes in late lactation.","PeriodicalId":36573,"journal":{"name":"Journal of New Zealand Grasslands","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43300836","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-03DOI: 10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3567
Jacobus Christiaan Kok, Penelope Chapman, H. Hague, Jeffery M. Curtis, O. Al-Marashdeh, P. Beukes, P. Amer, R. Bryant
A two-year dairy study was conducted under irrigation at Lincoln, Canterbury, comparing 1. Moderate stocking rate (MSR, 3.9 cows/ha; comparative stocking rate (CSR) of 89 kg live weight (LWT)/t DM (dry matter) offered; 150 kg nitrogen (N) fertiliser/ha/year; grain supplementation of 0.55 t DM/cow/year; wintering cows off- farm); or 2. Low stocking rate (LSR, 2.9 cows/ha; CSR of 91 kg LWT/t DM offered; grazing diverse pasture (Italian ryegrass, plantain, red- and white clover); 103 kg N fertiliser/ha/year; wintering cows on-farm). The Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF; 3.4 cows/ha; CSR of 76 kg LWT/t DM offered; 169 kg N fertiliser/ha/year) was the benchmark. Milk yield, pasture production and quality data were modelled in FARMAX and OverseerFM to estimate financial and environmental performance of each farm. Performance was similar for MSR and LUDF. LSR gave the best environmental outcome across 2018/19 and 2019/20, leaching approximately 31% less N compared with MSR and LUDF. However, annual milk solids per ha were 28% less for LSR relative to MSR and LUDF. Correspondingly, the annual operating profit per ha was 35% less for LSR compared with LUDF. These financial losses can be mitigated in an LSR system if the farmer adopts more complex pasture management.
一项为期两年的奶制品研究在坎特伯雷林肯的灌溉下进行，比较了1。中等放养率(MSR, 3.9头/公顷);提供89 kg活重/t干物质的比较放养率(CSR);150公斤氮肥/公顷/年;饲粮添加量为0.55 t DM/奶牛/年;越冬奶牛(农场外);或2。放养率低(LSR, 2.9头/公顷);提供91 kg LWT/t DM的CSR;放牧多种牧草(意大利黑麦草、车前草、红白三叶草);103公斤氮肥/公顷/年;农场里的越冬奶牛)。林肯大学奶牛场(LUDF;3.4牛/公顷;提供76 kg LWT/t DM的CSR;169公斤氮肥/公顷/年)为基准。在FARMAX和OverseerFM中对产奶量、牧草产量和质量数据进行建模，以估计每个农场的财务和环境绩效。MSR和LUDF的性能相似。LSR在2018/19和2019/20年度的环境效果最好，与MSR和LUDF相比，氮的淋失量减少了约31%。然而，相对于MSR和LUDF, LSR每年每公顷的乳固体较少28%。相应的，LSR每公顷的年营业利润比LUDF少35%。如果农民采用更复杂的牧场管理，LSR系统可以减轻这些经济损失。
{"title":"Can low input dairy systems be economically and environmentally sustainable? Results from a farmlet study","authors":"Jacobus Christiaan Kok, Penelope Chapman, H. Hague, Jeffery M. Curtis, O. Al-Marashdeh, P. Beukes, P. Amer, R. Bryant","doi":"10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3567","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3567","url":null,"abstract":"A two-year dairy study was conducted under irrigation at Lincoln, Canterbury, comparing 1. Moderate stocking rate (MSR, 3.9 cows/ha; comparative stocking rate (CSR) of 89 kg live weight (LWT)/t DM (dry matter) offered; 150 kg nitrogen (N) fertiliser/ha/year; grain supplementation of 0.55 t DM/cow/year; wintering cows off- farm); or 2. Low stocking rate (LSR, 2.9 cows/ha; CSR of 91 kg LWT/t DM offered; grazing diverse pasture (Italian ryegrass, plantain, red- and white clover); 103 kg N fertiliser/ha/year; wintering cows on-farm). The Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF; 3.4 cows/ha; CSR of 76 kg LWT/t DM offered; 169 kg N fertiliser/ha/year) was the benchmark. Milk yield, pasture production and quality data were modelled in FARMAX and OverseerFM to estimate financial and environmental performance of each farm. Performance was similar for MSR and LUDF. LSR gave the best environmental outcome across 2018/19 and 2019/20, leaching approximately 31% less N compared with MSR and LUDF. However, annual milk solids per ha were 28% less for LSR relative to MSR and LUDF. Correspondingly, the annual operating profit per ha was 35% less for LSR compared with LUDF. These financial losses can be mitigated in an LSR system if the farmer adopts more complex pasture management.","PeriodicalId":36573,"journal":{"name":"Journal of New Zealand Grasslands","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41911801","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-03DOI: 10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3564
T. Chikazhe, P. Beukes, D. Dalley, R. Dynes, K. Hutchinson
