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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Evaluating The Economic And Environmental Sustainability Of Integrated Farming Systems, C. A. Rotz, M. A. Sanderson, M. Wachendorf, F. Taube
Evaluating The Economic And Environmental Sustainability Of Integrated Farming Systems, C. A. Rotz, M. A. Sanderson, M. Wachendorf, F. Taube
IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)
Economic and environmental sustainability has become a major concern for forage-based animal production in Europe, North America and other parts of the world. Development of more sustainable farming systems requires an assimilation of experimental and modelling research. Field research is critical for supporting the development and evaluation of models, and modelling is needed to integrate farm components for predicting the long-term effects and interactions resulting from farm management changes. Experimentally supported simulation provides a tool for evaluating and comparing farming strategies and predicting their effect on the watershed, region and beyond.
The Economic Benefit Of Increased Yield And Digestibility In A Perennial C4 Grass, R. Mitchell, K. P. Vogel, G. Sarath
The Economic Benefit Of Increased Yield And Digestibility In A Perennial C4 Grass, R. Mitchell, K. P. Vogel, G. Sarath
IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)
Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) is a perennial C4 grass native to the North American tallgrass prairie (Weaver, 1954). It provides productive, high quality forage during late spring and summer in the Great Plains, USA (Mitchell et al., 1994). Increasing forage yield and digestibility can increase livestock performance and grassland profitability (Casler & Vogel, 1999). This study aimed to compare the economic value of 2 big bluestem strains developed by 3 generations of breeding for increased forage yield and digestibility with the base populations from which they were derived.
Economic Comparison Of Pasture Based Lamb Production Systems In Southern Australia, A. J. Kennedy, A. N. Thompson
Economic Comparison Of Pasture Based Lamb Production Systems In Southern Australia, A. J. Kennedy, A. N. Thompson
IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)
Lamb production enterprises in southern Australia utilise a pasture base as their primary nutrition source due to its low cost. Holmes Sackett & Associates (2003) identified that increasing total lamb weight per hectare by increasing ewe stocking rate, animal genetic potential and weaning percentage can increase enterprise profitability. The limitation of these enterprises is the seasonal and geographic variations impeding pasture production and quality. The 'MoreLamb Quality Pasture' project is demonstrating the benefits of mixing high performing grass, legume and herb species to extend the pasture-growing season and increase pasture quality. Key economic indicators of three pasture systems and commercial …
Stocking Rate Theory And Profit Drivers In North Australian Rangeland Grazing Enterprises, Neil D. Macleod, A. J. Ash, John G. Mcivor
Stocking Rate Theory And Profit Drivers In North Australian Rangeland Grazing Enterprises, Neil D. Macleod, A. J. Ash, John G. Mcivor
IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)
Setting correct stock numbers is a key decision for successful pastoralism. In marginal environments, typified by northern Australia, this involves careful cattle herd management across landscapes and seasons characterised by heterogeneous land condition and extreme climatic uncertainty. Stocking rate theory which links animal production to stocking rates concentrates only on liveweight gain of sale animals and ignores complex herd (e.g. reproduction, mortality) and pasture dynamics (e.g. land condition) and costs of maintaining stock numbers (e.g. supplementary feeding). Related economic models are generally naïve and incomplete, being based on liveweight gain, meat prices and variable husbandry costs (e.g. Workman, 1986). Modelling …