Scientific herding improves yield, environment
Release time：2024-05-21 16:30:16 Source：Stellar Space news portal
-
LANZHOU, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Jing Xiaoping has set his "lab" on the vast grassland in northwest China's Gansu Province. The 33-year-old postdoctoral fellow, together with several of his schoolmates at Lanzhou University's College of Ecology, fed yaks with well-proportioned forage deep in the meadow in Maqu County. One of them could easily lift a huge pack of forage, while another could proficiently drive an electric tricycle. Located at the northeastern tip of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Maqu, meaning "the Yellow River" in the Tibetan language, is a primary area of water conservation in the upper reaches of the Yellow River. The wetland in Maqu covers an area of more than 373,000 hectares. Jing's team has been conducting research in Maqu since July of this year. Members of the team stay in nearby herders' homes and work in local sheep and yak sheds. They use straw, wheat bran and bean pulp to optimize the forage and breeding techniques for different rearing modes, aiming to lower the cost and maintain the meat quality. "Sheep and yaks are the main source of income for local herders. As the breeding methods are changing, the need for fodder is also increasing," Jing said. Over the years, the county had suffered from intensified desertification and severe grassland degradation caused by over-grazing. Tenzin Gurmey was born into a family that has been herding for generations. "Almost every household in the nearby villages raises yaks and sheep here. The soaring numbers of cattle and sheep used to affect the quality of the grass and reduced income in the past," he recalled. Since 2011, grazing restrictions and bans have been imposed on approximately 853,000 hectares of grassland, with herders receiving compensations totaling more than 450 million yuan (about 63.4 million U.S. dollars). Jing and his team members also work in a large yak breeding base located near the Yellow River. The base is equipped with modern sheds, a thermostatic water bath and a supplementary feeding room. The breeding base, which the local government has invested in, can manage nearly 10,000 yaks. During the warmer seasons, the yaks are herded in the pasture, while during the colder seasons, they are bred in sheds. The base helps four family ranches and two cooperatives to engage in the semi-intensive breeding and grazing method. The renewed breeding method is not only environmentally friendly but also conducive to the breeding rate. Tenzin Gurmey, also head of the breeding base, stated that yaks used to give birth every two or three years, but now once a year. He has planned to purchase another batch of yaks for breeding. "The yaks can be sold at a better price at the upcoming Spring Festival," said Tenzin Gurmey.
（Editor:Liao Yifan）
- Previous：Saudi Arabia is going to sponsor the WTA women's tennis rankings under a new partnership
- Next：The government wants to buy their flood
Related articles
- French sports minister calls for sanctions after Monaco player tapes over anti
- Advocates say Supreme Court must preserve new, mostly Black US House district for 2024 elections
- Nationals' Trevor Williams, four relievers combine to blank Rangers 1
- Prince William and Kate Middleton's never
- Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. to lead Indianapolis 500 field in Corvette pace car
- Prince William and Kate Middleton's never
- Boxer Ryan Garcia denies using performance
- Eva Longoria looks much younger than her 49 years in a strapless, figure
- Company wins court ruling to continue development of Michigan factory serving EV industry
- New Big 12 out to prove bigger bank accounts don't always mean better football teams in 12
- Britain's new bonkers EV: Callum Skye is an £80k electric buggy built in Warwickshire
- China ready to strengthen high
- Arizona will repeal its 1864 abortion ban. Democrats are still planning to use it against Trump
- At least 15 killed in Israeli airstrikes on Rafah
- French sports minister calls for sanctions after Monaco player tapes over anti
- Sex offender asks Norway's Supreme Court to declare social media access is a human right
- Bloody brawl breaks out at Massachusetts courthouse between families of 36
- Champions League semifinal: Füllkrug fires Dortmund to 1
- Supreme Court rejects an appeal from a Canadian man once held at Guantanamo
- Say hello (again) to EA Sports College Football. The beloved video
Random recommendation
Las Vegas Aces sell out a WNBANicola Coughlan wows in a scarlet leather dress and corset as she reunites with Bridgerton coTexas Gov. Greg Abbott gave few pardons before rushing to clear Army officer who killed a protesterNelson Cruz hired by MLB as special adviser for baseball operationsFormer top Baltimore prosecutor applies for presidential pardonMichigan lawmakers get final revenue estimates as they push to finalize the state budgetAI, digital technologies inject new impetus to cultural tourism boomShohei Ohtani Day to be annual event in Los Angeles for duration of his Dodgers careerWest Virginia governor calls special session for school funding amid FAFSA issues, other proposalsThe Dow closed above 40,000. What it means for your 401(k)
- Copyright © 2024 Powered by Scientific herding improves yield, environment ,Stellar Space news portal sitemap