要正确对待西部种草

Vital issues related to grass planting in western China

西部种草需要正确对待几个问题:良种不是绝对的,与环境协调发展的就是好草种;种草的效益不是单方面的,不应追求单方面的效益;人工草地是现代农业的必要组分,同时不要忽视天然草原;种草不要忽视灌木,清除灌木要慎重;种草要有必要农业投入,应该用好地种草;要以发展动物生产和饲料工业为重点,完善草地农业系统;管理是草业的命脉,应尽早达到草业生产数字化。

Several vital issues related to grass planting in western China were discussed based on the situation occurred in the practices and the authors' experience. Among the criteria used to evaluate forage species and varieties for western China adaptability should be given the first consideration due to the harsh environmental conditions in the region. Grass planting has multiple impacts. Therefore, integrated benefits balancing the ecological, economical and social impacts should be aimed to achieve, while achieving benefit in one aspect at the costs of another should be avoid. Pastures together with the vast native rangelands are both necessary components of a modern agricultural system. Improvement of the native rangelands should not be neglected. Shrubs have an unique role in maintain grassland ecosystem health in western China. Care should be taken when the decision of clear up the shrubs in rangeland is to be made. Similar as production of cereals and other crops various inputs will be needed for forage production. Both flat and sloping arable lands, not only steep slopes, should be used for forage production so that higher income could be generated from grass planting. Utilization of forages produced is also an important issue, emphasis should be given to developments of livestock production and fodder processing industry. Management is the key of success in grass planting and forage utilization. Digitization and precision agriculture should be achieved in grass planting in the near future.