Stocking density and production of a supplemented beef herd grazing yearlong on Mediterranean grassland

Abstract

The possibility of attenuating the negative effects of high stocking rate (SR) on animal production by using inexpensive low energy supplements (mainly poultry litter) was examined in a herd of small, crossbred cows graxing year;ong on Mediterranean grassland. Herds of 15 to 25 cows were stocked at 0.50, 0.67, and 0.83 cows/ha in replicated blocks. Weaning weights and ADG of calves were higher (P<.001) at the low SR, but there were no differences between the moderate and heavy stocking treatments. Weaned weight per hectare as well as supplementary feed consumption were highest at the high SR, but differences between the low and moderate stocking treatments were not significant. Conception rates fluctuated between years and declined at the heavy SR, only to recover dramatically in the inst year of the experiment. Weaning rates were variable both within and between SR’s from year to year, but overall 5-year SR means were not significantly different. It is concluded that on the seasonal Mediterranean grassland typical of eastern Galilee where quality of dry summer pasture is low, supplementation based mainly on poultry litter and straw can buffer some of the effects of high stocking rates on animal production but cannot ensure consistently high productive performance even at low SR.