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Mechanisms of Grazing Management in Heterogeneous Swards

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  • Arthur Pontes-Prates

    (Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
    Grazing Ecology Research Group, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS 90040-060, Brazil)

  • Paulo César de Faccio Carvalho

    (Grazing Ecology Research Group, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS 90040-060, Brazil)

  • Emilio Andrés Laca

    (Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA)

Abstract

We explored the effects of heterogeneity of sward height on the functioning of grazing systems through a spatially implicit mechanistic model of grazing and sward growth. The model uses a population dynamic approach where a sward is spatially structured by height, which changes as a function of defoliation, trampling, and growth. The grazing component incorporates mechanisms of bite formation, intake, and digestion rates, but excludes sward quality effects. Sward height selection is determined by maximization of the instantaneous intake rate of forage dry mass. For any given average sward height, intake rate increased with increasing spatial heterogeneity. Spatio-temporal distribution of animal density over paddocks did not markedly affect animal performance but it modified the balance of vegetation heterogeneity within and between paddocks. Herbage allowance was a weak predictor of animal performance because the same value can result from multiples combinations of herbage mass per unit area, number of animals, animal liveweight, and paddock area, which are the proximate determinants of intake rate. Our results differ from models that assume homogeneity and provide strong evidence of how heterogeneity influences the dynamic of grazing systems. Thus, we argue that grazing management and research need to incorporate the concept of heterogeneity into the design of future grazing systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Arthur Pontes-Prates & Paulo César de Faccio Carvalho & Emilio Andrés Laca, 2020. "Mechanisms of Grazing Management in Heterogeneous Swards," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-17, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:20:p:8676-:d:431363
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Piñeiro, Gervasio & Perelman, Susana & Guerschman, Juan P. & Paruelo, José M., 2008. "How to evaluate models: Observed vs. predicted or predicted vs. observed?," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 216(3), pages 316-322.
    2. Noy-Meir, I., 1976. "Rotational grazing in a continuously growing pasture: A simple model," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 1(2), pages 87-112, April.
    3. Ungar, Eugene David, 2019. "Perspectives on the concept of rangeland carrying capacity, and their exploration by means of Noy-Meir's two-function model," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 403-413.
    4. Gregorini, Pablo & Beukes, Pierre C. & Romera, Alvaro J. & Levy, Gil & Hanigan, Mark D., 2013. "A model of diurnal grazing patterns and herbage intake of a dairy cow, MINDY: Model description," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 270(C), pages 11-29.
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