A model-farm approach to research on crop-livestock integration — I. Conceptual framework and methods

Abstract

For several decades better crop-livestock integration of farming systems in West Asia and North Africa has been promoted as a way to improve crop and livestock output. To achieve this integration, pasture or forage legumes are usually introduced into rotations or grown on fallow land. This paper reports the conceptual framework and methods used in a six-year on-station project which used model farms to investigate the benefits of closer crop-livestock integration and improved husbandry practices. Three farm types were compared. One consisted of a model farm, experimental sheep flock and natural pasture managed using traditional (T) practices. The second had the same enterprise combination but rotations that allowed better integration (I) of the crop and sheep enterprises which were subjected to improved management practices. The third farm type consisted of a sheep flock and natural pasture, with poor (C, control) management practices being applied to the sheep flock. The model farms and experimental flocks were managed by researchers.