The size, structure and efficiency of Mongolian flocks and herds on degraded grasslands

Since 1990, the number of livestock in Mongolia has more than doubled. In large areas Mongolia, grassland degradation is now a problem national concern. A survey was done 10 herders two Soums (Altanbulag and Khashaat; heavily moderately degraded, respectively) to measure animals (sheep, goats, cattle horse numbers, sex weights) grasslands (species biomass) every 3 months from April 2017 December 2018. Rainfall mostly summer mean monthly temperatures vary –20 20°C. Throughout study, herbage mass less 0.5 t dry matter/ha, below that considered sustainable for steppe. Herders had 200–1000 sheep equivalents (SE, 50 kg base weight), moved camps 2–4 times each year stocking rates varied 0.5–1 SE/ha. Female reached their mature weights by 4 years age (sheep kg, goats 40 350 horses 300 kg). Animals only grew over summer, but significant part compensatory gain >1 old. Over winter, lost 21–29% liveweight, 15–30%. The weaning rate 43–48% across species. male:female ratio (>2 old) 63%, 72%, 27% 106%. All are managed common mobs with no particular control breeding. Areas where efficiency production productivity could be improved discussed.