scholarly journals Tibetan sheep grazing modifies rodent density and their interactions effect on GHG emissions of alpine meadow

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingxin Wang ◽  
Hang Yuan ◽  
Xinglu Zhang ◽  
Yi Sun ◽  
Shenghua Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Cold Season ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Rodent Population ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Tibetan Sheep

AbstractDigging and mound-building by rodents lead to considerable disturbances in the topsoil and may affect plant composition, soil properties. However, little is known about the effects of these activities on GHG emissions, especially under different grazing management. This paper aimed to measure changes in CO2 and CH4 efflux with varying grazing management during the warm and cold seasons and to relate CO2 and CH4 efflux to pika burrow density and zokor mound density with different grazing management. Results of this study showed that CO2 efflux was significantly affected by the grazing season, whereas CH4 efflux was significantly affected by the grazing system. There were significant relationships between GHG efflux and rodent population density which were regulated by grazing management. CO2 efflux increased linearly with rodent density under seasonal continuous grazing in warm season. CO2 and CH4 efflux and rodent population density showed a significant quadratic convex relationship under rotational grazing at 24 SM/ha in warm and cold seasons and rotational grazing at 48 SM/ha in cold season. Under rotational grazing at light stocking rate (24 SM/ha), appropriate populations of rodents were beneficial for decreasing GHG emissions. This results also used to help drive a best-practices model for grazing practices of local herders.

The inter-relationships of grazing method and stocking rate in the efficiency of pasture utilization by dairy cattle

1963 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. P. McMeekan ◽  
M. J. Walshe
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Vanishing Point ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Stocking Rates

1. A large-scale grazing management study comparing rotational grazing and continuous grazing with dairy cows at two stocking rates over four complete production seasons is described.2. The four treatments were: (i) controlled grazing, light stocking rate; (ii) controlled grazing, heavy stocking rate; (iii) uncontrolled grazing, light stocking rate; (iv) uncontrolled grazing, heavy stocking rate.Each treatment involved 40 cows for a first 2-year phase and 42 cows for the following 2 years. Each herd had a normal age distribution pattern and seven 2-year-old first lactation heifers (17% of total herd) were introduced each year to maintain this pattern.3. Stocking rate was the more important factor affecting the efficiency of pasture utilization as measured by per acre output of milk and butterfat. In general, high stocking was associated with higher outputs per acre despite lower yields per animal.4. Grazing method was of less importance. In general, controlled rotational grazing was superior to uncontrolled continuous grazing, both per animal and per acre, but the average influence even of these extremes of management was only half that of stocking rate.5. Significant interactions between stocking rate and grazing method existed. Under continuous grazing a point was reached where production per acre declined to the vanishing point with increased stocking rate due to excessive depression of per cow yield: this point was not reached under rotational grazing at the same high stocking levels.6. The results suggest that optimum stocking rate under rotational grazing occurs at a level some 5–10% higher than under continuous grazing. A depression of 10–12% in per cow yield, compared with more lenient grazing, corresponds with optimum stocking level irrespective of the grazing system. This estimate is suggested as a guide line in applying the principles involved.

scholarly journals Seasonal hogget grazing as a potential alternative grazing system for the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau: weight gain and animal behaviour under continuous or rotational grazing at high or low stocking rates

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 329 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. C. Du ◽  
T. Yan ◽  
S. H. Chang ◽  
Z. F. Wang ◽  
F. J. Hou
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Cold Season ◽  
Bodyweight Gain ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Tibetan Sheep ◽  
Utilisation Efficiency

