A systems approach to understanding the connection between farm systems resilience and pasture resilience

Authors

  • David Stevens AgResearch
  • Marie Casey PGG Wrightson Ltd
  • Paul Edwards Dairy NZ Ltd
  • Thomas Maxwell Lincoln University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33584/rps.17.2021.3467

Keywords:

adaptation, complex systems, feedback, interactions, simple rules

Abstract

Farm systems resilience in New Zealand pasture-based farming is influenced by external drivers such as environmental regulation, and internal drivers such as existence, expressed as profitability. We examine ten published case studies of farm systems change to provide insight into management interventions to these drivers and their impacts on pasture resilience. Nutrient supply was key to increasing pasture longevity, water use efficiency and animal feed supply. Manipulating water use efficiency through irrigation and legume (predominantly lucerne) use increased nitrogen use efficiency and added pasture supply for animal consumption. Monitoring the pasture supply and animal response ensured both animal feed requirements and pasture conditions for future growth were met. The
resilience of pastures was improved when monitoring guided adaptive management application to ensure whole-farm resilience.

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Published

2021-07-21

How to Cite

Stevens, D., Casey, M., Edwards, P., & Maxwell, T. (2021). A systems approach to understanding the connection between farm systems resilience and pasture resilience. NZGA: Research and Practice Series, 17, 421–432. https://doi.org/10.33584/rps.17.2021.3467

Issue

Vol. 17 (2021): Resilient Pastures Symposium

Section

Resilient Pastures Symposium 2021

License

Copyright

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Rights granted to the New Zealand Grassland Association through this agreement are non-exclusive. You are free to publish the work(s) elsewhere and no ownership is assumed by the NZGA when storing or curating an electronic version of the work(s). The author(s) will receive no monetary return from the Association for the use of material contained in the manuscript. If I am one of several co-authors, I hereby confirm that I am authorized by my co-authors to grant this Licence as their agent on their behalf. For the avoidance of doubt, this includes the rights to supply the article in electronic and online forms and systems.