Land resources as a basic factor in livestock carrying capacity

Abstract

This study examines qualitative differences in Irish land resources both at national and county level. Quantitative differences in the capacity of different soils for livestock production are also investigated and it is shown that intensive livestock production (> 225 L.U./100 ha.) is possible on only 44% of the land of the country. The effect of geographic location on the seasonal pattern of pasture production is examined and even within dryland areas there is a 30 day difference in target date of grazing commencement in spring. Only 16 % of holdings have above 40 livestock units, whereas 32 % are technically capable of achieving this stocking-level. At a higher target of 60 livestock units, only 11 % of holdings have above this level of stocking, whereas 19% are technically capable of achieving this target. Comparable figures for 20 and 100 livestock unit targets are also presented. In addition, recent land-use trends in relation to tillage-area and livestock numbers are examined. Over the '9S7-1974 period, the number of livestock units in the country increased by 1.94 million (44 %) while over the same period 0.6 million acres were released from tillage to grassland. The study shows that only 22% of the livestock increase could be accounted for by the contraction in tillage, suggesting that the increase was largely due to intensification on the grassland acreage.