Register      Login
The Rangeland Journal The Rangeland Journal Society
Journal of the Australian Rangeland Society
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

Factors affecting herder adoption of winter lambing practices in the desert steppe region of Inner Mongolia, China

Yantin Yin A C , Zhen Wang A C , Xiliang Li A , Colin Langford B , Xiangjun Yun A , Huaibin Mu A and Xiangyang Hou A D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Institute of Grassland Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Huhhot, Inner Mongolia 010010, China.

B Graham Centre for Innovation, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2800, Australia.

C Two authors contributed equally to this manuscript.

D Corresponding author. Email: houxy16@vip.126.com

The Rangeland Journal 40(1) 65-75 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ17068
Submitted: 27 June 2017  Accepted: 17 November 2017   Published: 22 January 2018

Journal compilation © Australian Rangeland Society 2018 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND

Abstract

Although winter lambing practices (WL) have been shown to be a ‘win-win’ strategy for reducing the degradation of grasslands and improving herder livelihood in the pastoral regions of China, the adoption rate is still low. A survey was conducted to explore herders’ opinions of WL and other factors which influenced the adoption in the desert steppe region of Inner Mongolia, China. Herders who have spring lambing practices generally hold unfavourable opinions about WL. Most have only heard about WL but did not understand the detailed information of implementation or how it increases income. Herder ethnical background, distance to market and neighbours’ choices significantly affected the adoption rate. Han herders were more likely to adopt WL than Mongolian herders. Proximity to market led herders to be more market-focused and to adopt WL. Herders were more inclined to make the same choices as their neighbours. The results showed that herders were prepared to change and were carefully assessing the gains and losses of adopting WL. Results had implications for improving the adoption rate for WL and other livestock management practices in China.

Additional keywords: adoption, China, lambing time, land degradation, neighbourhood effect.


References

Abebe, G. K., Bijman, J., Pascucci, S., and Omta, O. (2013). Adoption of improved potato varieties in Ethiopia: The role of agricultural knowledge and innovation system and smallholder herders’ quality assessment. Agricultural Systems 122, 22–32.
Adoption of improved potato varieties in Ethiopia: The role of agricultural knowledge and innovation system and smallholder herders’ quality assessment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Adesina, A. A., Mbila, D., Nkamleu, G. B., and Endamana, D. (2000). Econometric analysis of the determinants of adoption of alley farming by herders in the forest zone of southwest Cameroon. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 80, 255–265.
Econometric analysis of the determinants of adoption of alley farming by herders in the forest zone of southwest Cameroon.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Adjognon, S., and Liverpool-Tasie, L. (2015) Spatial neighborhood effects in agricultural technology adoption: evidence from Nigeria. In: ‘2015 Conference of the International Association of Agricultural Economists No. 210934’. Milan, Italy. (International Association of Agricultural Economists: Milan, Italy.) Available at: http://purl.umn.edu/210934

Amsalu, A., and De Graaff, J. (2007). Determinants of adoption and continued use of stone terraces for soil and water conservation in an Ethiopian highland watershed. Ecological Economics 61, 294–302.
Determinants of adoption and continued use of stone terraces for soil and water conservation in an Ethiopian highland watershed.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Anley, Y., Bogale, A., and Haile-Gabriel, A. (2007). Adoption decision and use intensity of soil and water conservation measures by smallholder subsistence herders in Dedo District, Western Ethiopia. Land Degradation & Development 18, 289–302.
Adoption decision and use intensity of soil and water conservation measures by smallholder subsistence herders in Dedo District, Western Ethiopia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Asafu-Adjaye, J. (2008). Factors affecting the adoption of soil conservation measures: a case study of Fijian cane herders. Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics 33, 99–117.

