Publication Date
1993
Description
The broad objective of this paper is to review the fundamental principles of grazing management as a means of assessing the inherent value of intensive and extensive grazing systems. Conceptual analyses of intensive and extensive grazing systems reveal that the fundamental differences between intensive and extensive grazing systems are related to differences in non-grazing rather than grazing tactics. Intensive grazing systems employ a wide array of non-grazing tactics in an attempt to overcome the inherent ecological constraints that limit secondary (i.e., livestock) productivity in extensively grazed systems. Moreover, analyses of the ecological or true efficiency of various agricultural production systems reveal that intensive grazing systems are not as ecologically efficient or sustainable as extensive systems: Unfortunately, these analyses indicate also that inherently unstable agcoecosystems, such as intensive grazing systems, are an absolute necessity to feed the world's ever increasing human population. II is argued, also, that the greatest opportunity to enhance livestock production from grazed agroecosystems is embedded in animal geneticists' ability to select actively for ecologically efficient animals.
Citation
Heitschmidt, R K., "The Ecology of Grazing Management" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 34.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session37/34
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
The Ecology of Grazing Management
The broad objective of this paper is to review the fundamental principles of grazing management as a means of assessing the inherent value of intensive and extensive grazing systems. Conceptual analyses of intensive and extensive grazing systems reveal that the fundamental differences between intensive and extensive grazing systems are related to differences in non-grazing rather than grazing tactics. Intensive grazing systems employ a wide array of non-grazing tactics in an attempt to overcome the inherent ecological constraints that limit secondary (i.e., livestock) productivity in extensively grazed systems. Moreover, analyses of the ecological or true efficiency of various agricultural production systems reveal that intensive grazing systems are not as ecologically efficient or sustainable as extensive systems: Unfortunately, these analyses indicate also that inherently unstable agcoecosystems, such as intensive grazing systems, are an absolute necessity to feed the world's ever increasing human population. II is argued, also, that the greatest opportunity to enhance livestock production from grazed agroecosystems is embedded in animal geneticists' ability to select actively for ecologically efficient animals.
