Summer-growing perennial grasses are a potential new feed source in the low rainfall environment of southern Australia

Crop and Pasture Science

Volumn 65, Issue 10, 2014, Pages 1033-1043

  Descheemaeker, Katrien ^a   Llewellyn, Rick ^b   Moore, Andrew ^b   Whitbread, Anthony ^c,d  

^a WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY   (Netherlands)

^b CSIRO   (Australia)

^c UNIVERSITY OF GÖTTINGEN   (Germany)

^d INTERNATIONAL CROPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR THE SEMI ARID TROPICS ICRISAT   (India)

Author keywords

cereal sheep systems; GRAZPLAN model; on farm trials; panic grass; Rhodes grass

Indexed keywords

GRASS; PERENNIAL PLANT; PERSISTENCE; RAINFALL; SOIL TYPE; TOLERANCE;

AUSTRALIA; MALLEE; VICTORIA [AUSTRALIA];

CHLORIS GAYANA; OVIS ARIES; POACEAE;

EID: 84906839273     PISSN: 18360947     EISSN: 18365795     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1071/CP13444     Document Type: Article

References (62)

1. AraujoLC, SantosPM,Rodriguez D, PezzopaneJRM,OliveiraPPA,CruzPG (2013) Simulating Guinea grass production: empirical and mechanistic approaches. Agronomy Journal 105, 61-69. doi:10.2134/agronj2012. 0245
2. Bell LW, Moore AD (2012) Integrated crop-livestock systems in Australian agriculture: Trends, drivers and implications. Agricultural Systems 111, 1-12. doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2012.04.003
3. Bell LW, Robertson MJ, Revell DK, Lilley JM, Moore AD (2008) Approaches for assessing some attributes of feed-base systems in mixed farming enterprises. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 789-798. doi:10.1071/EA07421
4. Boschma SP, Lodge GM, Harden S (2008) Herbage mass and persistence of pasture legumes and grasses at two potentially different saline and waterlogging sites in northern New South Wales. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 553-567. doi:10.1071/EA07115
5. Boschma S, Lodge G, Harden S (2009) Establishment and persistence of perennial grass and herb cultivars and lines in a recharge area, North-West Slopes, New South Wales. Crop & Pasture Science 60, 753-767. doi:10.1071/CP08357
6. Brown RA, Rosenberg NJ, Hays CJ, Easterling WE, Mearns LO (2000) Potential production and environmental effects of switchgrass and traditional crops under current and greenhouse-altered climate in the central United States: a simulation study. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 78, 31-47. doi:10.1016/S0167-8809(99)00115-2
7. Bryant JR, Snow VO (2008) Modelling pastoral farm agro-ecosystems: A review. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 51, 349-363. doi:10.1080/00288230809510466
8. Byrne F, Robertson MJ, Bathgate A, Hoque Z (2010) Factors influencing potential scale of adoption of a perennial pasture in a mixed crop-livestock farming system. Agricultural Systems 103, 453-462. doi:10.1016/j.agsy. 2010.04.003
9. Clark SG, Austen EA, Prance T, Ball PD (2003) Climate variability effects on simulated pasture and animal production in the perennial pasture zone of south-eastern Australia. 1. Between year variability in pasture and animal production. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 43, 1211-1219. doi:10.1071/EA02101
10. Cohen RDH, Stevens JP, Moore AD, Donnelly JR (2003) Validating and using the GrassGro decision support tool for a mixed grass/alfalfa pasture in western Canada. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 83, 171-182. doi:10.4141/A02-068
11. Collard SJ, Fisher AM (2010) Shrub-based plantings of woody perennial vegetation in temperate Australian agricultural landscapes: What benefits for native biodiversity? Ecological Management & Restoration 11, 31-35. doi:10.1111/j.1442-8903.2010.00510.X
12. Corleto A, Cazzato E, Ventricelli P, Cosentino S, Gresta F, Testa G, Maiorana M, Fornaro F, GiorgioD(2009) Performance of perennial tropical grasses in different Mediterranean environments in southern Italy. Tropical Grasslands 43, 129-138
13. Corson MS, Rotz CA, Skinner RH (2007) Evaluating warm-season grass production in temperate-region pastures: A simulation approach. Agricultural Systems 93, 252-268. doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2006.06.001
