Theme 22: Grazing Management
Description
An open communal grazing design is described that enables a large number of grazing tactics to be concurrently evaluated in small plots under common grazing conditions. Pasture data indicated that the same level of utilisation occurred inside the experimental plots as in the surrounding field. However, differential grazing may occur where plots have divergent composition. The open communal design was economical using < 5% of the land, livestock and fencing resources of alternative designs. The limitations of the open communal design as a research tool are also discussed.
Included in
The Use of Open Communal Grazing Designs to Screen Options for Grazing Management
An open communal grazing design is described that enables a large number of grazing tactics to be concurrently evaluated in small plots under common grazing conditions. Pasture data indicated that the same level of utilisation occurred inside the experimental plots as in the surrounding field. However, differential grazing may occur where plots have divergent composition. The open communal design was economical using < 5% of the land, livestock and fencing resources of alternative designs. The limitations of the open communal design as a research tool are also discussed.
