Pasture production measurements on hill country

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Abstract
Pasture dry matter (d.m.) production was assessed over 48 weeks on steep unploughable hillsides under sheep grazing, using a “difference” and a “trim” cutting technique. Cuts were made at three- and six-weekly intervals, using battery-operated sheep shears. Total yields ranged from 7,190 lb d.m. per surface acre to 13,020 lb d.m. per surface acre, according to cutting treatment. Yields estimated by the trim technique were 60% larger than those estimated by the difference technique. Three-weekly cutting gave larger yields than six-weekly cutting. The three-weekly trim technique gave the least variable yields, and the six-weekly difference technique the most variable yields. Pasture composition, the effect of microtopography on yield, and soil nutrients were also examined.