The major insect pest of Australian cool temperate pastures is the root-feeding insect Heteronychus arator (African black beetle, ABB). Significant pasture damage can occur even at low ABB densities (11 individuals per square meter), and often re-sowing of the whole paddock is required. Mitigation of the effects of pasture pests, and in particular subterranean species such as the larval form of...

An experiment was carried out to compare the effect of feeding posidonia australis as a non-conventional feedstuff with cereal straw for sheep maintenance; and to compare seagrass/chicken litter with lucerne hay and pasture for sheep production on a scale such as would be applicable to lot-feeding of sheep in the area of suthern Australia in case of short term feed scarcity. To approach this ta...

The aim of the current study was to explore growth performance and carcass traits using ultrasound measurements calves different cattle breeds under pasture concentration feeding system. A total 25 male between ages 6 7 months with an average body weight 162.37 ± 7.7 kg were fed two separate fattening trials for seven (pasture finishing period). Animals divided into five groups (five each breed...

The objective of this trial was to investigate the effects of feeding a soybean oil refining by-product (SORB), made up mainly of sodium salts of long-chain fatty acids, on reproductive performance and productivity of 36 early lactation Holstein cows managed in a free-stall barn or on annual rye-ryegrass pasture. In this 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, cows consumed 0 or 0.5 kg/d of ...

Grass feeding is a practice not yet familiar to all consumers. 100% grass-fed cow's milk comes from cows who have grazed in pasture year-round rather than being fed a processed diet for much of their life. Grass feeding improves the quality of cow's milk, and makes the milk richer in omega-3 fats, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and CLA (a beneficial fatty acid named conjugated linoleic acid). (For m...

With high dry matter yields of high quality forage, high soluble carbohydrate levels and a suitability for harvest by cutting and removing, the forage legume sulla (Hedysarum coronarium) has the potential to be an important silage crop in New Zealand. In three experiments the ensiling potential of sulla was compared with conventional pasture using a mini-silo system which allows for rapid evalu...

We compared the observed daily time allocation of cackling geese (Branta canadensis minima) during spring with that predicted from estimates of daily energy requirements and measurements of apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and intake rates. Cackling geese gained substantial energy and protein reserves at staging areas in California before migration to Alaska in April and after arrival in Ala...

Seasonal variability impact on livestock production and management stems from poor pasture quality and quantity as well as shortage of water. During wet season, there is usually sufficient quantity of pasture in good quality for animal consumption; but during dry season, there is always insufficient pasture as well as shortage of water for livestock consumption. As a result of these, exploratio...