Pasture measurements were obtained from a northerly and a southerly aspect containing several soil strata which were defined by their soil profile characteristics and topography. Each aspect was continuously grazed by sheep at various stocking rates to maintain similar amounts of herbage mass. Over 4 years, the mean annual herbage accumulation and the green content of this herbage were greater on the southerly than the northerly aspect. Within an aspect, strata differed in net herbage accumulation, in the quantity and digestibility of herbage mass, and in botanical composition. Differences were larger on the northerly aspect where moisture-retentive strata were most productive. Variation in herbage accumulation among strata on each aspect was greater within an aspect, than the mean difference between aspects. The herbage mass on the southerly aspect was more digestible than that on the northerly aspect over late summer and autumn although on each aspect digestibility declined over the season.
展开▼
