A method for optimizing livestock production and grassland ecology by annual alternate rotation of pastures
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NORTHEAST NORMAL UNIVERSITY
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-21
AI Technical Summary
Currently, the rotational grazing process in grasslands suffers from insufficient optimization of livestock production and insignificant results in grassland ecological protection. Furthermore, it is complex to operate and involves high costs.
By adopting the annual rotational grazing method, the grazing period, number of livestock, number of rotational grazing plots, and grazing methods within the year are determined. Combined with grassland type and plant growth patterns, this method optimizes livestock production and grassland ecology, extends the rest and recovery time of plant communities, and reduces the frequency and number of rotational grazing plots.
It has enabled the sustainable use of grassland resources, improved grassland productivity and ecosystem stability, reduced operational complexity and costs, ensured the nutritional needs of livestock, and maintained biodiversity and plant recovery capacity.
Smart Images
Figure CN119856704B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention belongs to the field of sustainable livestock production technology, and in particular relates to an interannual rotational grazing method for optimizing livestock production and grassland ecology. Background Technology
[0002] Grasslands are my country's largest terrestrial ecosystem, and grassland ecological protection is crucial for my country's ecological environment construction and sustainable social development. Currently, grassland degradation is severe, and global climate change pressures are increasing. How to scientifically manage grasslands and enhance their normal productive and ecological functions is a major scientific issue that urgently needs to be addressed. The primary use of grasslands is grazing. Previously, grazing was considered a means of producing livestock products from grasslands; now, it is recognized as a key method for grassland production and ecological management. Scientific experiments and production practices have proven that grazing herbivores not only helps maintain the stability of the ecosystem but also enhances its multifunctionality. However, currently, there is a lack of efficient and feasible sustainable livestock production technologies, both domestically and internationally, that simultaneously consider both productive and ecological functions.
[0003] Grazing management is crucial for livestock production in grassland pastoral areas. Rotational grazing is theoretically considered the most optimized grazing management technique, but its significant advantages are not fully realized in practical operation and management due to the following problems: 1) Current rotational grazing techniques primarily consider the regenerative capacity of grassland vegetation during the growing season, neglecting the nutritional needs of livestock throughout their entire life cycle. Breeding females, as the main body of grassland herds, directly determine the livelihoods of herders. During the growing season, females are typically in a physiological period with low nutritional requirements, but rotational grazing at this time results in most high-quality forage being consumed by livestock, potentially leading to overfeeding and unnecessary waste. In winter, females are in a physiological period with high nutritional requirements, but the quantity and quality of remaining forage decrease, hindering livestock growth and reproduction, significantly increasing supplementary feeding costs, and greatly reducing economic benefits; 2) Traditional rotational grazing typically employs periodic and regular rotational grazing, meaning each plot is regularly grazed by livestock at the same time each year. Because plant growth is asynchronous, plants at specific growth stages are damaged, and fixed annual disturbances reduce the plant community's resistance to extreme weather events such as drought, making it impossible for grasslands to provide stable productivity; 3) Current rotational grazing techniques mostly consider high-frequency, multi-plot rotational grazing during the growing season within the year, which can improve the evenness of herbivore utilization of forage and avoid unnecessary resource waste. However, high-intensity grazing in a short period of time will exacerbate herbivore's selective feeding on preferred food species, which are usually non-perennial grasses with poor compensatory growth capacity. After being subjected to instantaneous high-intensity grazing, they cannot recover in the same year, and their seeds cannot be dispersed, thus hindering the maintenance of plant diversity and making it impossible for grasslands to provide sustainable productivity; 4) It is generally believed that high-frequency, multi-plot rotational grazing within the year can give plants a certain amount of rest and recovery time (up to one month), which is beneficial for compensatory growth. However, most grasslands are currently in a state of degradation, and the plants have poor recovery capacity, especially in nutrient-poor and low-rainfall grasslands, such as desert steppes, where plants still cannot recover well, making it impossible for the beneficial effects of rotational grazing techniques to be realized. In addition, this method requires the establishment of many grazing areas, which incurs high costs for fencing, and herders need to rotate their grazing areas every 3-7 days, making the actual operation very complicated. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the problems of insufficient optimization of livestock production and insignificant grassland ecological protection in the current rotational grazing process, as well as the complexity of operation and high input costs. This invention provides a low-cost, simple-to-operate interannual rotational grazing technology that optimizes livestock production and grassland ecology. By ensuring the coupling of nutritional needs of livestock at different physiological stages with the supply of high-quality forage, livestock production is optimized. Furthermore, through diversified interannual disturbances, the technology can improve grassland resource utilization efficiency while providing plants with longer recovery time, thus better protecting biodiversity and maintaining grassland ecosystem functions, achieving sustainable utilization of grassland resources.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:
[0006] An interannual rotational grazing method for optimizing livestock production and grassland ecology includes the following steps:
[0007] S1, determine the specific grazing period and the number of livestock to be grazed during the year for the annual rotational grazing;
[0008] S2, determine the number of rotational grazing communities in annual alternation;
[0009] S3, determine the grazing method for the year;
[0010] S4, determine the annual rotational grazing method.
