Single-suckled beef production. 2. Influence of stocking rate during the grazing season, creep grazing of the calf and double-sucklingon calf performance.

Stocking rates of 2.47 (low), 3.71 (medium) and 4.94 (high) cows plus calves per ha were investigated in the grazing seasons 1966-68 inclusive. Creep grazing for the calves and double-suckling were also studied at the medium stocking rate. Prior to early August, stocking rate had no effect on calf performance except in 1967 when those at the high stocking rate had lower daily gains than calves at the medium (p < 0.01) and low (p < 0.001) rates. From early August until the end of the grazing season stocking rate significantly affected calf daily gains in all 3 years. Creep grazing had no effect on calf gains in any year. Calves double-suckled had growth rates significantly less than those single-suckled at a similar stocking rate. Regression of the calf daily liveweight gain from birth to the end of the season on milk yield of the cow was found to be highly significant in all 3 years.