Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Miles City, Montana » Livestock and Range Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #403819
Research Project: Development of Management Strategies for Livestock Grazing, Disturbance and Climate Variation for the Northern Plains

Location: Livestock and Range Research Laboratory

Title: Future-proofing extensive livestock production in sub-tropical grasslands and savannas

Author
item KIRKMAN, KEVIN - University Of Kwazulu-Natal
item FYNN, RICHARD - University Of Botswana
item McGranahan, Devan
item O'REAGAIN, PETER - Queensland Government
item DUGMORE, TREVOR - University Of Kwazulu-Natal

Submitted to: Animal Frontiers
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/5/2023
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Adapting sub-tropical extensive grazing systems to future global change scenarios will require innovative solutions to pasture management and adapting breeding programs to optimize heat and disease tolerance.

Technical Abstract: Predicted impacts of climate change will negatively affect extensive livestock production in sub-tropical grasslands and savannas, unless pro-active strategies are developed to mitigate negative impacts. Livestock adaptation, via breeding for future environments, is key to ensuring livestock health and performance from animals adapted to extensive grazing in hot and unpredictable environments. Grassland and savanna grazing management to ensure adequate supply of highest-quality wet season forage (quality) and adequate volumes of dry season forage (quantity) is critically important for extensive livestock production under adverse conditions. Breeding (small adapted animals) and feeding (wet season quality and dry season quantity) are key strategies for future-proofing livestock production in extensive condition.