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Simulation Of Lablab Pastures, Jacqueline O. Hill, M. J. Robertson, A. M. Whitbread, B. C. Pengelly
Simulation Of Lablab Pastures, Jacqueline O. Hill, M. J. Robertson, A. M. Whitbread, B. C. Pengelly
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The potential of legume-based pastures to address declining soil nitrogen on marginal cropping soils is increasingly recognised in northern Australia, as such there is a need for cost benefit analysis of pastures and crops in a mixed farming system. In highly variable rainfall environments, biophysical modelling may be the best way of identifying and quantifying interactions with mixed crop-livestock systems on a seasonal basis. This paper describes a case study where both animal productivity and lablab pasture production is simulated. Lablab (Lablab purpureus) is an annual tropical legume widely used as a short-term legume phase in crop-pasture rotations, …
State And Transition Model Of Lowland Grassland In Flooding Pampa, E. J. Jacobo, A. M. Rodríguez, V. A. Deregibus
State And Transition Model Of Lowland Grassland In Flooding Pampa, E. J. Jacobo, A. M. Rodríguez, V. A. Deregibus
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Rainfall conditions are considered to be a major factor in determining vegetation structure in temperate grasslands with grazing playing a secondary role (Biondini et al., 1998; Sternberg et al., 2000). In order to analyse the relative importance of both factors on the lowland community of the Flooding Pampa we compared the responses of functional groups under both intermittent and continuous grazing regimes over a 3- year period of important inter seasonal rainfall variation. The results are presented in a state and transition model.
Near Infrared Spectroscopy Of Faeces To Predict Diet Quality In Grazing Animals: Development Of A Portable System, D. R. Tolleson, J. W. Stuth
Near Infrared Spectroscopy Of Faeces To Predict Diet Quality In Grazing Animals: Development Of A Portable System, D. R. Tolleson, J. W. Stuth
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Faecal near infrared spectroscopy (FNIRS) has been used to predict dietary crude protein (CP) and digestible organic matter (DOM) in grazing animals (Stuth et al., 2003, Coates 2000). Development of robust FNIRS calibrations can be time consuming and costly, thus hindering the application of FNIRS in developing countries. Delivery of samples to central laboratory facilities is dependant upon adequate transportation infrastructure. A "take the laboratory to the samples" approach is being tested in Mongolia using a portable FNIRS laboratory (Stuth et al,. 2004). The initial step in this process is to duplicate the performance of a static laboratory …
The Prediction Of Biological Nitrogen Fixation, C. F. E. Topp, C. A. Watson, R. M. Rees, I. Sanders
The Prediction Of Biological Nitrogen Fixation, C. F. E. Topp, C. A. Watson, R. M. Rees, I. Sanders
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
In organic farming systems, biological nitrogen (N) fixation is crucial for short-term productivity and long-term sustainability. However, the estimation of biological N fixation is fraught with difficulties, and many equations attempt to estimate the process. As part of an organic research programme, biological N fixation was measured by the 15N dilution technique in the ley phases of 2 experimental organic ley-arable rotations at 2 sites, between 1997 and 2000. Hence, N fixation has been determined on N partitioned to above-ground biomass. The measured values have been compared with N fixation estimates calculated from the equations proposed by Korsaeth & …
Compilation Of A Database Of Research Information On Legume Based Grazing Systems; A Part Of The Leggraze Research Project, J. J. Rochon, G. Molle, A. Hopkins, J. M. Greef
Compilation Of A Database Of Research Information On Legume Based Grazing Systems; A Part Of The Leggraze Research Project, J. J. Rochon, G. Molle, A. Hopkins, J. M. Greef
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The establishment of a publicly accessible web-resident database of published and current European research on agronomy, animal production and environmental impact of legume based grazing systems is reported. This database facilitates the sharing of information among the partners of the "Low input animal production based on forage legumes for grazing systems" (Leggraze), a research project funded by the UE (QL K5 CT-2001-02328). It also forms an important tool for transferring the results of the project to the wider research community and to end users in the agricultural sector and to policy makers at national and community level.
