Digital Commons Network^™

Livestock Policy In Special Areas, Alberta, Canada, P. L. Strankman

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Special Areas, Alberta, Canada, is a rural municipality of 2.1 million hectares (about 5 million acres) in south-eastern Alberta. It is home to almost 5000 residents, with a unique governance arrangement in Alberta. Most of the farms and ranches utilize a mix of crop and livestock primarily annual cereal and oil seed cultivation and beef cattle. These production units are usually a mosaic of privately-owned land and Crown land leased from the government.

It provides an interesting case study for the local, and national challenges facing western Canadian agriculture. It also provides an opportunity to contrast with different bioclimatic and …

C3 Perennial Grass Dominates Mixed C3/C4 Grasslands After Invasion By A C3 Woody Sprouter, C. E. Cooper, R. J. Ansley, T. J. Steffens, D. B. Murray, T. Zhang

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) encroachment has resulted in decreased C₄ mid-grass production and increased C₃ mid-grass in the Southern Great Plains of the US. Woody legumes have had similar effects in Africa, Australia, and South America. Prosopis initially facilitates Texas wintergrass (Nassella leucotricha) growth under canopies, in part because N-fixation by this woody legume enriches subcanopy soils, favoring C₃ species. As stand density increases, Nassella extends into interspaces between trees as well. Here we report Nassella responses in several studies that either reduced Prosopis to indirectly impact Nassella or treated Nassella directly. In …

Chlorophyll Concentration (Spad Values) As An Indicator Of Crude Protein Content And As A Selection Criterion In Grass Breeding, N. Gáborèík

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The main aim of the study was to analyse chlorophyll a + b content (SPAD values) determined by portable chlorophyllmeter (SPAD- 502, Minolta, Japan) and crude protein content in leaves of timothy, coocksfoot, perennial ryegrass and meadow fescue (total 24 cultivars). Differences between both parameters were confirmed and a close relationship between chlorophyll content (SPAD values) and crude protein concentration was found. Correlation coefficient between SPAD and crude protein varied from 0.541⁺⁺ for ryegrass to 0.906⁺⁺ for timothy. This fact should be used for selection of grasses with higher crude protein content and/or better use of mineral soil …

Gastrointestinal Nematode Infections In Grazing Domestic Ruminants, M. Eysker

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

World wide gastrointestinal nematode infections impair production of ruminants. Particularly in small ruminants control of these infections is seriously hampered by the development of resistance of the parasites against anthelmintic drugs. This implies that alternative control measures have to be implemented in order to maintain a sustainable ruminant industry. In this paper the various possibilities to achieve this are briefly discussed. The possibilities discussed include grazing management, vaccination, selective breeding, biological control, nutrition and the use of bioactive forages such as for instance plants containing condensed tannins. At the end it is concluded that combinations of these options should preferably …

Plant Secondary Compounds; Their Impact On Forage Nutritive Value And Upon Animal Production, T. N. Barry, D. M. Mcneill, W. C. Mcnabb

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Both the anti-nutritional and beneficial effects of secondary compounds in a range of temperate and tropical forages have been reviewed. Major secondary compounds in temperate and tropical forage plants occur in the phenolic fraction and include condensed and hydrolysable tannins, phenolic monomers and lignin. Condensed tannins (CT) bind to plant protein by pH-reversible hydrogen bonding. In temperate legume forages this reduces rumen protein degradation and can increase the absorption of essential amino acids (EAA) from the small intestine, with reactivity depending on CT concentration, molecular weight and chemical structure. Low concentrations of CT in Lotus corniculatus (20-40g/kg DM) increased EAA …

Effect Of Storage Time And Temperature On Recovery Of Synergistes Jonesii From Rumen Fluid And Feces, W. M. Andrew, M. J. Williams, M. J. Allison, C. C. Chase Jr., C. G. Chambliss, R. S. Kalmbacher, W. E. Kunkle

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Synergistes jonesii is a rumen bacterium that degrades 3,4-dihydroxypyridine (3,4 DHP), the toxic breakdown product of mimosine in leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala). Fecal culture is the most practical way to determine S. jonesii presence in zoological ruminants, particularly if feces can be collected from night penning facilities. Fresh rumen fluid and fecal or fecal slurry (sheep [Ovis spp.] only, 1:4 wt to vol. feces and culture media) from cattle (Bos spp.) and sheep, known to be colonized by S. jonesii, were subjected various storage times (0, 6, 12, and 24 h) and temperatures (5, 23, and …