The traditional transhumance grazing system on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) is being replaced by a system in which pastoralists are allocated fixed areas for grazing. In this context, we conducted experiments to evaluate a possible change to seasonal grazing of young animals for weight gain, and the effects of grazing management (continuous grazing (CG) vs rotational grazing (RG)) and stocking rate (SR) on the performance and behaviour of Oura-type Tibetan sheep. In Experiment 1 (June–December 2014), 72 Tibetan sheep (initial bodyweight (BW) 32.2 ± 3.37 kg) were allocated to one of three treatments: (1) CG24 – eight sheep grazed continuously in a single 2-ha plot for the entire duration of the experiment; (2) RG24 – eight sheep grazed in a 1-ha plot from June to September (growing season), and then moved to a new plot for September–December grazing (early cold season); (3) RG48 – eight sheep grazed in a 0.5-ha plot, but otherwise as for RG24. All treatments had three replicates. In Experiment 2 (September–December 2014), 48 Tibetan sheep (initial BW 46.3 ± 1.62 kg) were used to repeat the RG24 and RG48 treatments imposed in the early cold season of the Experiment 1. In both experiments, increasing SR significantly reduced bodyweight gain (BWG) per head and increased BWG per ha in the RG treatments. In Experiment 1, RG, compared with CG, did not significantly affect BWG per head, BWG per ha, or feed utilisation efficiency. In both experiments weight gain was small or negative in the early cold season. These results indicate that removal of sheep at the onset of the cold season will be important for retention of the weight gain achieved in the growing season but choice between a CG and RG grazing system is unimportant for the production efficiency in the proposed grazing system of Tibetan sheep.

Synthesis of system outcomes for a grazing-management experiment in temperate native pastures

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (9) ◽  
pp. 1869 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. B. Badgery ◽  
D. L. Michalk
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
System Level ◽  
Advisory Group ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Experimental Modelling ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
The Impact

Increasing the intensity of grazing management from continuous grazing or set-stocking to intensive rotational grazing has been proposed as a way of improving the profitability and environmental outcomes for native pasture-based grazing systems in the high-rainfall zone (HRZ) of southern Australia. The present paper synthesised the results and outcomes of eight papers covering different aspects of a grazing-system study investigating the intensity of grazing management at Panuara (33°27ʹS, 148°56ʹE), 25 km south-west of Orange, New South Wales. The systems analysis covered soils and soil water, pastures, animal production, profitability and business risk by using a combination of field experiments and biophysical modelling. The experimental approach, engagement with stakeholders and the potential impact of the research outcomes are discussed; as are the future directions for grazing system research. Increasing the intensity of grazing management from a 1- to a 20-paddock system resulted in a 21% higher pasture growth, 22% higher stocking rate and 20% higher lamb production per hectare. However, modelling demonstrated that seasonal variability had a greater impact on profitability than did the management system, and whole-farm profitability of the 20-paddock system was lower than that of the 1- and 4-paddock systems due to higher infrastructure costs. Pasture stability was associated with a high perennial grass content (>70%), and a stocking rate of 4.2 ewes/ha for continuous grazing or 5.3 ewes/ha for intensive rotational grazing limited the potential for degradation events. Advantages were identified in fencing and managing production zones, with different production potential within a farm, to improve utilisation across the landscape and efficiency of fertiliser use. The farming-system approach successfully integrated field research with pre- and post-experimental modelling, and with strategic input from an advisory group containing farmers, researchers and advisors, to develop a full understanding of the impact, at a system level, of increasing the intensity of grazing management in the HRZ.

Tedera proves its value as a summer and autumn feed for sheep in Mediterranean-like climates

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (12) ◽  
pp. 2269 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Real ◽  
C. M. Oldham ◽  
A. van Burgel ◽  
E. Dobbe ◽  
J. Hardy
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
The Third ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Sheep Production

