Early measurements of cattle growth rates on native pasture in the black speargrass region indicated only modest potential for beef production (80 to 100 kg LWG/head/yr). To provide a contemporary assessment of animal production, we measured annual liveweight gains of Zebu-cross steers grazing ten commercial paddocks. Paddocks were selected to represent major land systems and weight gains of steers were recorded for up to 7 years. Average annual liveweight gain varied from 116 kg/hd on metamorphic rolling hills to 167 kg/hd on andesitic rises and floodplains, all much higher than earlier reports would suggest. Also, there was large variation between and within land systems, so generalisations about regional productivity should be viewed with caution.
September 24-27, 1996
Port Augusta, South Australia
ISSN 1323-6660
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.