The Importance Of Animal Comfort For Animal Production In Intensive Grassland Systems, P. H. Hemsworth, J. L. Barnett

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Animals utilise a wide range of regulatory systems to control the conditions within their bodies or homeostasis. These regulatory systems control for example, body temperature, nutritional state, water balance, social interactions and fear and these systems react to environmental and endogenous stimuli so as to correct or prevent displacements from the optimal range. The behavioural and physiological responses utilised by the animal are usually proportional to the challenge to homeostasis. The stress response commences with the central nervous system perceiving a potential challenge to homeostasis. Once the central nervous system perceives a threat, it develops a biological response or defence …

Nitrogen Fertiliser Effects On Perennial Ryegrass Nutritive And Nitrate Content During The Cool Season, Joseph L. Jacobs, Frank R. Mckenzie

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A study was undertaken to determine the effects of differing levels of nitrogen (N) application (0 (N1), 25 (N2), 50 (N3) and 75 kgN/ha (N4)) during late autumn (T1), early (T2) and late winter (T3) on the nutritive characteristics and nitrate content of perennial ryegrass. Changes in crude protein (CP) for all treatments at each application time were similar irrespective of level of N application. At the commencement of all treatments, the existing CP content was highest in N3, followed by N2, N1 and N0. Nitrate content decreased throughout T1 primarily due to dry conditions, whilst during T2, levels for …

Nitrogen Concentration In Cell Wall Of Warm-Season Perennial Grasses, G. F. C. Lima, Lynn E. Sollenberger, J. E. Moore

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objectives of this experiment were to evaluate the influence of N fertilizer, age of regrowth, and season on concentration of N in cell-wall fractions of three warm-season perennial grasses (limpograss, [Hemarthria altissima (Poir.) Stapf et C.E. Hubb.], bermudagrass [Cynodon spp.], and bahiagrass [Paspalum notatum Flügge]. The herbage neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen (NDIN) fraction composed almost half of total N in these grasses. Though acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN) concentrations generally were 80 g kg^-1 of total N or less, this fraction is indigestible and unavailable and composes a significant portion of a nutrient that may …

Studies On Feeding Value For Five Psammophyte Shrubs In Ningxia Region, Dongmei X., Weixian C., Sijia G., Xiangyun X.

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A trial was conducted on five psammophyte shrubs -Caragana intermedia, C. korshinskii, Hedysarum scoparium, H. laeve, Salix psammophylla in the post-fruit period in Ningxia, China. Chemical composition, palatability and in vitro digestibility were studied systematically. The feeding value was evaluated through Fuzzy multifactorial model. According to chemical composition, palatability and in vitro digestibility, C. intermedia, had the highest feeding value and C .korshinskii the lowest.

In Situ Dry Matter Ruminal Degradation Kinetics Of Prairie Grass And Annual Ryegrass Forage, J. R. Carrete, I. Ceconi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of this study was to evaluate dry matter ruminal degradation kinetics, of prairie grass (Bromus catharticus Vahl.) and annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), by using in sacco technique, on seven different harvesting dates. The forage was incubated in nylon bags, suspended in the rumen of four Hereford steers with a rumen fistula. The dry matter ruminal degradation was calculated through the exponential model P=a+b(1-exp(-ct)). Potential degradabilities (PD) were high and reduced across a temporal trend, ranging between 92,31 and 81,79g 100g ^-1 of dry matter (DM) for prairie grass (PG) and 95,06 and 77,44g 100g ^{-1 …}

Application Of Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (Nirs) To Forage Evaluation In Uruguay, D. Cozzolino, Y. Acosta, J. Garcia

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) were used to assess the chemical composition of a wide range of forages. Nearly five hundred herbage samples covering a wide range of temperate pastures species and mixtures, previously analysed by conventional wet chemistry were scanned in reflectance with a NIRS 6500 (NIRSystems, Silver Spring, USA). The coefficients of determination in calibration (R² ) and the errors in cross validation (SECV) were 0.98 (5.8), 0.94 (22.2), 0.97 (5.6), 0.94 (6.9) and 0.89 (19.7) for crude protein, in vitro organic matter digestibility, dry matter, ash and acid detergent fiber, in g kg ^–1 on a …

Seasonal Variation Of Brachiaria Spp. Quality In The Pantanal Of Mato Grosso Do Sul, Brazil, S. M. A. Crispim, E. L. Cardoso, F. Fernandes

