Annual dry matter (DM) production and botanical
composition of six dryland pasture combinations, grown
under sheep grazing at Lincoln University for 5 years,
are presented. In 4 years, lucerne produced the highest
DM yields (13.1-18.5 t/ha/yr) through higher daily
growth rates, compared with grass based pastures,
particularly during periods of water stress in summer
and autumn. Of the grass based pastures, cocksfoot sown
with subterranean clover produced yields of 9.9-12.9 t
DM/ha/yr which were greater than, or similar to, all other
pastures (8.0-12.9 t DM/ha/yr). Cocksfoot established
with white clover produced >9.7 t DM/ha/yr in years
with wetter than average summers. Over the 5 years the
contribution of perennial ryegrass to total DM yield
declined by ~0.7 t/ha/yr, from 70% in Year 1, to 44% in
Year 5. It was replaced by unsown dicotyledonous weeds
and grasses which increased from 4% in Year 1 to 24%
by Year 5. Overall results show a dryland pastoral system
that includes both lucerne and cocksfoot with subterranean
clover pastures is likely to produce more feed in dry
years than perennial ryegrass/white clover pastures. The
inclusion of white clover with cocksfoot and subterranean
clover may allow utilisation of variable and unpredictable
rainfall in moist summers.[Show full abstract]
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