Comparative sheep production and herbage characteristics on four perennial ryegrass varieties in the uplands

Abstract

AbstractEwe and lamb performance, herbage production and feed quality components on four late‐flowering perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) varieties were assessed under a fixed stocking management at an upland site (305 m OD) in mid‐Wales. Averaged over four years (1981–84) there was no significant difference (P>0·05) between Aberystwyth S23, Aberystwyth Ajax, Perma and Meltra (tetraploid) in ewe and iamb liveweight gains. There were, however, considerable differences between varieties during individual years and their relative ranking also changed substantially over the four years. Lamb production on Perma was 22% more than on S23 in the first year but by the fourth year it was 21 % less than on the latter variety.Differences between varieties were observed in herbage production. Net herbage accumulation was 15% more on Meltra than on Ajax whilst the calculated quantity of OM consumed was 19% higher from Meltra than from both Ajax and S23. Net animal liveweight gains were positively correlated with herbage production (r = 0·95, P < 0·05) and DOM consumed (r=0·96. P<0·05).