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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2014, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (5): 321-329.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140538

• Orginal Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

A review of grassland carrying capacity: perspective and dilemma for research in China on “forage-livestock balance”

XU Min-yun1,2   

  1. 1.College of Urban and Environment, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China;
    2. College of Animal Science &Technology, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China
  • Received:2013-08-19 Online:2014-10-20 Published:2014-10-20

Abstract:

Ascertaining the correct balance between forage supply and livestock demand is a critical issue for grassland animal husbandry in China. Calculations are typically based on theoretical models that balance energy availability and requirement, and adoption has been hindered by disagreement as to the size and response to various factors of the theoretical coefficients used. In this article we summarize progress in China in livestock feed budgeting research. Adoption of forage-livestock supply and demand calculations based on average net primary productivity and animal feed intake for arid and semi-arid rangeland characterised by uneven precipitation and wide seasonal temperature fluctuation may not deal with the complexity and uncertainty arising from seasonal imbalance between supply and demand within the ecosystem. Despite considerable progress in solving temporal-spatial disequilibrium between grassland productivity and livestock requirement, major challenges remain for “seasonal animal husbandry” and “key pasture”. Parameter estimates commonly used as a basis for forage-livestock balance decision-making require standardisation. In particular, there is no consensus as to the application or method of determining parameters such as livestock substitution rate, livestock numbers, and appropriate stocking rate, among others. In future, research into forage production-livestock demand balance should focus on exploring opportunities to reduce seasonal imbalance between forage supply and livestock demand, and on coordination of the ecological, social and economic functions of grassland.

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