Effects of pasture pest damage and grazing management on efficiency of animal production [sheep; Western Australia]. [Workshop paper]

Grimm, M.; Hyder, M.; Michael, P.; Doyle, P. . Kyabram Dairy Centre

Effects of pasture pest damage and grazing management on efficiency of animal production [sheep; Western Australia]. [Workshop paper]

1995

Grimm, M. | Hyder, M. (Western Australian Dept. of Agriculture, Albany) | Michael, P. (Western Australian Dept. of Agriculture, South Perth) | Doyle, P. (Agriculture Victoria, Kyabram (Australia). Kyabram Dairy Centre)

Experiments at three sites in Western Australia show that grazing annual pastures to defined feed on offer (FOO) levels of 1400 and 2800 kg DM per ha can significantly reduce populations of pest insects and mites to below damaging levels. Treatment effects in spring have strong carry-over effects in the following autumn. There were no differences due to pests in pasture production except between sprayed and unsprayed set stocked treatments, and the extra dry matter produced in spring was lost over summer. Spraying to control pests did not result in increased animal production. The major effects on animal production accrued from increased pasture utilization in the defined FOO treatments. The data strongly suggest that grazing management is the major determinant of both pasture and animal production per hectare, and of populations of pest and non-pest arthropods.

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