Digital Commons Network^™

Forage Quality, Yield And Palatability Of Quackgrass (Elytrigia Repens (L.) Nevski), T. Yagi, R. Meguro, E. Fukuda

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Quackgrass (Elytrigia repens (L.) Nevski) is a competitive perennial invader of pastures and hay meadows which is frequently harvested as forage in mixtures with desired forage species. Field experiments were conducted to compare quackgrass with cool-season perennial grasses grown under the same soil and climatic conditions, in terms of forage quality, productivity, and palatability. The forage quality of the hays was influenced by the grass species. Quackgrass showed forage crude protein (CP) concentration that was equal to those of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), and …

In Vitro Gas Production Technique To Predict Dmd Of Ensiled Forage Ruminant Based Diets, M. Wawrzkiewicz, J. L. Danelón, G. Jaurena

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The in vitro gas production technique was used as a tool to develop an improved prediction model of dry matter digestibility of ensiled forage based diets. Eleven diets were tested through conventional experiments of in vivo dry matter digestibility (DMD). The same diets were evaluated by the in vitro gas production technique using a gas pressure transducer . The parameters of the model y = A - B Q^t Z^√t were calculated with data from the accumulated gas curves, i.e. y=cumulative gas production (ml), Q=e^-b, Z=e^-c, B=e^bT+c√T , being …

Amaranth Productivity And Nutrient Composition In Central Georgia, W. F. Whitehead, Thomas H. Terrill, B. P. Singh, S. Gelaye

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) may have potential as a forage for summer grazing in the southeastern United States (US). Six accessions of amaranth were harvested at bud stage in two successive growing seasons to evaluate growth characteristics, yield, and forage quality parameters. The accessions, three genotypes of A. tricolor (Hinchoy VL, RRC-701, RRC-1186) and one each of A. hybridus (RRC-843), A. cruentus (RRC-1034), and A. dubius (RRC-1186) were evaluated in 1994 and 1995 on a Dothan sandy loam (fine loamy, siliceous, thermic, Plinthic Paleudult) soil at the Fort Valley State University Research Station, Fort Valley, Georgia. The plots were planted …

Supplementation With Brosimum Alicastrum Swartz To Pelibuey Sheep Fed Low Quality Rations, Luis Ramírez-Avilés, V. Valdivia-Salgado, Juan C. Ku-Vera

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of the present study was to assess the influence of supplementing increasing levels of ramón (Brosimum alicastrum) foliage to Pelibuey sheep fed guinea grass (Panicum maximum) hay. Rate and extent of rumen degradation of organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP) of ramón foliage were high. Dry matter (DM) intake of the diet was increased by the inclusion of ramón foliage. However, rate and extent of digestion of guinea grass was not affected by the ramón foliage. Rate of passage of solid was linearly increased as a result of the inclusion of ramón foliage …

Effect Of Water-Soluble Browning Products In Heated Herbages On Rumen Microorganisms, E. Touno, A. Takenaka, T. Kondo, O. Tanaka, M. Murai

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

When feed is heated, browning can occur. This browning is detrimental to both the value of feed and physiological functioning of the animal. Browning occurs when polymeric substances are produced during the Maillard reaction. Indigestible soluble Maillard reaction products could affect nitrogen utilization by ruminants. A method has been established for isolation of water-soluble browning products using a reversed phase column. In the present work, the effect of water-soluble browning products isolated from heated herbage on rumen microorganisms was investigated. A solution of browning products was added to the medium 10 to obtain final concentration of 0, 0.5 and 2.0 …

Comparison Of Summer Forages And The Effect Of Nitrogen Fertilizers On Brassica Forages In Tasmania, A. A. Salardini, R. J. Eckard, D. R. Franks

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Summer forage crops, and in particular Brassica spp., have become increasingly popular in dairy production systems in Tasmania. Field experiments were conducted for 3 years in northwestern Tasmania, in the spring/summers beginning in 1995. The study aimed to compare yield and quality of Brassica and Poaceae forages and the response of Brassica species to nitrogen (N) (50, 100 and 200 kg N/ha) and irrigation.

