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Articles 4981 - 5010 of 251773

Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Production Strategies Of Livestock Herders In The Grasslands Of Kazakhstan: Implications For The Marketing Of Fine Fibres, Kathleen A. Galvin, C. Kerven, R. B. Boone, A. Smailov Aug 2023

Production Strategies Of Livestock Herders In The Grasslands Of Kazakhstan: Implications For The Marketing Of Fine Fibres, Kathleen A. Galvin, C. Kerven, R. B. Boone, A. Smailov

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Goat populations have been rising in Kazakhstan over the past ten years since independence and goats are preferred by farmers trying to restock. Quality of cashmere production is the key to profitable and sustainable sales to world markets for this luxury good. However, Kazakhstan did not develop a cashmere industry in the Soviet period so today goats are sheared rather than combed and little profit is made from cashmere. Goats, as well as sheep and camels are currently multi-purpose animals providing income from sales of animals, cashmere, milk and meat. This will change as the terms of trade change for …

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Adding Value To Grasslands Through Certified Organic Beef Production, G. Ferreira, F. Pittaluga, C. Mas, S. Revello, R. Tellería Aug 2023

Adding Value To Grasslands Through Certified Organic Beef Production, G. Ferreira, F. Pittaluga, C. Mas, S. Revello, R. Tellería

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

New demands are being made for safe beef from low input production systems (low input of energy, pesticides, other chemically synthesised products and hormones and GM free) by the main retailers and consumers (Howard, 2004). These present an opportunity for adding value to grazing production systems and to reinforce relationships among farmers, agro-industrialists, exporters and consumers and to show advantages of positive externalities of grasslands (Meister, 2001).

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Alternative Land Use Options For Philippine Grasslands: A Bioeconomic Modeling Approach Using The Wanulcas Model, D. B. Magcale-Macandog, E. Abucay, P. A. B. Ani Aug 2023

Alternative Land Use Options For Philippine Grasslands: A Bioeconomic Modeling Approach Using The Wanulcas Model, D. B. Magcale-Macandog, E. Abucay, P. A. B. Ani

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

In the Philippines, pure grasslands occupy 1.8 million ha and another 10.8 million ha (33% of the country's total land area) is under extensive cultivation mixed with grasslands and scrub. Most of these grasslands are under-utilised and dominated by Imperata cylindrica. Imperata grasslands generally represent areas of degraded soils that are acidic, low in organic matter and susceptible to erosion. However, conversion of these grassland areas into upland farms planted to annual crops and perennial trees is proliferating at a fast rate. This is triggered by the interacting factors of rapidly increasing population, the system of landholding, scarcity of …

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Are New Farming Systems Based On Perennial Pastures In South West Australia More Profitable?, Paul Sanford, J. Young Aug 2023

Are New Farming Systems Based On Perennial Pastures In South West Australia More Profitable?, Paul Sanford, J. Young

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Traditional farming systems in south west Australia based on annual plants have been shown to use insufficient water leading to excess leakage below the root zone, groundwater rise and eventually salinisation of the landscape. Introduction of deep-rooted summer active perennial plants can significantly increase water-use thus reducing the risk of salinisation. However the adoption of perennials by farmers is also dependent on their effect on economic factors. This paper reports an analysis of the impact of perennials on whole farm profit.

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Lucerne Production And Economics On Stakeholder Ranches On Coastal Plain Acid Soils, V. A. Haby, A. T. Leonard, G. M. Clary, F. M. Rouquette Jr., L. A. Redmon Aug 2023

Lucerne Production And Economics On Stakeholder Ranches On Coastal Plain Acid Soils, V. A. Haby, A. T. Leonard, G. M. Clary, F. M. Rouquette Jr., L. A. Redmon

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Research using small plots determined factors restricting lucerne (Medicago sativa) production on Coastal Plain soils of the southern USA. These acid soils, primarily Ultisols and Alfisols, become deficient in B when limed to pH 6.8 or 7.0 for lucerne. Other production-limiting soil problems include poor drainage and aeration, subsoil acidity, and low natural fertility. The objective of this study was to evaluate stand longevity on hectare-size stakeholder fields when growth-limiting factors were eliminated by site selection and soil treatment.