14. Dear BS, EwingMA(2008) The search for new pasture plants to achieve more sustainable production systems in southern Australia. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 387-396. doi:10.1071/EA07105
15. Dear BS, Reed KFM, Craig AD (2008) Outcomes of the search for new perennial and salt tolerant pasture plants for southern Australia. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 578-588. doi:10.1071/EA07118
16. Di Vittorio AV, Anderson RS, White JD, Miller NL, Running SW (2010) Development and optimization of an Agro-BGC ecosystem model for C4 perennial grasses. Ecological Modelling 221, 2038-2053. doi:10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2010.05.013
17. Donnelly JR, FreerM,MooreAD(1998) Using the GrassGro decision support tool to evaluate some objective criteria for the definition of exceptional drought. Agricultural Systems 57, 301-313. doi:10.1016/S0308-521X (98)00020-1
18. Donnelly JR, Freer M, Salmon EM, Moore AD, Simpson RJ, Dove H, Bolger TP (2002) Evolution of the GRAZPLAN decision support tools and adoption by the grazing industry in temperate Australia. Agricultural Systems 74, 115-139. doi:10.1016/S0308-521X(02)00024-0
19. Finlayson JD, Lawes RA, Metcalf T, Robertson MJ, Ferris D, Ewing MA (2012) A bio-economic evaluation of the profitability of adopting subtropical grasses and pasture-cropping on crop-livestock farms. Agricultural Systems 106, 102-112. doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2011.10.012
20. Gherbin P, De Franchi A, Monteleone M, Rivelli A (2007) Adaptability and productivity of some warm-season pasture species in a Mediterranean environment. Grass and Forage Science 62, 78-86. doi:10.1111/j.1365- 2494.2007.00566.X
21. Glover JD, Culman SW, DuPont ST, Broussard W, Young L, Mangan ME, Mai JG, Crews TE, DeHaan LR, Buckley DH, Ferris H, Turner RE, Reynolds HL, Wyse DL (2010) Harvested perennial grasslands provide ecological benchmarks for agricultural sustainability. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 137, 3-12. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2009.11.001
22. Harris RH, Hirth JR, Crawford MC, Bellotti WD, Peoples MB, Norng S (2007) Companion crop performance in the absence and presence of agronomic manipulation. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 58, 690-701. doi:10.1071/AR06148
23. Harris CA, Boschma SP, Moore G (2009) Developing a more productive, persistent panic grass cultivar. Tropical Grasslands 43, 269-270
24. Holzworth DP, Huth NI, deVoil PG, Zurcher EJ, Herrmann NI, McLean G, Chenu K, van Oosterom E, Snow VO, Murphy C, Moore AD, Brown HE, Whish JPM, Verrall S, Fainges J, Bell LW, Peake AS, Poulton PL, Hochman Z, Thorburn PJ, Gaydon DS, Dalgliesh NP, Rodriguez D, Cox H, Chapman S, Doherty A, Teixeira E, Sharp J, Cichota R, Vogeler I, Li FY, Wang E, Hammer GL, Robertson MJ, Dimes J, Whitbread AM, Hunt J, van Rees H, MaClelland T, Carberry PS, Hargreaves JNG, MacLeod N, McDonald C, Harsdorf J, Wedgwood S, Keating BA (2014) APSIM-evolution towards a new generation of agricultural systems simulation. Environmental Modelling & Software, in press
25. Isbell RF (2002) 'The Australian Soil Classification.' (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne
26. JohnstonWH,Cornish PS, ShoemarkVF(2005) Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees. complex pastures in southern New South Wales, Australia: a comparison with Medicago sativa L. and Phalaris aquatica L. pastures under rotational grazing. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 45, 401-420. doi:10.1071/EA03117
27. KeringMK,Butler TJ, Biermacher JT, Guretzky JA (2012) Biomass yield and nutrient removal rates of perennial grasses under nitrogen fertilization. BioEnergy Research 5, 61-70. doi:10.1007/s12155-011-9167-X
28. Kiniry JR, Schmer MR, Vogel KP, Mitchell RB (2008) Switchgrass biomass simulation at diverse sites in the northern Great Plains of the U.S. BioEnergy Research 1, 259-264. doi:10.1007/s12155-008-9024-8
29. Lara MAS, Pedreira CGS, Boote KJ, Pedreira BC, Moreno LSB, Alderman PD (2012) Predicting growth of Panicum maximum: An adaptation of the CROPGRO-perennial forage model. Agronomy Journal 104, 600-611. doi:10.2134/agronj2011.0272
