Grasses And Grassland Farming

Renewed attention is being given to global agricultural productivity such as food security, food prices, financial viability of farm businesses under rising costs, declining availability and affordability of critical inputs including suitable land, etc.Thus, farming systems need to combine space maintenance and food herds in rural areas. Facing these new challenges, interest in grasses and grasslands as important forage systems has increased over the past 30 years, due to their economic, environmental, and ecological properties. A better use of economic and ecological potentials requires an understanding of their functions, and the development of tools for feeding herds, managing space, maintaining biodiversity, and limiting pollution.This book intends to provide the reader with the latest aspects on grasses and grassland for the well-being of farming systems.

The importance of pasture; Choice of grazing animal; Leys or permanent pasture; Management and pasture composition; The importance of clover; Pasture productivity; Pasture utilisation; Food supplies and stock appetite; Foggage or cool stored grass; Herbage plants - species and varieties; Grass seed mixtures; Pasture establishment; Manuring of grassland; Improvement of permanent pastures and rough grazings; Conservation of grass; Fat lamb from grass; Forward creep-grazing of lambs; Beef from grass; Milk from grass; Summer or winter milk production; The future of grass farming; Seed mixtures; Imperial/metric conversion.

Unique guide written by a recognised authority on the subject. Grass is the most important feed for cattle and sheep. The central theme is that organic grassland can be a productive source of nutrients for livestock provided it is managed correctly. Essential for organic farmers and for those converting to organic systems of production.

Forages and a productive agriculture. Forage grasses and legumes.Forage production practice. Forage utilization.