Tedera (Bituminaria bituminosa C.H Stirt. vars. albomarginata and crassiuscula) is a traditional forage species for goats in the Canary Islands, Spain. It has agronomic characteristics ideally suited to Mediterranean-like climates that allows it to provide high quality green forage for grazing animals during summer and autumn. It can be used to extend the growing season into late spring and early summer and/or to reduce or eliminate the need for expensive hand feeding of grain and hay to sheep to fill the ‘feed gap’ during the dry season in southern Australian farming systems. Three sheep grazing experiments were carried out with the objective to evaluate sheep production during summer and autumn with tedera as the sole diet. A 3-ha site at Dandaragan, Western Australia was grazed during the summer and autumn of 2014–2015 and 2016 and a 2.4-ha site was grazed at Kojonup, Western Australia during the same period in 2016. At each site, two grazing treatments were evaluated, continuous grazing and rotational grazing with six plots (14 days of grazing and 70 days of recovery). The first hypothesis tested was that tedera plants would not survive continuous grazing during summer and autumn. The second hypothesis tested was that without hand feeding, 10 dry sheep equivalents/ha would be able to at least maintain weight and condition score during summer and autumn. The third hypothesis tested was that rotational grazing would improve the production of the sheep (liveweight and condition score) compared with continuous grazing. The first hypothesis was rejected, the population of tedera plants did not significantly decline due to being continuously grazed during summer and autumn. The second hypothesis was confirmed, at the three experimental sites, 10 dry sheep equivalents/ha were able to at least maintain weight and condition score without any hand feeding. The third hypothesis was partially rejected; continuous grazing had a better performance of the sheep than rotational grazing. However, the rotational grazing plots had more tedera on offer in the remaining grazing plots in the rotation with the potential for a longer grazing time. These three experiments clearly demonstrate that tedera can be used to reduce or eliminate expensive hand feeding during summer and autumn using the simplest and least expensive grazing management; continuous grazing.

Levels of total nitrogen and total volatile fatty acids in the rumen fluid of sheep under different grazing management systems

1967 ◽  
Vol 7 (28) ◽  
pp. 434
Author(s):  
WR McManus
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Stocking Rates

Concentrations of total nitrogen and total volatile fatty acids in the rumen fluid of sheep grazing improved pastures were measured for ten months in a dry year on the southern tablelands of New South Wales, and the concentrations of nitrogen and volatile fatty acids (V.F.A.) were related to season, wool production, and grazing management. The observations were made during two long-term grazing management experiments. In the first experiment four groups of breeding Merino ewes grazed a Wimmera ryegrass-subterranean clover (Lolium rigidum Gaud.-Trifolium subterraneum L.) pasture. A deferred grazing system (autumn saving) of pasture management was compared with continuous grazing at stocking rate treatments equivalent to 7.0 and 3.5 ewes to the acre. In the second experiment two groups of Merino weaners grazed a Phalaris tuberosa-subterranean clover pasture at a stocking rate equivalent to 8.6 sheep to the acre. One group received a hay supplement, the other did not. In both experiments nitrogen values were low between late autumn and mid-winter and again between late spring and summer, and high in early autumn and again in spring (P<0.05). The low levels were about 55 per cent of peak autumn and spring levels in (experiment 1) and 60 per cent of peak autumn and spring levels in (experiment 2). Total V.F.A. did not vary significantly between seasons in either experiment. At the higher stocking rate the ewes had lower levels of rumen total nitrogen than at the lower stocking rate. V.F.A. did not vary consistently between stocking rates. At both stocking rates ewes on the autumn saving system of grazing management had more nitrogen in the rumen fluid during late pregnancy and early lactation than did those on the continuous grazing system (P<0.001). After the ewes had access to the saved pasture, autumn saving resulted in a higher concentration of volatile fatty acids than continuous grazing (P< 0.05). Although feeding a hay supplement benefited the weaners the concentrations of total nitrogen in the rumen fluid of the two groups of sheep were similar. There was a fairly consistent tendency for the group receiving hay to have lower concentrations of volatile fatty acids in their rumen fluid. Possible reasons for these effects are discussed.

scholarly journals Response of soil respiration and soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen to grazing management in the Loess Plateau, China

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen Wang ◽  
Xiuli Wan ◽  
Mei Tian ◽  
Xiaoyan Wang ◽  
Junbo Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Soil Microbial Biomass ◽  
Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Cold Season ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Biotic Factors ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Grazing Intensities ◽  
Seasonal Grazing

