In the autumn, within the ecological restoration demonstration base for degraded grasslands at the Xinjiang Agricultural University's College of Grassland Science, located in the Bayinbuluk pasture, tall grasses sway in the breeze, creating a picturesque scene where cattle and sheep can be seen grazing. "In the past, we focused on grass-livestock balance, but now we emphasize the harmonious integration of soil, grass, livestock, and people, which relies on technological support," stated Zhang Shuzhen, an expert from the National Forage Industry Technology System focused on the improvement of the variety of Agropyron cristatum (pencil grass). He emphasized that ecological construction must precede while also taking into account the grassland's production capabilities, ultimately benefiting local herders. This is the essence of the transformation and upgrading of grassland livestock farming and a key focus for the research team.

In recent years, as a national model county for the transformation and upgrading of grassland livestock farming, Hejing County has implemented a series of scientific and effective measures to explore sustainable development paths for grassland livestock farming, promoting an ecological, economic, and social win-win situation. Through active efforts in restoring and improving degraded grasslands, the restoration of 15,000 acres in Bayinbuluk has shown initial positive effects. This 1,000-acre demonstration pasture is a product of technological support. Previously, due to overgrazing and drought conditions, this pasture had become patchy and uneven. Moreover, because Bayinbuluk is a high-altitude pasture, common forage species struggled to survive, while toxic plants like Artemisia frigida proliferated, severely impacting the high-quality development of local grassland livestock.

In 2022, a technical team from the Xinjiang Agricultural University began restoration and improvement efforts, selecting two combinations from a pool of 48 grass species for demonstration and promotion. "The combination of Agropyron cristatum, oats, and alfalfa balances ecological and economic benefits while providing comprehensive nutrition for livestock," Zhang remarked. Some of the species are annual grasses, which provide quick results, while others are perennials that ensure sustainable development. Grasses from the Poaceae family supply energy, and legumes provide high-quality protein, enabling livestock to grow rapidly and robustly. Due to the weak water permeability of local soils, many seedlings perished in their early stages.

The technical team refined planting methods by employing no-tillage interseeding techniques to introduce grass seeds and by installing supplementary irrigation facilities to channel natural water into the pasture, which not only saves water but also facilitates balanced irrigation and fertilization. "Just providing water isn't enough; we also need to ensure these quality forages receive sufficient nutrition!" Zhang emphasized. To enhance drought and cold resistance of the forage, the team introduced microbial fertilizers in the demonstration site to increase seedling survival rates. The restored grasslands not only improve soil stability and water retention but also significantly enhance carbon sequestration capabilities. The technical team has developed ecological restoration technologies for high-altitude degraded grasslands and has conducted demonstrations of planting methods locally.

On 15,000 acres of grassland at the Tuerdfen site in the Bayinbuluk pasture, the technical team planted oats, alfalfa, and other species during the summer transhumance season. Currently, the oats have grown to an impressive height of 1.2 meters. Local herder Batu Baiyer expressed his delight: "From seeds to replanting and fertilizer, everything has been provided for free. In the past, my 100 acres could yield up to 1,200 bales of grass in a good harvest season, but this year I'm expecting at least double that!" Moreover, to tackle the issue of seed varieties, the technical team has partnered with Changji Boyun Grass Industry Co., Ltd. to cultivate and trial eight quality grass species in the Bayinbuluk pasture, with three now meeting the standards. Once scaled up, this will establish a full industrial chain from seeds to forage, providing a superior pathway for the transformation and upgrading of grassland livestock farming.