ARS | Publication request: CASE STUDIES AND APPLICATIONS OF GRAZINGLAND SIMULATION MODELS.

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Meetings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: June 10, 2000
Publication Date: October 24, 2000
Citation: Hanson, J.D., Weltz, M.A. 2000. Case studies and applications of grazingland simulation models.. American Society of Agronomy Meetings.

Technical Abstract: The demand for goods and services produced from grazinglands has continued to accelerate over the past twenty years. Complex interactions of environment, nutrients, plants, and animals within regions containing grazingland reduce the probability of consistently producing enough high quality crops and forages to maintain a stable and productive livestock enterprise. Simulation modeling has been used to examine the effects of agricultural management practices on environmental quality and to develop improved management practices, which are environmentally sound and profitable to the producer. These models are designed to represent the complex interaction of many factors. Models have been developed for the entire management system and for individual components of the system. The purpose of this paper is to examine various applications of simulation models to beef cattle production, forage production, carbon sequestration and storage, and other problems associated with grazingland management. Th objectives of each modeling effort will be presented along with any lessons learned and gaps in our existing knowledge and abilities. An overall evaluation of the current ability to use simulation models to address natural resource problems will be addressed.