[0011] Step S1 specifically includes the following steps:
[0012] S11 determines the grazing period within the year for rotational grazing, and determines seasonal or year-round grazing methods and specific grazing and rest periods under different grazing methods based on the specific type of grassland.
[0013] S111 determines whether to conduct seasonal or year-round grazing based on the specific type of grassland. Specifically, seasonal grazing is adopted for grasslands with low winter temperatures and high snowfall, such as meadow grasslands, while year-round grazing is adopted for grasslands with high winter temperatures and low snowfall, such as desert grasslands.
[0014] S112 defines the annual rest and grazing periods for rotational grazing. Generally, rest is carried out during the greening period of grassland plants. The specific time of the greening period varies for different types of grasslands. Specifically, rest is carried out from the beginning of greening in spring to the seedling growth period, based on the growth pattern of the grassland plants. Grasslands using seasonal grazing practices implement rotational grazing during the rest period during the growing season, while grasslands using year-round grazing practices implement rotational grazing during the rest period throughout the year.
[0015] S12 determines the number of livestock to be grazed annually under rotational grazing, specifically calculated based on grassland area and the optimal grazing rate stipulated by local policies:
[0016] Total number of livestock grazing on grasslands during the year (N):
[0017] N = GA × OS
[0018] Here, GA represents the total pasture area, while OS represents the optimal grazing rate stipulated by local policies.
[0019] The specific steps in step S2 are as follows: Determine the number of rotational grazing plots based on grassland type. The number should be less than the number of plots determined for most current annual rotational grazing. Ideally, 2-4 plots should be selected for rotational grazing. Generally, grasslands with abundant plant species and a high proportion of livestock predominant food species, such as meadow steppe, should have 4 rotational grazing plots, while grasslands with scarce plant species and a low proportion of livestock predominant food species, such as desert steppe, should have 2 rotational grazing plots.
[0020] The specific steps in step S4 are as follows: In order to ensure that the pasture has enough time to recover, grazing should be carried out in zones throughout the year, that is, each grazing area should only be rotated once; for example, if a grassland that is grazed for 10 months throughout the year except for the rest period is divided into 2 rotation grazing areas, grazing should be carried out in each area for 5 months and the two areas should be rotated sequentially.
[0021] The specific steps in step S4 are as follows: the rotation order for the following year is determined based on the grazing order of each plot in the previous year, that is, the plot that was grazed first in the first year is the last to be grazed in the second year, and so on. For example, in the case of a grassland that is grazed for 10 months throughout the year except for the rest period, and is divided into 2 rotation grazing plots, the plot that was grazed for the first 5 months of the first year is grazed for the last 5 months of the second year, and the plot that was grazed for the last 5 months of the first year is grazed for the first 5 months of the second year, and so on, with the grazing alternating between plots every year thereafter.
[0022] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:
[0023] (1) For pastoral grasslands where female livestock are the main livestock herds and grazing is carried out all year round, this invention can better balance the differences in pasture nutrition between winter and summer pastures under traditional grazing, provide more high-quality pasture for winter pastures, ensure that female livestock have relatively high-quality pasture under the physiological state of high nutritional needs, which is conducive to the growth and reproduction of female livestock, greatly reduces the cost of supplementary feeding, and improves the economic benefits of herdsmen.
[0024] (2) In this invention, each grazing plot is subject to grazing by livestock at different times of the year. This diversified disturbance can protect plants at different growth stages, which is conducive to the maintenance of biodiversity over a long time scale. Furthermore, the interannual diversified disturbance of each plot can enhance the resistance of the plant community, thereby enhancing the stability of the community under extreme climate events such as drought, which is conducive to promoting grassland productivity and the stable development of grassland animal husbandry.
[0025] (3) Compared with the previous rotational grazing method, which only allows a maximum of one month for plant communities to rest and recover, this invention greatly extends the rest and recovery time of plant communities, allowing them to rest and recover for up to one year. It also provides sufficient recovery time for some species that cannot recover in the same year after being eaten. In particular, it truly realizes recovery in utilization for some grasslands with poor resources and weak recovery capacity, which is more conducive to maintaining the health of grassland ecosystems and providing sustainable productivity.
