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The on-farm impact of alternative grazing management options to improve sustainability in western Chinese grasslands

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Listed:
  • Jones, Randall E.
  • Kemp, David R.
  • Michalk, David
  • Takahashi, Taro

Abstract

Chinese grasslands are suffering considerable pressures from human and livestock populations. It has been estimated that 90% of Chinese grasslands are suffering from light to heavy levels of degradation. Allied to this is the low household income of herders and farmers dependant upon livestock products for their livelihood. Although a range of reasons have been proposed for the high levels of grassland degradation, principal among these are the high stocking rates adopted by farmers. This not only results in high utilisation rates of the pasture biomass, leading to bare areas and soil erosion, but individual animal productivity rates also decline. This paper presents the results of a modelling study of a grassland system in Gansu Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in northern China. This shows that reducing stocking rates leads to not only an increase in livestock productivity, but whole-farm returns are also increased. From a sustainability perspective, the greater pasture biomass remaining on the grassland also reduces the incidence of soil erosion in the areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Jones, Randall E. & Kemp, David R. & Michalk, David & Takahashi, Taro, 2008. "The on-farm impact of alternative grazing management options to improve sustainability in western Chinese grasslands," 2008 Conference (52nd), February 5-8, 2008, Canberra, Australia 6019, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:aare08:6019
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.6019
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Pandey, Sushil & Hardaker, J. Brian, 1995. "The role of modelling in the quest for sustainable farming systems," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 47(4), pages 439-450.
    3. Moore, A. D. & Donnelly, J. R. & Freer, M., 1997. "GRAZPLAN: Decision support systems for Australian grazing enterprises. III. Pasture growth and soil moisture submodels, and the GrassGro DSS," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 55(4), pages 535-582, December.
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    Keywords

    Farm Management; Livestock Production/Industries; Resource/Energy Economics and Policy;
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