Modelling of grazing systems at the farm level

Abstract

A simplified description of a model of a grazing system suitable for implementation at the geographical scale of the field or farm is described. The progress that has been made in the modelling of the soil, plant and animal processes within grazing systems is described and research areas are identified where improvements in understanding are needed. Arguments are presented for the importance of developing grazing models at the farm scale and incorporating them into decision support tools to aid research on rural land use and to provide support in decision-making by farmers, and regional and local government. Two examples of farm-scale decision support tools, HILLPLAN and LADSS, are described which will aid respectively tactical and strategic decision-making at the farm scale. ©Elsevier/Inra.