137
improve beef output by identifying pasture species and cattle husbandry practices suitable for Hainan (Nelson and Ayres, 1984).
In 1981, Gaopoling Model Cattle Farm was established in western Hainan with finance from Guangdong and technical input from New South Wales. Two specialists (an agronomist and a livestock manager) were seconded to Gaopoling Farm for a three-year period to provide day-to-day technical input necessary for the implementation of the model farm programme by working side-by-side with Chinese counterparts.
When the project commenced, Gaopoling Farm consisted of little more than the land resource, a 60-member workforce and 1,200 cattle. Pastures were poorly utilized with shepherds avoiding scrub areas (60 percent of farm) and concentrating cattle on open grassland. Cattle were in poor condition, calves unthrifty, and steers took 4 to 5 years to reach mature weight.
Using these basic resources, the model farm was developed through a programme of adaptive research in the initial years to identify correct practices and farm development in following years based on research results. From experiments in species adaptation, fertilizer needs and sowing methods, recommendations were made for each soil type. Using these, an extensive range improvement programme was undertaken as a commercial enterprise, and by Year 3 about 843 ha were developed.
First-level husbandry practices were demonstrated initially with a 50-cow nucleus herd, and a recording scheme was commenced to monitor comparative performance of “improved” versus “traditional” cattle management. As sown pasture became available, cattle were moved from sheds to open range. The effects of better nutrition and better husbandry practices are reflected in animal performance with cow liveweight increasing by 20 percent, calving rate by 50 percent, calf growth rate by 90 percent compared with traditional husbandry on native rangeland. In terms of beef output, weaner steers grazing fertilized stylo pasture at 2 beasts per ha reached adult weight in two years, instead of the five taken under the old management system.
137
improve beef output by identifying pasture species and cattle hus- bandry practices suitable for Hainan (Nalson and Ayres. 1984).
In 1981, Gaopoling Model Cattle Farm was established in west- ern Hainan with finance from Guangdong and technical input from New South Wales. Two specialists (an agronomist and a livestock manager) were seconded to Gaopoling Farm for a three- year period to provide day-to-day technical input necessary for the implementation of the model farm programme by working side- by-side with Chinese counterparts.
When the project commenced, Gaopoling Farm consisted of little more than the land resource, a 60-member work force and 1,200 cattle. Pastures were poorly utilized with shepherds avoid- ing scrub areas (60 percent of farm) and concentrating cattle on open grassland. Cattle were in poor condition, calves unthrifty, and steers took 4 to 5 years to reach mature weight.
Using these basic resources, the model farm was developed through a programme of adaptive research in the initial years to identify correct practices and farm development in following years based on research results. From experiments in species ad- aptation, fertilizer needs and sowing methods, recommendations were made for each soil type. Using these, an extensive range improvement programme was undertaken as a commercial enter- prise, and by Year 3 about 843 ha were developed.
First-level husbandry practices were demonstrated initially with a 50-cow nucleus herd, and a recording scheme was com- menced to monitor comparative performance of“improved” ver- sus “traditional” cattle management. As sown pasture became available, cattle were moved from sheds to open range. The effects of better nutrition and better husbandry practices are reflected in animal performance with cow liveweight increasing by 20 percent, calving rate by 50 percent, calf growth rate by 90 percent com- pared with traditional husbandry on native rangeland. In terms of beef output, weaner steers grazing fertilized stylo pasture at 2 beasts per ha reached adult weight in two years, instead of the five taken under the old management system.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.