30. Lawes RA, Robertson MJ (2008) Seasonal variability of Rhodes grass production in the northern West Australia wheatbelt. In '14th Australian Society of Agronomy Conference'. 21-25 September 2008, Adelaide, S. Aust. (Australian Society of Agronomy/The Regional Institute Ltd: Gosford, NSW) Available at: www.regional.org.au/au/asa/2008/concurrent/pasture-production/5821-lawes-robertson.htm
31. Legates DR, McCabe GJ (1999) Evaluating the use of goodness-of-fit measures in hydrologic and hydroclimatic model validation. Water Resources Research 35, 233-241. doi:10.1029/1998WR900018
32. Li FY, Snow VO, HolzworthDP(2011) Modelling seasonal and geographical pattern of pasture production in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 54, 331-352. doi:10.1080/00288233.2011. 613403
33. Lloyd DL (1981) Markarikari grass-(Panicum coloratum Var. Markarkariense)-A review with particular reference to Australia. Tropical Grasslands 15, 44-52
34. Lloyd DL, Smith KP, Clarkson NM, Weston EJ, Johnson B (1991) Ley pastures in the subtropics. Tropical Grasslands 25, 181-188
35. Madakadze IC, Coulman BE, Mcelroy AR, Stewart KA, Smith DL (1998) Evaluation of selected warm season grasses for biomass production in areas with a short growing season. Bioresource Technology 65, 1-12. doi:10.1016/S0960-8524(98)00039-X
36. McCormick LH, McGufficke BR, Harden S, Ross BA (1998) Subtropical grass evaluation for pastures in northern NSW. In 'Proceedings of the 9th Australian AgronomyConference'.WaggaWagga,NSW.(Australian Society of Agronomy/The Regional Institute Ltd: Gosford, NSW) Available at: www.regional.org.au/au/asa/1998/1/028mccormick.htm
37. McCosker TH, Teitzel JK (1975) A review of Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) for the wet tropics of Australia. Tropical Grasslands 9, 177-190
38. McIvor JG, Smith DF (1973) Plant factors influencing the nutritive value of some temperate annual pasture species. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and Animal Husbandry 13, 404-410. doi:10.1071/EA9730404
39. Milford R, Minson DJ (1968) The digestibility and intake of six varieties of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana). Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and Animal Husbandry 8, 413-418. doi:10.1071/EA9680413
40. Millar GD, BadgeryWB(2009) Pasture cropping: a new approach to integrate crop and livestock farming systems. Animal Production Science 49, 777-787. doi:10.1071/AN09017
41. MooreAD(2009) Opportunities and trade-offs in dual-purpose cereals across the southern Australian mixed-farming zone: a modelling study. Animal Production Science 49, 759-768. doi:10.1071/AN09006
42. Moore G, Barrett-Lennard P (2006) Subtropical grasses. In 'Perennial pastures for Western Australia.' pp. 129-134. Bulletin 4690. (Department of Agriculture and Food WA: South Perth, W. Aust
43. Moore AD, Ghahramani A (2013) Climate change and broadacre livestock production across southern Australia. 1. Impacts of climate change on pasture and livestock productivity, and on sustainable levels of profitability. Global Change Biology 19, 1440-1455. doi:10.1111/gcb.12150
44. Moore AD, Donnelly JR, Freer M (1997) GRAZPLAN: Decision support systems for Australian grazing enterprises. III. Pasture growth and soil moisture submodels, and the GrassGro DSS. Agricultural Systems 55, 535-582. doi:10.1016/S0308-521X(97)00023-1
45. Moore G, Sanford P, Wiley T (2006) 'Perennial pastures for Western Australia.' Bulletin 4690. (Department of Agriculture and Food WA: South Perth, W. Aust
46. Moore AD, Bell LW, RevellDK(2009) Feed gaps in mixed-farming systems: Insights from the Grain & Graze Program. Animal Production Science 49, 736-748. doi:10.1071/AN09010
47. Moore AD, Alcock DJ, Pope LC, Powells JI (2010) Validating the GRAZPLAN pasture model for native grasslands of the Monaro region. In 'Food security from sustainable agriculture. Proceedings of the 15th Australian Agronomy Conference'. Palmerston North, NZ, 15-18 November 2010. (Eds H Dove, RA Culvenor) (Australian Society of Agronomy/The Regional Institute Ltd: Gosford, NSW) Available at: www.regional.org.au/au/asa/2010/farming-systems/simula tion-decision-support/7187-moore.htm