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study aims to evaluate the dry matter yield and the crude protein (CP) of Brachiaria decumbens and Brachiaria humidicola and soil covering by these species, considering stand lasting age and hydrologic cycle periods in the Pantanal, from November 1996 to November 1997. Dry matter yield presented differences between hydrologic cycle periods and age, and their interactions. B. decumbens and B. humidicola over 10 years comparison yielded the largest amount of dry matter yield, observed in February. B. humidicola growth rate was slower than B. decumbens. Pastures stand ages did not cause differences in crude protein, but differences have …

Continuous Digestibility Assessment Of Tropical Grasses, A. Chudy, T. Schmidt, A. Glatzle

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The feed value for cattle of three tropical grasses, Gatton (Panicum maximum cv. Gatton), Estrella (Cynodon plectostachyus) and Tifton-85 (Cynodon sp. cv. Tifton-85) was investigated during the growing period, using the method of “continuous digestibility estimation”. Results indicate that feed value is hardly influenced by the growth stage from the 90th day on. Common European in-vitro feed evaluation procedures are not to be recommended for tropical grasses as they presented consistently lower values than did in-vivo measurements.

Prediction Of Intake Of Hay Differing In Species And Maturity By Goats, S. W. Coleman, S. P. Hart, T. Sahlu

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Eight species of forage, a cool-season perennial (Festuca arundinacea) and annual grass (Triticum aestivum), four warm-season perennial grasses (Bothriochloa caucasica, B. ischaemum, Cynodon dactylon, and Tripsacum dactyloides), a warm season annual (Digitaria sanguinalis) and a perennial legume (Medicago sativa), were cut at two or three maturities to provide a wide array of quality difference (n=20). Twenty wether goats (Capra hicus) were fed the hays in four different trials using an incomplete block so that each hay was fed to four different goats. Alfalfa produced the highest DM, …

Effect Of Level Of Surface Spoilage On The Nutritive Value Of Maize Silage Diets, K. K. Bolsen, L. A. Whitlock, G. L. Huck, M. K. Siefers, T. E. Schmidt, R. V. Pope, M. E. Uriarte

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study determined the effect of surface spoilage in the diet on feed intake and nutrient digestibilities using growing steers fed whole-plant maize silage-based diets. A bunker silo, 0.9 m in depth, and a 2.7 m diameter AgBag were filled with alternating loads of chopped forage. After 90 days, the bunker was sealed with a sheet of polyethylene, and this silage was designated “spoiled”. The silage in the AgBag was designated “normal”. The four diets contained 90% silage and 10% supplement (dry matter basis), and the proportions of silage in the diets were A) 100% normal, B) 75% normal: 25% …

Selenium And Sulphur Concentrations In Primary Growths Of Different Plant Communities, W. Opitz Von Boberfeld

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The factorised evaluated data of seven different grassland swards and two harvest dates of primary growths led to following results: Regarding the concentrations of selenium and sulphur, a selenium antagonist, and the N/S ratio, there were no significant plant community x harvest date, plant community x year, and harvest date x year interactions. The selenium concentrations, which never met the requirements of ruminants, were the highest in young herbage of a Bromion racemosi community reaching 49 µg kg^-1 DM. The average of all swards and treatments was 33 µg kg^-1 DM of selenium. Apparently, repeated application of selenate-bearing …

Canopy Characteristics, Ingestive Behaviour And Herbage Intake In Cultivated Tropical Grasslands, Lynn E. Sollenberger, J. C. Burns

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Compared to temperate systems, there have been few detailed assessments of canopy characteristics and associated grazing behavior in planted tropical grasslands. Reasons include the large number of forage species used in warm climates, the diversity of their morphology, research priorities emphasizing germplasm evaluation and management, and limited resources. This review describes canopy attributes of C₄ grass pastures, highlights the most important relationships between grazing behavior and these canopy characteristics, and discusses the implications of canopy characteristics and grazing behavior for long-term intake and animal performance. It is suggested that the largest differences in canopy characteristics between tropical and temperate …

Foraging Behaviour And Intake In Temperate Cultivated Grasslands, S. Prache, J. L. Peyraud

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In temperate areas, grazing provides a large part of the nutrient requirements of ruminants and may be an important form of land use. In Europe, grassland occupies some 150 million hectares, and grazing provides about 60 to 75% of the nutrient requirements of cattle (Wilkins and Vidrih 2000). From the end of the 80’s, agricultural surpluses in Europe have led to production quotas and increased interest in more extensive systems. At the beginning of the 90’s, the emergence of the notion of sustainable agriculture combining economic, social (concerns in dereliction of less-favoured rural areas), and environmental issues (pollution, loss of …

