Liveweight gains of Shorthorn steers on native and improved pastures at Adelaide River, Northern Territory

Abstract

Data from over 40 grazing trials conducted with Shorthorn steers during 1961-1968 in a tropical monsoonal climate, mean rainfall about 127 cm, at Adelaide River, Northern Territory, Australia, are presented. The average yearly liveweight gain on native pasture at 1 beast to 4-8 hectares was 18 kg, due to gains in November-December but weight maintenance or loss during most of the year. The average yearly liveweight gain on Townsville sty10 based pastures at 1 beast to 0.4-1.2 hectares was 95 kg, with gains of about 0.5 kg a day in the wet season and weight maintenance in the dry. These results are lower than those reported for Katherine, Northern Territory. Other pastures, including phasey bean, were also shown to be useful. Some evidence is presented of compensatory gain, and of a comparison of Brahman cross-bred steers with the Shorthorns. Possible reasons for the better performance by steers at Katherine compared to Adelaide River are discussed.