Indirect measurement of pasture mass and pasture growth rate on sheep and beef pastures

Litherland, A. J.; Webby, R. W.; Fraser, T.J.; Matthew, C.; Mccleod, K.; Walcroft, J.; Bryant, Jeremy; Devantier, B.P.; Hoogendoorn, C. J.; Moss, RJ; Clarke-Hill, W.; Schreurs, P.J.

doi:10.33584/jnzg.2008.70.2734

Cited by 15 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…In contrast, Vartha and Matches (1977) reported that slope coefficients for a falling disk meter in tall fescue pastures were higher in the summer than in spring and fall. The seasonal pattern we observed was also opposite of that reported by Litherland et al (2008) in mixed cool‐season grass pastures in New Zealand, where the slope coefficients were lowest during the winter months and increased steadily during the spring reaching their highest values in mid‐summer before declining steadily during the autumn months. Michell and Large (1983) also reported higher values of the slope coefficient during summer than in the spring.…”

Section: Resultscontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…Additional investigation is warranted to determine whether subtracting dead matter from the forage mass measurements would result in more uniform RPM calibrations over the season. Nevertheless, Litherland et al (2008) in New Zealand reported that dead matter or DM concentration of the forage failed to remove the need for seasonal corrections in RPM prediction equations but did provide a means to measure atypical (e.g., drought‐affected) pastures, such as we observed in late summer at COSH2 and COL10.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 85%

“…Manufacturer‐supplied calibration equations developed in New Zealand did not provide accurate estimates of forage mass from RPM readings made in Pennsylvania (Sanderson et al, 2001). Distinct seasonal patterns in RPM calibrations have been demonstrated in New Zealand (L'Huillier and Thomson, 1988; Litherland et al, 2008; King et al, 2010); however, those patterns were inconsistent across regions, possibly reflecting differences in climate, species composition, soil, and management. Seasonal patterns in RPM calibration have not been thoroughly described for cool‐season pastures in the United States.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Consequently, producers often use a calibration equation for the whole season or different equations for specific seasons that were developed by the RPM manufacturer or other advisors. Such an approach assumes the relationship between the RPM and forage mass is fairly constant over time, within a region, and among forage species; however, it has been demonstrated that the relationship between RPM or disk readings and forage mass may vary with sward species composition (Harmoney et al, 1997), sward structure (Gonzalez et al, 1990), region (King et al, 2010), and date or season of year (Bransby et al, 1977; Vartha and Matches, 1977; Scrivner et al, 1986; L'Huillier and Thomson, 1988; Fulkerson and Slack, 1993; Thomson et al, 2001; Litherland et al, 2008; King et al, 2010).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Seasonal Variation in the Rising Plate Meter Calibration for Forage Mass

et al. 2012

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Measurement of forage mass is critical to the management of forage allowance in grazing systems. Th e rising plate meter (RPM) was developed to monitor forage mass quickly and easily; however, it must be calibrated to provide reliable calculations of forage mass and the calibration coeffi cients may vary across seasons. Our objective was to investigate seasonal patterns in calibrations of the RPM for estimating forage mass in six cool-season grass swards in Ohio. Th e RPM reading was highly signifi cant (P < 0.01) in explaining variation in forage mass across sites and weeks; however, the RPM × week, RPM × site, and RPM × week × site interactions (P < 0.01) for forage mass indicated the relationship between RPM reading and forage mass varied among sites and over time. At one site, the RPM to forage mass relationship was investigated for three cool-season grass species, but the RPM × species and RPM × week × species interactions were not signifi cant (P > 0.05). Although there was variation among and within sites for the slope coeffi cients of forage mass regressed on RPM reading, a broadly similar seasonal pattern was found at most sites. Th e slope coeffi cients were usually high in early spring, decreased rapidly during the fi rst weeks of the growing season, and then increased from early summer to the autumn. We concluded the RPM should be calibrated at least monthly over the growing season to defi ne the seasonal pattern and changes in the slope coeffi cients for forage mass regressed on RPM readings.

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Section: Resultscontrasting

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 85%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

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Seasonal Variation in the Rising Plate Meter Calibration for Forage Mass

et al. 2012

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“…Calibration equations are often estimated separately for month or season (Scrivner et al, 1986; L'Huillier and Thomson, 1988; Nobilly et al, 2013). Litherland et al (2008) adjusted forage mass predictions for the percentage of dead matter. If the rising plate meter is to be widely adopted, calibration equations are needed for other species and environmental conditions.…”

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confidence: 99%

Rising Plate Meter Calibrations for Forage Mass of Wheat and Rye

Cho¹,

Brorsen²,

Biermacher

et al. 2019

Agricultural & Env Letters

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Estimating forage availability is important in optimizing livestock stocking rates. The rising plate meter was developed to estimate forage availability. It needs a calibration equation to convert its measurement to a prediction of forage mass, and predictions can vary across crops, seasons, and locations. Our research objective was to derive new calibration equations for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and rye (Secale cereale L.). Most past literature used a linear model, but recent literature has suggested that using a quadratic model without an intercept could improve predictions. A non-nested test was used to test among these two non-nested models for wheat and rye calibration equations. The results favored the more encompassing model of a quadratic with an intercept; however, with wheat the quadratic with no intercept was not rejected. A pooling test indicated different equations were needed for species, seasonality (winter and non-winter), and tillage type (tilled or no-till).

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Prescribed defoliation strategies influence soil carbon and nitrous oxide potential in pastures

et al. 2022

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Cool‐season perennial grasslands are commonly used for livestock pasture. However, understanding of the belowground effects of forage defoliation (selective pressure applied by grazing) management is nascent. We investigated how defoliation management affects aboveground (forage productivity) and belowground processes (soil C/N), microbial nutrient cycling, and potential nitrous oxide [N2O] emissions). We hypothesized that rotational (moderate frequency) defoliation at low severity will increase soil organic matter (SOM) storage and microbial capacity to cycle C, N, and P, but that these changes would also lead to greater soil N2O emission potential. Data were collected from organically (OF) and conventionally managed (CF) farms with differing botanical composition in West Virginia, where three frequencies and two severities of forage defoliation were imposed. At OF, more severe defoliation decreased labile soil C content (–26%), while moderate defoliation resulted in a 39% reduction in microbial enzymatic capacity to cycle C, but not at CF. The N2O emission potential (ratio of nirK/nosZ functional gene abundance), was differentially affected by defoliation treatments at both sites. At OF, defoliation severity altered N2O emission potential, whereby low severity resulted in an 82% decrease in potential N2O emissions compared with high severity treatments. At CF, continuously defoliated plots exhibited a 71% lower N2O emission potential relative to less frequent defoliation. Belowground microbial parameters were more responsive to defoliation at OF, suggesting past management may influence how grazing management asserts belowground changes. Results suggest that defoliation management could enhance soil C storage, but potentially at the risk of increased N2O emissions.

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Indirect measurement of pasture mass and pasture growth rate on sheep and beef pastures

Cited by 15 publications

References 13 publications

Seasonal Variation in the Rising Plate Meter Calibration for Forage Mass

Seasonal Variation in the Rising Plate Meter Calibration for Forage Mass

Rising Plate Meter Calibrations for Forage Mass of Wheat and Rye

Prescribed defoliation strategies influence soil carbon and nitrous oxide potential in pastures

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