A Comparative Grazing Study Of Sheep And Cattle Diet Selection On Native Pastures In Uruguay, Fabio Montossi, G. Pigurina, E. J. Berretta, I. Santamarina

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

An experiment was carried out during winter, spring and summer 1997, on native pastures of the basaltic region of Uruguay to evaluate the effects of different herbage mass levels (high, medium and low) on sward characteristics and on sheep and cattle diet selection and grazing behaviour. Higher herbage masses resulted in increments in herbage accumulation and sheep bite weight: winter (1880, 1513 and 610 kg DM ha-1, P < 0.01; 199, 148 and 128 mg DM/bite, P < 0.01), and summer (3046, 2175 and 1172 kg DM ha-1, P < 0.01; 214, 175 and 143 mg DM/bite, P < 0.01) for high, medium and low herbage mass levels respectively. The nutritive value of diet selected by sheep and cattle was higher than that of the herbage on offer, and higher in sheep than in cattle: winter (10.2, 15.9 and 12.5% crude protein, CP, P < 0.05; 49.2, 32.4 and 38.1% acid detergent fiber, ADF, P < 0.01, and summer (7.4, 10 and 9.5% CP, P < 0.05; 51.1, 36.8 and 43% ADF, P < 0.01) for herbage on offer, sheep and cattle diets respectively. These contrasting results found in the nutritive value were closely associated with differences in the proportions of the botanical components recorded, particularly the differential contribution of dead material. This experiment quantified the importance of diet selection in determining the nutritive value of the forage eaten by sheep and cattle on the native pastures of the basaltic region of Uruguay and established some relationships between diet selection and grazing management, involving animal selectivity ability differences (sheep versus cattle) and seasonal effects.

A Sheep And Catlle Diet Selection Study On A Fertilized Native Sward In Uruguay, Fabio Montossi, E. J. Berretta, G. Pigurina, I. Santamarina

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study was undertaken during winter, spring and summer 1997, located in the basaltic region of Uruguay to evaluate the effects of stocking rate (SR) and N and P fertilizer application on sward characteristics and on sheep and cattle diet selection and grazing behaviour. The treatments applied were: a) control (C; without fertilizer application using a SR of 0.9 stock units (SU)/ha), b) T1 (with N and P fertilizer application using a SR of 0.9 SU/ha), c) T2 (with N and P fertilizer application using a SR of 1.2 SU/ha) and d) T3 (with N and P fertilizer application using …

Spatial And Time Distribution Of Dairy Cattle Manure In An Intensive Pasture System, S. L. White, S. P. Washburn, L. D. King, R. E. Sheffield, J. T. Green Jr.

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study determined distribution of feces and urine from dairy cattle managed in a rotationally grazed pasture. Lactating Holsteins (n=18) and Jerseys (n=18) were grazed on a .74 ha endophyte-free fescue (Festuca arundinacea)/white clover (Trifolium repens) pasture. All cows were constantly observed for 24 h 6 times over 12 mo. Cows had access to about 54% of the paddock during the first grazing period (12 h) and had access to the entire paddock during the second grazing period (8 h). Data included: (1) all feces and urine events from eight cows, observed while in the pasture, …

Effects Of Herbage Allowance Upon Animal Performance And Grazing Behavior Of Strip-Grazed Heifers, Claudio F. Machado, F. Di Croce, F. Gonzalez, H. Zeballos, N. J. Auza, M. H. Wade, S. T. Morris, J. Hodgson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A trial was designed to test the effect of herbage allowance (HA) on live-weight gain (LWG) and grazing behavior of heifers during spring as part of a combined field-modeling research programme. Low HA (L) and high HA (H) of 2.5 and 5.0 kg DM herbage mass 100 kg animal LW^-1day^-1 were fed respectively. H animals grazed longer and achieved a higher LWG than L (P < 0.05). H animals left a higher residual pasture (P < 0.051) with a significantly (P < 0.05) higher content of green, clover, non-lamina and petiole of a higher digestibility and NSC, with a lower NDF content. The significance of some factors involved in these results on intake and diet selection are discussed in relation to the predictability of animal performance.

