Effects of fertiliser and grazing on a pasture species mixture in high country

Abstract

The effect of 30 treatments (5 fertiliser rates x 3 stocking densities x 2 grazing methods) on an undeveloped tussock/hawkweed high country grassland site, sown with 12 legumes and 12 grasses and herbs, is reported. The trial was legume dominant for at least four years with little establishment without applied fertiliser. By the fourth spring, the most successful species were Russell lupin, red clover and alsike clover at intermediate fertility inputs (50.250 kg/ha) and alsike and white clover under irrigation plus high superphosphate fertiliser input (500 kg/ha).