Effects of animals on pasture production

Abstract The effects of cattle and sheep grazing on pasture productivity, under intensive farmlct management, were measured by a rate‐of‐growth mowing technique over 4 years (1968–1972). Sheep pastures produced 28% more dry matter than cattle pastures over this period. With sheep grazing, a mixed grass‐clover pasture remained ryegrass dominant, but with cattle grazing, the pasture changed to one with ryegrass and cocksfoot as co‐dominants. At the end of the experiment the top 7.6 cm of soil was more compacted under cattle grazing than under sheep grazing. The aspect of the gently rolling terrain modified the pasture production results. Sunny aspects produced less dry matter than flat sites and this was a reflection largely of the reduction in minor grass species production on the sunny aspect.