INSTROCTOR : Dr. Yuying Shen, Professor yy.shen@lzu.edu.cn
Ms. Xianzhi Wang, Lecturer wangxianzhi@lzu.edu.cn
Course Description
Grassland Management is a required course for the third year student 36 hours lecture 9 hours laboratory practice, total 2.5 credits.
Course Objectives
The guideline of grassland management is to understand the origin and development of grassland management, multiple use of grassland , principles and techniques of grassland improvement. The principle of grassland management is to get the most suitable material and services by manipulating the various components of the grassland on the premise of sustainable utilization.
Text Book and references
Holechek J. L., R. D. Pieper. C. H. Herbel. Range Management-Principles & Practices. Prentice Hall. 2003（5/e）, America.
Tainton Neil (Ed). Pasture Management in South Africa. University of Natal Press. 2000. Pietermaritzburg，South Africa.
Tainton Neil (Ed). Veld Management in South Africa. University of Natal Press, 1999，Pietermaritzburg，South Africa.
Lovett J.V. & J.M. Scott. Pasture Production and Management. Inkata Press，1997，Melbourne，Australia.
Frame John. Improved Grassland Management. Farming Press. (2000 amendments).UK.
Grade Assignment:
quiz and question during the lecture 20%. laboratory practice 30 %, and final examination 50%
Course Outline
Introduction (3 Hours)
The conception of grassland and the task of grassland management will be introduced. The function of grassland, the conception of grassland in different geographical conditions, the development of grassland management, and the relationship of grassland management to other disciplines will be commanded.
l Grassland Defined
l Grassland functions
l Task of Grassland Management
l Development of Grassland Management
l Climate
l Topography
l Soil
l Fire
Chapter 2 Grassland Plants Physiology (3 Hours)
l Biological Characteristic and Types of Grassland Vegetation
l The Development of
Main Grassland Vegetation
l Main Economic Types of Grassland Vegetation
l Succession of Grassland
l Succession of Grassland Management
l Grassland Inventory and Sampling Techniques
Chapter 4 Grazing Systems (12 Hours)
l Definition of Grazing System Terms
l Influence of Stock Rate on Forage Production
l Response of Grassland to Grazing
l Selection of Grazing Methods
l Setting the Stock Rate
l Introduction of GrazFeed ?a Decision Tool
Chapter 5 Grassland Management Principle (4 Hours)
l Main Methods of Grassland Improvement
l Establishment of Cultivated Grassland
l Management of Grassland for Recreational Use
l Management of Natural Reserves
l Preservation Wild Animals
Chapter 6 Processing and Utilization of Grassland Products (2 Hours)
l Forage supply to livestock production
l Market and Profits of Grassland Products
l Hay Making
l Silage Making
Chapter 7 Degraded Grassland Ecosystem Restoration (3 hours)
l Degraded Grassland Ecosystem
l Theory of Degraded Grassland Ecological Restoration
l Degraded Grassland Ecosystem Recovery
l Economic Analysis
l Policy Analysis
l Grassland Management Planning
Laboratory Practice (9 Hours)
A Grazing management decision analysis tool- Grazfeed 4.2 developed by CSIRO is used to help students understand the dissimilarity of grassland production and livestock growth in different grassland types, as well as the dynamic balance between forage supply and livestock demand. Mainly include the following exercises:
Practice 1 Influence of forage Quality and Quantity on Livestock Growth
Practice 2 Feeding Management under different seniors
Oral presentation and report based on GrazFeed simulation is required.
