ALAN HOPKINS - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by ALAN HOPKINS
Grassland Science, 2003
... Legumes may also have an important role in increas-ing the use of grassland ... permanentgras... more ... Legumes may also have an important role in increas-ing the use of grassland ... permanentgrassland is important include Alpine and other upland zones, and lowland meadows, particularly ... is likely to remain of high economic importance throughout most of Europe, a number of ...
New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 1990
Grassland supports commodity production and maintenance of soil fertility, as well as environment... more Grassland supports commodity production and maintenance of soil fertility, as well as environmental, economic and social functions beyond the farm. These include biodiversity and landscape; soil, air and water quality; recreation, rural employment and social benefits. This paper discusses whether organic grassland management delivers benefits, compared with other farming systems, within this multifunctional context, and how future land-use systems might meet a wider range of objectives.
Grass and Forage Science, 2010
Advances in Agronomy
It describes the evolution of the research programme and demonstrates the importance of sustained... more It describes the evolution of the research programme and demonstrates the importance of sustained, interdisciplinary and collaborative research. North Wyke has maintained a clear research focus, alongside an ability to adapt to changing grassland and environmental research needs and funding sources, and despite having changed affiliations on several occasions. The substantial contribution to agricultural and environmental science arising from the research station has influenced, and continues to influence farm practice, research and policy nationally and internationally. Some key topics have included nutrient cycling, farm waste management, gaseous emissions, biodiversity, grazing management, animal production (meat and milk), and forage quality. Currently, North Wyke Research Station is leading the way on taking increasingly holistic approaches to researching more efficient, sustainable approaches to grazing-livestock agricultural production. This involves the use of world-leading, facilities such as the North Wyke Farm Platform, comprising three farmlets, designed to test the productivity and environmental sustainability of contrasting temperate grassland beef and sheep systems. Future perspectives highlight key challenges facing the agricultural industry including climate change mitigation and adaptation, and the growing world population. Opportunities exist to tackle these challenges through technological advances, but also through increased integration of agricultural, environmental, economic and social research. North Wyke Research Station provides an example of a research facility where such challenges can be addressed.
Cuttle, S. P., Hopkins, A. (2001). Effect of level of feed importation on the nutrient budgets of... more Cuttle, S. P., Hopkins, A. (2001). Effect of level of feed importation on the nutrient budgets of two organic dairy systems. Pages 256-258 in: Isselstein, J., Spatz, G., Hofmann, M. (Eds.) Grassland science in Europe, 6. European grassland Federation. Organic Grassland Farming. Proceedings of the European Grassland Federation International Occasional Symposium, Witzenhausen, Germany, 10-12 July 2001.
The Journal of Agricultural Science, 2006
In temperate regions, grassland provides most of the feed requirements for ruminants. Its managem... more In temperate regions, grassland provides most of the feed requirements for ruminants. Its management has implications for landscape and environmental quality as well as agricultural production. The present paper reviews the key developments in grassland management, production and utilization during the 20th century, focusing primarily on the UK but drawing on research and practice from other areas. Increased production from grassland has arisen from improved understanding of soil and plant nutrition, plant physiology and cultivar improvement, while improved understanding of feed evaluation, ruminant nutrition, grazing management and silage technology have contributed to increased utilization of grassland under grazing and cutting. Permanent and long-term swards occupied most of the total grassland area at both the beginning and end of the century, but inputs of nitrogen resulted in greatly increased herbage production, particularly from the 1960s; this, combined with reseeding and e...
Grass and Forage Science, 2007
Grass and Forage Science, 1990
The productivity of permanent swards of mixed species composition was compared with that of sown ... more The productivity of permanent swards of mixed species composition was compared with that of sown Lolium perenne, cv. Melle at five fertilizer-N rates (0, 150, 300, 450 and 900 kg N ha"') and with L. perenne/Trifolium repens, cv. Grasslands Huia at 0 kg N ha"'. The investigation was conducted under two cutting frequencies at sixteen sites in England and Wales, representing a range of grassland environments. Annual total herbage dry matter (DM) production from both permanent and reseeded swards increased with successive increments of fertilizer-N up to 450 kg N ha"'. Herbage DM production from reseeded swards in the firsl year after sowing was signficantly higher than from the permanent swards, at all fertilizer-N treatments. In subsequent years the production advantage of the L. perenne reseeds was maintained only at the higher N rates, though sown L. perenne/T. repens was the most productive sward type at 0 N. Average differences in modified acid-detergent fibre suggested small advantages in herbage quality to the reseeded swards. [t is concluded that, while reseeded swards are more productive in the year after sowing, many permanent swards are capable of high levels of production and that reseeding to a L. perenne
Grassland Science, 2003
... Legumes may also have an important role in increas-ing the use of grassland ... permanentgras... more ... Legumes may also have an important role in increas-ing the use of grassland ... permanentgrassland is important include Alpine and other upland zones, and lowland meadows, particularly ... is likely to remain of high economic importance throughout most of Europe, a number of ...
