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2006/V05 Non -Toxic Perennial Grass Pastures for Sheep

Project start date: 24 July 2008
Project end date: 16 July 2009
Publication date: 01 July 2009
Project status: Completed
Livestock species: Sheep, Lamb
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Summary

​Summary – Key Points:Compared to Victorian perennial ryegrass with toxic endophyte, the Deep Rooted Perennial (DRP) pasture had:Higher average stocking ratesHeavier EwesHigher lamb marking ratesHigher Net IncomeFewer wormsSamson ryegrass also had an advantage over Victorian BUT it has not persisted as well.The Victorian perennial ryegrass treatment has a much lower legume content than the other treatmentsThe Victorian perennial ryegrass treatment was less palatable over summer than other treatments and produced toxins that were ingested by the ewes.At the end of the project the only pasture that continued to persist well and produce the best production results was the Deep Rooted Perennials comprising Flecha tall fescue and Holdfast phalaris.​

More information

Project manager: Richard Apps
Primary researcher: Glenelg Prograze Group