Barrow, C. J., Chan, N. W., and Masron, T. B. (2010). Farming and other stakeholders in a tropical highland: towards less environmentally damaging and more sustainable practices. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 34, 365–388.
Farming and other stakeholders in a tropical highland: towards less environmentally damaging and more sustainable practices.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bekele, W., and Drake, L. (2003). Soil and water conservation decision behavior of subsistence herders in the eastern highlands of Ethiopia: a case study of the Hunde-Lafto area. Ecological Economics 46, 437–451.
Soil and water conservation decision behavior of subsistence herders in the eastern highlands of Ethiopia: a case study of the Hunde-Lafto area.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Brown, C., Waldron, S., Yuman, L., and Longworth, J. (2009). Forage-livestock policies designed to improve livelihoods in western China: a critical review. China Agricultural Economic Review 1, 367–381.
Forage-livestock policies designed to improve livelihoods in western China: a critical review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXivFaqsrY%3D&md5=b42c314029b8d2183ee05ca8fb36c88cCAS |

Cao, J., Yeh, E. T., Holden, N. M., Yang, Y., and Du, G. (2013). The effects of enclosures and land-use contracts on rangeland degradation on the Qinghai–Tibetan plateau. Journal of Arid Environments 97, 3–8.
The effects of enclosures and land-use contracts on rangeland degradation on the Qinghai–Tibetan plateau.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Caviglia-Harris, J. L. (2003). Sustainable agricultural practices in rondonia, Brazil: do local herder organizations affect adoption rates? Economic Development and Cultural Change 52, 23–49.
Sustainable agricultural practices in rondonia, Brazil: do local herder organizations affect adoption rates?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Chao, L., Wei, L., and Wang, M. F. (2002). Grazing comparison test in the early growing season of Stipa krylovii Roshev grassland. Journal of Neimongol Prataculture 14, 42–45.

Chen, Q. H. (2010). Herdsmen’ livestock production and management behavior and its influencing factors in ecologically sensitive grassland areas. Journal of Agrotechnical Economics , 65–75.

Chen, J., and Luo, D. (2007). Report on the ecological management and anti-poverty programs investigation in Sunite Right Banner, Inner Mongolia. Northern Economy 21, 29–35.
| 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhvFKgurk%3D&md5=a685cdaf45aa062c9ef2a1823f37930aCAS |

Cong, Y., An, S., and Chen, M. (2014). Analysis of the effect of sheep production efficiency on different supplementary feeding and lambing times in the middle pastoral area of northward slope of Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang in cold season. Xinjiang Agricultural Sciences 51, 1706–1710.

Conley, T. G., and Udry, C. R. (2010). Learning about a new technology: Pineapple in Ghana. The American Economic Review 100, 35–69.
Learning about a new technology: Pineapple in Ghana.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

D’Emden, F. H., Llewellyn, R. S., and Burton, M. P. (2008). Factors influencing adoption of conservation tillage in Australian cropping regions. The Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics 52, 169–182.
Factors influencing adoption of conservation tillage in Australian cropping regions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

De Janvry, A., Sadoulet, E., and Zhu, N. (2005). The role of non-farm incomes in reducing rural poverty and inequality in China. In: ‘CUDARE Working Paper 1001’. (University of California: Berkeley, CA.) Available at: https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7ts2z766.

Dyer, M., DeAngelis, D., and Post, W. (1986). A model of herbivore feedback on plant productivity. Mathematical Biosciences 79, 171–184.
A model of herbivore feedback on plant productivity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Elkind, P. D. (1993). Correspondence between knowledge, attitudes, and behavior in farm health and safety practices. Journal of Safety Research 24, 171–179.
Correspondence between knowledge, attitudes, and behavior in farm health and safety practices.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Floyd, C., Harding, A.-H., Paudel, K. C., Rasali, D. P., Subedi, K., and Subedi, P. P. (2003). Household adoption and the associated impact of multiple agricultural technologies in the western hills of Nepal. Agricultural Systems 76, 715–738.
Household adoption and the associated impact of multiple agricultural technologies in the western hills of Nepal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Gegentu, , Jia, Y. S., Li, Q. F., and Narisu, (2006). The research on the forage supplying module on the grassland during the delaying and resting grazing periods. Chinese Journal of Grassland 28, 60–65.

