Adjustment of suckler sheep management to a decrease of stocking rate: example in middle mountain

摘要

The results of two long-term studies investigating the effect of suckling ewe stocking rate on show that when the stocking rate of pastures is significantly decreased (1.2; 0.85; and 0.6 LSU centre dot ha~(-1)) by increasing the surface area, the input of nitrogen fertilizer and concentrate feedstuffs can be reduced. Successful herd management maintained a high breeding rate (1.6 lambs/ewe/year), while preserving the pasture land over the whole area. However, at 0.6 LSU centre dot ha~(-1) the difference between the available food and the needs of the flock results in the pasture being consumed at a lower rate (37 percent compared with 61 percent at 1.2 and 0.85 LSU centre dot ha~(-1)). Under these conditions, the risk of rapid deterioration of the pasture land is high. Changes to the reproduction calendar produced an increase in the amount of pasture consumed (farming exclusively outside and winter grazing), which reduced but not eliminated the risk of rapid pasture deterioration. The results indicate that on pastures where grazing pressure is lowest, there will be a reduction in the quality of the pasture and an increase in scrub.