Review of productivity decline in sown grass pastures

The Review of productivity decline in sown grass pastures project looked at the use of legumes to improve degraded pastures and made recommendations about targeting research, development and extension to enhance their productivity and reliability of establishment.

Summary

Productivity decline in sown grass pastures was widespread in northern Australia and reduces production by approximately 50%. The economic impact of the decline was estimated at over $17B over the next 30 years. Graziers, the seed industry and researchers were concerned that this rundown would continue.

This report recommends that Meat and Livestock Australia (and other agencies) invest in targeted research, development and extension (R,D&E) to mitigate the effects of pasture rundown. The returns from effectively reducing the impact of pasture productivity decline are thought to be significant.

When: 1 March 2010 to 1 September 2010

Contact: Gavin Peck

Collaborator: Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

More information

To learn more about this review, please read the final report summary and download the final report (B.NBP.0624) (PDF, 2.0 MB) from Meat & Livestock Australia.