Productivity and management of western Queensland's rangelands.

Abstract

This article provides a brief description of the environment of western Queensland, and details of management practices employed by graziers to economically produce meat and wool. Changes in pasture composition occasioned by grazing pressure and difference? in annual rainfall are given. Whereas Mitchell grasslands are stable, and only affected in the short-term by the usual vagaries ofweather and stock-imposed stres?, mulga rangelands are unstable, and in a continual state of flux. Stock management, timber density and weather are each, separately or combined, liable to effect changes in floristics and consequently in animal productivity. While Mitchell grass and mulga rangelands together cotnprise the bulk of Queensland rangelands, other rangelands are also discussed including those dominated by spinifex, eucalypt woodlands, gidgee and chenopod shrublands.