Livestock Maintenance Research Articles

The nutrient capital of indigenous Sorghum species and other understorey components of Savannas in north‐western Australia

AbstractIndigenous Sorghum species dominate the understorey of the savannas of tropical northwestern Australia. The nutrient capital of these grasses was investigated and the consequences for nutrient cycling, the effects of fire, and herbivory were discussed.The macronutrient concentrations in two annual species, S. intrans and S. stipoideum indicated that their growth was nutrient limited. The breakdown of litter may provide up to one quarter of the N yield of S. intrans, hence losses of N due to dry season fires, which consume this litter, may reduce grass growth. However, this effect was not apparent after one fire. From the first sampling, approximately 60 days after germination, until maturity, the herbage of S. intrans and S. stipoideum contained insufficient N and P to maintain the liveweight of cattle. Translocation to the inflorescence during seed set left the herbage grossly deficient for livestock maintenance during the dry season. The relative lack of large native herbivores is consistent with this poor herbage quality.Nutrient concentrations in the seeds of nine Sorghum species (including two perennials) were measured. The concentrations were relatively high, which accounts for the importance of the seeds of the indigenous Sorghum species for granivorous rodents, birds, and ants. Macro‐nutrient concentrations were similar in both annual and perennial species.

Alleviation of Nutritional Deficiency Diseases in Refugees

This paper describes deficiency diseases of concern among refugees since, without treatment, permanent disability or even death can result. The conditions under which refugee populations live, such as dependence on external food aid, limited purchasing power and access to local markets, limited land and wafer for agriculture or livestock maintenance, and overcrowding of refugee camps, can contribute to the development of nutritional deficiency disorders. Advantages and disadvantages of various options to prevent deficiency diseases are discussed.

Behavioural needs in relation to livestock maintenance

Behavioural needs in relation to livestock maintenance

AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE MERITS OF INTENSIVE ROTATIONAL GRAZING

An investigation into the merits of intensive rotational grazing or paddock grazing was started in 1960. The experiment covered 40 acres, half of which was divided into 20 single‐acre paddocks and the other half into 2 fields of 9 and 11 acres, respectively. Two groups of carefully paired cows were used to measure the output of milk per acre. Surplus grass was used for drystock and for conservation. The final output was expressed in terms of U.S.E. per acre, which was computed from the records of milk production, livestock maintenance and fattening and grass cut for conservation. The following conclusions seem reasonable: (a) Where the stocking rate is the same under both systems and the grass supply exceeds the animals' appetites, very little difference in terms of milk yield per acre will be found between intensive rotational grazing and lax rotational grazing over the grazing season; (b) Where, because of heavier stocking or a poorer growth of grass, the animals' appetites begin to exceed the grass supply, the intensive system of rotational grazing will be able to carry the stock for a longer period and consequently will give a greater output of milk per acre; (c) Intensive rotational grazing gives greater opportunity for taking off surplus grass for dryslock or for conservation.

Drylot All-Concentrate Feeding: An Approach to Flexible Ranching

One of the major problems confronting the ranching industry is lack of an adequate yearround forage supply. This forage deficiency may be caused by drouth or a short growing season and may, or may not, be intensified by heavy grazing. Regardless of the cause, the problem of partial or full-feeding of livestock during these periods of forage deficiency is of major economic significance to the ranch operator. Maintenance of livestock in drylot during periods of feed shortage, utilizing all-concentrate rations, merits careful consideration by ranchers and research workers. During drouth periods, it may be desirable to remove livestock from the range, thus reducing needless “exercise” in the search for food, providing a means of salvaging that important base breeding herd, and at the same time, making it possible to “rest” the vegetation. Results from recent experiments not only indicate that ruminants can perform satisfactorily on all-concentrate diets in drylots for long periods of time, but also that under certain conditions roughage may be a disadvantage even at low cost. It is hoped that this article will challenge range and livestock people to re-examine some old assumptions on the feeding of livestock. An additional objective is to stimulate more research on livestock maintenance in drylot and the use of the drylot as a research tool in designing grazing experiments.

Our Book Shelf

THE second part of the current number of this Journal opens with the second instalment of Mr. Fream's report upon Canadian agriculture. The climate, soil, and products of Eastern Canada, comprising the better-known States of Ontario, Quebec, and the maritime provinces, are chiefly dealt with, whereas, in the first report, prairie farming, and the almost untrodden regions of the north-west were particularly dealt with. The principal object of the report is to show the capabilities and rapid progress of Canada, and this is achieved by numerous statistics as to production and exports. In these provinces the first fertility of the soil has been in a great degree exhausted, and as a consequence mixed farming with the maintenance of live stock, and the use of improved processes, is taking the place of consecutive corn-growing. The growth of the dairy industry is a remarkable fact, and in the management of their cows and the manipulation of the products of the dairy, more attention is apparently paid to the teachings of science than is usual in the mother country. The exports of cheese have increased from 6,000,000 pounds per annum in 1870, to 76,000,000 pounds in 1884. The butter trade has long been stationary, owing to the uncertain demand for Canadian butter. The Canadian cattle trade has also increased by leaps and bounds from a gross number of 6940 head in 1877, to 61,843 in 1884. The report is full of details of personal experience gained from many settlers in all parts of Old Canada. Names and addresses of the principal farmers, dairymen, and stock-breeders, are given with great frequency, and confer a special value on the report as a guide to intending settlers.