Godoy, R., Franks, J. R., and Claudio, M. A. (1998). Adoption of modern agricultural technologies by lowland indigenous groups in Bolivia: the role of households, villages, ethnicity, and markets. Human Ecology 26, 351–369.
Adoption of modern agricultural technologies by lowland indigenous groups in Bolivia: the role of households, villages, ethnicity, and markets.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Grabowski, P. P., Kerr, J. M., Haggblade, S., and Kabwe, S. (2016). Determinants of adoption and disadoption of minimum tillage by cotton herders in eastern Zambia. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 231, 54–67.
Determinants of adoption and disadoption of minimum tillage by cotton herders in eastern Zambia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hammes, V., Eggers, M., Isselstein, J., and Kayser, M. (2016). The attitude of grassland herders towards nature conservation and agri-environment measures–a survey-based analysis. Land Use Policy 59, 528–535.
The attitude of grassland herders towards nature conservation and agri-environment measures–a survey-based analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Harris, R. B. (2010). Rangeland degradation on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau: a review of the evidence of its magnitude and causes. Journal of Arid Environments 74, 1–12.
Rangeland degradation on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau: a review of the evidence of its magnitude and causes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3c%2Fjs1yntQ%3D%3D&md5=67b02ef97efc01d544eb23af55e50b23CAS |

He, X.-F., Cao, H., and Li, F.-M. (2007). Econometric analysis of the determinants of adoption of rainwater harvesting and supplementary irrigation technology (RHSIT) in the semiarid Loess Plateau of China. Agricultural Water Management 89, 243–250.
Econometric analysis of the determinants of adoption of rainwater harvesting and supplementary irrigation technology (RHSIT) in the semiarid Loess Plateau of China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hou, X. Y., Han, Y., and Li, F. Y. (2012). The perception and adaptation of herdsmen to climate change and climate variability in the desert steppe region of northern China. The Rangeland Journal 34, 349–357.
The perception and adaptation of herdsmen to climate change and climate variability in the desert steppe region of northern China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hou, X., Yin, Y., Michalk, D., Yun, X., Ding, Y., Li, X., and Ren, J. (2014). Herders’ opinions about desirable stocking rates and overstocking in the rangelands of northern China. The Rangeland Journal 36, 601–610.
Herders’ opinions about desirable stocking rates and overstocking in the rangelands of northern China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hua, L., and Squires, V. R. (2015). Managing China’s pastoral lands: current problems and future prospects. Land Use Policy 43, 129–137.
Managing China’s pastoral lands: current problems and future prospects.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Jara-Rojas, R., Bravo-Ureta, B. E., and Díaz, J. (2012). Adoption of water conservation practices: A socioeconomic analysis of small-scale herders in Central Chile. Agricultural Systems 110, 54–62.
Adoption of water conservation practices: A socioeconomic analysis of small-scale herders in Central Chile.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Jia, Y. L. (2005). On the concepts and practices concerning grassland-livestock balance. Acta Agrestia Sinica 4, 265–268.

Kaiser, J. (1998). Bison prime prairie biodiversity. Science 280, 677.
Bison prime prairie biodiversity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXjtVOlur8%3D&md5=48e78cf448a0833abe619385d6180da0CAS |

Kemp, D., and Michalk, D. (2007). Towards sustainable grassland and livestock management. The Journal of Agricultural Science 145, 543–564.
Towards sustainable grassland and livestock management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Kemp, D., Guodong, H., Junk, G., Langford, C., Michalk, D., Millar, G., Takahashi, T., Zhu, X., and Mengli, Z. (2011). Demonstration farms to improve grasslands and household incomes in western China – what can be done, what are we learning. In: ‘Sustainable Development of Livestock Systems on Grasslands in North-Western China’. (Eds D. R. Kemp and D. L. Michalk.) pp. 152–161. (ACIAR Proceedings: Canberra.)

Kerschner, C., and Ehlers, M. H. (2016). A framework of attitudes towards technology in theory and practice. Ecological Economics 126, 139–151.
A framework of attitudes towards technology in theory and practice.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Li, B. (1999). Steppe degradation in northern China and preventing measures. In: ‘Collected Papers of Li Bo’. (Ed. R. G. Xu.) pp. 383–391. (Science Press: Beijing.) [in Chinese]

Li, H. (2016). [Lamb care in action] Siziwang Banner: winter and early spring lambs survived through disaster and were in good condition. Inner Mongolia Daily, Huhhot, China. [in Chinese]

Li, W. J., and Zhang, Q. (2009). ‘Unscrambling the Grassland Dilemma: Understanding Problems of Grassland Utilization and Management in Arid and Semiarid Areas.’ (Economic Science Press: Beijing.) [in Chinese]

Li, Q., Zhao, G., Zheng, M., and Armin, B. (2005). Delay grazing: a practical approach to grassland environment protection and sustainable animal production in grassland of northern China. Acta Agrestia Sinica 13, 53–66.

