This book covers the subject of grasslands used for grazing livestock. Grasslands can be split into improved and unimproved pastures (also a sub-set of rangelands). Land used for livestock industries occupy 70% agricultural land and about 40% of total land and produce 40% of agricultural gross domestic product (FAO, 2005; Steinfeld et al., 2006). Increasing populations and incomes, coupled with a change in diets and urbanisation in the developing world, is enhancing demand for pasture-based products (Devine, 2003; Schmidhuber and Shetty, 2005). For example, milk and meat production is predicted to double to just over 1 billion tonnes of milk and 465 million tonnes of meat by 2050 (Steinfeld et al., 2006). To meet these demands most effort will go into intensification of improved pastures, which translates into high stocking densities supported by large inputs of fertilisers, feed supplements and energy.

Horse Pasture Management begins with coverage of the structure, function and nutritional value of plants, continuing into identification of pasture plants. Management of soil and plants in a pasture is covered next, followed by horse grazing behavior, feed choices of horses, management of grazing horses, and how to calculate how many horses should be grazing relative to land size. Management of hay and silage are included, since year-round grazing is not possible on many horse farms. A number of chapters deal with interactions of a horse farm with the environment and other living things. As an aid in good pasture management, one chapter explains construction and use of fencing and watering systems. Contributions are rounded out with a chapter explaining how the University of Kentucky helps horse farm managers develop their pasture management programs. - The purpose of the book is to help people provide a better life for horses - Provides the basic principles of pasture management for those involved in equine-related fields and study - Covers a variety of strategies for managing the behavior, grouping, environmental, and feeding needs of grazing horses to ensure high levels of welfare and health - Includes information on environmental best practices, plant and soil assessment, and wildlife concerns - Explains pasture-related diseases and toxic plants to be avoided - Includes links to useful resources and existing extension programs

Focusing on the different types of grassland farming and their impact on the environment, this book addresses issues facing environmental quality, namely soil, water and air quality and socioeconomic impacts. It also offers a commentary on how the different pastoral sectors influence environmental issues.

Richtlijnen voor de werker in het veld om problemen te ondervangen ten aanzien van de waterkwaliteit voor irrigatie-doeleinden. Tenslotte worden praktijkervaringen uit diverse gebieden vermeld