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Publication Date
1977
Description
On the basis of the gross photosynthesis of closed green grass swards the net potential dry herbage production of permanent pastures is calculated for the climatic and soil conditions for the so-called broad soil regions and summarized per continent. The values thus obtained form the upper level of dry herbage production to be reached on the prevailing permanent pasture area. Subsequently the minimum level of dry herbage production is calculated, based on data on the production of marketed secondary products as meat and milk. Since not all these secondary products are marketed and since not all the herbage produced is utilized by domesticated cattle, the actual herbage productivity will lie between these two levels. On the basis of climatic situations and the kind of animal husbandry a number of productivity groups are established and the productivity within each group is calculated on the basis of the permanent pasture area. The outcome of such a calculation is considered as being a real goal to achieve in the near future. It is compared. with the minimum and maximum values and also with the need for meat and milk of the current population. The conclusion is that all possible efforts have to be made to increase herbage production and to diminish the relative rate of growth of the human population. Otherwise the need for the maximum level of herbage production will be reached within a few generations.
Citation
Alberda, Th, "Possibilities of dry matter production from forage plants under different climatic conditions" (1977). IGC Proceedings (1977-2023). 5.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1977/plenary/5)
Archival?
Archival
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Possibilities of dry matter production from forage plants under different climatic conditions
On the basis of the gross photosynthesis of closed green grass swards the net potential dry herbage production of permanent pastures is calculated for the climatic and soil conditions for the so-called broad soil regions and summarized per continent. The values thus obtained form the upper level of dry herbage production to be reached on the prevailing permanent pasture area. Subsequently the minimum level of dry herbage production is calculated, based on data on the production of marketed secondary products as meat and milk. Since not all these secondary products are marketed and since not all the herbage produced is utilized by domesticated cattle, the actual herbage productivity will lie between these two levels. On the basis of climatic situations and the kind of animal husbandry a number of productivity groups are established and the productivity within each group is calculated on the basis of the permanent pasture area. The outcome of such a calculation is considered as being a real goal to achieve in the near future. It is compared. with the minimum and maximum values and also with the need for meat and milk of the current population. The conclusion is that all possible efforts have to be made to increase herbage production and to diminish the relative rate of growth of the human population. Otherwise the need for the maximum level of herbage production will be reached within a few generations.
