Producer perceptions of pasture decline and grazing management

The improvement of the sustainability of meat and wool production in the high rainfall temperate zone of Australia depends, in part, on the extension of grazing management approaches to maintain a desirable species composition. A survey of producers in this zone was undertaken to describe some of the factors relevant to the adoption of grazing management practices. It was found that there is widespread concern among producers about pasture decline. Weeds and weed control appear to play an important role in producers' perceptions 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 maintain a desirable species composition. The implications of these findings for the extension of grazing management practices to producers, are discussed.