時間制御放牧と連続放牧が総草量と地被率に及ぼす影響

What is the problem?

Time-controlled grazing has been put forward as an alternative to continuous grazing, which has been documented to reduce pasture productivity and decline soil surface. However, little research had been performed on how time controlled grazing affected ground organic matter and land surface protection.

What did the research involve?

• Sub-tropical region of Australia – commercial property in southeast Queensland
• 2001-2006
• 44 permanent sampling location sites
• Herd of merinos with different sizes in different grazing events (1,750 – 4577 DSE) moved between 21 paddocks
• In time-controlled grazing, paddock grazed with an average of 12.3DSE/ha over 14 days (mean) and rested.
• In continuous grazing, pasture stocked with constant ~1.6DSE/ha.

What were the key findings?

• Herbage mass under time controlled grazing increased to 140% in 2006 (compared to 2001). Outcomes higher where soil deeper and slope gentler
• Ground cover under time controlled grazing significantly higher percentages in all years of the study
• Ground cover increased from 54% to 89%