The average total yields of dryland (rainfed) crops in 1995 to 1997 experiments, were turnip (Brassica rapa) 9.3 t/ha, rape (B. napus) 5.9 t/ha, oats (Aevena sativa) 5.2 t/ha, kale …

Maturity And Fertilization Effects On Leaf Blade Tissue Percentages Of Contrasting Fescue Cultivars, L. B. Tempone, M. S. Cid, M. A. Brizuela, M. C. Nunciari, M. G. Cendoya

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Palenque Plus and Ceres Torpedo are tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) cultivars available to the animal production systems in the humid Pampean Region of Argentina. They differ in growth cycle and morphological characteristics. At vegetative stage, Torpedo leaves are fine and tender, which suggests that their percentages of slowly digestible and indigestible tissues (SDIT) should be low. In this study we 1) explored the effects of phenological stage and nitrogen fertilization on leaf blade tissue percentages of both cultivars, using an ordination multivariate technique, and 2) evaluated the effects of these factors on the percentage of SDIT. Our results …

Different Harvest Schedules To Prepare Deferred Forage From C4 Grasses In Córdoba, Argentina, M. R. Steinberg, E. F. Nienstedt, H. A. Valdez, J. C. Coraglio, C. A. Vieyra, P. A. Minuzzi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

From 1995 until 1999 a trial was done in the fields of the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba with four C4 forage grasses. These fields lie in the subtropical and semiarid region of Argentina. This research aimed to identify forage species that could be used as deferred forage for the drier and cooler winter season. Four species of C4 grasses were used: Rhodesgrass (Chloris gayana Kunth), Gatton (Panicum maximum), coloratum (Panicum coloratum) and digitgrass (Digitaria eriantha), respectively. Two growing periods were used: full season growth (FS) and half season regrowth (HS), in both cases …

Boron Fertilization Effects On Nutritive Parameters Of Alfalfa, F. M. Rouquette Jr., V. A. Haby, J. O. Fritz, M. Collins

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

With early pre-plant incorporation of limestone to raise soil pH to 6.8 to 7.0, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) may be grown successfully on acid, Coastal Plain, sandy loam soils. Fertility and forage quality for hay and/or grazing require alternative management of alfalfa on these Coastal Plain soils. A two-year experiment evaluated alfalfa fertilized with three rates of boron to quantify effects on nutritive entities, especially fiber components. On a whole-plant basis in year 1, only crude protein was increased (P < .05) at one of six harvest dates. In year 2, chemical analyses of leaf-stem components indicated consistent increases in crude protein of leaf fractions at each harvest (P < .05), reduction in neutral detergent fiber at three harvest dates (P < .06), and reduced lignin (P < .07) at the final harvest. Stem sections were affected by rate of boron at only the June harvest with an increase in crude protein (P < .05). Rate of boron fertilization had indirect effects on nutritive value (crude protein) by either delaying physiological maturity or enhancing nitrogen fixation in leaves, and had a direct negative effect on certain fiber components.

The Role Of Grass Feeding In Improving Oxidative Stability And Increasing Vitamin B12 Content Of Beef And Veal, V. Pastushenko, H.-D. Matthes, H. Heinrich, Z. Holzer, T. Prokopyuk

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of grass feeding of cattle on the decontamination capacity against free radical (DCAFR) and vitamin B₁₂ content of beef and veal. The meat samples from intensively (26 cattle, final weight 485±9 kg, concentrate feeding) and ecologically (25 heifers, final weight 472±32 kg, and 28 calves, final weight 260±24 kg, pasture grazing) managed cattle groups were investigated. The DCAFR was colorimetric assessed by examining damage to 1.4 benzoquinone. Vitamin B₁₂ was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. Data indicate that the oxidative stability of meat samples from ecological management …

Nitrate Accumulation In A Sorghum-Sudangrass Hybrid As Influenced By Nitrogen Fertilization, A. Elgersma, I. Y. Tecle, T. Provin

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The effect of nitrogen (N) fertilization and plant stage on nitrate accumulation was studied in a sorghum-Sudan grass hybrid. Grass cv. Dynagrazer was sown at the experimental site of Texas A & M University. Six N levels were applied (0, 112 … 672 Kg. N ha^-1). Nitrate concentrations were determined in three harvests, 5– 7 weeks after planting. Maximum levels were 2.1, 3.5 and 4.6 g nitrate-N kg^-1 DM, respectively, which is beyond the safe limits for animal consumption. The plots were cut at heading. Regrowth took place on residual N. Nitrate-N accumulation was lowest in the …