New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 1990
Grassland supports commodity production and maintenance of soil fertility, as well as environment... more Grassland supports commodity production and maintenance of soil fertility, as well as environmental, economic and social functions beyond the farm. These include biodiversity and landscape; soil, air and water quality; recreation, rural employment and social benefits. This paper discusses whether organic grassland management delivers benefits, compared with other farming systems, within this multifunctional context, and how future land-use systems might meet a wider range of objectives.
Grass and Forage Science, 2010
Advances in Agronomy
It describes the evolution of the research programme and demonstrates the importance of sustained... more It describes the evolution of the research programme and demonstrates the importance of sustained, interdisciplinary and collaborative research. North Wyke has maintained a clear research focus, alongside an ability to adapt to changing grassland and environmental research needs and funding sources, and despite having changed affiliations on several occasions. The substantial contribution to agricultural and environmental science arising from the research station has influenced, and continues to influence farm practice, research and policy nationally and internationally. Some key topics have included nutrient cycling, farm waste management, gaseous emissions, biodiversity, grazing management, animal production (meat and milk), and forage quality. Currently, North Wyke Research Station is leading the way on taking increasingly holistic approaches to researching more efficient, sustainable approaches to grazing-livestock agricultural production. This involves the use of world-leading, facilities such as the North Wyke Farm Platform, comprising three farmlets, designed to test the productivity and environmental sustainability of contrasting temperate grassland beef and sheep systems. Future perspectives highlight key challenges facing the agricultural industry including climate change mitigation and adaptation, and the growing world population. Opportunities exist to tackle these challenges through technological advances, but also through increased integration of agricultural, environmental, economic and social research. North Wyke Research Station provides an example of a research facility where such challenges can be addressed.
Cuttle, S. P., Hopkins, A. (2001). Effect of level of feed importation on the nutrient budgets of... more Cuttle, S. P., Hopkins, A. (2001). Effect of level of feed importation on the nutrient budgets of two organic dairy systems. Pages 256-258 in: Isselstein, J., Spatz, G., Hofmann, M. (Eds.) Grassland science in Europe, 6. European grassland Federation. Organic Grassland Farming. Proceedings of the European Grassland Federation International Occasional Symposium, Witzenhausen, Germany, 10-12 July 2001.
The Journal of Agricultural Science, 2006
In temperate regions, grassland provides most of the feed requirements for ruminants. Its managem... more In temperate regions, grassland provides most of the feed requirements for ruminants. Its management has implications for landscape and environmental quality as well as agricultural production. The present paper reviews the key developments in grassland management, production and utilization during the 20th century, focusing primarily on the UK but drawing on research and practice from other areas. Increased production from grassland has arisen from improved understanding of soil and plant nutrition, plant physiology and cultivar improvement, while improved understanding of feed evaluation, ruminant nutrition, grazing management and silage technology have contributed to increased utilization of grassland under grazing and cutting. Permanent and long-term swards occupied most of the total grassland area at both the beginning and end of the century, but inputs of nitrogen resulted in greatly increased herbage production, particularly from the 1960s; this, combined with reseeding and e...
Grass and Forage Science, 2007
Grass and Forage Science, 1990
The productivity of permanent swards of mixed species composition was compared with that of sown ... more The productivity of permanent swards of mixed species composition was compared with that of sown Lolium perenne, cv. Melle at five fertilizer-N rates (0, 150, 300, 450 and 900 kg N ha"') and with L. perenne/Trifolium repens, cv. Grasslands Huia at 0 kg N ha"'. The investigation was conducted under two cutting frequencies at sixteen sites in England and Wales, representing a range of grassland environments. Annual total herbage dry matter (DM) production from both permanent and reseeded swards increased with successive increments of fertilizer-N up to 450 kg N ha"'. Herbage DM production from reseeded swards in the firsl year after sowing was signficantly higher than from the permanent swards, at all fertilizer-N treatments. In subsequent years the production advantage of the L. perenne reseeds was maintained only at the higher N rates, though sown L. perenne/T. repens was the most productive sward type at 0 N. Average differences in modified acid-detergent fibre suggested small advantages in herbage quality to the reseeded swards. [t is concluded that, while reseeded swards are more productive in the year after sowing, many permanent swards are capable of high levels of production and that reseeding to a L. perenne