BOOK
Improving grassland and pasture management in temperate agriculture
Prof. Athole Marshall | Dr Rosemary Collins | Dr O. Huguenin-Elie | Dr L. Delaby | Dr K. Klumpp | Dr S. Lemauviel-Lavenant | Dr J. Ryschawy | Dr R. Sabatier | Prof. Michael R. F. Lee | Dr M. Jordana Rivero | Dr John W. Cone | Dr D. F. Chapman | Dr W. M. Griffiths | Dr Richard Kipling | Dr Lilian Elgalise Techio Pereira | Dr Sila Carneiro da Silva | Dr Cory Matthew | Dr Ignacio F. López | Dr André Fischer Sbrissia | Dr F. Ortega | Dr L. Inostroza | Dr C. Moscoso | Dr L. Parra | Dr A. Quiroz | Dr D. R. Woodfield | Dr H. G. Judson | Dr Deirdre Hennessy | Prof. David Hannaway | Dr Linda J. Brewer | Dr Steve Fransen | Dr Glenn Shewmaker | Dr Shannon Williams | Dr Sarah Baker | Dr Michael Wachendorf | Prof. D. Barker | Dr Jean L. Steiner | Dr Pradeep Wagle | Dr Prasanna Gowda | Dr Graeme W. Bourdôt | Dr Michael G. Cripps | Prof. Llewellyn L. Manske | Dr J. L. Peyraud | Dr R. Delagarde | Prof. J. Isselstein | Prof. Pekka Huhtanen | Dr Ulrich Thumm | Dr Thomas F. Döring | Prof. Ulrich Köpke
(2018)
Additional Information
Book Details
Abstract
The shift to more intensive livestock system has put more pressure on grasslands used for pasture. At the same time, there is a greater understanding of the role of grasslands in delivering a range of ecosystems services. This volume reviews the range of research on more sustainable use of grasslands to optimise livestock nutrition whilst protecting biodiversity and delivering a range of broader environmental benefits.
Part 1 assesses grassland functions and dynamics, including plant-soil and plant-animal interactions. Part 2 reviews key aspects of grassland management, including sowing, soil health, irrigation and weed control as well as monitoring. The final part of the book considers wider aspects of sustainability such as protecting biodiversity as well as silage processing.
With its distinguished editors and international team of subject experts, this will be a standard reference for grassland and rangeland scientists, livestock producers, government and non-governmental organisations responsible for grassland management.
Sample content
Not sure what you're getting if you buy this book? Click on the cover image below to open a PDF and preview pages from the book. Alternatively, watch our informative video introduction.Grasslands have long been used to raise livestock. Recently there has been a shift to more intensive livestock system with more pressure on grasslands. At the same time, there is a greater understanding of the role of grasslands in delivering a range of ecosystems services. This volume reviews the range of research focussing on more sustainable use of grasslands to optimise livestock nutrition whilst protecting biodiversity and delivering a range of broader environmental benefits.
Part 1 assesses grassland functions and dynamics, including plant-soil and plant-animal interactions, nutrient cycling and carbon capture. Part 2 surveys grassland species such as ryegrass and legumes. Part 3 reviews key aspects of grassland management, including sowing, soil health, irrigation and weed control as well as monitoring. The final part of the book considers wider aspects of sustainability such as protecting biodiversity as well as silage processing.
With its distinguished editors and international team of subject experts, this will be a standard reference for grassland and rangeland scientists, livestock producers, government and non-governmental organisations responsible for grassland management and conservation.
"The comprehensiveness of the book will make it extremely useful for grassland and pasture students. In addition, it has value for anyone interested in a wide range of aspects of cultivated grasslands…it is a valuable source of information on cultivated grasslands in a single book with a good balance between detail and subjects covered."
African Journal of Range and Forage Science
This book provides comprehensive coverage of the aspects of temperate grassland that are of crucial importance for the 21st Century. The Editors are renowned grassland scientists and there is a fantastic team of authors not only from Europe, but also from Australasia and North and South America. I commend this book to all serious researchers and extension specialists involved with temperate grassland.
Roger Wilkins, Emeritus Researcher, Rothamsted Research, UK; Life President, European Grassland Federation.
"The comprehensiveness of the book will make it extremely useful for grassland and pasture students. In addition, it has value for anyone interested in a wide range of aspects of cultivated grasslands…it is a valuable source of information on cultivated grasslands in a single book with a good balance between detail and subjects covered."
