Abstract

This paper summarises a series of experiments near Rotorua in which the liveweight changes of sheep grazed on pasture under Pinus Radiata was measured. In general terms sheep performance was lower as the tree stocking increased. Long term experiments have shown that under continuous grazing, sheep performance declines with increased tree stocking from as early as tree age 5 years. Feed allowance experiments indicated there may be a general decline in the feed value of pasture growing under Pinus Radiata. The effects were minor at tree stockings up to 100 stems per hectare. The effects would be minimised by offering higher allowances, to provide greater feed selection for the stock.

JA, Duckworth, and GK Barrell

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 52, , 183-186, 1992