An evaluation of Panicum maximum cv. Gatton: 1. The effect of stocking rate and period of absence on the production of sheep

The aim of this study was to evaluate the livestock production potential of Panicum maximum cv. Gatton cultivated under dry-land conditions and grazed at various stocking rates after various periods of re-growth. Treatments included a high stocking rate, fast rotation treatment (A), a medium stocking rate, medium rotation treatment (B) and a low stocking rate, long rotation treatment (C). The initial availability of dry matter differed between treatments and was lowest for treatment A and highest for treatment C. The same trend was observed for terminal availability of dry matter. The initial leaf:stem ratio did not differ between treatments A and B, but was lower for treatment C. The terminal ratio did not differ between treatments A and C but was higher for treatment B. Pasture height differed between treatments and was lowest for treatment A and highest for treatment C both at the beginning and end of the period. The sheep subject to treatment C had the highest average daily gain and there was no difference between treatments A and B. Although treatment B resulted in the best individual performance, the highest stocking rate yielded the highest livestock production per ha.