New way to manage grazing livestock system in degraded grassland based on system economics

Guodong Han, Mengli Zhao, Zhiguo Li, Zhongwu Wang, David Kemp, Andreas Wilkes, Walter Willms , Kris Havstad, Chaowei Han

    Research output: Book chapter/Published conference paperConference paperpeer-review

    58 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Grasslands provide about half of the total feed for livestock production and support a large number of social and cultural ecosystem services around the world. Grazing livestock systems mostly depend on grasslands, but the production efficiency of this system is often very low. Improving the efficiency of grazing livestock systems while conserving grasslands is a great challenge. One large size on*farm experiment with traditional whole *year grazing and a lower stocking rate summer animal grazing plus three months of greenhouse feeding was carried out in grassland areas of northern China. Ecological sites were classified and their above ground biomass was estimated with ground measurements and remote sensing technology. Models of balance of forage supply and animal requirements, and the optimization of grazing livestock system were used to understand the current situation of the grazing livestock system, and to find an improved way to manage grazing livestock system. Finally, we worked with a private company and some herders to upscale adoption of the results in a wider area. The results indicated that a lower stocking rate during summer grazing plus greenhouse feeding in winter is a suitable improved grazing livestock system in pastoral areas in northern China. This management system is innovative in that it both enhances livelihood outcomes and conserves the grazing lands. The key points for this new system are estimation of forage and feed supply and animal requirements, grazing livestock management improvement (such as the low stocking rate plus winter greenhouse feeding) assessed based on maximum net income, integration of Dorper sheep and improved management.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publication10th International Rangeland Congress
    EditorsAlan Iwaasa, H.A. (Bart) Lardner, Mike Schellenberg, Walter Willms, Kathy Larson
    Place of PublicationSaskatoon, Canada
    PublisherInternational Rangeland Congress
    Pages502-505
    Number of pages4
    ISBN (Electronic)9781771364591
    ISBN (Print)9781771364584
    Publication statusPublished - 2016
    Event10th International Rangeland Congress - Teacher's Credit Union Place, Saskatoon, Canada
    Duration: 16 Jul 201622 Jul 2016
    http://2016canada.rangelandcongress.org/#sthash.vMqQTDBV.fXTmnoCF.dpbs (Conference website)

    Conference

    Conference10th International Rangeland Congress
    Abbreviated titleThe Future Management of Grazing and Wild Lands in a High-Tech World
    Country/TerritoryCanada
    CitySaskatoon
    Period16/07/1622/07/16
    OtherThe Organizing Committee for the 10th International Rangeland Congress is looking forward to hosting delegates from around the globe this July in Saskatoon! We have put together an ambitious program to meet the aim of the IRC to promote the interchange of scientific and technical information on all aspects of rangelands.

    The theme of this year's Congress is "The Future Management of Grazing and Wild Lands in a High-Tech World". Over 500 papers from authors representing nearly 60 countries have been submitted for consideration as an oral or poster presentation in one of 31 sub-theme areas.
    Internet address

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'New way to manage grazing livestock system in degraded grassland based on system economics'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this