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Economic Efficiency Of The Production In Dairy Sheep Breeding, M. V. Stoykova Aug 2023

Economic Efficiency Of The Production In Dairy Sheep Breeding, M. V. Stoykova

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Bulgaria is a country of rich grassland and forage resources and has a long tradition in sheep breeding. In spite of these conditions, the economic efficiency of milk production by sheep is low (Panayotov & Kostadinova, 1999). The objective of the study was to determine the real economic efficiency of production at twelve Bulgarian dairy farms.

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A Study Of Labour Use On Irish Grassland Farms Specialising In Suckler Production, H. Leahy, E. G. O'Riordan, D. J. Ruane Aug 2023

A Study Of Labour Use On Irish Grassland Farms Specialising In Suckler Production, H. Leahy, E. G. O'Riordan, D. J. Ruane

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Important structural changes have taken place within the agricultural workforce in recent years. There has been a persistent decline in the proportion of the total workforce engaged in agriculture. Demand for labour by farmers has become a major issue, and if this shortage continues it will have a significant impact on the development of Irish farms in future (Ruane et al., 2001).

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Economic Efficiency Of Milk Production For Different Sizes Of Modern Dairy Farms In Hamadan Province, Iran, Yousef Rostami, M. Koopahi, S. A. Mohaddes Aug 2023

Economic Efficiency Of Milk Production For Different Sizes Of Modern Dairy Farms In Hamadan Province, Iran, Yousef Rostami, M. Koopahi, S. A. Mohaddes

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Iran has limited water resources and attention has been focused on selecting agricultural subsectors, such as dairy farming, that maximise economic returns to this limited resource. The study measures the levels of production efficiency of a sample of modern farms located in the Hamadan province of north-west Iran. Though the production levels of modern farms are higher than those of traditional farms, levels of production efficiency are in many cases well below potential resulting in lower profit margins and less investment in dairy farming. This study was concerned with quantifying efficiency in a sample of modern dairy farms.

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Agro-Pastoralists Concerns Over The Prosopis Tree: The Case Of The Ilchamus Of Baringo District, Kenya, Abdillahi A. Aboud, F. W. Lusenaka, C. I. Lenachuru, P. K. Kisoyan Aug 2023

Agro-Pastoralists Concerns Over The Prosopis Tree: The Case Of The Ilchamus Of Baringo District, Kenya, Abdillahi A. Aboud, F. W. Lusenaka, C. I. Lenachuru, P. K. Kisoyan

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The Prosopis tree was introduced to the arid and semi-arid lands of eastern Africa in the 1970s, through governmental forest development agencies to curb environmental degradation and provide fodder for small stock. A number of other benefits were also then attributed to the tree. However, the Prosopis tree has turned out to be a cause of serious concerns, as it has invaded, dominated and almost totally removed all grass and short vegetation species from pasturelands. In Baringo District of Kenya, Prosopis has been the worst enemy of the local IlChamus agro-pastoralists (Lenachuru, 2003), who have now raised much concern over …

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Of Grasslands And Guns: Natural-Resource Based Conflict Among The Waso Borana Pastoralists Of Northern Kenya, A. D. Jillo, Abdillahi A. Aboud, D. L. Coppock Aug 2023

Of Grasslands And Guns: Natural-Resource Based Conflict Among The Waso Borana Pastoralists Of Northern Kenya, A. D. Jillo, Abdillahi A. Aboud, D. L. Coppock

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The once productive, arid rangelands of northern Kenya, traditionally dominated by a mix of woody species (Acacia, Commiphora, Cordia spp.) and graminoids (Tetrapogon, Aristida, Chrysopogon and Sporobolus spp.) have gradually deteriorated in ecological condition over recent decades (Herlocker, 1999). A major factor considered to be responsible for this trend is the disintegration of traditional systems of land stewardship. Traditional authority has waned in northern Kenya and has often been replaced by open-access tenure, overseen by ineffectual government administrators. Couple this with frequent droughts that typify this zone, as well as expanding populations of people and livestock, and the …

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Community Perceptions Of Vulnerable Key Ecological Resources In Baringo, Kenya, Mark N. Mutinda, Abdillahi A. Aboud, D. L. Coppock Aug 2023

