An appraisal of Sustainable Grazing Systems: the program, the triple bottom line impacts and the sustainability of grazing systems

Mason, WK; Lodge, G. M.; Allan, C. J.; Andrew, M. H.; Johnson, T. H.; Russell, Bill; Simpson, I. H.

doi:10.1071/ea03043

Cited by 17 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…In recent years research has been further expanded to include environmental, financial, and social issues on the farm (59). Unfortunately past research into on-farm business management and off-farm supply chains have not been relevant to farm profits (60).…”

Section: The Need For Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate Change, Crop Adaptation

Yadav¹,

Redden

Hatifield

et al. 2013

Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology

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The publication of the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change and the Fourth Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2007 have pushed the scientific and public debate on climate change a decisive step forward. It is now beyond doubt that anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions are the main cause of the recently observed climate change. The agricultural sector is directly affected by changes in temperature, precipitation, and carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere. If global temperature increases beyond 2°C world food security could be threatened, given a continuous increase in world population to unprecedented levels above 9 billion this century. This article covers issues related to both crops and climatic conditions. Climate stress on crops and solutions to counteract these stresses are discussed. Some of the solutions reported are the development of drought and temperature resistant species, crossing food crops with their wild relatives and other genetic engineering solutions. Seed banks and their maintenance are also discussed. The development of energy crops is a strategy to produce alternating energy without impacting food security and impact on the environment and is a possibility. the need for research on crop improvement is presented as are some examples of studies made.

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Section: The Need For Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate Change, Crop Adaptation

Yadav¹,

Redden

Hatifield

et al. 2013

Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology

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“…Understanding pasture and grazing management for profitable and sustainable livestock production has received increased attention recently with research and extension programs such as Prograze (Bell and Allan 2000), Sustainable Grazing Systems (Mason et al 2003), the Lifetime Wool Project (Thompson et al 2011), EverGraze (Badgery et al 2012) and the Landscan training project (Anon. 2011a).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of pasture inputs and intensive rotational grazing on superfine wool production, quality and income

Cottle

Gaden²,

Hoad

et al. 2013

Anim. Prod. Sci.

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Abstract.A farmlet experiment was conducted between July 2000 and December 2006 as part of the Cicerone Project, which sought to enhance the profitability and sustainability of grazing enterprises on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. A self-replacing Merino enterprise was grazed as the dominant livestock enterprise, together with 20% of the carrying capacity as cattle, on each of three farmlet treatments: higher levels of soil fertility and pasture renovation with flexible rotational grazing over eight paddocks (farmlet A), moderate soil fertility and pasture renovation with flexible rotational grazing over eight paddocks (farmlet B) and moderate soil fertility and pasture renovation with intensive rotational grazing over 37 paddocks (farmlet C). Prior to commencement of the trial, the three 53-ha farmlets were allocated equivalent areas of land based on soil type, slope and recent fertiliser history.This paper describes the effects of the three pasture and grazing management strategies on the production, quality and value of the wool produced per head, per ha and per farmlet. Up until 2001 there were no differences in wool production between farmlets. Thereafter, significant differences between farmlets emerged in greasy fleece weight per head and price received per kg of fleece wool. For example, the clean fleece value averaged over the 2003-05 shearings for all hoggets, ewes and wethers was 1531, 1584 and 1713 cents/kg for farmlets A, B and C, respectively.There were small but significant differences, which varied between sheep class and year, between the farmlets in average fibre diameter and staple length but less so with staple strength. In general, while the differences between farmlets in staple strength varied over time, farmlets A and B tended to have wool with longer staple length and broader fibre diameter than farmlet C and this affected wool value per kg.Differences in wool income per ha between farmlets grew in later years as the farmlet treatments took effect. In spite of farmlet A having a slightly lower wool value per kg, after taking into account its greater fleece weight per head and its higher stocking rate, the total wool income per ha was higher than on either farmlets B or C. The average gross wool income per ha from 2003 to 2005 was $303, $215 and $180 for farmlets A, B and C, respectively. The highest amount of greasy wool produced was in 2004 when 38.2, 26.5 and 21.5 kg/ha was harvested from farmlets A, B and C, respectively.The fibre diameter profiles of 2-year-old ewes showed similar profiles for farmlets A and B but a significantly finer fibre diameter profile for farmlet C ewes due to intensive rotational grazing. However, sheep on all three farmlets produced wool with high staple strength.Multivariate analyses revealed that greasy fleece weight, staple length and staple strength were significantly positively correlated with the proportion of the farm grazed at any one time, and with soil phosphorus, legume herbage and green digestible herbage thus highlighting...

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“…This achievement is due to investment in research focused on identified profit drivers for wool (i.e., clean fleece weight, fibre diameter, staple length, colour, strength, and low contamination) and meat (i.e., reproductive performance, lamb growth rate, fat depth, and meat quality) and the development of precision management practices, including good agronomy, that consistently and efficiently produce sheep products that meet the demands of Australia's domestic and export markets (Michalk, Wu, Badgery, & Kemp, ). Just as important is the sequence of National programmes such as Prograze (Bell & Allan, ), Sustainable Grazing Systems (Mason et al, ), Grain and Graze (Bridle & Price, ), and EverGraze (Badgery, Michalk, & Kemp, ; Michalk, Badgery, & Kemp, ) that have clearly built the knowledge required and demonstrated that many environmental benefits such as improved hydrology, enhanced species diversity, and reduced erosion have positive outcomes on production with substantial financial benefits to people involved in grazing industries. Those programmes have always had good agronomy and improved forage management as core components.…”

Section: What Role For Smallholders In the Sustainability Of The Livementioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainability and future food security—A global perspective for livestock production

et al. 2018

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Grasslands are the predominant forage source for grazing animals and cover more of the Earth's land than any other major vegetation type. Their values are not always recognised, and conversion to other uses is continuing at a high rate leading to greater environmental and socio‐economic problems. Overgrazing is one of the main drivers of productivity decline of grasslands, reflecting the pressures from excessive human populations and a demand for food. Some 20% of the world's grasslands are in a severely degraded state; others have suffered shifts to less‐desirable species. Biodiversity and greenhouse gas production have also been particular concerns. Estimates of productivity change all show a decline over recent decades, yet animal numbers continue to increase, particularly in the developing world. This paper critically reviews the projected demands for livestock products, driven largely by human population growth; the current health of the world's grasslands and how current livestock systems that depend on land conversion and overexploitation of grassland are inappropriate and need to be improved. Central to this argument is that small holders in the developing world will be responsible for a large amount of the future red meat production, and this can be achieved through more efficient livestock production systems using lower stocking rates. The Australian sheep industry is provided as an example of how livestock production and reduced environmental impacts can be achieved with improved efficiency. Changes will require smallholders to transition to a competitive, market‐oriented livestock industry, which will provide challenges.

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An appraisal of Sustainable Grazing Systems: the program, the triple bottom line impacts and the sustainability of grazing systems

Cited by 17 publications

References 55 publications

Climate Change, Crop Adaptation

Climate Change, Crop Adaptation

The effects of pasture inputs and intensive rotational grazing on superfine wool production, quality and income

Sustainability and future food security—A global perspective for livestock production

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