Comparison of grazing management systems for calf and yearling steers

摘要

The objective of this experiment was to compare leader/follower (L), separate (S) and mixed (M) grazing systems. Forty-eight Charolais x Friesian calves and yearling steers were assigned to the L, S and M treatments (16 calves and 16 yearlings per treatment). The L treatment was operated conventionally. In the S treatment, paddocks were assigned to calves and yearlings in proportion to their metabolic weight. In the M treatment, calves and yearlings grazed together. The yearlings were finished for slaughter the following spring. The calves were retained to the end of the following grazing season. Mean liveweight gains of the yearlings were 891, 948 and 1076 (s.e.d 36, P< 0.01) g/day for L, M and S, respectively. Corresponding mean slaughter weightswere 642, 661 and 678 (s. e.d 9.4, P< 0.05) kg. Mean calf liveweight gains during the experimental treatments were 964, 685 and 573 (s.e.d 29, P< 0.001) g/day. Compared with separate grazing, leader/follower grazing increased calf housing weight by 51 kg, subsequent turn out weight by 52 kg and end of second grazing season weight by 39 kg. It is concluded that L advantaged the calves but disadvantaged the yearlings. M was intermediate between L and S, and S advantaged the yearlings but disadvantaged thecalves.