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The grazing ecology of hill and upland swards

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2018

J. Hodgson  and
Sheila A. Grant
J. Hodgson
Affiliation:
Hill Farming Research Organisation, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PY
Sheila A. Grant
Affiliation:
Hill Farming Research Organisation, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PY
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Abstract

The grazing ecology of hill and upland swards is discussed in terms of (a) the influence of sward characteristics (species composition; plant maturity and morphology; canopy structure) on the ingestive behaviour, diet selection and herbage intake of sheep and cattle, (b) the reciprocal influence of grazing activity upon the species balance of natural and sown plant communities and (c) the importance of plant responses in limiting the impact of variations in grazing managements upon the net rate of herbage production from sown swards. Emphasis is given to the importance of objective criteria of plant morphology and sward canopy structure both in understanding sward and animal responses to management manipulation and in applying the results of grazing studies in farming practice.

Type
Research Article
Information
BSAP Occasional Publication , Volume 10: Hill and Upland Livestock Production , 1985 , pp. 77 - 84
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Production 1985

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