Community Perceptions Of Vulnerable Key Ecological Resources In Baringo, Kenya, Mark N. Mutinda, Abdillahi A. Aboud, D. L. Coppock

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Key resources in arid lands are often relatively small patches of seasonal grazing or water access that critically support entire livestock production systems (Scoones, 1993). When these are lost, production systems may be destroyed. An early-warning system is needed whereby key resources at risk can be identified and protected. The Baringo District of north-central Kenya has endured decades of resource abuse and high rates of population growth-breakdowns of traditional systems have occurred and food relief is common (Little, 1992). Despite this situation, most production system research in the past has been conducted at local scales of resolution. The advent of …

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High Elevation Grasslands As A Crucial Resource To Ranchers Of Northern New Mexico, A. M. Mcsweeny, Carol Raish Aug 2023

High Elevation Grasslands As A Crucial Resource To Ranchers Of Northern New Mexico, A. M. Mcsweeny, Carol Raish

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

High-elevation grasslands of northern New Mexico (NM), located at the southern tip of the Rocky Mountains in the western United States, are a crucial resource for small-scale, family-owned ranches. Due to evolution of land acquisition in northern New Mexico, many of these lands are in public ownership, and ranchers must now rely upon government-managed grazing allotments for pasturing their livestock. Regulations and management decisions governing these lands, along with competition for use (e.g. recreation), can significantly affect the viability and survival of ranching throughout the area (Raish & McSweeney, 2003).

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Avenues For Enhancing Traditional Livelihoods From Grasslands: Income Diversification Among Pastoral Women’S Groups In Southern Ethiopia, S. Desta, D. L. Coppock, S. Tezera, G. Gebru Aug 2023

Avenues For Enhancing Traditional Livelihoods From Grasslands: Income Diversification Among Pastoral Women’S Groups In Southern Ethiopia, S. Desta, D. L. Coppock, S. Tezera, G. Gebru

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The rangelands of Africa remain home to millions of people who try to make a living by raising livestock on natural forage. Recent increase in human and livestock populations, however, along with a lack of economic development, has relegated many people to poverty and vulnerability. The semi-arid Borana Plateau of southern Ethiopia is a case in point. About 250,000 people herd one million head of livestock there. Thousands of animals die in periodic droughts and people are food insecure. It has been proposed that one way to better manage risk in this system is through economic diversification to reduce vulnerability …

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Pastures From Space - Application Of Satellite-Derived Pasture Predictions Improve The Profitability Of Australian Sheep Producers, S. G. Gherardi, L. Anderton, J. Sneddon, Chris Oldham, G. Mata Aug 2023

Pastures From Space - Application Of Satellite-Derived Pasture Predictions Improve The Profitability Of Australian Sheep Producers, S. G. Gherardi, L. Anderton, J. Sneddon, Chris Oldham, G. Mata

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Pastures from Space, a collaborative program between CSIRO Livestock Industries and the Western Australian state Departments of Agriculture and Land Information, has developed the capacity to measure both the biomass and growth rate of annual pasture in the winter rainfall regions of southern Australia using satellite images (Edirisinghe et al., 2002). Producer groups were set up to pilot test the delivery of satellitederived pasture growth rate (PGR, kg dry matter/hectare.day) and biomass (feed on offer or FOO, kg dry matter/hectare) predictions for paddocks on individual farms in Western Australia. This paper reports on the value to Australian sheep producers …

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Diagnosing Nitrogen, Phosphorous And Potassium Status Of Natural Grassland In The Presence Of Legumes, C. Jouany, P. Cruz, J. P. Theau, M. Duru Aug 2023

Diagnosing Nitrogen, Phosphorous And Potassium Status Of Natural Grassland In The Presence Of Legumes, C. Jouany, P. Cruz, J. P. Theau, M. Duru

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

In most temperate areas, sustainable management of grassland ecosystems has to deal with evaluation and management of N, P and K resources. For this purpose, appropriate diagnostic systems are needed in order to manage fertilisation accordingly. The nutrient index method based on nutrient concentrations in plant tissues relative to the degree of growth has been developed; it relies on critical curves which serve for diagnostic: for N, the critical curve gives the optimum N concentration for different levels of biomass accumulation in swards, for P and K optimum concentrations are a linear function of sward N concentration (Duru & Thélier-Huché, …