Abstract. Grassland covers more than a third of the earth's terrestrial surface. Grazing management can affect grassland carbon dynamics and soil microbial biomass, yet limited information is available on the effects of grassland management on carbon dioxide efflux and soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) and nitrogen (SMBN). During 2010 and 2011, soil respiration (Rs), SMBC, and SMBN, as well as different abiotic and biotic factors were measured after long term rotational grazing (nine years) on the grasslands of the semi-arid Loess Plateau, China. Grazing management included different grazing intensities and seasonal grazing patterns (in summer or winter). Stocking rates of 0, 2.7, 5.6, and 8.7 sheep ha−1 were used as grazing intensities, and warm-season grazing and cold-season grazing by sheep during summer and winter from 2010 to 2011 were used as grazing patterns. We hypothesized that the different seasonal grazing patterns and grazing intensities would affect Rs in a semi-arid grassland ecosystem. Our results indicated that grazing management significantly affected the rate of Rs, which supports our hypothesis. Grazing intensities tended to increase SMBC, but had no effect on SMBN. We also found that SMBC in cold season grazing plots was higher than that in the warm season grazing plots. However, variation in grazing patterns had little effect on SMBN. Furthermore, a structural equation model indicated that the aboveground biomass and soil microbial biomass were two important biotic factors that controlled Rs. Soil temperature (ST) and soil moisture (SM), which were affected by grazing intensity and patterns, were significant abiotic factors affecting Rs and soil microbial biomass. Our observations suggest that grazing management may change soil carbon sequestration rates in grassland ecosystems, because of changes in the aboveground plant and soil microbial biomass.

scholarly journals Influence of different systems of grazing, type of swards and fertilizing on underground phytomass of pastures

2011 ◽  
Vol 49 (No. 1) ◽  
pp. 18-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Hejduk ◽  
F. Hrabě
Keyword(s):  
Surface Layer ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Total Weight ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Total Dry Weight

Problems concerning total dry weight and distribution of underground phytomass were studied in a pasture trial at Rapotin near &Scaron;umperk, the CzechRepublicin the period 1995&ndash;1999. The total weight of dry underground pasture phytomass (DUP) was 976 g/m<sup>2</sup> (5-year average) in a soil layer of 0&ndash;200 mm (both live and dead roots). The DUP was significantly increased by mineral fertilizers (90 kg N/ha, 30 kg P/ha a 90 kg K/ha). The weight of DUP was not significantly influenced by a grazing system, renewal or resowing of the original grassland. In unfertilized plots, DUP weight amounted to 989 g/m<sup>2</sup>, i.e. 92 g/m<sup>2</sup> (8.6%) less than in fertilized plots in the period 1996&ndash;1999. In the same period, under the grassland exploited by rotational grazing 1142 and under continuous grazing 1082 g/m<sup>2</sup> DUP were determined, i.e. by 60 g/m<sup>2</sup> (5.5%) less. The highest DUP weight in the period 1996&ndash;1999 was found in autumn 1997 (1222 g/m2) immediately before achieving the maximum forage yield in May 1998. In a layer of 0&ndash;20 mm, 54.6% of the total DUP was found. In this surface layer, significant increase in the DUP weight was found in fertilized plots. In 1999, some 88.5 and 90.2% of DUP were concentrated in unfertilized (903 g/m<sup>2</sup>) and fertilized (952 g/m<sup>2</sup>) plots, respectively in a layer of 0&ndash;100 mm.

scholarly journals Effects of long-term cattle market conditions on continuous season-long and rotational grazing system revenues

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 227
Author(s):  
J. L. Windh ◽  
J. P. Ritten ◽  
J. D. Derner ◽  
S. Paisley ◽  
B. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Market Conditions ◽  
Net Returns ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Time Of Year ◽  
One Year ◽  
Cattle Market