Modelling The Effect Of Breakeven Date In Spring Rotation Planner On Production And Profit Of A Pasture-Based Dairy System, P. C. Beukes, B. S. Thorrold, M. E. Wastney, C. C. Palliser, G. Levy, X. Chardon
Modelling The Effect Of Breakeven Date In Spring Rotation Planner On Production And Profit Of A Pasture-Based Dairy System, P. C. Beukes, B. S. Thorrold, M. E. Wastney, C. C. Palliser, G. Levy, X. Chardon
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The breakeven date is the expected date when pasture supply exceeds cow demand. This date is used to plan the rotation rates, slow during the winter, when pasture growth is low and cows are dry, to a fast rotation in spring, when growth is accelerating and most cows lactating. This date is influenced by regional climate, mainly rainfall and soil temperature, which affects timing and rate of growth acceleration. The objective of this modeling exercise was to explore the effect of the breakeven date on milksolids (MS), grass silage, farm cover and economic farm surplus (EFS) over different climate years …
Development Of A Model Simulating The Impact Of Management Strategies On Production From Beef Cattle Farming Systems Based On Permanent Pasture, M. Jouven, R. Baumont
Development Of A Model Simulating The Impact Of Management Strategies On Production From Beef Cattle Farming Systems Based On Permanent Pasture, M. Jouven, R. Baumont
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Grazing systems in Europe increasingly have to meet environmental objectives, which influence management strategies. A deterministic model describing farming system dynamics is being developed in order to elucidate interactions between nature-friendly management practices, as for example late (after flowering) hay harvest or moderate stocking rate, and agricultural output.
Feed Planning - Methods Used By “Expert” Farmers, D. I. Gray, W. J. Parker, E. A. Kemp, P. D. Kemp, I. M. Brookes, D. J. Horne, Paul R. Kenyon, C. Matthew, S. T. Morris, J. I. Reid, I. Valentine
Feed Planning - Methods Used By “Expert” Farmers, D. I. Gray, W. J. Parker, E. A. Kemp, P. D. Kemp, I. M. Brookes, D. J. Horne, Paul R. Kenyon, C. Matthew, S. T. Morris, J. I. Reid, I. Valentine
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Although formal feed planning has been heavily promoted in New Zealand, relatively few farmers have adopted this approach (Nuthall & Bishop-Hurley, 1999). Reasons for non-adoption have been identified, but little is known about how farmers manage their pastoral farms in the absence of formal feed planning. To this end, the feed management processes used by three successful (expert) farmers were investigated.
Grassland Monitoring System For Sustainable Utilisation In Inner Mongolia, China. 1. Concept Of Real-Time Monitoring System And Estimation Of Biomass Using Noaa/Ndvi, T. Akiyama, K. Kawamura, H. Yokota, Z. Z. Chen
Grassland Monitoring System For Sustainable Utilisation In Inner Mongolia, China. 1. Concept Of Real-Time Monitoring System And Estimation Of Biomass Using Noaa/Ndvi, T. Akiyama, K. Kawamura, H. Yokota, Z. Z. Chen
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Steppe grassland in Inner Mongolia, China, is threatened by desertification mainly because of overgrazing by animals. Grassland production varies from year to year and from place to place and is much affected by climate conditions and grazing intensity. The questions addressed in these three papers are the development of a real-time monitoring system to conserve the ecosystem whilst at the same time achieving sustainable livestock farming. The development of satellite sensors with remarkable resolution made it possible to provide precise, timely and site specific information on grassland. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and enhancement of accuracy of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) …
Grassland Monitoring System For Sustainable Utilisation In Inner Mongolia, China. 2. Real-Time Monitoring Of Grass And Animal Interaction Using Satellite Data And Gps, K. Kawamura, T. Akiyama, H. Yokota, M. Inoue, Taisuke Yasuda, O. Watanabe, Y. Wang
Grassland Monitoring System For Sustainable Utilisation In Inner Mongolia, China. 2. Real-Time Monitoring Of Grass And Animal Interaction Using Satellite Data And Gps, K. Kawamura, T. Akiyama, H. Yokota, M. Inoue, Taisuke Yasuda, O. Watanabe, Y. Wang
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Overgrazing is one of the primary causes of desertification in Inner Mongolia grassland. A previous paper estimated herbage quantity and quality (Kawamura et al., 2005), and quantified the grazing intensity on grass biomass using Terra MODIS satellite, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and GIS (Kawamura et al., 2003). The aim of this study is real-time monitoring of both grass biomass and animal behaviour to evaluate the effect of grazing intensity (GI) on grass growth rate during the growing season using Terra MODIS satellite and GPS.
