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Eating Biodiversity: Investigating The Links Between Grassland Biodiversity And Quality Food Production, A. Hopkins, H. Buller, C. Morris, J. D. Wood

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Modern food production systems are generally detrimental to biodiversity, and the widespread loss of species-diverse grassland as a consequence of intensive farming methods is well documented. Since the 1980s, a range of policy measures and financial incentives for farmers have been introduced in Europe to halt (and in some cases, reverse) this trend, primarily to meet environmental objectives of species and habitat conservation and landscape protection. Biodiversity, where associated with agricultural production, has largely been regarded as a positive 'externality' to the process of food production; a ‘product’ which benefits wider society without necessarily conferring an agricultural benefit to the …

Grazing Impacts On Rangeland Condition In Semi-Arid South-Western Africa, A. Rothauge, G. N. Smit, A. L. Abate

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The savannah biome, consisting of a dense herbaceous layer and a relatively open woody layer in competitive balance, constitutes 64% of the land surface of Namibia, an arid country in south-western Africa, and is used mainly for extensive cattle and sheep ranching. About half of the savannah area is affected by dense to moderately dense bush-thickening, resulting in a ten-fold decrease in the rangeland’s grass-based carrying capacity and a concomitant loss in meat production of about US$115 million per year (De Klerk, 2004). Bushencroached areas typically have densities > 2 000 bushes/ha with > 90% belonging to a single species. High grazing …

Andean Pastures In The Fourth Region Of Chile: Marginal Lands And Vital Spaces For A Transhumance System, T. S. Koné, R. Osorio, J. -M. Fotsing

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In the fourth region of Chile, the high Andean pastures between Chile and Argentina are the summer destination for transhumant shepherds and sustain a part of the regional livestock. Since 2000, Chile has prohibited the passage of livestock to Argentina for animal health reasons in spite of official registers indicating that 60 to 75% of the summer transhumance livestock had an Argentine destination. Under those conditions it is questionable whether the Andean Chilean grasslands can absorb the increased pastoral demand without suffering damage. The objective is to provide elements of an answer to this question regarding the distribution and availability …

Grazing, Biodiversity And Pastoral Vegetation In The South Sudanien Area Of Burkina Faso, E. Botoni-Liehoun, P. Daget

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Grazing impact on plant diversity is dominated by two contradictory views. In some studies, it has been found to lead to an increase in diversity and in other studies to a decrease associated with dominance of a few species (Nösberger et al., 1998, Hiernaux, 1998). In an Isoberlinia doka forest ecosystem, considered as the climax vegetation in the South Sudanien area of Burkina Faso, a study was carried out to assess the impact of grazing on the diversity of herbaceous species. The Isoberlinia doka forest is one type of South Sudanien savanna. The woody stratum is open and allowed …

Optimization Of The Pasture Resource In Boundary Environments As A Basis For Regional Nature Management, M. V. Rogova

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In spite of the globalization processes encompassing all spheres of human life and activity, land remains the main resource and provides the feeding source for population and the fodder base for livestock rearing. On the other hand, the activity of local communities can have important global consequences. The study area that includes Lake Baikal’s western shore (East Siberia) and the lake’s largest island exemplifies the traditional type of nature management, namely, grazing management which was originated by an indigenous population within the context of suitable natural climatic conditions. This investigation furnished an opportunity to make an assessment of the status …

Effects Of Sowing Date And Phosphorus Fertiliser Application On Winter Survival Of Lucerne Cv. Aohan In The Northern Semi-Arid Region Of China, Z. L. Wang, Q. Zh. Sun, Y. W. Wang, Zh. Y. Li, Sh. F. Zhao

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In the northern semi-arid region of China, winter survival is always a limiting factor for lucerne production, because low temperatures and a dry climate in winter (Zhou et al., 1993; Ma, 2000; Sun & Gui, 2001; Sun et al., 2003). An experiment was conducted to find an appropriate sowing date and P application rate in order to improve lucerne winter survival.

Qtl Analysis And Trait Dissection In Ryegrass (Lolium Spp.), T. Yamada, J. W. Forster

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Key points

1. Molecular marker-based genetic analysis permits the dissection of complex phenotypes through resolution of the locations of pleiotropic and interacting genetic factors.
2. Several QTLs for agronomically important characters such as flowering time, winter hardiness and forage quality have been identified in perennial ryegrass by molecular marker-based map analysis.
3. Some QTLs were putatively orthologous to those for equivalent traits in cereals.
4. The identification of co-location between QTLs and functionally-associated genetic markers is critical for the future implementation of marker-assisted selection programs.

