Taking a holistic perspective on pastures in northern rotations

摘要

IN TEMPERATE farming regions, pasture leys have been well accepted, but as farming has spread west and north into more tropical regions the practice has not been as widely adopted. This could be because pastures are not viewed as profitable as crops,a lack of infrastructure, or initial attempts have failed. The most important contribution pastures can make to farming is to slow the rate of fertility decline, as defined by the loss of soil organic matter. Loss of organic matter results in lower soilnitrate levels, loss of soil structure, poor water infiltration and reduced soil microbial activity.