No abstract

UtiiiuHon of 8 crested wheatpa pa&Ire wea studied at constant docklng rate (3 cattle/ha) in pastures of 1,2,4, and 8 ha, with herd slzea ranging from 3-24 head. Pasture utllizadon on e perplant basia and estimated forage comumption per bead were significantly lower in the smrllent pestures by the end of the Mal. Complementary trends In overall pesture utiliratlon end llveweight gain were not significant. V8rl8tlon among replicates for 8 number of pa&we utilization attributes tended to be greatest in l-ha pasturea. Marked difference in animal behaviour were evtdent among the herds and are hypothesized to account for these dlfferencea. Animal8 selected l gahku the smallest plants of crested wheatgress end in favor of trees of higher forage production but no signtficant differences ln unlformlty of utilization among pasture sizes were demonstrated.

No abstract

In Australia, particularly in the southern rangelands, large populations of native and feral herbivores (including kangaroos, goats, rabbits, pigs, donkeys and camels, depending on the location) co-exist with domestic livestock. In recent decades the concept of ‘total grazing pressure’ has been developed, and widely accepted, to denote the total forage demand of all vertebrate herbivores relative to the forage supply. This concept provides a framework within which both domestic and non-domestic species can be managed to allow commercially viable livestock production, landscape maintenance or restoration and species conservation. The concept should have relevance wherever pest animal control programs, biodiversity conservation, or commercialisation of wildlife are conducted in conjunction with extensive livestock production. The rationale for the compilation of the Special Issue is outlined.

No abstract