Leaves Of High Yielding Perennial Ryegrass Contain Less Aggregated Rubisco Than S23, A. Kingston-Smith, P. W. Wilkins

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Breeding diploid perennial ryegrass for improved dry matter yield under nitrogen-limiting conditions has reduced the nitrogen (N) concentration of the herbage (Wilkins et al., 2003). Reduced N concentration in the ruminant diet is one potential way to reduce losses of N to the environment by reducing the amount of N that animals excrete. The underlying physiological basis of this increased N-use efficiency in ryegrass was investigated.

Variability In Quantity And Composition Of Water Soluble Carbohydrates Among Irish Accessions And European Varieties Of Perennial Ryegrass, S. Mcgrath, S. Barth, A. Frohlich, M. Francioso, S. A. Lamorte, T. R. Hodkinson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of this study was to identify perennial ryegrass accessions displaying high fructose and glucose contents and an improved ratio between fructose and glucose fractions across different time points throughout the year. Fructose and glucose are the main constituents of the water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) fraction in perennial ryegrass. For animal nutrition the amount of WSC is crucial as it is the primary energy source available to metabolise the intake of plant protein. The ratio between fructose and glucose fractions is important since fructosan chains, which are an excellent energy source for ruminants, are built from fructose. Furthermore the …

The Influence Of Fertiliser Application To Strip-Sown Grasslands On Herbage Production And Quality, A. Kohoutek, P. Komárek, V. Odstrčilová, P. Nerušil

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

To increase the productivity of dairy cattle in the Czech Republic requires an improvement in herbage quality and an increase in the net energy of herbage. The decrease in cattle numbers by 50 % and the expansion of the grassland area both result in a surplus of feedstuffs of low quality. Introduction of strip-seeding of legumes and grasses into grasslands in interaction with fertilisation provides a possible solution to this problem.

Constraints On Dairy Cattle Production From Locally Available Forages In Bangladesh, M. A. S. Khan

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The productivity of milk producing animals in Bangladesh is low because of low individual yield and poor fertility. The reasons for the low productivity are complex but, in order of priority, appear to be (a) the imbalanced nature of the nutrients that arise from the digestion of the forage resources, (b) the incidence of disease/parasitism, and (c) the often harsh climatic circumstances. Thus, the purpose of this study was to find out the practical constraints on dairy cattle production from locally available forages under small holding village conditions of Bangladesh.

Construction Of Microsatellite-Enriched Libraries For Tropical Forage Species And Characterization Of The Repetitive Sequences Found In Brachiaria Brizantha, Letícia Jungmann, C. B. Do Valle, P. R. Laborda, Rosangela M. S. Resende, Liana Jank, A. P. De Souza

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The Brazilian cattle herd comprises 185 million animals fed with about 177 million hectares of native and cultivated pastures (IBGE, 2002). Of the grass species used for forage in Brazil, the African genus Brachiaria is the most widely planted, followed by Panicum, which also has an African origin. Legumes of the Stylosanthes genus, native to the South America, have emerged in the last few years as potential forage species for use with the grasses. These forage species have been bred at Embrapa Beef Cattle and the breeding programs have shown the need for more genetic information including the use …

Qtl Analysis Of Mineral Content And Grass Tetany Potential In Leymus Wildryes, S. R. Larson, H. F. Mayland

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Grass tetany is a metabolic ailment in ruminants, occurring when animals graze rapidly growing C₃ grasses with a K/(Mg+Ca) ratio (KRAT) greater than 2.2. High KRAT values have been documented in several forage grasses including diploid Russian wildrye (Jefferson et al., 2001). The objective of this experiment was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling KRAT in allotetraploid wildryes.

Detecting Fauna Habitat In Semi-Arid Grasslands Using Satellite Imagery, N. A. Bruce, Ian D. Lunt, M. Abuzar, M. Mitchell

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Managing grasslands for biodiversity conservation is a relatively recent phenomenon and there is uncertainty over the most effective strategy. Past research has found that intermediate levels of disturbance (e.g. burning or grazing) may be required to maintain the natural mosaic of small-scale patterning required for a diverse range of flora and fauna species. For sustainable grassland management, appropriate methods of spatial assessment and temporal monitoring are required, to facilitate understanding of how past and present climate, land management and landscape features influence vegetation structure. Due to the expense and time-consuming nature of conventional ground-based monitoring, satellite remote-sensing techniques offer a …

An Evaluation Of Grazing Value Of Maize And Companion Crops For Wintering Lactating Ewes, E. A. Van Zyl, C. S. Dannhauser

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Northwestern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), in South Africa, is well known for its sheep production from natural rangeland in summer (October to May). During winter, however, the nutritional value of the rangeland cannot maintain young growing sheep or pregnant and lactating ewes. With this in mind, Lyle (1991) suggested the use of planted pastures for the winter. Crichton et al. (1998) and Esterhuizen & Niemand (1989) suggested the use of maize crop residues for both cattle and sheep during winter, whereas Moore (1997) evaluated grazing (not harvested) maize for this purpose. He found that the crude protein content of the crop was …

Rainfall And Grazing Impacts On The Population Dynamics Of Bothriochloa Ewartiana In Tropical Australia, D. M. Orr, Peter J. O'Reagain

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Bothriochloa ewartiana (desert bluegrass) is a palatable, native perennial (C4) grass of considerable importance to the northern Australian grazing industry. However, little is known of the interaction between grazing pressure and the highly variable rainfall found in this area, on its population dynamics. This paper reports interim results (1998-2004) from a long-term study, in which its population dynamics were examined under 3 grazing strategies.