Li, J. P., Liu, G. X., Ma, Z. H., and Li, J. (2006). Analysis on landscape pattern of desert-steppe: a case study on Suniteyou District. Chinese Journal of Grasslands 28, 81–85.

Li, X., Yuan, Q., Wan, L., and He, F. (2008). Perspectives on livestock production systems in China. The Rangeland Journal 30, 211–220.
Perspectives on livestock production systems in China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXos1Sku74%3D&md5=4db7ed6275a72bbb1ac417225e47dc35CAS |

Li, Z., Han, G., Zhao, M., Wang, J., Wang, Z., Kemp, D. R., Michalk, D. L., Wilkes, A., Behrendt, K., Wang, H., and Langford, C. (2015). Identifying management strategies to improve sustainability and household income for herders on the desert steppe in Inner Mongolia, China. Agricultural Systems 132, 62–72.
Identifying management strategies to improve sustainability and household income for herders on the desert steppe in Inner Mongolia, China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Li, X., Li, R., Li, G., Wang, H., Li, Z., Li, X., and Hou, X. (2016). Human-induced vegetation degradation and response of soil nitrogen storage in typical steppes in Inner Mongolia, China. Journal of Arid Environments 124, 80–90.
Human-induced vegetation degradation and response of soil nitrogen storage in typical steppes in Inner Mongolia, China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Liu, Z., Wang, W., Hao, D., and Liang, C. (2002). Probes on the degeneration and recovery succession mechanisms of Inner Mongolia steppe. Ganhanqu Ziyuan Yu Huanjing 16, 84–91.
| 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38Xptlyitrk%3D&md5=621d9c6c5a3e4ea720e407edf34b9550CAS |

Marques, M. J., Bienes, R., Cuadrado, J., Ruiz-Colmenero, M., Barbero-Sierra, C., and Velasco, A. (2015). Analysing perceptions attitudes and responses of winegrowers about sustainable land management in central Spain. Land Degradation & Development 26, 458–467.
Analysing perceptions attitudes and responses of winegrowers about sustainable land management in central Spain.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Michalk, D., Kemp, D., Han, G. D., Hua, L. M., Nan, Z. B., Takahashi, T., Jianping, W., and Xu, Z. (2011). Re-designing livestock strategies to reduce stocking rates and improve incomes on western China’s grasslands. In: ‘Development of Sustainable Livestock Systems on Grasslands in North-Western China’. (Eds D. R. Kemp and D. L. Michalk.) pp. 140–151. (ACIAR Proceedings: Canberra.)

Neupane, R. P., Sharma, K. R., and Thapa, G. B. (2002). Adoption of agroforestry in the hills of Nepal: a logistic regression analysis. Agricultural Systems 72, 177–196.
Adoption of agroforestry in the hills of Nepal: a logistic regression analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Nie, C. (1997). The advantages of winter lambing. Shanxi Agriculture 8, 38.

Nkamleu, G. B., and Adesina, A. A. (2000). Determinants of chemical input use in peri-urban lowland systems: bivariate probit analysis in Cameroon. Agricultural Systems 63, 111–121.
Determinants of chemical input use in peri-urban lowland systems: bivariate probit analysis in Cameroon.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Núñez, J. T., and McCann, L. (2008). Determinants of manure application by crop herders. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 63, 312–321.
Determinants of manure application by crop herders.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Oluka, J., Owoyesigire, B., Esenu, B., and Sssewannyana, E. (2004). Small stock and women in livestock production in the Teso farming system region of Uganda. In: ‘Small Stock in Development: Proceedings of a Workshop on Enhancing the Contribution of Small Livestock to the Livelihoods of Resource-Poor Communities’. Masaka, Uganda. (Eds T. Smith, S. H. Godfrey, P. J. Buttery, E. Ssewannyana and E. Owen.) pp. 15–19. (Natural Resources International Ltd.: Aylesford, Kent, UK.)

