Improved dryland pastures for sheep and beef cattle production in south-western Victoria are typically based on summer-dormant cultivars of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) or phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.). These highly productive spring but exhibit low accumulation rates over summer–autumn. Summer-active pasture species could potentially alleviate this summer–autumn feed gap. Three systems that used different each the three landscape classes (crest, slope, valley floor) were...

Although generally well adapted and productive, the summer-dormant perennial pastures of southern Australia do not provide a year-round, high nutritive value feed base, they fail to respond summer rainfall, are inefficient in using stored soil water, which can contribute dryland salinity. An experiment was conducted test hypothesis that deep-rooted, summer-active pasture species, matched type, be grown successfully increase animal productivity quality summer–autumn. Specifically, compared...

Management of nutrition during pregnancy for maternal composite ewes has the potential to improve lamb production and survival in prime systems but existing condition score (CS) guidelines developed Merinos may not be appropriate optimum ewes. To address this, three replicated experiments were conducted at two research sites Victoria one Western Australia. Ewes (781–800 per site) allocated four CS treatments following scanning (~Day 50) differentially fed reach approximate targets 2.4, 2.8,...

Abstract Tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is currently seldom used in the high‐rainfall (>600 mm) zone of south‐eastern Australia. To determine its potential to improve forage availability during summer‐autumn feed‐deficit period, a field plot‐scale experiment with sheep evaluated Continental cultivar tall (cv. Quantum) at Hamilton, Victoria, between September 2006 and January 2009. Four grazing treatments represented set stocking or rotational two‐, three‐ four‐leaf stage,...

Offering livestock dietary choice through access to different pasture species enables regulate their own feed intake, select for nutrients and minerals, balance rumen health display natural grazing foraging behaviours, which could in turn result increased productivity. An experiment was conducted at Hamilton, Victoria, Australia, test the hypothesis that offering lambs spatially separated combinations of would improve lamb performance, relative with no choice. The tested seven treatments,...

Bituminaria bituminosa (L.) C.H. Stirton, commonly known as tedera, is a perennial legume of interest in Australia due to its adaptation Mediterranean environments. Field experiments were conducted at two sites Victoria, Australia, high rainfall site Hamilton and low Bealiba, evaluate tedera var. albomarginata lines against other forage species. At Hamilton, achieved similar seedling densities lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) following sowings late spring 2009 early winter 2010 (30–60...

Two experiments were conducted at Hamilton, Victoria, Australia to test the hypothesis that sowing pastures with lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) or chicory (Cichorium intybus increases dry matter (DM) production and nutritive characteristics during summer autumn, relative equivalent mixes subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.). Both randomised complete block designs four replications. Rainfall over January–March 2011 was 339 mm, which is more than three times long-term average (LTA) of...

The Australian prime lamb industry is seeking to improve lean meat yield (LMY) as a means increasing efficiency and profitability across the whole value chain. LMY of lambs affected by genetics on-farm nutrition from birth slaughter total muscle weight relative carcass weight. Under production conditions south eastern Australia, many ewe flocks experience moderate reduction in mid late pregnancy due decrease pasture availability quality. Correcting nutritional deficits throughout gestation...

Ewe nutrition during pregnancy and lactation is a key determinant of ewe lamb performance. A paddock-scale field experiment in western Victoria, Australia, tested the hypothesis that grazing maiden ewes on plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) from mid-pregnancy until weaning (July 2010–January 2011) would increase liveweight condition score this period, reduce worm egg counts, liveweights at birth, marking weaning, relative to tetraploid perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), but further...

Pastures sown to lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) with a perennial non-legume could increase feed supply relative traditional pastures based on subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.). Such mixtures might also be preferable pure pastures, which are prone weed invasion. Yield and water-use efficiency (harvested dry matter per unit evapotranspiration) of or were compared field experiment established under rainfed conditions at Hamilton, Victoria. Soil moisture production measured over 2...

Context Filling the summer–autumn feed gap is a key priority for sheep producers in southern Australia’s high-rainfall zone. Aim Our research aimed to determine whether spring-sown winter-type canola (Brassica napus L.) could increase herbage mass and nutritive characteristics during summer autumn relative other forage options HRZ. Methods A field experiment was conducted at Hamilton, Victoria, Australia, 2014 2016 testing seven treatments replicated four times complete block design. The...

Tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum syn. Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is rarely used in the south west Victoria region of Australia, and little information available on its suitability management this environment. Summer-active varieties tall could potentially benefit livestock production by improving summer feed availability. A survey was conducted to collect summer-active use Victoria. The identified several issues that restrict study area, most notably uncertainty about spring nutritive...

Dry matter production and nutritive characteristics of the pasture feedbase during autumn are key drivers profitability in Australia’s prime lamb systems. An experiment was conducted to test hypothesis that offering lambs dietary choice through spatially separated combinations perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) and/or lucerne (Medicago sativa improves post-weaning liveweight gain, condition score (CS), pre- post-slaughter carcass reduces internal...

Context Economic modelling identified that mating of ewe lambs for lambing at 1 year age has the potential to increase profitability sheep-production systems in south-western Victoria. In order optimise reproductive rates, should weigh least 35–40 kg, have a condition score (CS) 3.0 mating, and be gaining weight (100–150 g/day) during mating. However, typical perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) pastures south-west Victoria do not support attainment these targets without additional...

Context Metabolisable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) concentrations of forages are key determinants lamb performance during pasture-based finishing. However, forage species often have unbalanced proportions ME CP, which can lead to below-optimum lambs. This may be a problem with maturing lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) swards dry summer conditions, is major challenge faced by grazing industries in Mediterranean environments. Aim We investigated whether two forages, brassica (Brassica napus...

The influence of ewe gestation nutrition (EGN) and lamb finishing diet (LFD) on muscle essential fatty acid, antioxidant mineral status retail colour meat in F1 progeny lambs were investigated. First-cross Border Leicester × Merino Maternal–Coopworth Composite ewes (n = 938) artificially inseminated to nine terminal sires. From this flock, 648 pregnant selected between Day 41 49 pregnancy, producing 72 from each sire for distribution across six condition-score (CS) groups. Each CS group was...

Context In Australia’s high-rainfall zone (>550 mm/year), winter-type canola (Brassica napus L.) can be sown in spring and grazed as a forage crop during its vegetative phase, producing grain late of the second year. The timing, length intensity grazing or defoliation that imposed on before yield penalty occurs remains largely unknown. Aim Our research aimed to determine impact summer autumn subsequent yield. Methods A paddock-scale field experiment was conducted over 2 years, 2013–14...