Designing Integrated Systems for the Low Rainfall Zone Based on Grazed Forage Shrubs with a Managed Interrow

Managed plantations of saltbush have the potential to increase productivity and climate resilience farming systems low rainfall areas world, where livestock are important. The objective was dynamically simulate behaviour grazing with a new modelling capacity in APSIM framework enable dynamic forage systems. Scenarios simulated included: choice plant species growing interrow area between shrub-rows, density spatial arrangement, locations different climates soils, strategy by sheep. Comparisons scenarios across were insightful during years when shrub high value (i.e., driest/lowest 20% simulation period). Overall, efficient shrubs dry sheep little supplementary feeding, required availability large amount quality interrow. Shrub an standing oats least supplementation. Summer optimal time for years. Plantations more relative increased need feeding but reduced variation This is one first uses explore system designs that maximise plus