Improvements to rangeland livestock production on the Loess Plateau: a case study of Daliangwa village, Huanxian county

摘要

Based on the results of five years research, overgrazing, high output, low input, and poor support from crop production plus low rainfall are the main causes of rangeland degradation. Rotational grazing on rangeland during the growing season could improve livestock production, reduce grazing pressure, and avoid the risk of grazing damage to rangeland during drought. Development of alfalfa production should improve forage supply to livestock during the cool season, and consequently reduce pressure on rangeland and protect cropland from soil erosion by providing plant cover over the ground surface throughout the whole year. Rotational grazing and alfalfa planting together make a great opportunity for integration of livestock production and crop production by "grazing + pen feeding" of livestock. They are realistic approaches to the sustainability of rangeland grazing systems in this area.