THE PERFORMANCE OF FRIESIAN STEERS GRAZING 'GRASSLANDS ROA' TALL FESCUE PASTURES ON PEAT SOILS IN THE WAIKATO

Abstract

Legume-based pastures of perennial ryegrass ('Grasslands Ruanui + Nui') and 'Grasslands Roa' tall fescue were established on semideveloped peat soils near Hamilton in autumn 1975. Pastures were grazed with yearling Friesian steers at equal stocking rates from August until March during the years 1976 to 1979. Roa tall fescue swards substantially outyielded those of perennial ryegrass in January, February and March with an overall total yield advantage of some 21%. As a result, in most months, steers grazing Roa were offered approximately 15% more DM, which was utilized with similar efficiency to ryegrass (67% tall fescue and 69% ryegrass). Steer liveweight gains per head and per hectare were 10% higher on Roa tall fescue pastures, with average daily growth rates being 0.74 kg/head and the 3-year mean total LWG/ha being 970 kg from the tall fescue pasture.