Developing resilient, profitable, and robust dairy farm businesses in response to multiple drivers of change (e.g., water quality regulations, a low carbon economy) is challenging. This study explored methods for working with dairy farmers and stakeholders from the West Coast of New Zealand to evaluate options for system change. Physical, financial, and environmental data from the study farms were analysed and benchmarked to provide farmers with information on how their financial and environmental performance compared with others. The most profitable farm had the lowest purchased nitrogen (N) surplus. However, high pasture production and utilisation resulted in higher methane emissions for this farm. FARMAX and OVERSEER models were used to apply principles of the top performing farm to two selected study farms.These study farms largely succeeded in reducing N surplus and methane emissions, but operating profit was reduced, suggesting a complete system rethink is needed including focusing on growing and harvesting more home-grown feed with less N input, and scrutiny of farm working expenses. This study showed that benchmarking, farmer participation and modelling has the potential to create a positive environment thatmotivates farmers to review their current performance, extract solutions from their local peers and partner with researchers.Keywords: Co-development, dairy farm performance, profitability, nitrogen surplus, methane emissions
{"title":"Exploring farm level response to multiple drivers of change, a West Coast case study.","authors":"T. Chikazhe, P. Beukes, D. Dalley, R. Dynes, K. Hutchinson","doi":"10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3564","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3564","url":null,"abstract":"Developing resilient, profitable, and robust dairy farm businesses in response to multiple drivers of change (e.g., water quality regulations, a low carbon economy) is challenging. This study explored methods for working with dairy farmers and stakeholders from the West Coast of New Zealand to evaluate options for system change. Physical, financial, and environmental data from the study farms were analysed and benchmarked to provide farmers with information on how their financial and environmental performance compared with others. The most profitable farm had the lowest purchased nitrogen (N) surplus. However, high pasture production and utilisation resulted in higher methane emissions for this farm. FARMAX and OVERSEER models were used to apply principles of the top performing farm to two selected study farms.These study farms largely succeeded in reducing N surplus and methane emissions, but operating profit was reduced, suggesting a complete system rethink is needed including focusing on growing and harvesting more home-grown feed with less N input, and scrutiny of farm working expenses. This study showed that benchmarking, farmer participation and modelling has the potential to create a positive environment thatmotivates farmers to review their current performance, extract solutions from their local peers and partner with researchers.Keywords: Co-development, dairy farm performance, profitability, nitrogen surplus, methane emissions","PeriodicalId":36573,"journal":{"name":"Journal of New Zealand Grasslands","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48014356","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-03DOI: 10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3568
D. Stevens, M. Casey
Increased fecundity and improved feed management have doubled the number of lambs born in any threeday period in spring since 1990. Four farmer catchment groups were engaged to investigate options that farmers may use to reduce the impacts of weather at lambing time. After workshops identified potential mitigations, a lamb survival model was developed using data from the literature. This was applied at daily time steps to weather data over a 20-year period from 1980-1999, with chosen mitigations added to investigate their impact. Direct intervention by improving pre-lambing ewe nutrition increased live lambs by 7-8% (P<0.05). Policy development strategies to provide shelter increased live lambs by 8 and 17% with reductions in wind speed of 50 and 100% respectively (P<0.05). These results were consistent across all environmentstested. Increasing fecundity increased the net number of lambs at docking, though also resulted in a greater number of lamb losses. Spreading risk by spreading lambing did not alter the net long-term lamb survival rate. Provision of shelter, both before and during lambing, and ensuring adequate pre-laming ewe nutrition were most effective at consistently improving lamb survival in all the environments tested.
