More informed decisions for livestock keepers in dry areas. Validated RNRRS Output.

Abstract

This is one of 280 summaries describing key outputs from the projects run by DFID's 10-year Renewable Natural Resources Research Strategy (RNRRS) programmes.

Summary for Project titles: R6984: Environmental variability and productivity of semi-arid grazing systems and R8476: Environmental variability and productivity of semi-arid grazing systems.

Decision-support tools have now been developed to help decision makers and livestock keepers address the difficult question of how to cope in semi-arid areas where forage levels can fall to critically low levels. Deciding how to manage livestock in these areas, and how many animals to keep, are difficult choices when rainfall cannot be predicted from one year to the next. This means that you can't be sure that there will be enough grazing for your livestock. Using tools like the SimSAGS Decision Support System will make it easier to balance the many factors that have to be taken into account when keeping livestock in areas where rainfall is very variable.

The CD has the following information for this output: Description, Validation, Current Situation, Current Promotion, Impacts On Poverty, Environmental Impact. Attached PDF (14 pp.) taken from the CD.

Citation

LPP23, New technologies, new processes, new policies: tried-and-tested and ready-to-use results from DFID-funded research, Research Into Use Programme, Aylesford, Kent, UK, ISBN 978-0-9552595-6-2, p 64.

Published 1 January 2007