Track 1-12: Managing Seasonality in Grassland Quality and Quantity
Description
Five grazing treatments with a set of design for evaluation of seasonal grazing influencing grassland conditions and animal performance have been conducted across northern and western China, in order to identify the key solutions for degradation of grazing grasslands. Here, the effects of seasonal grazing within two systems-one based on current ‘survival’ practices and the other taking more of a ‘production’ focus in Bashang grasslands were reported. The experiment involved a factorial combination of alternative practices (survival vs. production systems) in spring, summer and autumn with a layout of 15 plots and 1.5 ha per plot. Results of consecutive two years studies showed that the vegetation composition changed significantly across grazing treatments, and spring rest treatments can significantly improve grassland production but with low LWG across all grazing seasons. Animal lost live weight on all grazing treatments in autumn indicating that the quality of grassland was lower and need supplementary feed in this season. In the meantime, the average LWG is lowest across the whole grazing season in the continuous survival grazing treatments, but highest in the continuous production treatment. In conclusion, spring rest is most important for grassland quality maintenance, and the continuous production grazing is more appropriate for animal production.
Included in
Effects of Grazing Management on Grassland Production and Animal Performance
Five grazing treatments with a set of design for evaluation of seasonal grazing influencing grassland conditions and animal performance have been conducted across northern and western China, in order to identify the key solutions for degradation of grazing grasslands. Here, the effects of seasonal grazing within two systems-one based on current ‘survival’ practices and the other taking more of a ‘production’ focus in Bashang grasslands were reported. The experiment involved a factorial combination of alternative practices (survival vs. production systems) in spring, summer and autumn with a layout of 15 plots and 1.5 ha per plot. Results of consecutive two years studies showed that the vegetation composition changed significantly across grazing treatments, and spring rest treatments can significantly improve grassland production but with low LWG across all grazing seasons. Animal lost live weight on all grazing treatments in autumn indicating that the quality of grassland was lower and need supplementary feed in this season. In the meantime, the average LWG is lowest across the whole grazing season in the continuous survival grazing treatments, but highest in the continuous production treatment. In conclusion, spring rest is most important for grassland quality maintenance, and the continuous production grazing is more appropriate for animal production.