Pender, J. L., and Kerr, J. M. (1998). Determinants of herders’ indigenous soil and water conservation investments in semi-arid India. Agricultural Economics 19, 113–125.
Determinants of herders’ indigenous soil and water conservation investments in semi-arid India.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

PGXM (2008). ‘Notice of the People’s Government of Xilinhot Municipality on Implementing Balance of Grass and Livestock and Spring Grazing System.’ (General Office, the People’s Government of Xilinhot Municipality: Xilinhot, China.) [in Chinese]

Ren, J. Z., Hu, Z. Z., Zhao, J., Zhang, D. G., Hou, F. J., Lin, H. L., and Mu, X. D. (2008). A grassland classification system and its application in China. The Rangeland Journal 30, 199–209.
A grassland classification system and its application in China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Reynolds L. (1986 ). Small ruminant production-the present situation and possible nutritional interventions for improvement. ILCA Bulletin 25: 13. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Reynolds, S. G. (2001). Sustainable development of grassland ecosystems: two case studies from China. In: ‘International Symposium on Sustainable Development of Grassland Ecosystems’. Xilinhot, Inner Mongolia, China. pp. 27–30. Available at: www.fao.org/ag/agp/AGPC/doc/Present/China/china1.htm

Sambodo, L. A. (2007). The decision making processes of semi-commercial herders: a case study of technology adoption in Indonesia. PhD Thesis, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand.

Sheehy, D. P., Thorpe, J., and Kirychuk, B. (2004). Rangeland, livestock and herders revisited in the northern pastoral region of China. In: ‘Rangelands of central Asia: Proceedings of the Conference on Transformations, Issues and Future Challenges’. 27 January 2004, Salt Lake City, UT. Proceeding RMRS-P-39. (Eds D. Bedunah, D. McArthur and M. Fernandez-Gimenez.) pp. 62–82. (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: Fort Collins, CO.)

Sidibé, A. (2005). Farm-level adoption of soil and water conservation techniques in northern Burkina Faso. Agricultural Water Management 71, 211–224.
Farm-level adoption of soil and water conservation techniques in northern Burkina Faso.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Steffens, M., Kölbl, A., Totsche, K. U., and Kögel-Knabner, I. (2008). Grazing effects on soil chemical and physical properties in a semiarid steppe of Inner Mongolia (PR China). Geoderma 143, 63–72.
Grazing effects on soil chemical and physical properties in a semiarid steppe of Inner Mongolia (PR China).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXhsVent77M&md5=6cd31268ebb169e657698d23817e3161CAS |

Subedi, M., Hocking, T. J., Fullen, M. A., McCrea, A. R., Milne, E., Wu, B., and Mitchell, D. J. (2009). An awareness-adoption matrix for strategic decision making in agricultural development projects: a case study in Yunnan province, China. Agricultural Sciences in China 8, 1112–1119.
An awareness-adoption matrix for strategic decision making in agricultural development projects: a case study in Yunnan province, China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Sulemana, I., and James, H. S. (2014). Herder identity, ethical attitudes and environmental practices. Ecological Economics 98, 49–61.
Herder identity, ethical attitudes and environmental practices.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Tenge, A. J., Okoba, B. O., and Sterk, G. (2007). Participatory soil and water conservation planning using a financial analysis tool in the West Usambara highlands of Tanzania. Land Degradation & Development 18, 321–337.
Participatory soil and water conservation planning using a financial analysis tool in the West Usambara highlands of Tanzania.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Tey, Y. S., Li, E., Bruwer, J., Abdullah, A. M., Brindal, M., Radam, A., Ismail, M. M., and Darham, S. (2014). The relative importance of factors influencing the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices: a factor approach for Malaysian vegetable herders. Sustainability Science 9, 17–29.
The relative importance of factors influencing the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices: a factor approach for Malaysian vegetable herders.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wang, X. Y. (2009). From ‘rangeland leasing’ to ‘recentralization in rangeland conservation’ — policies of rangeland conservation in north China. China Rural Survey 3, 40–95.

