Grazing management studies in the Temperate Pasture Sustainability Key Program: site descriptions, treatments and data collection

This paper outlines the site locations, experimental layout, treatments and the site characterisation and experimental data collection procedures for the Temperate Pasture Sustainability Key Program (TPSKP) grazing management sites in south-east Australia. Methods for the collection of herbage mass, botanical composition, plant frequency and basal cover data, collected from September 1993 to September 1996, are described in detail since these data were the main focus of the studies. Also reported are the methods used for site characterisation (soil physical and chemical properties and weather), pasture growth rate, and animal liveweight and condition score. Tables of summary data are presented for each site. Data include latitude and longitude, elevation, average annual rainfall, soil type, initial soil pH and phosphorus levels (0-10 cm), the major perennial grasses present at each site, fertiliser application, stock, type and stocking rates used.