Herbage Quality Of Dwarf Napier Grass Under A Rotational Cattle Grazing System Two Years After Establishment, Yasuyuki Ishii, A. A. Sunusi, M. M. Mukhtar, Sachiko Idota, Kiichi Fukuyama

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Dwarf Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) of a late-heading type (dwarf-late, DL), introduced by the Dairy Promotion Organization, Thailand, has a high over-wintering ability and is suitable for grazing. The objective of this study was to examine the digestibility and crude protein (CP) concentration of DL Napier grass both before and after rotational grazing in relation to the daily liveweight gain of cattle 2 years after establishment in the lowland area of Kyushu, Japan.

Modelling Grazing Animal Distributional Patterns Using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Techniques, M. R. George, N. R. Harris, N. K. Mcdougald, M. Louhaichi, M. D. Johnson, D. E. Johnson, K. R. Smith

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Predicting livestock distribution is crucial to reducing livestock impacts on environmentally critical areas. Attempts to model livestock distribution on rangelands have met with varying levels of success. Most of these models described conditions at specific sites and did not work well when they were applied to other sites. In part, the weakness of these models arises from a lack of connection to the spatial arrangement of the study area and the pattern shown by animal distributions. To model the influence of the factors on livestock distribution we developed the Kinetic Resource and Environmental Spatial Systems (KRESS) Modeller. The KRESS Modeler …

Preference Of Goats For Cool-Season Annual Clovers In The Southern United States, Thomas H. Terrill, W. F. Whitehead, G. Durham, Carl S. Hoveland, B. P. Singh, S. Gelaye

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In the southern U.S.A., annual clovers provide high-quality winter and spring grazing for beef cattle and sheep. New Zealand data on white clover (Trifolium repens L.) suggests that goats do not prefer this plant as much as sheep (Clark et al., 1982) but little data are available on willingness of goats to consume different clover types in the USA.

Production Per Animal And Use Of Intake Estimatives To Predicted Animal Productivity In Pennisetum Purpureum Cv. Mott And Cynodon Spp Cv. Tifton 85 Pastures, Fernando L. F. De Quadros, A. R. Maixner, Gilberto V. Kozloski, D. P. Montardo, A. Noronha, D. G. Bandinelli, M. Da S. Brum, N. D. Aurélio

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Dairy production is a very important activity in southern Brazil, being an essential source of income to small household farms. Milk production from pastures is an alternative to reduce costs in dairy systems. Some C4 grasses, such as dwarf elephant grass (DEG) and Tifton 85, have presented high animal production per animal and per area. Although studies evaluating milk production from these pastures are rare in south Brazil, in vitro studies have demonstrated that the nutritional value of these forages is higher than production registered in grazing. So, it is possible that, in spite of a high intrinsic nutritional value, …

Ingestive Behaviour Of Steers In Native Pastures In Southern Brazil, C. E. Pinto, Paulo C. De F. Carvalho, A. Frizzo, J. A.S.F. Júnior, T. M. S. Freitas, Carlos Nabinger

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The Campos biome, particularly its native pastures, is the main resource for livestock production in southern Brazil (Boldrini, 1997). It has a huge floristic diversity in which more than 400 grass and 150 legume species are found. These pastures are very heterogeneous with horizontal as well as vertical structure. Hodgson (1985) stressed the importance of sward structure upon diet selection, emphasizing the difficulties animals could have to access all pasture layers in temperate pastures. This experiment investigates how variation in herbage allowance along the growing season influences the ingestive behaviour of steers.

Translational Genomics For Alfalfa Varietal Improvement, G. D. May

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Key points

1. Medicago truncatula is a model legume with available mapping, genome, and RNA, protein and metabolite profiling databases and genetically diverse populations.
2. Genomics resources developed for M. truncatula have application in the study and improvement of alfalfa making it an excellent model for this forage legume.

