The use of stocking rate/animal performance models in research and extension

Abstract

Stocking rate has a profound influence on the animal production from pastures, the profitability of the enterprise and often the longevity of the pasture.

The stocking rate/animal performance model of Jones & Sandland (1974) is a valuable tool in the characterization of pastures in terms of animal production and in achieving target masses of animals at target dates. The use of this model in experimentation and in the prediction of animal performance on the farm is discussed.

Uittreksel

Veëbelading het ‘n sterk invloed op die diereproduksie vanaf ‘n weiding, die winsgewendheid van die onderneming en in baie gevalle die lewensduur van die weiding.

Die veëbelading/diereproduksie model van Jones en Sandland (1974) is baie waardevol by die karakterisering van weidings volgens diereproduksie en as ‘n helpmiddel om mikpunt massa van diere by mikpunt datums te bereik. Die gebruik van die model by navorsing en vir die voorspelling van diereproduksie op die plaas word bespreek.