48. Nichols PGH, Loi A, Nutt BJ, Evans PM, Craig AD, Pengelly BC, Dear BS, Lloyd DL, Revell CK, Nair RM, Ewing MA, Howieson JG, Auricht GA, Howie JH, Sandral GH, Carr SJ, de Koning CT, Hackney BF, Crocker GJ, Snowball R, Hughes SJ, Hall EJ, Foster KJ, SkinnerPW,Barbetti MJ,You MP (2007) New annual and short-lived perennial pasture legumes for Australian agriculture-15 years of revolution. Field Crops Research 104, 10-23. doi:10.1016/j.fcr.2007.03.016
49. Nie ZN, Miller S, MooreGA,Hackney BF, BoschmaSP, ReedKFM,Mitchell M, Albertsen TO, Clark S, Craig AD, Kearney G, Li GD, Dear BS (2008) Field evaluation of perennial grasses and herbs in southern Australia. 2. Persistence, root characteristics and summer activity. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 424-435. doi:10.1071/EA07136
50. Pengelly BC, Hall E, Auricht GC, Bennell M, Cook BG (2006) Identifying subtropical pasture species for grazing systems in the Mallee-Wimmera. CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Canberra, ACT
51. Reed KFM, Nie ZN, Miller S, Hackney BF, Boschma SP, Mitchell ML, Albertsen TO, Moore GA, Clark SG, Craig AD, Kearney G, Li GD, Dear BS (2008) Field evaluation of perennial grasses and herbs in southern Australia. 1. Establishment and herbage production. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 409-423. doi:10.1071/EA07135
52. Robertson SM (2006a) Crop stubbles are as important for sheep production as annual pastures in the Victorian Mallee. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46, 993-1003. doi:10.1071/EA04033
53. Robertson SM (2006b) Predicting pasture and sheep production in the Victorian Mallee with the decision support tool, GrassGro. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46, 1005-1014. doi:10.1071/EA04034
54. Smith FW (1986) Pasture species. In 'Plant analysis-an interpretation manual'. (Ed. DJ Reuter) pp. 100-119. (Inkata Press: Melbourne
55. Stout WL (1994) Evaluation of the SPUR model for grasslands of the northeastern United States. Agronomy Journal 86, 1001-1005. doi:10.2134/agronj1994.00021962008600060013X
56. Thomas DT, Lawes RA, Descheemaeker K, Moore AD (2014) Selection of crop cultivars suited to the location combined with astute management can reduce crop yield penalties in pasture cropping systems. Crop & Pasture Science 65, 1022-1032
57. Verburg K, Bond WJ, Hirth JR, Ridley AM (2007) Lucerne in crop rotations on the Riverine Plains. 3. Model evaluation and simulation analyses. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 58, 1129-1141. doi:10.1071/AR07133
58. Wales W, Doyle P, Pearce G (1990) The feeding value of cereal straws for sheep. I. Wheat straws. Animal Feed Science and Technology 29, 1-14. doi:10.1016/0377-8401(90)90089-Q
59. Whitbread A, Craig S (2010) The potential of summer-growing grasses to persist and produce out-of-season forage in the Victorian Mallee. In 'Food security from sustainable agriculture. Proceedings of the 15th Australian Agronomy Conference'. November 2010, Christchurch, New Zealand. (Australian Society of Agronomy/The Regional Institute Ltd: Gosford, NSW) Available at: www.regional.org.au/au/asa/2010/pastures-forage/lucerne/6979-whitbreada.htm
60. Whitbread A, Llewellyn R, Gobbett D, Davoren B (2008) EM38 and crop-soil simulation modelling can identify differences in potential crop performance on typical soil zones in the Mallee. In 'Global issues, paddock action. Proceedings of 14th Agronomy Conference'. Adelaide, S. Aust. 21-25 September 2008. (Ed. M Unkovich) (Australian Society of Agronomy/The Regional Institute Ltd: Gosford, NSW) Available at: www.regional.org.au/au/asa/2008/poster/agronomylandscape/5823-whitbread.htm
61. Whitbread AM, Hall CA, Pengelly BC (2009) A novel approach to planting grass - Legume pastures in the mixed farming zone of southern inland Queensland, Australia. Crop & Pasture Science 60, 1147-1155. doi:10.1071/CP09058
62. Wilson JR, 't Mannetje L (1978) Senescence, digestibility and carbohydrate content of buffel grass and green panic leaves in swards. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 29, 503-516. doi:10.1071/AR9780503