Open AccessLivestock feed intake assumptions in decision support tools; A stocktake of the current science and assumptions used by livestock models
Author(s) -
Poppy Frater,
Steve Howarth,
Gary McEwen
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of new zealand grasslands
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.179
H-Index - 2
eISSN - 2463-2880
pISSN - 2463-2872
DOI - 10.33584/jnzg.2015.77.477
Subject(s) - livestock , pasture , grazing , environmental resource management , business , environmental science , ecology , biology
Decision Support Tools (DSTs) and models are becoming increasingly important to make informed decisions. The aim of this review was to understand how the scientific assumptions behind related pasture-based DSTs used in New Zealand interrelate. Using modelled feed intake of grazing sheep as a case study, we reviewed the metabolisable energy (ME) assumptions of relevant New Zealand models. Although the DSTs were largely dependent on a common model, there were some discrepancies between them. We raise two concerns: 1. In New Zealand, pasture-based livestock models to predict ME intake are highly dependent on equations developed in Australia, not validated in New Zealand. 2. The minor discrepancies between models make collaboration difficult - this is particularly pertinent to farmer-targeted DSTs. Closer collaboration between DST companies and research institutions is required to agree on consistent, robust equations aligned with the latest scientific knowledge.