African Journal of Range and Forage Science
Table of Contents
| Section Title | Page | Action | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Series list | xi | ||
| Introduction | xvi | ||
| Part 1 Grassland functions and dynamics | 1 | ||
| Chapter 1 The role of grasslands in biogeochemical cycles and biodiversity conservation | 3 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 3 | ||
| 2 Biogeochemical cycles | 4 | ||
| 3 Grassland biodiversity at the plot scale | 10 | ||
| 4 Grassland roles in biodiversity conservation at the landscape scale | 13 | ||
| 5 Future trends and conclusion | 17 | ||
| 6 References | 18 | ||
| Chapter 2 The role of pasture in the diet of ruminant livestock | 31 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 31 | ||
| 2 Energy | 34 | ||
| 3 Proteins | 40 | ||
| 4 Minerals and vitamins | 42 | ||
| 5 Other nutritional factors | 45 | ||
| 6 Anti-nutritional factors | 46 | ||
| 7 Future trends and conclusion | 48 | ||
| 8 Acknowledgement | 49 | ||
| 9 Where to look for further information | 49 | ||
| 10 References | 49 | ||
| Chapter 3 Plant–animal interactions in grazing systems | 55 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 55 | ||
| 2 Control of dry matter intake: pasture offered \nand herbage nutritive value | 58 | ||
| 3 Control of DMI: managing sward \ncanopy structure | 62 | ||
| 4 Sward canopy structure: systems factors | 64 | ||
| 5 Future trends | 67 | ||
| 6 Conclusions | 71 | ||
| 7 Where to look for further information | 71 | ||
| 8 Acknowledgements | 72 | ||
| 9 References | 72 | ||
| Chapter 4 Grazing management for sustainable grazing systems | 79 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 79 | ||
| 2 Definitions and concepts of grazing management | 82 | ||
| 3 Growth dynamics in grazed swards | 89 | ||
| 4 Effects of grazing on soil C and N stocks | 101 | ||
| 5 Defining targets for grazing management | 106 | ||
| 6 Mapping future evolution of grassland ecosystems | 107 | ||
| 7 Conclusion | 110 | ||
| 8 Where to look for further information | 111 | ||
| 9 References | 112 | ||
| Part 2 Management of grasslands | 123 | ||
| Chapter 5 Planning and sowing grasslands | 125 | ||
| 1 Planning | 125 | ||
| 2 Species and cultivar selection: overview | 127 | ||
| 3 Species and cultivar characteristics: tolerances | 129 | ||
| 4 Species and cultivar characteristics: further characteristics | 145 | ||
| 5 Establishment and renovation: initial considerations | 153 | ||
| 6 Sowing and initial management | 157 | ||
| 7 Key issues in improving forage selection | 161 | ||
| 8 Review of existing selection tools | 164 | ||
| 9 Future trends | 168 | ||
| 10 References | 168 | ||
| Chapter 6 Managing grassland for forage production: an overview | 171 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 171 | ||
| 2 Stocking rate | 172 | ||
| 3 Grazing management | 173 | ||
| 4 Reseeding/sward renovation | 177 | ||
| 5 Silage | 180 | ||
| 6 Feeding value of grass | 181 | ||
| 7 Where to look for further information | 182 | ||
| 8 References | 183 | ||
| Chapter 7 Managing grassland systems to optimise livestock production | 189 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 189 | ||
| 2 Appropriate cows for successful temperate-grassland-based systems | 191 | ||
| 3 Appropriate grazing management for successful temperate-grassland-based systems | 193 | ||
| 4 Appropriate forage production for successful temperate-grassland-based systems | 200 | ||
| 5 Decision support systems (DSSs) to develop efficient grassland-based dairy systems | 204 | ||
| 6 Future trends | 210 | ||
| 7 Where to look for further information | 211 | ||
| 8 References | 211 | ||
| Chapter 8 Persistence and yield stability of temperate grassland legumes for sustainable animal production | 219 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 219 | ||
| 2 Global cultivation of forage legumes | 220 | ||
| 3 Improving red clover persistence | 222 | ||
| 4 Abiotic stresses affecting plant persistence | 226 | ||
| 5 Future trends and conclusion | 230 | ||
| 6 Where to look for further information | 230 | ||
| 7 Acknowledgements | 231 | ||
| 8 References | 231 | ||
| Chapter 9 Balancing pasture productivity with environmental and animal health requirements | 237 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 237 | ||
| 2 Nutritive value | 238 | ||
| 3 Reduced nutrient loss | 240 | ||
| 4 Greenhouse gas mitigation | 243 | ||
| 5 Genetic resources | 245 | ||
| 6 Animal health and welfare challenges | 246 | ||
| 7 Future trends | 248 | ||
| 8 Where to look for further information | 248 | ||
| 9 References | 249 | ||
| Chapter 10 Managing soil health for grassland | 253 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 253 | ||
| 2 Measurement of soil health | 254 | ||
| 3 Managing soil health for grassland production | 256 | ||
| 4 Fertilization for carbon (C) sequestration | 257 | ||
