Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (Mar 2021)

GRASSLAND AGRICULTURE IN CHINA—A REVIEW

  • Fujiang HOU, Qianmin JIA, Shanning LOU, Chuntao YANG, Jiao NING, Lan LI, Qingshan FAN

DOI
https://doi.org/10.15302/J-FASE-2020378
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 1
pp. 35 – 44

Abstract

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<List> <ListItem><ItemContent><p>• Grassland-based livestock production systems cover large areas in China.</p></ItemContent></ListItem> <ListItem><ItemContent><p>• China is facing degradation of rangeland and has great shortage of forage.</p></ItemContent></ListItem> <ListItem><ItemContent><p>• Five types of mixed crop-livestock systems in China described.</p></ItemContent></ListItem> <ListItem><ItemContent><p>• Improving crop–livestock integration requires ST and policy supports.</p></ItemContent></ListItem></List></p> <fig><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="2095-7505-8-1-35/fase-20378-hfj-tu1.jpg"/><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="2095-7505-8-1-35/FASE-20378-HFJ-tu1.tif"/></fig> <p>Interactions between crops and livestock have been at the core of the evolution of many agricultural systems. In this paper, we review the development and characteristics of mixed crop-livestock systems, with a focus on grassland-based systems, as these cover large areas in China, and face several challenges. Following the transition from the original hunting and foraging systems to a sedentary lifestyle with integrated crop-livestock production systems some 8000 years ago, a range of different mixed systems have developed, depending on rainfall, solar radiation and temperature, culture and markets. We describe 5 main types of integrated systems, (1) livestock and rangeland, (2) livestock and grain production, (3) livestock and crop – grassland rotations, (4) livestock, crops and forest (silvo-pasture), and (5) livestock, crops and fish ponds. Next, two of these mixed systems are described in greater detail, i.e., the mountain-oasis-desert system and its modifications in arid and semi-arid regions, and the integrated crop-livestock production systems on the Loess Plateau. In general, crop-livestock interactions in integrated systems have significant positive effects on crop production, livestock production, energy use efficiency and economic profitability. We conclude that improved integration of crop-livestock production systems is one of the most important ways for achieving a more sustainable development of animal agriculture in China.

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