Stocking Rate Theory And Profit Drivers In North Australian Rangeland Grazing Enterprises, Neil D. Macleod, A. J. Ash, John G. Mcivor

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Setting correct stock numbers is a key decision for successful pastoralism. In marginal environments, typified by northern Australia, this involves careful cattle herd management across landscapes and seasons characterised by heterogeneous land condition and extreme climatic uncertainty. Stocking rate theory which links animal production to stocking rates concentrates only on liveweight gain of sale animals and ignores complex herd (e.g. reproduction, mortality) and pasture dynamics (e.g. land condition) and costs of maintaining stock numbers (e.g. supplementary feeding). Related economic models are generally naïve and incomplete, being based on liveweight gain, meat prices and variable husbandry costs (e.g. Workman, 1986). Modelling …

An Ecological And Economic Risk Avoidance Drought Management Decision Support System, R. K. Heitschmidt, L. T. Vermeire

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Ecologists have long recognized the fundamental impacts of drought on rangeland structure and function. Simulation models have been developed to increase our understanding of these impacts as they relate to forage production, particularly for predictive purposes. Although the capacity of these models to accurately predict quantity and quality of forage produced under varying climatic conditions is often quite good, their ability to serve as an effective and proactive drought management decision support system is often limited. This is in large part because their complexity impedes their use by on-the-ground managers. The objective of this research was to develop a very …

Managing Resources By Grazing In Grasslands Dominated By Dominant Shrub Species, D. Magda, Cyril Agreil, Michel Meuret, E. Chambon-Dubreuil, P. -L. Osty

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The European natural grasslands are attracting new attention because of their environmental value as habitats for threatened fauna and flora species and their contribution to the diversity of landscapes. Those responsible for the implementation of the European agri-environmental policy are hence encouraging livestock farmers to adopt grazing practices that contribute to the conservation of grassland biodiversity especially by limiting encroachment by dominant shrubs. However, current scientific knowledge and technical information are often insufficient to connect flock feeding and the impact of grazing on shrub dynamics and livestock farmers are not very enthusiastic about restoring or conserving “plant mosaics” including shrubs …

Challenges In Modelling Live-Weight Change In Grazed Pastures In The Australian Subtropics, C. K. Mcdonald, A. J. Ash

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In sub-tropical regions there is enormous seasonal, annual and spatial variation in pasture quality and considerable variation in quality between pasture species. The heterogeneous structure of sub-tropical pasture swards means that process based modelling of liveweight change (LWC) is particularly difficult. In response to this complexity LWC has been expressed as a function of the length of the growing season and/or pasture utilization (McKeon et al. 2000), green leaf availability, or pasture availability and climate (Hirata et al. 1993). However, these relationships vary from year to year, often fail when species composition changes, and generally explain

Accumulation Of Polyphenols And Major Bioactive Compounds In Plantago Lanceolata L. As A Medicinal Plant For Animal Health And Production, Y. Tamura, K. Yamaki

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Producing animals without the use of feed-grade antibiotic growth promoters and chemical medicines is sought. Scientific studies with this aim have focused on medicinal plants to identify and quantify any beneficial effects that they might have on animal production. Plantago lanceolata L. has been used in herbal medicines and is currently being evaluated as a potential pasture species because of its beneficial effects on animal health. In the present study, the accumulation of polyphenols in P. Lanceolata is compared to that in principal pasture species, and genetic variation and environmental changes in the major bioactive compounds in P. Lanceplata are …

Effect Of Urea-Treated Pennisetum Pedicellatum And Supplementation Of Concentrates With Urea On Milk Production Of “Mossi” Ewes, V. M. C. Bougouma-Yameogo, A. J. Nianogo

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The “Mossi” sheep is a near parent of “Djallonke” sheep that live in sudano-sahelian area of Burkina Faso. However, there are few available results on dairy production from this breed. The treatment of straw with urea is a technique used in several developing countries to improve the nutritional value of gramineous forages (Sourabié et al., 1995). The aim of this study was to test the influence on the performance of “Mossi” ewes and on milk composition of treatment of Pennisetum pedicellatum (Pp) with urea in comparison with addition of urea to the concentrate feed.

Using The N-Alkane Technique To Estimate The Herbage Intake And Diet Composition Of Cattle Grazing A Miscanthus Sinensis Grassland, Y. Zhang, Y. Togamura, K. Otsuki

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Plant wax alkanes are now widely used as marker substances (Dove & Mayes 1991) for the estimation of forage intake and diet composition of grazing herbivores. The objective of this study was to evaluate this method with cattle grazing a M. sinensis grassland in Japan.

Reasons For The Premature Decline In Astragalus Adsurgens Stands In Kerqin Sandy Land, Qizhong Sun, Z. L. Wang, J. G. Han, Y. W. Wang, G. R. Liu

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Diseases partly account for reductions in Astragalus adsurgens stand longevity. The effect of some cultural practices on the control of pests and diseases have been reported (Hou, 1986; Nan, 1996), but few reports have detailed the relationship among soil fertiliser status, diseases and premature stand decline. This study was conducted to investigate these relationships in order to extend the longevity of Astragalus adsurgens stands.