Beef production: potential and output in mid-Canterbury
Authors
Date
1968
Type
Conference Contribution - published
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Abstract
Climate and pasture production in mid-Canterbury have
been discussed by Rickard (1968). Under “dryland” farming
conditions, pasture
of some 110 to 130 aBys when production is very low
reduction is-limited by (1) winters
and (2) dry periods of variable incidence and duration
during the remainder of the year. These latter not only
restrict output every year but also result in a large “between
years ’ variation in annual pasture production. However,
adequate irrigation eliminates the dry periods and
results in pasture production characterized by :
(1) A higher annual production of some 9,000 to 10,000
lb D.M. per acre.
(2) A very low variability between years.
(3) Well-spread production within the growing season.
(4) Approximately half of total growth occurring after January 1.
For the livestock farmer, the implications of these changes
are very great.
The pattern of irrigated pasture reduction was shown
to coincide more closely with the feed requirements of a
beef-breeding herd than with those of a prime-lamb ewe
flock. However, as more calves become available from increased
cow herds in the foothills and high country, and
these are augmented by calves bred on dairy farms, it
seems probable that beef production on the easier country
will become concentrated on finishing, rather than on
breeding. This paper outlines experimental work into
finishing beef cattle at Winchmore Irrigation Research
Station and considers the potential for beef production
in mid-Canterbury in the light of the results obtained.
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Copyright © The Authors and New Zealand Grassland Association.