Publication Date
1993
Description
Arid and semi-arid wooded grasslands in Australia and elsewhere are prone to soil and plant productivity decline when used for pastoral production. Typically, degradation is characterised by woody plant increase, palatable perennial grass decline, unpalatable grass increase and lowered productive capacity of the soil, New grazing management that maintains productivity of plant and soil resources and sustains rehabilitation is required. In a grazing experiment on a mulga (Acacia aneura) woodland, grazing-induced death and impaired seed productivity were observed in palatable perennial grasses. A tactical grazing management to prevent an adverse change in pasture composition and productivity was designed involving progressively destocking the property during a drought to prevent death of palatable perennial grasses and rotationally resting paddocks during seed production periods. Adoption of this management would resiuire an adequate property size, cash reserves and control of non-domestic herbivores.
Citation
Hodgkinson, K C., "Tactical Grazing Can Help Maintain Stability of Semi-Arid Wooded Grasslands" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 5.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session7/5
Included in
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Tactical Grazing Can Help Maintain Stability of Semi-Arid Wooded Grasslands
Arid and semi-arid wooded grasslands in Australia and elsewhere are prone to soil and plant productivity decline when used for pastoral production. Typically, degradation is characterised by woody plant increase, palatable perennial grass decline, unpalatable grass increase and lowered productive capacity of the soil, New grazing management that maintains productivity of plant and soil resources and sustains rehabilitation is required. In a grazing experiment on a mulga (Acacia aneura) woodland, grazing-induced death and impaired seed productivity were observed in palatable perennial grasses. A tactical grazing management to prevent an adverse change in pasture composition and productivity was designed involving progressively destocking the property during a drought to prevent death of palatable perennial grasses and rotationally resting paddocks during seed production periods. Adoption of this management would resiuire an adequate property size, cash reserves and control of non-domestic herbivores.