Grassland Monitoring System For Sustainable Utilisation In Inner Mongolia, China. 3. The Estimation Of Herbage Intake Of Sheep During Grazing The Natural Grassland, H. Yokota, K. Kawamura, T. Akiyama, M. Inoue, M. Kondo, K. Kita, Y. Wang
Grassland Monitoring System For Sustainable Utilisation In Inner Mongolia, China. 3. The Estimation Of Herbage Intake Of Sheep During Grazing The Natural Grassland, H. Yokota, K. Kawamura, T. Akiyama, M. Inoue, M. Kondo, K. Kita, Y. Wang
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Grassland condition depends on a balance between growth rates of grasses and herbage intake by animals. In the previous two reports the general concept was described of the monitoring system using satellite data, GPS and GIS and real-time monitoring of grass biomass and quality and animal behaviour. This paper reports the estimation of herbage intake by sheep which had been raised by a farmer in the Inner Mongolia steppe under a typical grazing system with no supplement feeds except salt and also estimation of the growth rate of young sheep.
Using Geospatial Information Technologies To Identify Factors Affecting Grazing Distribution On Grasslands, W. H. Schacht, A. Guru, P. E. Reece, J. D. Volesky, D. C. Cotton
Using Geospatial Information Technologies To Identify Factors Affecting Grazing Distribution On Grasslands, W. H. Schacht, A. Guru, P. E. Reece, J. D. Volesky, D. C. Cotton
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The relationship between environmental and management factors and grazing livestock distribution is fundamental to understanding and improving grazing systems. With the advent of geospatial information technologies, global positioning systems (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS) have been used to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of quantifying the distribution of livestock grazing in response to various independent variables (Bailey et al., 2001). The specific objective of this project was to develop a tool that enables managers and students to identify and study the effect of management and environmental factors on grazing livestock distribution.
The Use Of Digital Imagery For The Assessment Of Green Biomass In Native Pastures, A. F. Southwell, G. Mckenzie, James M. Virgona, A. M. Ridley, P. Ederback
The Use Of Digital Imagery For The Assessment Of Green Biomass In Native Pastures, A. F. Southwell, G. Mckenzie, James M. Virgona, A. M. Ridley, P. Ederback
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
A practice common to pasture research is the assessment of green leaf. In Australia, where the water use of plants is becoming an increasingly important issue due largely to its implications for dryland salinity, it is imperative that accurate and repeatable methods for characterising the amount of green leaf in pastures be used. The assessment of green leaf has been approached in many ways in the past with varying degrees of success and accuracy. The most accurate way is to physically harvest an area of pasture and separate the green component to make the relevant measurements. For many situations, this …
The Role Of Proper Use Factor Model For The Prediction Of Available Forage In Rangeland In The South Of Iran, G. R. Badjian, I. Dahlan, M. Shahwahid H. O., A. A. Mehrabi
The Role Of Proper Use Factor Model For The Prediction Of Available Forage In Rangeland In The South Of Iran, G. R. Badjian, I. Dahlan, M. Shahwahid H. O., A. A. Mehrabi
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
In Iran, 80 to 90% of the livestock production is associated with rangeland but 48% of the rangeland has been classified as in poor condition (Farahpour, 2002). Available Forage (AF) is that portion of the forage production accessible for use by a specified kind or class of grazing animal. Estimates of AF by plant species, consumption by the animal, and the contribution of the forage to the animal's diet must be synchronised with each other in the same time frame (Valentine, 2001). The Proper Use Factor (PUF) is the degree of utilisation of current year's growth of the vegetation that, …
Assessment And Monitoring Of Grazing Lands In The Northeastern United States, M. A. Sanderson, Sarah C. Goslee, J. B. Cropper, R. B. Bryant
Assessment And Monitoring Of Grazing Lands In The Northeastern United States, M. A. Sanderson, Sarah C. Goslee, J. B. Cropper, R. B. Bryant
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The Pasture Condition Score System (Cosgrove et al., 2001) was developed as a monitoring and management tool on grazing lands The system considers 10 indicators of soils, plants, and animals including percent desirable plants, plant cover, plant diversity, plant residue, plant vigor, percent legume, uniformity of use, livestock concentration areas, soil compaction, and soil erosion. The indicators are assigned a score according to detailed criteria and the scores are summed to give an overall score for a pasture, or relevant grazing unit. The score is then interpreted, indicating if some type of management change or treatment is necessary. We …
On-Farm Information: A Valuable Tool For The Sustainable Management Of Mountain Pastures In Protected Natural Areas, N. Mandaluniz, A. Bernués, A. Igarzabal, I. J. L. Riedel, R. Ruiz, A. Sanz, I. Casasús, L. M. Oregui
On-Farm Information: A Valuable Tool For The Sustainable Management Of Mountain Pastures In Protected Natural Areas, N. Mandaluniz, A. Bernués, A. Igarzabal, I. J. L. Riedel, R. Ruiz, A. Sanz, I. Casasús, L. M. Oregui
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Mountain pastures have traditionally been maintained by livestock. The analysis of data concerning farms' characteristics, productive-reproductive management and land use of commercial farms can constitute a real approach to study these systems and the changes that are occurring. This information is necessary to develop new utilisation guidelines, making compatible livestock production and conservation of natural resources. This paper describes a methodological framework to study the issues described above through some examples taken out from a wider research project (Mandaluniz et al., 2003).