Wang, H. (2010). There is no one-size-fits-all policy for grassland management. China Science Daily, Beijing, China. [in Chinese]

Wang, G.J., and Liu, Y. (2006). How to increase the pastoralists’ incomes of Xilingol League? Huabei Finance 28–30. [in Chinese]

Wildemeersch, J. C. J., Timmerman, E., Mazijn, B., Sabiou, M., Ibro, G., Garba, M., and Cornelis, W. (2015). Assessing the constraints to adopt water and soil conservation techniques in Tillaberi, Niger. Land Degradation & Development 26, 491–501.
Assessing the constraints to adopt water and soil conservation techniques in Tillaberi, Niger.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Willy, D. K., and Kuhn, A. (2016). Technology adoption under variable weather conditions — the case of rain water harvesting in Lake Naivasha Basin, Kenya. Water Economics and Policy 02, 1650001–5.
Technology adoption under variable weather conditions — the case of rain water harvesting in Lake Naivasha Basin, Kenya.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wollni, M., and Andersson, C. (2014). Spatial patterns of organic agriculture adoption: evidence from Honduras. Ecological Economics 97, 120–128.
Spatial patterns of organic agriculture adoption: evidence from Honduras.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wu, B., and Pretty, J. (2004). Social connectedness in marginal rural China: The case of herder innovation circles in Zhidan, north Shaanxi. Agriculture and Human Values 21, 81–92.
Social connectedness in marginal rural China: The case of herder innovation circles in Zhidan, north Shaanxi.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXhs1ejsbc%3D&md5=825927f2231ccc4d00d0f30488f748a5CAS |

Wu, J. P., Michalk, D., Kemp, D., Yang, L., and Gong, X. Y. (2011). Talking with China’s livestock herders: what was learnt about their attitudes to new practices. In: ‘Development of Sustainable Livestock Systems on Grasslands in North-Western China’. (Eds D. R. Kemp and D. L. Michalk.) pp. 162–176. (ACIAR Proceedings: Canberra.)

Wydick, B., Karp Hayes, H., and Hilliker Kempf, S. (2011). Social networks, neighborhood effects, and credit access: evidence from rural Guatemala. World Development 39, 974–982.
Social networks, neighborhood effects, and credit access: evidence from rural Guatemala.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

XLAIC (2017). ‘Winter Lambing has become the Major Source of Herder Increasing Income in Xianghuang Banner, Inner Mongolia.’ (Xilingol League Agriculture Information Center: Xilingol League, China.) [in Chinese]

Yang, Z. H. (2010). Speeding up grassland protection and construction. China Animal Industry 9. [in Chinese]

Yang, D. L., Zhang, Z. H., Dong, Y. F., and Wang, Y. (2002). Implementation of rotational grazing and the rest grazing to enhance intensive level of grassland animal husbandry. Journal of Neimongol Prataculture 14, 15–16.

Yang, L., Wu, J. P., Jones, R., Kemp, D., Ma, Z. F., and Takahashi, T. (2011). Changing livestock and grassland management to improve the sustainability and profitability of alpine grasslands in Sunan county, Gansu province. In: ‘Development of Sustainable Livestock Systems on Grasslands in North-western China’. (Eds D. R. Kemp and D. L. Michalk.) pp. 69–79. (ACIAR Proceedings: Canberra.)

Yang, K., Liu, N., Wang, N., Saierhan Abulehayier, , and Li, X. (2014). Economic benefit evaluation of winter lambing production technology by using herd structure model. Xinjaing Animal Husbandry , 11–15.

Yin, Y. (2013). Study on herders’ decision behavior regarding grass-animal balance in the steppe region of Inner Mongolia. PhD Thesis, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China. [in Chinese]

Yuman, L. (1993). Rangeland degradation in the pastoral region of China: causes and countermeasures. Economic Aspects of Raw Wool Production and Marketing in China 25, 20–26.

Zhang, W., Li, F., Xiong, Y., and Xia, Q. (2012). Econometric analysis of the determinants of adoption of raising sheep in folds by herders in the semiarid Loess Plateau of China. Ecological Economics 74, 145–152.
Econometric analysis of the determinants of adoption of raising sheep in folds by herders in the semiarid Loess Plateau of China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Zhao, X., and Ba, J. (2009). Analysis on the production and management behavior of the herds in the high cold pasturing area–a case of Gannan pasturing area. Area Research and Development 4, 15–20.

Zheng, Y., Xu, Z., Kemp, D., and Jones, R. (2011). Modeling optimal grazing management for grassland rehabilitation on the typical steppe: a case study in Taipusi Banner, Inner Mongolia, China. Philippine Agricultural Scientist 93, 420–428.