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Coopworth ewes in a farm system study mated from 21 June had a lambing percentage (lambs weaned/ ewe mated) of 126% in Southland New Zealand (lat 46o 12'S), 13% lower than the farm September lambing average of 139%. Total farm production records showed that 221 kg/ha of lamb meat and 127 kg/ha of wool were produced. Pasture production was 15800 kg DM/ha, while 58% of the farm area was used for silage making in late October. Extra inputs required included fertiliser where silage was made, labour for silage feeding in winter, the costs of silage making and feeding out, concentrate feeds during winter, and extra shearing costs. Savings were made in crutching costs and labour costs at lambing due to lambing ease. November lambing systems provide the opportunity to produce heavyweight lambs for slaughter at 9 to 11 months of age but price structures need to account for the increased production costs. Keywords: Coopworth, farm systems, November lambing, pasture production

Special-purpose finishing areas must achieve the maximum output of carcass gain to ensure their cost effectiveness. Liveweight and carcass weight gain were measured from lambs finished on Puna chicory (Cichorium inrybus)/Hakari upland brome (Bromus sitchensis)lPawera red (Trifolium prutense) and Huia white clover (Trifolium repens) pasture for periods of 3 to 18 weeks after grazing medium or low quality pastures over two summers at the Gore Research Station. The relationship between growth of lambs and time on finishing pasture was quadratic in year 1 when chicory comprised 37% of the pasture on offer. Highest live and carcass weight gains were achieved by finishing for between 9 and 18 weeks. In year 2 with a chicory content of 7% all finishing periods produced similar live weight and carcass weight gains. Carcass gain on low quality pasture (year 2) averaged only 3.5 g/100 g liveweight gain compared with of 42 g/l00 g liveweight gain and 47 g/100 g liveweight gain for medium quality and finishing pastures, respectively, averaged over two years. A finishing period of 9 weeks is recommended when chicory levels are high. Increased lamb performance was still evident when chicory content d65lined. No detrimental fat deu. osition was found in faster growing lambs. Skin and wool weights were significantly (P ~0.05) improved through high quality diets. Keywords: carcass weight gains, Cichorium intybus, fat deposition, finishing time, liveweight gain

This paper examines how the spring management options of making silage or planting brassicas can change hogget performance. Research by Gore Research Station staff compared winter hogget growth on various winter forages including brassicas, Italian ryegrass, perennial pasture and silage from several pasture types over 5 years. Liveweight gains varied from 0 to 160 g/day for silage made from various pasture options. Specific brassicas or brassica plus Italian ryegrass combinations provided average gains of up to 146 g/day. The yields of forage turnips for summer and autumn use were also compared. An initial harvest of 90 days with two subsequent cuts of 30- day intervals maximised yields from the treatments examined. The combining of these spring forage management options is discussed and used to outline options which will help farmers to maximise hogget performance. Keywords: Brussica, Cichorium intybus, hoggets, liveweight gain, L&urn multiflorum, perennial pasture, sheep, silage, summer, winter

Evaluations of Kahu timothy (Phleum prutense L.) included agronomy under mowing (1976-1979) and grazing (1980-1983), and animal performance from grazed pasture (1988-1993) and silage feeding (1989-1991). Agronomic testing showed that Kahu timothy was slow to establish, producing only 28% of the Grasslands Ruanui ryegrass (L.&urn perenne L.) swards in the 6 months after sowing. Frequent, close defoliation severely reduced the yields of timothy and caused losses of plants, reducing longevity. A less frequent defoliation regime with a residual sward height of 30-50 mm gave the greatest sustainable yields. Under mowing Kahu produced significantly less than S51 timothy in summer and winter but under grazing Kahu was superior in spring and summer, resulting in significantly greater annual production. Animal performance testing showed hoggets grazing timothy in spring grew at 218 g/day, significantly greater than the 164 g/day achieved on Grasslands Nui ryegrass. The spring stocking rate on timothy was also significantly greater than on ryegrass, though utilisation of the forage was similar. When fed timothy/red clover silage lambs fed in winter grew at 98 g/day while lambs on standard ryegrass/ cocksfoot/white clover silage averaged a growth rate of only 44 g/day. From the assessment of the physiological state of individual tillers it was observed that timothy had a significantly higher proportion of its tillers with growing points present above ground through late spring and summer than ryegrass. This is suggested as a major reason for the depletion of timothy populations -under close grazing. When grazed correctly in late spring and summer timothy can provide a perennial forage of high feeding value for livestock systems. Keywords: animal performance, Grasslands Kahu, pasture quality, Phleum pratense

The development of a Appellation Marketing Strategy by the New Zealand Game Industry Board will change the requirements of the venison industry. High deer liveweight gains throughout the year will be required to ensure a consistent supply of high quality venison. The improvement of spring and summer pasture availability and quality are being investigated at the Invermay Agricultural Centre. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and tall fescuelchicory/(Cichoorium intybusL.) red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) pastures were compared with high and low endophyte ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) pastures. Liveweight gain and carrying capacity were measured in spring and summer one year after establishment. Pasture parameters were measured to explain differences in animal perFormance. Liveweight gain was similar on all treatments, though was 21-35% lower in summer than in spring. The tall fescue-based pastures had significantly higher carrying capacities because of a better clover balance throughout the trial. This led to significantly higher per ha production on fust year tall fescue-based pastures. Though ryegrass endophyte had no effect on pasture or animal production, animal behaviour might have been affected. Keywords Acremonium lolii, carrying capacity, Cichorium intybus, deer, Festuca arundinacea, liveweight gain, Loliumperenne, pasture parameters, Trifolium pratense, Trijolium repens

High quality pasture feed is a direct consequence of species/cultivar choice and subsequent management. The pasture mixture must be selected according to the environment in which they are to grow, end use and speed of establishment. Important establishment factors are seedingrate, seedbed preparation, sowing time and soil nutrient status. Once established, correct grazing management and maintenance will ensure longevity of pasture life and continued availability of high quality animal feed. Keywords cultivars, establishment, grazing, growth environment, pasture quality, seedbed, seed rate, soil nutrients, sowing time

Infertile hill country grasslands are a vastly under-utilised pastoral resource in New Zealand. Three years of trial results on this class of land in eastern Southland are summarised. Five grasses (Grasslands Nui ryegrass, Wana cocksfoot, Matua prairie grass, Roa tall fescue and Maru phalaris) were oversown together with Huia white clover and subterranean clover. These were compared with a resident pasture, all under two fertility levels and two rotational grazing managements, and with unimproved pasture. The use of fertiliser and rotational grazing doubled the productivity of the unimproved rangeland to ca. 10,500 kg DMlhalyear. The addition of white clover increased yield to 12,000 kg, and improved grasses increased this further to 14,000 kg. Keywords: agronomy, fertiliser, grasses, grazing management, hill country, oversowing, pasture composition, pasture yield.