Evaluating pasture breeding objectives using computer models

Abstract The advent of generic pasture growth models, where biological responses are represented mechanistically rather than by empirical regressions, provides plant breeders with powerful new tools for assessing the potential impact of their breeding objectives on the profitability of grazing systems. The use of the GRAZPLAN computer models for evaluating breeding strategies is illustrated with case studies for enhanced winter growth and reduced maturation rate, and the benefit of increasing the legume content of a pasture. These examples show that the effect of pasture improvement on profitability will usually depend on whether grazing management is adjusted to take advantage of the improvement.