Disappearance Of Residual Dry Matter On Annual Grassland In The Absence Of Grazing, W. E. Frost, J. W. Bartolome, K. R. Churches
Disappearance Of Residual Dry Matter On Annual Grassland In The Absence Of Grazing, W. E. Frost, J. W. Bartolome, K. R. Churches
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Residual dry matter (RDM) is a standard used by grassland managers for assessing the level of grazing use on annual grasslands and associated savannas and woodlands. Residual dry matter is the old plant material left standing or on the ground at the beginning of a new growing season. It indicates the combined effects of the previous season's forage production and its consumption by grazing animals of all types. The standard assumes that the amount of RDM remaining in the fall, subject to site conditions and variations in weather, will influence subsequent species composition and forage production, in addition to providing …
The Impact Of Concentrate Price On The Utilization Of Grazed And Conserved Grass, P. Crosson, P. O'Kiely, F. P. O'Mara, M. J. Drennan, M. Wallace
The Impact Of Concentrate Price On The Utilization Of Grazed And Conserved Grass, P. Crosson, P. O'Kiely, F. P. O'Mara, M. J. Drennan, M. Wallace
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
A linear programming model was designed and constructed to facilitate the identification of optimal beef production systems under varying technical and policy scenarios. The model operates at a systems level and most activities that could occur in Irish spring-calving, suckler beef production systems are included. In this paper, the components of the model are described together with a simple application of the model involving changing concentrate prices.
Pâtur’In: A User-Friendly Software Tool To Assist Dairy Cow Grazing Management, Luc Delaby, J. L. Peyraud, P. Faverdin
Pâtur’In: A User-Friendly Software Tool To Assist Dairy Cow Grazing Management, Luc Delaby, J. L. Peyraud, P. Faverdin
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The feeding of dairy cows at pasture presents many technical, economic and environmental advantages, while benefiting from a very favourable image. However, the management of grazed land is a complex game of strategy in which the farmer applies decisions in order to manage two unstable and uncertain fluxes of change: growth of grass and intake of the herd. Many tools (platemeter, etc.) and overall methods (local stocking rate references, farm cover, etc.) have been developed as aids to grazing management. Nevertheless, few decision-support systems are currently available that make it possible to anticipate and assess the consequences of a given …
External Validation In Northwest Spain Of A Decision Support System For Grazing Dairy Cows (Grazemore), Antonio González-Rodríguez, J. López Díaz, O. P. Vázquez Yáñez
External Validation In Northwest Spain Of A Decision Support System For Grazing Dairy Cows (Grazemore), Antonio González-Rodríguez, J. López Díaz, O. P. Vázquez Yáñez
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
A model to predict intake and milk production of cows on grazed grass (Grazemore) was developed (Mayne et al., 2004) for farmers to increase reliance on the grassland resources of the farm and reduce the tendency towards intensive dairy production in most countries of the Atlantic Arc of Europe (González, 2003). Climatic conditions and fertiliser use is the basis of the herbage growth model, but under practical conditions the estimation of the nutrient supply to cows is much affected by management, number of cows and the area of each paddock grazed. The intake capacity of the animal and the …
Allocating Grazing Resources With Kansasgrazer® And Making Management Decisions In A Stocker Operation, Joseph L. Moyer, J. O. Fritz
Allocating Grazing Resources With Kansasgrazer® And Making Management Decisions In A Stocker Operation, Joseph L. Moyer, J. O. Fritz
