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.

Keywords: animal performance; animal production; longevity; model; pastures; production; profitability; south africa; stocking rate