Resource Assessment and Modeling

GMS has conducted numerous forage assessments for commercial ranches to help determine proper stocking rates for livestock, wildlife and exotic game. Using a unique set of assessment and computer tools, GMS is capable of providing maps of resources, assessment of desired stocking level and grazing management systems, including livestock husbandry and nutritional management. Among the tools used are the new GSAT - Grazingland Spatial Analysis Tool, POPMIX – Mixed Animal Stocking Calculator, GAAT – Grazingland Alternative Analysis Tool and several GIS and statistical analysis tools. GMS also has the capability to model forage production and animal production using sophisticated biophysical models including the PHYGROW Phytomass Growth Model that models how weather and grazing populations affect the availability of forage over long periods of time in response to weather and selective grazing. The NUTBAL nutritional balance analyzer is a tool that allows assessment of the nutritional status of free-grazing animals through the integration of fecal NIRS profiling. Least cost feeding solutions are possible with this system.