Description
Decision support tools (DST) based on models of grazing systems allow the evaluation of changes in enterprise management on productivity and profitability. The Grassgro DST (Moore et al., 1997) uses historical weather data on a daily time step to simulate pasture growth and the resultant productivity of either grazing sheep or cattle. Different pasture species are represented within a parameter set that describes the response of pasture species to their environment. Manipulation of these parameters provides a means of evaluating, a priori, the likely responses of livestock production to ‘improved cultivars’. We report the results of simulations conducted within grazing enterprises at three locations in southern Australia: a breeding ewe enterprise at Benalla; a wool-producing enterprise at Hamilton; and a beef breeding enterprise at Corryong.
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Using the GrassGro Decision Support Tool to Evaluate the Response in Grazing Systems to Pasture Legume or a Grass Cultivar With Improved Nutritive Value
Decision support tools (DST) based on models of grazing systems allow the evaluation of changes in enterprise management on productivity and profitability. The Grassgro DST (Moore et al., 1997) uses historical weather data on a daily time step to simulate pasture growth and the resultant productivity of either grazing sheep or cattle. Different pasture species are represented within a parameter set that describes the response of pasture species to their environment. Manipulation of these parameters provides a means of evaluating, a priori, the likely responses of livestock production to ‘improved cultivars’. We report the results of simulations conducted within grazing enterprises at three locations in southern Australia: a breeding ewe enterprise at Benalla; a wool-producing enterprise at Hamilton; and a beef breeding enterprise at Corryong.