[0026] (4) This invention adopts an interannual rotational grazing method by reducing the number of rotational grazing plots and lowering the frequency of rotational grazing within the year. This not only greatly improves the production and ecological functions of grasslands, but also makes the operation simpler and the investment cost lower than previous rotational grazing techniques, making it suitable for large-scale promotion and application. Attached Figure Description
[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the annual rotational grazing technique in Example 1.
[0028] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the specific rotational grazing pattern of the annual alternating grazing technique in Example 1.
[0029] Figure 3 This is a comparison chart of the effects of free grazing and annual rotational grazing on grassland plant diversity in Example 1. Detailed Implementation
[0030] Example 1
[0031] A method of annual rotational grazing for desert steppes (106°41′–108°54′ E, 38°18′–40°11′ N), see details below. Figure 1 , 2 It includes the following steps:
[0032] Step 1: Determine the specific grazing period and livestock number for the annual rotational grazing system. Specifically: First, determine the annual grazing period for rotational grazing. Given the relatively high winter temperatures and low snowfall in this region, year-round grazing is adopted. Next, determine the annual rest and grazing periods for rotational grazing. Based on the grassland plant growth patterns in this region, rest grazing is implemented from the beginning of spring greening to the seedling growth period, generally from April to June each year, while grazing takes place from July to March of the following year. Finally, determine the annual livestock number for rotational grazing. Each herder in this region owns approximately 5000 mu of grassland (GA = 5000). Local policy stipulates that the optimal grazing intensity is 1 sheep per 20 mu (OS = 0.05). Calculate the livestock number (N):
[0033] N = 5000 × 0.05 = 250
[0034] In this context, GA represents the total pasture area, while OS represents the optimal grazing rate stipulated by local policy, which means that the number of sheep this herder grazes is 250.
[0035] Step 2: Determine the number of rotational grazing plots for annual alternation. Specifically, since the grassland type in this area is desert steppe with relatively few plant species and a low proportion of livestock predominantly grazing species, two rotational grazing plots are set up.
[0036] Step 3: Determine the grazing method for the year. Specifically, since the grassland vegetation in this area has a relatively weak recovery capacity and the pasture is used throughout the year, in order to ensure that the pasture has enough time to recover, the grazing areas will only be rotated once. That is, the two grazing areas are divided into summer pastures and winter pastures, which will be grazed from July to October and from November to March of the following year, respectively.
[0037] Step Four: Determine the annual rotational grazing pattern. Specifically, the rotational order for the following year is determined based on the grazing order of each pasture in the previous year. That is, a pasture used as summer pasture in the first year (July-October) is used as winter pasture in the second year (November-March of the following year); conversely, a pasture used as winter pasture in the first year (November-March of the following year) is used as summer pasture in the second year (July-October). This process continues annually, rotating grazing between the two pastures to ensure each pasture has a year of rest and recovery time (e.g., ...). Figure 2 (As shown).
[0038] Figure 3The study investigated the changes in plant diversity at different scales in grasslands under different grazing practices at the end of the growing season in August 2024. Compared with the traditional year-round free grazing (F), the interannual rotational grazing method (R) of this invention, under the same grazing intensity, significantly improved multi-scale plant diversity (plant α-diversity: F = 2.917, R = 4.126; plant β-diversity: F = 1.086, R = 1.322; plant γ-diversity: F = 3.179, R = 5.246).
[0039] Example 2
[0040] A method for interannual rotational grazing in meadow steppes (44°40′–44°44′N, 123°44′–123°47′E) includes the following steps:
[0041] Step 1: Determine the specific grazing period and livestock number for annual rotational grazing. Specifically: First, determine the annual grazing period for rotational grazing. In this region, grasslands experience low winter temperatures and heavy snowfall, therefore seasonal grazing is adopted. Based on the grassland plant growth patterns, grazing is generally carried out from June to September each year. Finally, determine the annual livestock number for rotational grazing. The optimal grazing intensity is typically 50% removal of aboveground biomass. The grazing livestock is the Small-tailed Han sheep, with daily feed intake calculated as 4% of their average body weight. Therefore, the number of sheep grazing (N) is:
[0042]
[0043] Where AB represents the average annual total grass production of the pasture, W is the average weight of the sheep, and the grazing days are 120 days.