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Fertiliser Responses And Soil Test Calibrations For Grazed Pastures In Australia, C. J. P. Gourley, A. Melland, K. I. Peverill, P. Strickland, I. Awty, J. M. Scott Aug 2023

Fertiliser Responses And Soil Test Calibrations For Grazed Pastures In Australia, C. J. P. Gourley, A. Melland, K. I. Peverill, P. Strickland, I. Awty, J. M. Scott

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

On-farm management of fertiliser is of major economic significance to the Australian grazing industries, based on expenditure on fertiliser and higher farm productivity that fertiliser use supports. However the application of fertiliser has traditionally been an inexact and inefficient process (Peverill et al. 1999) and there is increasing pressure for nutrient losses from agriculture to be minimised. The improved adoption and application of tools like soil testing can make substantial improvements in nutrient use efficiency but interpretation needs to be based on the best available information. This paper reports on the collation of current and historical experimental data relating …

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Potential For Forecasting Uk Summer Grass Growth From The North Atlantic Oscillation, P. S. Kettlewell, J. Easey, P. D. Hollins, T. Martyn, D. B. Stephenson Aug 2023

Potential For Forecasting Uk Summer Grass Growth From The North Atlantic Oscillation, P. S. Kettlewell, J. Easey, P. D. Hollins, T. Martyn, D. B. Stephenson

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is a large-scale atmospheric circulation pattern which is well-known to influence the UK winter climate (Wilby et al., 1997). Recently, it has been shown that the winter NAO also affects summer rainfall in the UK (Kettlewell et al., 2003). Since water supply is an important limitation to summer grass growth in many parts of the UK, the winter NAO may influence summer growth. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that there is a relationship between the winter NAO and summer grass growth using data from reference plots at North …

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Modelling Grass Productivity In The Brazilian Amazon, C. E. P. Cerri, K. Paustian, C. C. Cerri, F. F. C. Mello, M. Bernoux, K. Coleman, E. Milne Aug 2023

Modelling Grass Productivity In The Brazilian Amazon, C. E. P. Cerri, K. Paustian, C. C. Cerri, F. F. C. Mello, M. Bernoux, K. Coleman, E. Milne

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The Amazon Basin covers an area of 7 million km2, and the central part is almost entirely located within Brazilian territory. This region has the highest rates of deforestation in the world, and the total area deforested now exceeds 600,000 km2. Cattle pasture represents the largest single use (about 70%) of this once-forested land in most of the Brazilian Basin, with an estimated area of 20 million hectares. Our main objective was to simulate grass productivity in different forest to pasture chronosequences within the Brazilian Amazon.

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Simulation Of Lablab Pastures, Jacqueline O. Hill, M. J. Robertson, A. M. Whitbread, B. C. Pengelly Aug 2023

Simulation Of Lablab Pastures, Jacqueline O. Hill, M. J. Robertson, A. M. Whitbread, B. C. Pengelly

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The potential of legume-based pastures to address declining soil nitrogen on marginal cropping soils is increasingly recognised in northern Australia, as such there is a need for cost benefit analysis of pastures and crops in a mixed farming system. In highly variable rainfall environments, biophysical modelling may be the best way of identifying and quantifying interactions with mixed crop-livestock systems on a seasonal basis. This paper describes a case study where both animal productivity and lablab pasture production is simulated. Lablab (Lablab purpureus) is an annual tropical legume widely used as a short-term legume phase in crop-pasture rotations, …

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A Herbage Growth Model For Different Types Of Natural Grassland, J. Viégas, M. Duru, P. Cruz, J. P. Theau, P. Ansquer, C. Ducourtieux Aug 2023

A Herbage Growth Model For Different Types Of Natural Grassland, J. Viégas, M. Duru, P. Cruz, J. P. Theau, P. Ansquer, C. Ducourtieux

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The aim of this work was to extend existing growth models established for pure stands to a wide range of grassland communities. For this purpose we built a simple growth model, including sub-models for radiation interception and use. Parameters for the effect of nutrient rates (N, P) and defoliation regimes were based on a plant trait database. Senescence and reproductive processes were particularly considered because of their importance in late spring growth. The model makes it possible to simulate the daily biomass production as a function of both environmental factors and the functional type of the dominant species in the …

