Matching Animal Production Requirements To Seasonal Pasture Supply

Abstract

The balance between pasture supply and feed demand was compared between farmlets subjected to three different management systems varying in levels of inputs and in grazing management. The results showed higher amounts of feed supply as quality herbage on offer, and higher energy content of the pasture grown on farmlet A compared to farmlets B and C. The increased stocking rates on farmlet A, combined with higher animal growth and reproduction rates, have meant that there is also a higher demand for metabolisable energy (ME) on farmlet A. The overall 'balance' between the supply and demand for metabolisable energy is similar between farmlets with relatively few periods showing negative balance. This suggests that overall, all three farmlets have been subjected to similar levels of grazing pressure over the past five years. It is suggested that, with further development of this approach, paddock and grazing management could be improved using regular and timely assessments of the energy balance between supply and demand. By using energy balance calculations, adjustments to stocking rate and stock movement decisions may be able to be improved so that the impact on pastures and animals is better balanced due an appropriate compromise between supply and demand.