Influence of nitrogen fertilisation on forage and animal production of a continuously grazed irrigated grass/clover pasture in the Rûens area of the southern Cape

Abstract

The production of an irrigated grass/clover pasture was evaluated under continuous grazing at a range of stocking rates (20.6 to 35.9 Merino ewe units ha^‐1 and two nitrogen fertiliser treatments (0 and 300 kg N ha^‐1 a^‐1) over a period of four years. The clover content of the pastures declined, while the grass component increased with increased pasture age on both nitrogen treatments, leading to grass domination by the end of the trial period. The clover content (%) of the green dry matter (DM) was higher and the grass content (%) lower on the zero‐nitrogen than the nitrogen‐fertilised pastures, with the average daily gain of the sheep and wool production per ewe unit highest at low stocking rates on the zero‐nitrogen treatment. However, the total amount of green DM was higher on the nitrogen‐fertilised than on the unfertilized treatment, resulting in higher stocking rates for maximum wool and meat production per hectare. A higher profit margin was realised at lower stocking rates on the zero‐nitrogen treatment when compared with the fertilised treatment. The low weaning mass of the lambs at high stocking rates on the fertilised pastures questions the profitability of using nitrogen fertiliser on irrigated grass/clover pastures.