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Variation Of Ldmc And Sla Relationship Between Growth Forms In Natural Grasslands, J. Viégas, P. Cruz, J. P. Theau, C. Jouany, P. Ansquer, R. Al Haj Khaled, O. Therond, M. Duru Aug 2023

Variation Of Ldmc And Sla Relationship Between Growth Forms In Natural Grasslands, J. Viégas, P. Cruz, J. P. Theau, C. Jouany, P. Ansquer, R. Al Haj Khaled, O. Therond, M. Duru

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

In agro-ecological studies, there is a growing interest in measuring both leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and specific leaf area (SLA). This interest lies on the fact that leaf traits are linked to gradients of environmental factors and ecosystem functions. Working with three contrasting wild species, Garnier et al. (2001) proposed a model linking these two traits. The model shows a relatively simple non linear and negative correlation between LDMC and SLA. Nevertheless, none of the species used to build the model were grasses (GRA) or forb rosettes (ROS = i.e. dicotyledonous with large entire leaves and absence of …

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Adapting The Cropgro Model To Predict Growth And Perennial Nature Of Bahiagrass, S. J. Rymph, K. J. Boote, J. W. Jones Aug 2023

Adapting The Cropgro Model To Predict Growth And Perennial Nature Of Bahiagrass, S. J. Rymph, K. J. Boote, J. W. Jones

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The objective of this research was to modify an existing crop growth model for ability to predict growth and composition of bahiagrass (Paspalm notatum Flügge) in response to daily weather and management inputs. The CROPGRO-CSM cropping systems model has a generic, process-oriented structure that allows inclusion of new species and simulating cropping sequences and crop rotations. An early adaptation of CROPGRO-CSM "species files" for bahiagrass over-predicted growth during late fall through early spring, and totally failed in re-growth if all foliage was lost from freeze damage. Revised species parameters and use of "pest damage" offered only a partial solution. …

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State And Transition Model Of Lowland Grassland In Flooding Pampa, E. J. Jacobo, A. M. Rodríguez, V. A. Deregibus Aug 2023

State And Transition Model Of Lowland Grassland In Flooding Pampa, E. J. Jacobo, A. M. Rodríguez, V. A. Deregibus

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Rainfall conditions are considered to be a major factor in determining vegetation structure in temperate grasslands with grazing playing a secondary role (Biondini et al., 1998; Sternberg et al., 2000). In order to analyse the relative importance of both factors on the lowland community of the Flooding Pampa we compared the responses of functional groups under both intermittent and continuous grazing regimes over a 3- year period of important inter seasonal rainfall variation. The results are presented in a state and transition model.

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The Influence Of Growing Degree Days On Robinia Pseudoacacia Browse Quality And Productivity In The Southeastern Usa, L. J. Unruh Snyder, J. Paul Mueller, Jean-Marie Luginbuhl, K. E. Turner, C. Brownie Aug 2023

The Influence Of Growing Degree Days On Robinia Pseudoacacia Browse Quality And Productivity In The Southeastern Usa, L. J. Unruh Snyder, J. Paul Mueller, Jean-Marie Luginbuhl, K. E. Turner, C. Brownie

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The possibility of estimating browse quality and productivity of black locust (BL; Robinia pseudoacacia L.) herbage from accumulated air temperature heat units (growing degree days, GDD) could be a valuable tool for researchers and graziers in efficient allocation of feed resources. Accumulated air temperature heat units (GDD) above a 10° C base have been used to predict several forage quality constituents (Onstad & Fick ,1983).

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Modelling Tiller Density Dynamics In A Grass Sward, Masahiko Hirata Aug 2023

Modelling Tiller Density Dynamics In A Grass Sward, Masahiko Hirata

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Simulation models are useful tools for grassland management. Among many quantitative and qualitative attributes describing vegetation of grasslands, density of plant population is important because of its close relationship with persistence of grasslands (Hirata, 2004), which in turn is crucial for sustainable agricultural production and/or conservation of the environment, wildlife and recreational resource. Although various models have described grassland vegetation, relatively few models have dealt with plant population density. This paper presents a model describing dynamics in tiller population density in a grass sward.

