Ráðunautafundur - 15.02.1989, Page 33

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general principles are known, the detailed information necessary for management is
limited.
CONCLUSION
British rangeland together with hill farming systems in general are changing gear
and direction. Emphasis on increasing productivity which has prevailed for many
years is no longer tenable in face of mounting surplus production within the
European Community. In future a more flexible approach involving alternative
systems to, or in combination with, agriculture will be adopted. Increased emphasis
on conservation and environmental aspects will occur and will affect decisions in
both agriculture and forestry. Not only is the country facing change in economic
policy but climatic change looms on the horizon and the consequences of acid
deposition are being experienced is surface waters and in vegetation.
At no time more than the present is there need for a well founded integrated
research input into these regions if sensible land use systems are to develop.
Unfortunately it occurs at a time when British research is being contracted. It is
not too dramatic to say, however, that the answer to ... rangeland for ever? will
depend on such research being accomplished.
REFERENCE
Alcock, M.B., Clark, H. & Harvey, A., 1986. The implications of sward height for
animal and herbagge production from perennial ryegrass swards. In Crazing (ed. J.
Frame). British Grassl. Soc. Symp. No. 19: 105-113.
Bunce, R.G.H. & Barr, C.J., 1988. The extent of land under different management
regimes in the uplands and their potential for change. In Ecological change in the
uplands (ed. M.B. Usher and D.B.A. Thompson). British Ecological Soc. Symposium
No. 7, Sept 1987: 415-426.
Evison, S.P. & Thomas, T.H., 1988. The diversification of upland farms in Wales into
environmentally acceptable small scale productive woodlands. (In press).
FC, 1988. The new Grant system for tree planting in the U.K. Forestry Commission
Paper No. 2.
Goodier, R. 1985. Nature conservation in the hills. In Vegetation management in
Northern Britain (ed. R.B. Murray). British Crop Protection Council: 55-70.
Grant, S. & Barthram, 1988. Investigate the manipulation of clover content in grazed
swards and the effects on herbage production. In (Mluri) Annul Report 1987: 90-91.
HFRO, 1979. Science and hill farming - Hill Farming Research Organisation.
Hodgson, J., Mackie, C.H. & Parker, J.W.G., 1986. Sward surface height for efficient
grazing. Grass Farmer 24: 5-10.
Hughes, R.E., Dale, J., Mountford, M.D. & Ellis Williams, I., 1975. Studies in sheep
populations and environment in the mountains of North-West Wales. II Contemporary