Setting long term stock carrying capacities for arid rangelands is a problem faced by many arid land administrators throughout Australia. Large fluctuations in seasonal conditions, highly variable land types and various condition states are some of the factors that influence the capacity of the land to carry stock. In South Australia the new Pastoral Land Management and Conservation Act 1989 provides a legislative framework for the evaluation of carrying capacities based on objective scientific assessment of land condition. Management practices and stocking rates of leases assessed as being in good condition provide evidence of long term carrying capacities of various pasture types throughout a district, and these leases are used as benchmarks for establishing land management guidelines for the district. A critical component is the assessment of land condition. The methodology developed and applied in the first district to be assessed is described, and could be adopted for use in other rangeland environments.
Full-text publications from the Australian Rangelands Society (ARS) Biennial Conference Proceedings (1997-), Rangeland Journal (ARS/CSIRO; 1976-), plus videos and other resources about the rangelands of Australia.