Responsible use of exotic tropical pasture cultivars - An ecological framework

Exotic pasture cultivars have provided considerable economic benefits to Australia but, in recent years, some have attracted criticism for their environmental impacts and a number have been labelled environmental weeds. Colonising ability and high yields associated with the capacity to dominate vegetation are important characteristics of pasture cultivars as well as characteristics of environmental weeds. Responsible use will consider environmental impacts as well as agronomic performance and economic benefits. This will involve consideration of: which areas to sow; the characteristics to select for in exotic species; the development of native cultivars; and appropriate management systems. Future use will involve trade-offs and sacrifices and there will always be some risk, but this could be reduced so that benefits can be captured and unwanted environmental effects minimised.