A model for the evaluation of different production strategies for animal production from rangeland in developing areas: an overview.

Abstract

An interactive user-friendly computer package is being developed to assist planners and managers with the evaluation of different livestock production strategies in semi-arid regions. It comprises a hierarchy of simulation models that predict over time the effects of past and present rainfall, stocking rates, milking and sales policies on herbage availability, body mass of cows and their progeny, output of milk for sale and herd composition. It shows how the timing of a management decision such as reducing the number of grazing animals or the amount of milk removed influences the subsequent performance of animals and pastureLanguage: English

Keywords: Animals; Multi-purpose cattle; Production strategies; Rangeland productivity; Rangelands; Semi-arid regions; Stocking rates; Variable rainfall; animal production; defoliation; drought; grazing; herbage availability; intake; management; milk production; pasture; performance; production potential; rainfall; stocking rate; livestock; simulation model; livestock production; models; body mass; cows; herd composition; soil moisture; energy consumption; nutrition; supplementary feeding; feeding; calves; food intake; human consumption; growth; survival; calving rate; rainfall patterns; south africa