In this study we evaluated the combination of long-term market conditions and the price slide in the cattle market on revenues associated with continuous and rotational grazing systems. A price slide is a market phenomenon in which lighter cattle sell at a higher price per unit of liveweight compared with their heavier counterparts. We used actual herd average starting and ending weights in this market analysis, and analysed the outcome using five years’ data from a continuous and rotational comparative grazing study. Despite consistently lower weight gains with rotational grazing, differences in gross revenues per steer between grazing treatments ranged from US$43.46 to minus $5.72 across the study years. We observed annual differences in the net returns across years between the two grazing systems; net returns were greater for steers in the continuous grazing treatment in three of the five years, one year with net returns that did not differ between systems, and one year in which net returns were lower with continuous grazing. These variable results showcase the complexity in having both differences in end of grazing season weight classes between the grazing systems and the differential effects of price slide among weight classes. Therefore, we argue that it may be a better management strategy for land managers to determine the optimal ending weights and the time of year to market livestock to meet the goals of an operation, rather than trying to determine which grazing system is ‘best’.

scholarly journals Climate Effects on Tallgrass Prairie Responses to Continuous and Rotational Grazing

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuting Zhou ◽  
Prasanna H. Gowda ◽  
Pradeep Wagle ◽  
Shengfang Ma ◽  
James P. S. Neel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tallgrass Prairie ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
The United States ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Grazing Systems

Cattle grazing is an important economic activity in the tallgrass prairie systems in the Great Plains of the United States. Tallgrass prairie may respond differently to grazing management (e.g., high and low grazing intensity) under variable climate conditions. This study investigated the responses of two replicated (rep a and rep b) tallgrass prairie systems to continuous (C) and rotational (R) grazing under different climate conditions over a decade (2008–2017). The enhanced vegetation index (EVI) and gross primary productivity (GPP) were compared between grazing systems (C vs. R), while EVI was compared among paddocks under rotational grazing to show the impacts of time since grazing. The average EVI in rep a was usually higher than that in rep b which could be explained by different land characteristics (e.g., soil types) associated with different landscape positions. Similar to EVI, GPP was usually higher in rep a than rep b. The average growing season EVI and GPP were higher in rotational grazing than continuous grazing in rep b but not in rep a. The average EVI of paddocks in rotational grazing systems only converged in the growing season-long drought year (2011). In other years, EVI values varied from year to year and no paddock consistently outperformed others. The variations in EVI among rotational grazing paddocks in both reps were relatively small, indicating that rotational grazing generated an even grazing pressure on vegetation at annual scale. Overall, climate and inherent pasture conditions were the major drivers of plant productivity. However, the stocking rate in continuous grazing systems were reduced over years because of deteriorating pasture conditions. Thus, the results indirectly indicate that rotational grazing improved grassland productivity and had higher stocking capacity than continuous grazing systems under variable climate conditions. Adaptive grazing management (adjustment in stocking rates and season of use to adapt to changing climatic conditions) instead of a fixed management system might be better for farmers to cooperate with changing climatic conditions.

Rotational grazing increases purple prairie clover frequency in the rangeland plant communities under semi-arid environment

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianqi Zhao ◽  
Alan D. Iwaasa
Keyword(s):  
Plant Communities ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Arid Environment ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Perennial Legume ◽  
Increasing Precipitation

Purple prairie clover (PPC, Dalea purpurea Vent.) is a grazing tolerant perennial legume with good nutritional quality and is widely distributed across North America. Deferred rotational grazing (DR) and continuous grazing (CG) are the most widespread grazing systems on North American grasslands. We conducted a 10-year grazing study to assess the effects of environmental factors and grazing on the frequency of PPC in plant communities. The results showed that the frequency of PPC decreased and then increased with increasing precipitation under CG (P<0.05), while there was no significant change under DR (P>0.05). Meanwhile, PPC frequency increased with temperature under DR (P<0.05), but did not change under CG (P>0.05). Both grazing systems and the number of grazing years had a significant effect on PPC frequency (P<0.05), and there is no interaction between those two factors (P>0.05). We found that from 2011 to 2020, the growth rate of PPC population is 18.24% and 11.69% per year under DR and CG grazing, respectively. Moreover, after 10 years of grazing, the PPC increase in DR was 22.86% higher than that of CG. Thus, selecting the DR grazing system can increase PPC and is an effective practice for coping with environmental changes.

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