Effect Of Maceration On In Sacco Degradability And Energy Content Of Low-Moisture Round Bale Alfalfa Silage, K. Nonaka, S. Kume, T. Ohshita

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of maceration on in sacco degradability and energy content of low-moisture alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) silage. The results of two treatments were compared: 1) maceration, in which the alfalfa was processed through a large- scale forage mat maker prior to wilting to approximately 50% DM content (FM treatment), and 2) conventional conditioning, in which the alfalfa was tedded and wilted to the same DM content as that in the FM treatment (CC treatment). Silage bales were chopped in 20-mm pieces for each experiment. In sacco degradabilities of DM, CP …

Efficiency Of Nitrogen Use In Dairy Cows Grazing Ryegrass With Different Water Soluble Carbohydrate Concentrations, L. A. Miller, D. H. Baker, M. K. Theodorou, J. C. Macrae, M. O. Humphreys, Nigel D. Scollan, J. M. Moorby

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This experiment is one of a series designed to investigate the efficiency of nitrogen (N) use in Holstein-Friesian dairy cows grazing perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) which has been bred to express high water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentrations. Animals grazed either a High Sugar (HS) grass or a Control (C) variety chosen on the basis of heading date compatibility. Dry matter (DM) intakes were estimated using herbage mass. Milk yields, milk constituent concentrations and plasma concentrations of b-hydroxybutyrate, glucose, total protein, albumin and urea were also measured. Forage DM intakes were similar for the two grasses. However, because of …

Maris: Scalable Online Scenario Development Tool For Rangeland Conservancy Managers Using High Spatial-Temporal Resolution Carrying Capacity Maps And Livestock Market Data, L. G. J. Boerboom, R. O. Ohuru, A. G. Toxopeus, W. Nieuwenhuis, C. A. J. M. De Bie, P. K. Mwangi, M. L. Schouwenburg, R. L. G. Lemmens

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Although the management of livestock numbers within the bounds of carrying capacity of African rangelands is a way to manage risks, both scientists and practitioners, caution against a momentary and local use of carrying capacity as a management indicator. Carrying capacity should be seen in wider spatial and temporal/seasonal context as well as in a social and economic context. Given the large numbers of conservancies across Kenya, and its Maasai Mara region in particular, with many more landowner members, it is difficult for conservancies’ managers to contextualize phenomena such as carrying capacity and market price over space and time.

We …

Silvopastoral Strategy And Sustainable Management Of Forests In Morocco, Mustapha Naggar, Said Lahssini, Said Moukrim, Anass Legdou

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In Morocco, forests act as a grazing reserve all year long and in a normal year produce 1.5 billion feed units, i.e. 17 % of the national forage assessment. The pastoral question is one of the factors involved in the desertification of forested areas against a bioclimatic background where more than 93% of the national territory is arid. In 2016, the Water and Forestry Department in cooperation with its partners, devised a nation-wide sylvo-pastoral strategy. The approach adopted consists in sustainably managing sylvo-pastoral resources over the long term based on good governance of all goods and services offered by forested …

Effects Of Agroforestry Practices On Soil Properties In The Drylands Of Eastern Kenya, Nicholas Syano Mutuku, Moses M. Nyangito, Geoffrey Kironchi, Oliver Vivian Wasonga

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Drylands, which are home to about 2 billion people face a myriad of problems among them low land productivity. Agroforestry is one of the land use practices that is perceived to be sustainable with beneficial effects on soil properties. However, the effects of agroforestry practices on soils especially in the drylands have rarely been quantified and studied in details. The study determined the effects of selected agroforestry practices on soil properties in Makueni County of Kenya where agroforestry has been promoted by various organizations. Four soil samples were collected at 0-15cm, 15-30cm, 30-45cm and 45-60cm depths in a zigzag pattern …

Adaptive, Multi-Paddock, Rotational Grazing Management: An Experimental, Ranch-Scale Assessment Of Effects On Multiple Ecosystem Services, D. J. Augustine, J. D. Derner, L. M. Porensky, H. Wilmer, María E. Fernández-Giménez, David D. Briske

