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ARS Home » Plains Area » Mandan, North Dakota » Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #145520
Title: INTEGRATION OF IMPROVED FORAGES AND THEIR ROLE IN THE SUPPLEMENTATION OF NATURAL RANGE VEGETATION.

Author
item PENGELLY, BRUCE - CSIRO,BRISBANE,AS
item MUIR, JAMES - AES,STEPHENVILLE,TX
item OSMAN, AHMED - CTR AG RES,DUBAI,UAE
item Berdahl, John

Submitted to: International Rangeland Congress
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/31/2003
Publication Date: 9/30/2003
Citation: Pengelly, B.C., Muir, J.P., Osman, A.E., Berdahl, J.D. 2003. Integration of improved forages and their role in the supplementation of natural range vegetation. p. 1306-1317. In: Proceedings of the VIIth International Rangeland Congress. Durban, South Africa. July 26-August 1, 2003. [CD-ROM computer file].

Interpretive Summary: Organizers of the VII International Rangeland Congress requested a paper on new developments regarding introduced and native forage species used to supplement the world's rangelands. A paper was written on the role of improved forages in supplementing natural range vegetation from a broad assortment of ecosystems in developed and developing countries. The vast majority of ruminants across the world are found in mixed crop-livestock systems. Complementing rangelands in these mixed farming systems through use of improved forage cultivars on more intensively managed lands adjacent to rangeland holds good promise. Successful use of improved forage cultivars requires an understanding of farming systems and sufficient knowledge to provide realistic estimates of what might be achieved through adoption of improved technologies. The paper emphasized the need for farmers and ranchers and, in developing countries, small landholders and communities to actively participate in determining the estimated costs and benefits from adopting new practices. This paper will serve as a guide for implementing the use of improved forages and improved management practices that will increase production and help sustain the quality of natural rangelands.

Technical Abstract: Overutilization of the world's rangelands is a common problem as economic and population pressures continue to grow. These pressures are almost certain to increase over the coming years, at least in developing countries. Improved forage cultivars have been used to improve production and sustainability of depleted rangelands in both developed and developing countries. However, improved grazing management usually has been more successful than direct seeding of improved forages into depleted rangelands. The vast majority of ruminants across the world are found in mixed crop-livestock systems. Complementing rangelands in these mixed farming systems through use of improved forage cultivars on more intensively managed lands adjacent to rangeland holds good promise. Farmer acceptance and implementation of management practices that include improved forages are dependent on their active participation in determining what the estimated costs and benefits will be. Beyond providing improved germplasm, scientists must understand diverse farming systems and provide realistic estimates of what might be achieved through adoption of new practices.