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September 22, 1995

TO:      Those with an Interest in Models of Grazing Systems
FROM: Otto J. Loewer
            Agricultural & Biological Engineering Department
            University of Florida
            voice: 904-392-1864
            fax: 904-392-4092
             email: loewer@agen.ufl.edu
             http:\\www.agen.ufl.edu

RE:     GRAZE Software Package and Supporting Publications

I wish to make known to you the availability of a beef-forage selective
grazing model called GRAZE.  This model had its beginnings in the late
1970's as part of the Kentucky BEEF modeling effort.  It is a very large
(15,000 lines of code) and complex model.  GRAZE incorporates
physiologically based plant and beef animal submodels developed by
agricultural scientists from 25 states working as part of three regional
research projects: S-156 and NC-114 and S-221.  The effects of environment
on both plants and animals are considered as is animal selectivity of
pasture.  The selectivity portion of the model is based on the premise that
the beef animal attempts to maximize its digestible dry matter intake rate.
Output from the model relates to plant growth, plant utilization and animal
performance.  GRAZE Version 2.3 was released to the public in April, 1995,
and may be downloaded free of charge via the world wide web from the home
page of the University of Florida Agricultural & Biological Engineering
Department (URL address: http:\\www.agen.ufl.edu).  Supporting publications
(User Guide and Case Study referenced below) with diskettes may be obtained
from: Agricultural Publications, AGRI 110, University of Arkansas,
Fayetteville, AR, 72701.  There is a $4.00 handling charge.  Efforts to
expand GRAZE by adding to its utility and credibility are continuing. A
Windows version (Version 3.0) is being developed which should be available
next year. 

Supporting Publications:

Loewer, O.J., and L.D. Parsch. 1995. (editors) GRAZE Beef-Forage Simulation
Model: Case Studies. Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin 381B. University
of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR.

Parsch, L.D. and O.J. Loewer. 1995. (editors) GRAZE Beef-Forage Simulation
Model: User's Guide. Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin 381A. University
of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR.

I also wish to inform you that a new regional information exchange group
SERA-IEG-21 "Use of Forage-Animal Models in Resource Management" has been
approved.  However, the time, place and agenda for the first meeting has not
been set.  I'll let you know when I get the details.

Best regards,
Otto Loewer