Factors Influencing The Yield Proportions Of Plantago Lanceolata L. And Taraxacum Officinale Web. In Lolium Perenne L. Swards, Harald Laser

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Diaspores of Plantago lanceolata and Taraxacum officinale respectively were sown in established Lolium perenne swards to determine the dynamics of their yield proportions during five years. The experimental factors were forb species, variety of the grass species (= early or late flowering), N-fertilization, and sward density. The amount of nitrogen fertilizer had the most important effect on yield proportions of the forb species and also on the total dry-matter (= DM) yield. The single creation of gaps in grass swards before sowing forbs had a lasting positive effect on the Plantago lanceolata and Taraxacum officinale proportions. Peak proportions of Taraxacum …

Mountain Pastures Structure And Its Relationship With Grazing, I. Albizu, S. Mendarte, G. Besga, I. Amezaga, M. Onaindia

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The present work aims toward an approach to mountain pastures as a system of relationships in which it is needed to point out those environmental factors that reflect more clearly their structure and potential productivity. This initial step of pasture tipification is important as a previous activity before the planning and management of protected areas because these areas support an intensive pastoral activity. In order to achieve this objective a field study was conducted in two areas in the Gorbeia Natural Park (Bizkaia): Arraba and Aldamiñape, located at 900-1100 masl. In each pasture four plots were selected according to orientation …

Short-Term Study On 13Carbon Discrimination On Irrigated Tropical Pasture, G. B. Martha Jr., M. Corsi, P. C. O. Trivelin, F. Queiroz-Neto

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A better understanding of pasture ecosystem can be obtained through the use of ¹³C discrimination technique. In this context, an experiment, assigned in a randomized complete block design with four replicates, was conducted to evaluate the Δ ¹³C (‰) discrimination, nitrogen (N) yield (kg N ha-¹), total nitrogen content (g kg dry matter (DM)-¹) and dry matter yield (kg DM ha-¹) on an irrigated Tanzania grass pasture (Panicum maximum, Jacq.) receiving increasing rates (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg N ha-¹ cut-¹) of N fertilizer during the summer. Dry matter yield, N yield and nitrogen …

Evaluation Of “Feeding Intelligence” In Murrah Water Buffaloes Grazing Three Different Tropical Grasses, P. B. Alcântara

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Acceptability and palatability are two terms of large utilization that help to understand animal selection for feed. “Feeding intelligence” is a new theory recently introduced to replace those terms mentioned before. According to most recent research works, the feeding intelligence is acquired and remains for a long period of time in the memory of some animals. The present experiment had the purpose of showing its occurence in water buffaloes aiming, at the same time, to better understand their feeding behaviour. Three tropical grasses were tested: Brachiaria brizantha cv Marandu, Panicum maximum cv Tanzania and Setaria sphacelata var. sericeae cv Kazungula. …

Foraging Strategies On Rangeland: Effects On Intake And Animal Performance, Peter O’Reagain

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Rangelands exhibit extreme spatial and temporal variability in forage quality and availability. The animals that utilise these rangelands have consequently evolved a range of foraging strategies in an attempt to cope with this variability and maintain nutrient intake. In general, animals respond to and exploit spatial variability at all scales by selecting those items or units which optimise the intake of digestible nutrients and hence animal production. Animals similarly employ a variety of strategies to cope with temporal variability on rangelands. These strategies may include adjusting foraging behaviour and/or exploiting critical resources or resource areas to buffer temporal variability in …

On The Scale Dependence Of Foraging In Terrestrial Herbivores, John M. Fryxell, C. B. D. Fortin, J. Wilmshurst

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Meaningful modeling of the spatial and trophic dynamics of terrestrial herbivores demands understanding of the constraints and fitness objectives that presumably underlie behavior. This is complex in terrestrial herbivores, because of scale-dependent constraints on nutrient or energy gain. Mechanistic processes of forage cropping, forage mastication, movements between feeding stations, and forage digestion each have unique constraints that apply on different time, size, and spatial scales. Moreover, competing activities are rarely taken into account. Experimental testing of foraging objectives is therefore clouded by uncertainty regarding which time scale is most relevant from the animal’s perspective, leading to confusion and misrepresentation in …

Safflower (Carthamus Tintorius): A Promising Forage Crop For Semi-Arid Regions, Y. Leshem, I. Bruckental, S. Y. Landau, G. Ashbell, Z. Weinberg

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The yield, quality, preservation and intake of safflower hay were determined in two successive years - 1998 and 1999. Field experiments carried out at the Bet Dagan experimental station on the coastal plain of Israel under rain-fed conditions. A spineless variety was tested under three sowing dates. Yield decreased and quality improved as the sowing date receded from November 12 to February 3. Respective yields, IVDMD and CP content were: 22 and 8 ton DM/ha, 48.9% and 65.5% , 10.0% and 14.6%. Safflower at 290, 410 and 770 g/kg DM was ensiled in 1.5-l anaerobic glass jars with or without …