Publication Date
1997
Description
Common approaches to evaluating carrying capacity are stocking rate trials for research and trial and error adjustments for ranchers. These approaches are inadequate as operational decision guides for grazing management. The Grazing Manager (TGM) is a generalized management level dynamic model that provides a new approach to stocking rate analysis. Grazing pressure is integrated over time with a function called pasture demand ratio (PDR) which is based on cumulative forage demand relative to cumulative forage production within a forage year. PDR is a dynamic variable that standardizes the forage balance relationship and makes the analysis of stocking rate data more understandable and transferable to other locations. TGM is also highly effective for determining average and current year’s carrying capacity (CC) for individual paddocks and for predicting outcome of grazing management plans.
Citation
Kothmann, M M. and Hinnant, R T., "The Grazing Manager: A New Application of the Carrying Capacity Concept" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1997-2023). 5.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session26/5
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
The Grazing Manager: A New Application of the Carrying Capacity Concept
Common approaches to evaluating carrying capacity are stocking rate trials for research and trial and error adjustments for ranchers. These approaches are inadequate as operational decision guides for grazing management. The Grazing Manager (TGM) is a generalized management level dynamic model that provides a new approach to stocking rate analysis. Grazing pressure is integrated over time with a function called pasture demand ratio (PDR) which is based on cumulative forage demand relative to cumulative forage production within a forage year. PDR is a dynamic variable that standardizes the forage balance relationship and makes the analysis of stocking rate data more understandable and transferable to other locations. TGM is also highly effective for determining average and current year’s carrying capacity (CC) for individual paddocks and for predicting outcome of grazing management plans.
