Livestock production depends on the quantity and nutritive value of plants eaten by the animal. Forage availability is determined by several factors, including pasture composition, time lapsed since last effective rainfall, current seasonal conditions and grazing history. The nutritive value of plants is likely to alter according to season, rain and phenological state. In the semi -arid woodlands, annual herbages are selectively grazed by stock when available, with perennial grasses providing feed at other times (1),(2). Annual herbages grow in response to cool season rains while most perennial grasses are stimulated by warm season rains. This work compares the nutritive value of important perennial grasses and winter herbage species of the semiarid woodlands of western New South Wales.
Full-text publications from the Australian Rangelands Society (ARS) Biennial Conference Proceedings (1997-), Rangeland Journal (ARS/CSIRO; 1976-), plus videos and other resources about the rangelands of Australia.