Producer perceptions of pasture decline and grazing management

The improvement of the sustainability of meat and wool production in the hi gh rainfall temperate zone of Australia depends, in part, on the extension of grazing management approaches to maintain a desirable species compositio n. A survey of producers in this zone was undertaken to describe some of th e factors relevant to the adoption of grazing management practices. It was found that there is widespread concern among producers about pasture declin e. Weeds and weed control appear to play an important role in producers' pe rceptions of the problem and appropriate remedial action. Producers do not seem to doubt that grazing management might be used to maintain a desirable species composition, but substantial numbers believe that other influences , such as drought, may over-ride the capacity of grazing management to main tain a desirable species composition. The implications of these findings fo r the extension of grazing management practices to producers, are discussed .