Publication Date

1993

Description

Natural grasslands represent a significant proportion of southern South America, which, despite the increase in cropland, is being maintained. However, ignorance and misinformation about the potential of the natural grassland and its environment lead to poor economic results, with live-weight gains (LWG) of around 50-60 kg/ ha/year. Work on the soil-plant-animal relationship have shown that animal performance can be raised to 150-160 kg LWG/ha/year, using sound management practices. The improvement of natural grassland through lime, fertilisation and introduction of exotic species (sod­seeding) can further increase production to 500-600 kg LWG/ha/ year. These results illustrate the great potential of natural grasslands in southern South America. The potential of the environment can be exploited more by incorporating new forage plants into the croplands, so increasing production to 1000-1500 kg LWG/ha/year. Development and adoption of this technology will benefit society but require greater investment in research than at present and the research which is conducted must emphasise environmental and economic aspects of production.

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Grassland Opportunities in the Subtropical Region of South America

Natural grasslands represent a significant proportion of southern South America, which, despite the increase in cropland, is being maintained. However, ignorance and misinformation about the potential of the natural grassland and its environment lead to poor economic results, with live-weight gains (LWG) of around 50-60 kg/ ha/year. Work on the soil-plant-animal relationship have shown that animal performance can be raised to 150-160 kg LWG/ha/year, using sound management practices. The improvement of natural grassland through lime, fertilisation and introduction of exotic species (sod­seeding) can further increase production to 500-600 kg LWG/ha/ year. These results illustrate the great potential of natural grasslands in southern South America. The potential of the environment can be exploited more by incorporating new forage plants into the croplands, so increasing production to 1000-1500 kg LWG/ha/year. Development and adoption of this technology will benefit society but require greater investment in research than at present and the research which is conducted must emphasise environmental and economic aspects of production.