MCU14/0028 Appendix 1Techno-grazing

36                                       Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association 63:   33–36   (2001)



surface” of the system’s capacity. The inherent            REFERENCES
replication within the system gives it huge potential
for scientific research. Pasture systems are so complex    Brougham, R.W. 1970. Frequency and intensity of
that the only way to establish the effectiveness of any       grazing and their effects on pasture production.
new approach, such as pasture cultivars, endophyte            Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Associ-
strains, fertility treatments, and animal genetics, is        ation 32: 137–144.
through a replicated farmlet-scale trial, and Techno-      Brougham, R.W.; Causley, D.C.; Madgwick, L.E. 1975.
Grazing offers a perfect template for this approach.          Pasture management systems and animal pro-
    The terms “intensive” and “sustainable” are usually       duction. Proceedings of the Ruakura Farmers
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generally synthetic, non-biological approach. While           New Zealand. Proceedings of the XV International
TechnoGrazing is intensive in terms of subdivision            Grassland Congress, Kyoto, Japan: 1134–1136.
and stocking rate, and can be practised intensively in     Ogle, G.; Tither, P. 2000. An analysis of the risks and
that less desirable sense, there is nothing to compel         benefits of beef intensification. Proceedings of the
farmers to do that, and every reason not to.                  New Zealand Grassland Association 62: 25–29.
    Pasture-based ruminant protein production is           Rhodes, A.P.; Mackay, A.D.; Lambert, M.G.; Krausse,
relatively natural, healthy, safe and sustainable, and        M.K.; Willis, B.H.; Withell, B. 1999. Dirty habits
logically, New Zealand farmers should play that               – a basis for developing sustainable productivity.
marketing card. Good chemical-free production needs           Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Associ-
precision management of animal nutrition, pasture             ation 61: 79–83.
rotations and specialist forages – the very things that    Taylor, Marie 2001. “Income of $2000/ha in Bay.” The
TechnoGrazing offers. Even under organic production           New Zealand Farmer 123: 18.
rules, TechnoGrazing can achieve very high productivity                                                          !
without “mining” the environment.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors thank the farmers named above, who co-
operated with them by supplying relevant information
and hosting visits to see the systems in operation.