Pasture and Animal Production

Australian research has shown increases in both pasture and livestock production with potassium fertilisation, often associated with an improvement in the legume component of mixed pastures.

On duplex soils in coastal NSW, annual applications of potassium fertiliser have improved the liveweight (LW) gain of weaner steers on mixed pastures (see table).  This response was reliant upon seasonal conditions which allowed clover in the pastures to regenerate.

This table illustrates the effect of annual potassium applications on the average liveweight gain of weaner steers.

In Western Australia on a low potassium site, potassium increased production of a mixed pasture. Where stocking rates were adjusted in accordance with improved pasture growth, wool production per hectare increased (see graph).

This graph illustrates greasy wool production from a Western Australian pasture with and without annual potassium application

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