Possible adjustments of suckler herd management to extensive situations

Suckler herd management, based on the maximal use of grazed or harvested gr ass, is already extensive in most situations. An appropriate change of calv ing date fits herd management to seasonal variations in food supply. When g rass production is sufficient, spring calving increases the proportion of g razed grass in the annual feed and reduces the need for harvested forages. If good forages are available for only a short time, the lactation period c an also be shortened, which splits up the requirements of the dam and the c alf. On the other hand, when grass production is low and/or grassland of po or quality, cows can calve in early winter and be dried off when turned out at pasture. Their reproductive performance is thus maintained at an accept able level. Suckler herds can contribute to the control and the maintenance of vegetation, for example by lengthening the grazing season far beyond th e period of active vegetation growth. An increase in stocking rate at certa in key periods can be used to control undesirable species efficiently. The genotypes adapted to extensive management conditions are characterized by t heir good maternal abilities, their relatively high intake capacity on roug hages and low quality grass, and their ability to mobilize then recover bod y reserves. (C) Elsevier/Inra.