Stocking rate of natural pasture at Adami Tulu
1995
Biru Yitaferu | Lema Biru | Ashenafi Mengistu (Adami Tulu Research Center, Ziway (Ethiopia))
To determine the proper stocking rate on natural pasture, a 2 year study (1988/89-1989/90) was conducted at Adami Tulu. The experiment was executed by using 18 Boran bulls of similar ages and weights with different groups of animals for each year. The pasture was stocked at the rate of 1.33 an/ha, 0.67 an/ha and 0.44 an/ha by using paddocks of similar DM yield to each treatment. Data were collected on monthly weight gain of the bulls, paddocks pasture yield trend, and rainfall rate and distribution during the experiment. Gain per animal as decreasing grazing pressure (133.2, 151.7 and 155.8 kg/an), has no differences (P greater than 0.05) for both groups of animals. As to total gain/ha, significant differences were obtained among treatments (177.7, 101.2 and 69.3 kg/ha); treatment 1 over 2 and 3 (P less than 0.01), and treatment 2 over 3 (P less than 0.05). Though there were no significant differences (P greater than 0.05) among paddocks herbage yield, a declining trend was observed by 39 percent as grazing pressure increased. The persistent pasture yield trend and higher gain/ha over the lower stocking rate, the medium one (0.67 an/ha) becomes optimum for sustainable grazing management.
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This bibliographic record has been provided by Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research