Integrated crop-livestock simulation models for scenario analysis and impact assessment

cg.creator.identifierPhilip Thornton: 0000-0002-1854-0182
cg.creator.identifierMario Herrero: 0000-0002-7741-5090
cg.issn0308-521Xen
cg.journalAgricultural Systemsen
cg.subject.ilriFARMING SYSTEMSen
cg.subject.ilriLIVESTOCKen
dc.contributor.authorThornton, Philip K.en
dc.contributor.authorHerrero, Marioen
dc.date.accessioned2013-05-06T06:59:55Zen
dc.date.available2013-05-06T06:59:55Zen
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/28103
dc.titleIntegrated crop-livestock simulation models for scenario analysis and impact assessmenten
dcterms.abstractDespite the fact that many smallholder farming systems in developing countries revolve around the interactions of crop and livestock enterprises, the modelling of these systems using combinations of detailed crop and livestock models is comparatively underdeveloped. A wide variety of separate crop and livestock models exists, but the nature of crop-livestock interactions, and their importance in smallholder farming systems, makes their integration difficult. Even where there is adequate understanding of the biophysical processes involved, integrated crop-livestock models may be constrained by lack of reliable data for calibration and validation. The construction from scratch of simulation models that meet the needs of one particular case is generally too costly to countenance. As for all modelling activity, the most efficient way to proceed depends on the nature of the systems under study and the precise questions that have to be addressed. We outline a framework for the integration of detailed biophysical crop and livestock simulation models. We highlight the need for minimum calibration and validation data sets, and conclude by listing various research problems that need attention. The application of robust and trustworthy crop-livestock models is critical for furthering the research agenda associated with animal agriculture in the tropics and subtropics.en
dcterms.accessRightsLimited Access
dcterms.bibliographicCitationAgricultural Systems;70(2/3): 581-602en
dcterms.extentp. 581-602en
dcterms.issued2001
dcterms.languageen
dcterms.subjectcropsen
dcterms.subjectfarming systemsen
dcterms.subjectlivestocken
dcterms.subjectsimulation modelsen
dcterms.subjectsmall farmsen
dcterms.typeJournal Article

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