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Leaf And Tiller Dynamics In Centipede Grass And Bahia Grass, M. A. Islam, Masahiko Hirata Aug 2023

Leaf And Tiller Dynamics In Centipede Grass And Bahia Grass, M. A. Islam, Masahiko Hirata

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Centipede grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack.) is a warm-season perennial which has received the attention of farmers and researchers as a new forage resource for sown pastures in the low-altitude regions of south-western Japan where bahia grass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) has been widely used (Islam & Hirata, 2005). Leaf and tiller dynamics provide the basis to explain variation in production and canopy structure of a grass sward (Rhodes & Collins, 1993), and knowledge of the dynamics can be used as a tool for sward management. However, this information is lacking for centipede grass (Islam & Hirata, 2005). The …

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Modelling Winter Grass Growth And Senescence, D. Hennessy, S. Laidlaw, M. O'Donovan, P. French Aug 2023

Modelling Winter Grass Growth And Senescence, D. Hennessy, S. Laidlaw, M. O'Donovan, P. French

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

In temperate climates, because net grass growth in winter is low, most grass growth models deal with the main growing season (Mar-Oct in the N Hemisphere), with little emphasis on grass growth in winter (Nov-Feb). However, grass tissue turns over continuously (Hennessy et al., 2004) and the fate of herbage entering the winter is important in extended grazing season systems. This study aimed to model winter grass growth for the period 15 Oct 2001 to 28 Jan 2002 for a range of autumn closing dates (1 Sep, 20 Sep and 10 Oct) by modifying an existing model, so that …

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Leaf Dry Matter Content Of Native Grassland Species Under Contrasting N And P Supply, P. Cruz, C. Jouany, Jérome M. Enjalbert, Michael Duru Aug 2023

Leaf Dry Matter Content Of Native Grassland Species Under Contrasting N And P Supply, P. Cruz, C. Jouany, Jérome M. Enjalbert, Michael Duru

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The management of native grasslands - herbaceous vegetation with a broad diversity of flora and a large range of uses - must meet the requirements of environmental conservation and improvement of the quality of agricultural production. For this purpose we need tools for diagnosing the state of the vegetation in order to design, evaluate, and apply management practices to attain these objectives. These tools must be simple and quick to use and should not require botanical skills. Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) has been proposed as a good indicator of both fertility gradients and species preference for habitats (Cruz et …

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The Use Of Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (Nirs) To Follow The Leaf/Stem Ratio Of Legumes During Drying, D. Stilmant, Virginie Decruyenaere, C. Clément, P. Dardenne, N. Grogna Aug 2023

The Use Of Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (Nirs) To Follow The Leaf/Stem Ratio Of Legumes During Drying, D. Stilmant, Virginie Decruyenaere, C. Clément, P. Dardenne, N. Grogna

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Legume-rich mixed swards allow the production of a high quantity protein-rich forage with low nitrogen input. Nevertheless, during hay or silage making, dry matter losses as high as, 40 and 25 % have been recorded (Ciotti & Cavallero, 1979; Stilmant et al., 2004). These losses have mainly been linked to the high sensitivity to physical loss of legume leaves during drying. The development of a tool to characterise leaf losses or leaf/stem ratio during drying will help us to define the technical approach to reach the best compromise between quality loss reduction and good pre-wilting of legum-rich mixed swards. …

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Near Infrared Spectroscopy Of Faeces To Predict Diet Quality In Grazing Animals: Development Of A Portable System, D. R. Tolleson, J. W. Stuth Aug 2023

Near Infrared Spectroscopy Of Faeces To Predict Diet Quality In Grazing Animals: Development Of A Portable System, D. R. Tolleson, J. W. Stuth

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Faecal near infrared spectroscopy (FNIRS) has been used to predict dietary crude protein (CP) and digestible organic matter (DOM) in grazing animals (Stuth et al., 2003, Coates 2000). Development of robust FNIRS calibrations can be time consuming and costly, thus hindering the application of FNIRS in developing countries. Delivery of samples to central laboratory facilities is dependant upon adequate transportation infrastructure. A "take the laboratory to the samples" approach is being tested in Mongolia using a portable FNIRS laboratory (Stuth et al,. 2004). The initial step in this process is to duplicate the performance of a static laboratory …

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