{"title":"Mitigating the impacts of weather on lamb survival in Southern New Zealand","authors":"D. Stevens, M. Casey","doi":"10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3568","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3568","url":null,"abstract":"Increased fecundity and improved feed management have doubled the number of lambs born in any threeday period in spring since 1990. Four farmer catchment groups were engaged to investigate options that farmers may use to reduce the impacts of weather at lambing time. After workshops identified potential mitigations, a lamb survival model was developed using data from the literature. This was applied at daily time steps to weather data over a 20-year period from 1980-1999, with chosen mitigations added to investigate their impact. Direct intervention by improving pre-lambing ewe nutrition increased live lambs by 7-8% (P<0.05). Policy development strategies to provide shelter increased live lambs by 8 and 17% with reductions in wind speed of 50 and 100% respectively (P<0.05). These results were consistent across all environmentstested. Increasing fecundity increased the net number of lambs at docking, though also resulted in a greater number of lamb losses. Spreading risk by spreading lambing did not alter the net long-term lamb survival rate. Provision of shelter, both before and during lambing, and ensuring adequate pre-laming ewe nutrition were most effective at consistently improving lamb survival in all the environments tested.","PeriodicalId":36573,"journal":{"name":"Journal of New Zealand Grasslands","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44532336","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-03DOI: 10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3582
S. Olykan, D. Moot, R. Lucas, C. Doscher
Tokaroa Farm (608 ha) with sheep and beef in the Wairarapa has predominantly sunny, north-facing slopes. Average annual rainfall is 810 mm with three months summer-dry. High quality pasture is needed in late winter/early spring for lactating stock and in spring to finish stock early. The survey mapped the distribution of resident subterranean (sub) and white clovers across four land classes based on slope and aspect. ArcGIS identified 60 GPS points that were visually assessed in December 2019 and November 2021. At the majority of points in both years, both white and sub clover were present. In 2019, white clover groundcover was 18.1% and higher (P<0.05) than sub clover at 12.6%. Management class had no effect. In 2021 there was no species effect (both ~11%) but there was a trend (P=0.062) for less white clover groundcover in the ‘shady’ class (6.7%) than the ‘flat’ class at 17.5%. Pasture management was focused on promoting early season sub clover, but the unexpectedly high groundcover of white clover provided feed during wetter than average summers. Understanding the continuum from summer-dry annual sub clover areas to summer-wet perennial white clover dominance across New Zealand pastures provides tools for the selection and management of appropriate legumes.
{"title":"Mapping groundcover of clover species in hill pastures in Wairarapa","authors":"S. Olykan, D. Moot, R. Lucas, C. Doscher","doi":"10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3582","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2022.84.3582","url":null,"abstract":"Tokaroa Farm (608 ha) with sheep and beef in the Wairarapa has predominantly sunny, north-facing slopes. Average annual rainfall is 810 mm with three months summer-dry. High quality pasture is needed in late winter/early spring for lactating stock and in spring to finish stock early. The survey mapped the distribution of resident subterranean (sub) and white clovers across four land classes based on slope and aspect. ArcGIS identified 60 GPS points that were visually assessed in December 2019 and November 2021. At the majority of points in both years, both white and sub clover were present. In 2019, white clover groundcover was 18.1% and higher (P<0.05) than sub clover at 12.6%. Management class had no effect. In 2021 there was no species effect (both ~11%) but there was a trend (P=0.062) for less white clover groundcover in the ‘shady’ class (6.7%) than the ‘flat’ class at 17.5%. Pasture management was focused on promoting early season sub clover, but the unexpectedly high groundcover of white clover provided feed during wetter than average summers. Understanding the continuum from summer-dry annual sub clover areas to summer-wet perennial white clover dominance across New Zealand pastures provides tools for the selection and management of appropriate legumes.","PeriodicalId":36573,"journal":{"name":"Journal of New Zealand Grasslands","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46379646","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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