[0044] Step 2: Determine the number of rotational grazing plots for annual alternation. Specifically, the grassland type in this area is meadow steppe, with a relatively rich variety of plant species and a high proportion of livestock predominantly grazing species. Four rotational grazing plots will be set up.
[0045] Step 3: Determine the grazing method for the year. To ensure that the pasture has enough time to recover, the grazing areas will be rotated only once, that is, the four grazing areas will be grazed in June, July, August and September respectively.
[0046] Step 4: Determine the annual rotation grazing method. Specifically, the rotation order for the following year is determined based on the grazing order of each sub-district in the previous year. That is, the sub-district that was grazed in June of the first year will be grazed in July of the second year, the sub-district that was grazed in July of the first year will be grazed in August of the second year, the sub-district that was grazed in August of the first year will be grazed in September of the second year, and the sub-district that was grazed in September of the first year will be grazed in June of the second year. This process will continue every year, with annual rotation grazing carried out in the four sub-districts.
[0047] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention should fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present invention.
Claims
1. A method for optimizing livestock production and grassland ecology through interannual rotational grazing, characterized in that, The interannual rotational grazing method includes the following steps: (1) Determine the specific grazing period and the number of livestock to be grazed in the annual rotational grazing; (2) Determine the number of rotational grazing areas for interannual alternation; (3) Determine the grazing method for the year; (4) Determine the annual rotational grazing pattern; The process of determining the specific grazing period within the year for annual rotational grazing in step (1) is as follows: ① Determine whether to graze seasonally or year-round based on the specific type of grassland. Specifically, seasonal grazing is adopted for grasslands with low winter temperatures and heavy snowfall, while year-round grazing is adopted for grasslands with high winter temperatures and low snowfall. ② Determine the annual rest and grazing periods for rotational grazing. Rest grazing is carried out from the time when grassland plants begin to turn green to the time when seedlings grow. Grasslands that adopt seasonal grazing practices will be subject to rotational grazing during the rest period during the growing season, while grasslands that adopt year-round grazing practices will be subject to rotational grazing during the year except for the rest period. In step (2), when the grassland is meadow grassland, the number of rotational grazing plots is set to 4. In step (3), the 4 grazing plots are grazed in June, July, August and September respectively. In step (4), when the grassland is meadow grassland, the rotation order of the following year is determined according to the rotation order of each plot in the previous year. That is, the plot grazed in June of the first year is grazed in July of the second year, the plot grazed in July of the first year is grazed in August of the second year, the plot grazed in August of the first year is grazed in September of the second year, and the plot grazed in September of the first year is grazed in June of the second year. This process is repeated every year in the 4 plots for annual rotational grazing.
2. A method for optimizing livestock production and grassland ecology through interannual rotational grazing, characterized in that, The interannual rotational grazing method includes the following steps: (1) Determine the specific grazing period and the number of livestock to be grazed in the annual rotational grazing; (2) Determine the number of rotational grazing areas for interannual alternation; (3) Determine the grazing method for the year; (4) Determine the annual rotational grazing pattern; The process of determining the specific grazing period within the year for annual rotational grazing in step (1) is as follows: ① Determine whether to graze seasonally or year-round based on the specific type of grassland. Specifically, seasonal grazing is adopted for grasslands with low winter temperatures and heavy snowfall, while year-round grazing is adopted for grasslands with high winter temperatures and low snowfall. ② Determine the annual rest and grazing periods for rotational grazing. Rest grazing is carried out from the time when grassland plants begin to turn green to the time when seedlings grow. Grasslands that adopt seasonal grazing practices will be subject to rotational grazing during the rest period during the growing season, while grasslands that adopt year-round grazing practices will be subject to rotational grazing during the year except for the rest period. In step (2), when the grassland is desert steppe, the number of rotational grazing areas is set to 2. In step (3), the 2 grazing areas are divided into summer pastures and winter pastures. Summer pastures are grazed from July to October, and winter pastures are grazed from November to March of the following year. In step (4), when the grassland is desert steppe, the rotation order of the following year is determined according to the rotation order of each area in the previous year. That is, the area that was used as summer pasture in the first year and grazed from July to October is used as winter pasture in the second year and grazed from November to March of the following year; while the area that was used as winter pasture in the first year and grazed from November to March of the following year is used as summer pasture in the second year and grazed from July to October. This process is repeated every year in the two areas.
3. The interannual rotational grazing method for optimizing livestock production and grassland ecology according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In step (1), the number of grazing livestock is determined according to the following formula: N = GA × OS; Where N represents the total number of livestock grazing on pastures during the year, GA represents the total pasture area, and OS represents the optimal grazing rate stipulated by local policies.