| 5 Earthworms as an indicator of soil health | 258 | ||
| 6 Soil nutrient status | 258 | ||
| 7 Trace elements and heavy metals | 259 | ||
| 8 Conclusion | 261 | ||
| 9 Future trends | 262 | ||
| 10 Where to look for further information | 262 | ||
| 11 References | 263 | ||
| Chapter 11 Management of water resources \nfor grasslands | 265 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 265 | ||
| 2 Water requirements of temperate pastures | 267 | ||
| 3 Factors affecting soil health | 268 | ||
| 4 Monitoring and modelling grassland \nvegetation and water use | 270 | ||
| 5 Impact of drought on grasslands | 273 | ||
| 6 Drought monitoring methods | 274 | ||
| 7 Global climate change impacts \non grasslands | 276 | ||
| 8 Water resources management in grasslands | 277 | ||
| 9 Future trends and where to find further information | 277 | ||
| 10 References | 278 | ||
| Chapter 12 Biological weed control in temperate grasslands | 283 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 283 | ||
| 2 Classical biological control of weeds | 286 | ||
| 3 Prospects for classical biological weed control in temperate pastures | 299 | ||
| 4 Biological herbicides | 300 | ||
| 5 Future trends | 311 | ||
| 6 Conclusion | 311 | ||
| 7 Where to look for further information | 312 | ||
| 8 References | 313 | ||
| Chapter 13 Restoring degraded grasslands | 325 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 325 | ||
| 2 Grass plant responses to defoliation | 327 | ||
| 3 Agronomic practices to increase soil nitrogen levels | 330 | ||
| 4 Effects of rhizosphere organisms on biogeochemical processes | 331 | ||
| 5 Grazing graminivores | 332 | ||
| 6 Management of grazing | 333 | ||
| 7 Degradation of grasslands | 334 | ||
| 8 Initial changes of restoration | 340 | ||
| 9 Future trends and conclusion | 345 | ||
| 10 Where to look for further information | 345 | ||
| 11 Acknowledgement | 346 | ||
| 12 References | 346 | ||
| Chapter 14 Advances in remote sensing for monitoring grassland and forage production | 353 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 353 | ||
| 2 Technical principles of the most common sensors | 353 | ||
| 3 Vegetation characteristics which can be monitored by remote sensing | 355 | ||
| 4 Summary | 358 | ||
| 5 Future trends | 359 | ||
| 6 Where to look for further information | 359 | ||
| 7 References | 359 | ||
| Part 3 Sustainability and wider uses of grasslands | 363 | ||
| Chapter 15 Research challenges in adapting grasslands to climate change | 365 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 365 | ||
| 2 Climate change impacts and challenges | 366 | ||
| 3 External context and the adaptiveness of European grassland systems | 368 | ||
| 4 Case studies of climate change impacts and adaptation options | 369 | ||
| 5 Challenges, limitations and priorities for research | 371 | ||
| 6 Conclusion | 374 | ||
| 7 Where to look for further information | 374 | ||
| 8 References | 375 | ||
| Chapter 16 Protecting biodiversity in grasslands | 381 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 381 | ||
| 2 Grassland biodiversity under pressure | 382 | ||
| 3 Critical factors in grassland biodiversity | 384 | ||
| 4 Maintaining biodiversity through grassland \nmanagement | 387 | ||
| 5 Integration of species-rich grasslands into modern livestock production systems | 389 | ||
| 6 Conclusion | 392 | ||
| 7 Where to look for further information | 393 | ||
| 8 References | 393 | ||
| Chapter 17 Advances in feeding grass silage | 397 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 397 | ||
| 2 Energy value and nutrient supply from grass silages | 398 | ||
| 3 Effects of ensiling on silage protein value | 400 | ||
| 4 Silage intake | 404 | ||
| 5 Supplementing grass silage diets: energy supplements | 407 | ||
| 6 Supplementing grass silage diets: protein supplements | 411 | ||
| 7 Round bale silages | 415 | ||
| 8 Future trends and conclusion | 417 | ||
| 9 Where to look for further information | 419 | ||
| 10 References | 419 | ||
| Chapter 18 Use of grassland for bioenergy and biorefining | 425 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 425 | ||
| 2 Grassland biomass and biomass quality | 426 | ||
| 3 Alternative uses for biomass from permanent grassland | 427 | ||
| 4 Prospects for using grasslands for bioenergy | 431 | ||
| 5 Conclusions | 432 | ||
| 6 Where to look for further information | 433 | ||
| 7 References | 433 | ||
| Chapter 19 Organic grassland | 437 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 437 | ||
| 2 Key characteristics of organic grassland | 438 | ||
| 3 Multifunctionality of organic grassland | 440 | ||
| 4 Challenges in organic grassland | 446 | ||
| 5 Case studies | 451 | ||
| 6 Conclusions and future trends | 453 | ||
| 7 Where to look for further information | 454 | ||
| 8 References | 454 | ||
| Index | 461 |