An evaluation of Panicum maximum cv. Gatton: 1. The effect of stocking rate and period of absence on the production of sheep

Author: E.A. Relling, W.A. van Niekerk, R.J. Coertze and N.F.G. Rethman
Year: 2001
Issue: 2
Volume: 31
Page: 77 - 83

The aim of this study was to evaluate the livestock production potential of Panicum maximum cv. Gatton cultivated under dry-land conditions and grazed at various stocking rates after various periods of re-growth. Treatments included a high stocking rate, fast rotation treatment (A), a medium stocking rate, medium rotation treatment (B) and a low stocking rate, long rotation treatment (C). The initial availability of dry matter differed between treatments and was lowest for treatment A and highest for treatment C. The same trend was observed for terminal availability of dry matter. The initial leaf:stern ratio did not differ between treatments A and B, but was lower for treatment C. The terminal ratio did not differ between treatments A and C but was higher for treatment B. Pasture height differed between treatments and was lowest for treatment A and highest for treatment C both at the beginning and end of the period. The sheep subject to treatment C had the highest average daily gain and there was no difference between treatments A and B. Although treatment B resulted in the best individual performance, the highest stocking rate yielded the highest livestock production per ha.

Keywords: : Panicum maximum, nutrition, ruminant, sheep, stocking rate
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