Use of irrigated pastures in semi-arid grazinglands: A dynamic model for stocking rate decisions
2006
Diaz-Solis, H. | Kothmann, M.M. | Grant, W.E. | Luna-Villarreal, R de
We present a simple simulation model as an aid to conventional expensive field experimentation and as a decision support system tool for animal production in irrigated pastures within semi-arid grazinglands. We also demonstrate and discuss the integration of results from conventional field experiments within the context of simulation models. We first develop a spreadsheet to estimate animal production under different stocking rates and pasture characteristics, and then incorporate functions from the spreadsheet and from the literature into a dynamic simulation model. The spreadsheet, which is programmed in EXCEL, is a static, deterministic series of calculations that estimates weight gain of grazing animals under different stocking rates and pasture conditions based on decision rules and functions reported by NRC and MAFF. The simulation model, which is programmed in STELLA Research 6.0 for use on a personal computer, is dynamic and stochastic.
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