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Management decisions for forage-beef cattle production systems are complex because of the many interrelated factors in the plant-animal complex. Evaluation of a system and effects of any changes to it are critical, however, because of the impact that any factor may have on the operation. A computer program to evaluate forage-beef cattle systems would enable producers to make more informed management decisions. Several such programs are available in Kansas, but they are not widely used because of their limited scope, user-friendliness and/or flexibility. Thus, an earlier program derived from the KYBEEF model by Bullock et al. (1983) was modified …
Enhancing Grasslands Education With Decision Support Tools, Helen G. Daily, J. M. Scott, J. M. Reid
Enhancing Grasslands Education With Decision Support Tools, Helen G. Daily, J. M. Scott, J. M. Reid
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
We have successfully used Decision Support Tools (DST) relevant to the management of grazing enterprises to enhance problem solving skills of undergraduates in Australia. Tools such as GrassGrotm (Moore et al., 1997) and GrazFeedtm (Freer et al., 1997) are accessed from a central server by authorised users at many widely dispersed Universities across Australia using remote access to thin-client technology via an Internet portal. This has been supplemented with training for lecturers. Experience in developing appropriate teaching and learning materials and the reliable delivery of simulation software to many clients has enhanced learning outcomes at tertiary …
Forecasting Forage Yields Using The Arima Model In Pastoral Areas Of East Africa, Robert J. Kaitho, J. W. Stuth, Jay Angerer, A. A. Jama
Forecasting Forage Yields Using The Arima Model In Pastoral Areas Of East Africa, Robert J. Kaitho, J. W. Stuth, Jay Angerer, A. A. Jama
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Predicting forage supply is an age old quest for pastoralists, particularly in fragile and drought- prone areas of Africa. Traditional methods of forecasting forage used by many communities have become less effective due to climate change, frequent droughts and decline of grazing areas. Conflicts relating to available forage and water resources are increasing, because more marginal lands are put to crop production. A new forage forecasting technology has been developed that provides a comprehensive view of current forage condition (Stuth et al., 2004). A multiple species grazing land plant growth hydrology based model (PHYGROW) was parameterised with site-specific soil, …
A Model To Evaluate Buying And Selling Policies For Growing Lambs On Pasture, P. C. H. Morel, B. Wildbore, I. M. Brookes, Paul R. Kenyon, R. W. Purchas, S. Ramaswami
A Model To Evaluate Buying And Selling Policies For Growing Lambs On Pasture, P. C. H. Morel, B. Wildbore, I. M. Brookes, Paul R. Kenyon, R. W. Purchas, S. Ramaswami
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
In pastoral sheep finishing systems, farmers aim to maximize profitability by deciding on when and how many animals to buy and/or sell, while taking into account feed availability and current prices. This paper describes a stochastic lamb growth simulation model with a set of heuristic rules, which has been developed to financially evaluate different management strategies for growing lambs on pasture.
An Internet-Based Tool For Use In Assessing The Likely Effect Of Intensification On Losses Of Nitrogen To The Environment, N. J. Hutchings, B. M. Petersen, I. S. Kristensen, N. Detlefsen, M. S. Jørgensen
An Internet-Based Tool For Use In Assessing The Likely Effect Of Intensification On Losses Of Nitrogen To The Environment, N. J. Hutchings, B. M. Petersen, I. S. Kristensen, N. Detlefsen, M. S. Jørgensen
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The EU Nitrates, Habitat and National Emissions Ceilings directives and the Kyoto Agreement mean that agricultural losses of NO3, NH3 and N2O are under scrutiny by national and international environmental authorities. When farmers wish to intensify their operations, the authorities must then assess the likely environmental impact of the change in operation. The FARM-N internet tool was developed to help farmers and authorities agree how the farm will be structured and managed in the future, and to provide an objective assessment of the environmental losses that will result.
