A study of short term grazing patterns on Coastcross 2 under different grazing regimes.

Abstract

In this study the disc meter was successfully used to measure pasture yield in situ and thus provide an objective basis to adjust animal numbers on treatments with variable stocking rates. Realistic estimates of pasture dry matter consumption and production were made on rotational grazing systems and animal selection patterns were described in terms of pasture availability. The critical level of pasture availability below which animals were on restricted intake was estimated to occur as a mean disc meter reading of approximately 11 cm. This conclusion was supported by the time animals spent grazing on each treatment and the response of average daily gain to various levels of pasture utilization.

Keywords: average daily gain; consumption; daily gain; disc meter; dry matter; grazing; grazing pattern; grazing systems; intake; pasture; production; rotational grazing; south africa; stocking rate; stocking rates; treatments; utilization; yield