N-Mineralisation And Phosphorous: Important Elements In Decision Support For Grassland Systems, A. Lisbeth Nielsen, C. C. Hoffmann
N-Mineralisation And Phosphorous: Important Elements In Decision Support For Grassland Systems, A. Lisbeth Nielsen, C. C. Hoffmann
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Leaching of N and P from extensively managed grasslands on organic soils varies considerably. In environmentally sensitive areas it is important to diminish leaching by appropriate agricultural management. In Denmark low grazing intensity and management without fertilisation have been given a high priority. The type of soil has not been equally in focus, and it seems that the effect of cutting, compared to grazing, resulting in a higher removal of nutrients (e.g. Benke et al., 1992) can be used more strategically. The objective of this case study was to combine data from management strategies with data from leaching examinations …
Artturi Assists Finnish Advisers And Farmers To Succeed In Grass-Based Dairy Production, Marketta Rinne, Pekka Huhtanen, Kaisa Kuoppala, H. Nikander, J. Nousiainen, M. Hellämäki, L. Nyholm, J. Helminen, K. Lampinen, M. Maisi, M. Korhonen
Artturi Assists Finnish Advisers And Farmers To Succeed In Grass-Based Dairy Production, Marketta Rinne, Pekka Huhtanen, Kaisa Kuoppala, H. Nikander, J. Nousiainen, M. Hellämäki, L. Nyholm, J. Helminen, K. Lampinen, M. Maisi, M. Korhonen
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Artturi is a collective name for a wide range of services. It is a common tool for different bodies who share an interest in strengthening grass-based dairy production in Finland: research, advisory service and industries. The Service is named after A. I. (Artturi Ilmari) Virtanen, the Finnish scientist who was awarded the Nobel prize in 1945, partly based on his work in developing the ensiling process of grass. The Artturi web site is available in Internet at: http://www.agronet.fi/artturi. Access to Artturi Services is free and no registration is required. The language used is Finnish. During summer 2003, 15,000 visits were …
Involvement Of Maasai Pastoralists In Participatory Rangeland Management Planning And Implementation, Evelyne Kiptot, W, Ego, D. Ochieng, A. Mohamed
Involvement Of Maasai Pastoralists In Participatory Rangeland Management Planning And Implementation, Evelyne Kiptot, W, Ego, D. Ochieng, A. Mohamed
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The pastoral Maasai lifestyle was and still is traditionally based on subsistence dairy and meat production. But with population increase, the rangelands can no longer sustainably support livestock production systems. Most of the rangelands which are used for grazing have been subdivided and partially cleared to pave way for cultivation, because of increased population pressure (Ego et al., 1999). This has led to a tendency to overgraze, thus impacting negatively on secondary production from the range. In order to effectively reverse this trend, the users of the rangeland resources were brought together to analyse constraints and opportunities for sustainable …
Management Of Pasture Quality For Sheep On New Zealand Hill Country, D. I. Gray, J. I. Reid, P. D. Kemp, I. M. Brookes, D. Horne, Paul R. Kenyon, C. Matthew, S. T. Morris, I. Valentine
Management Of Pasture Quality For Sheep On New Zealand Hill Country, D. I. Gray, J. I. Reid, P. D. Kemp, I. M. Brookes, D. Horne, Paul R. Kenyon, C. Matthew, S. T. Morris, I. Valentine
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The control of pasture quality over spring is central to the achievement of high levels of sheep performance on hill country. Despite this, with the exception of the work of Lambert et al. (2000), little is known about how farmers actually manage pasture quality. The purpose of this research was to describe how a high performing hill country farmer manages pasture quality on their sheep area over spring and from this develop a framework that will assist other farmers improve their pasture management.
Decision Support System For Grassland-Based Sheep Production In The Chilean Patagonia, R. R. Vera, S. Morales, C. Aguilar
Decision Support System For Grassland-Based Sheep Production In The Chilean Patagonia, R. R. Vera, S. Morales, C. Aguilar
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Temporal decision-making in sheep production systems of the Chilean Patagonia is influenced by forage availability in existing paddocks, which in turn is determined by previous use, localisation, climate and soil. Also, production strategies are evolving, with a trend towards fat lamb production, introduction of new breeds and a reduction in the importance of wool production. The objective of this study was to develop an initial version of a spatial empirical simulation model based on extremely limited information, to predict forage growth and sheep production so that decision-makers can assess alternative production strategies.