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Decisions on how to move livestock in space and time are central to rangeland management. Despite decades of small-scale research, substantial uncertainty exists regarding the relative importance of cattle stocking rates per se, versus the movement of cattle in both space and time, in achieving desired vegetation and livestock outcomes at scales relevant to livestock producers. We report on a ranch-scale experiment comparing effects of collaborative, adaptive, multi-paddock, rotational management (CARM) versus more traditional, season-long, continuous rangeland management (TRM) on perennial grass density and production, cattle performance, and wildlife habitat, while holding the annual stocking rate the same in …

Water Use Efficiency And Land Cover Variability On A Native Grassland Ranch On The Pampa Biome Of Uruguay, Diana L. Restrepo-Osorio, Gabriel De Oliveira, James Coll, Daniela Schossler

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Global efforts towards sustainable cattle ranching should be based on comprehensive approaches, targeting physical variables of the ranching process, as well as, the socioeconomic dimensions. Alianza del Pastizal is a non-profit conservation organization that works to preserve the temperate grasslands of the Southern Cone of South America by promoting conservation practices among ranching communities in Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil. Alianza has become a mediator for ranchers exchanging information, resources, and education. Ranchers associated with the Alliance take pride in their property management as they aim to improve the community wellbeing and natural resource sustainability. In a previous study, producers …

Ewe Daily-Weight Gain Grazing Leucaena Leucocephala-Megathyrsus Maximus Cv Mombasa Silvopastoral System And Tropical Native Unimproved Range, L. K. Trejo-Arista, Enrique Cortés-Díaz, P. A. Martínez-Hernández, J. A. Cadena-Meneses

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Silvopastoral systems are a viable option to increase livestock productivity, The silvopastoral arrangement of Leucaena leucocephala associated with Megathyrsus maximus CV Mombasa (LMS) is successfully cultivated in tropical environments.. The objective of the study was to determine ewe daily-weight gain grazing LMS and a tropical unimproved native range. Two LMS were tested: high and low leucaena densities, 4700 and 2383 plants/ha, respectively. Grazing was rotational, lasted 150 d (rainy season) at equivalent stocking rate of 59 ewes/ha/150 d. Experimental design was a completely random design with three replications, the experimental unit was a 192 m² plot. Variables measured on …

Status, Management, And Governance Of The Communal Grasslands Of Ethiopia’S Highlands: A Disappearing Asset For Mixed Crop-Livestock Livelihood Systems, Bedasa Eba, Fiona Flintan, Tesfa Getachew, Jason Sircely

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

There is little documentation about the status, management, and governance of the communal grasslands of Ethiopia’s highlands. However, research being carried out by ILRI (International Livestock Research Institute) in northern Shewa, Amhara region, is highlighting their importance as a critical resource for those farmers engaged in mixed crop-livestock livelihood systems across the highland areas. These grassland areas range from 2 to 200 hectares and can be used by up to four different villages or ‘kebele’ and providing on average 10-20% of livestock feed for local farmers. However, this important resource is rapidly disappearing with encroachment of farming and tree-planting with …

Moving Conferences Online: Lessons Learned From An International Virtual Meeting, Paris V. Stefanoudis, Leann M. Biancani, Sergio Cambronero-Solano, Malcolm R. Clark, Jonathan T. Copley, Erin E. Easton, Franziska Elmer, Steven H. D. Haddock, Santiago Herrera, Ilysa S. Iglesias

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

We consider the opportunities and challenges associated with organizing a conference online, using a case study of a medium-sized (approx. 400 participants) international conference held virtually in August 2020. In addition, we present quantifiable evidence of the participants’ experience using the results from an online post-conference questionnaire. Although the virtual meeting was not able to replicate the in-person experience in some aspects (e.g. less engagement between participants) the overwhelming majority of respondents found the meeting an enjoyable experience and would join similar events again. Notably, there was a strong desire for future inperson meetings to have at least some online …

A Drone-Based Survey For Large, Basking Freshwater Turtle Species, Amy P. Bogolin, Drew R. Davis, Richard Kline, Abdullah Rahman

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Conservation concerns are increasing for numerous freshwater turtle species, including Pseudemys gorzugi, which has led to a call for more research. However, traditional sampling methodologies are often time consuming, labor intensive, and invasive, restricting the amount of data that can be collected. Biases of traditional sampling methods can further impair the quality of the data collected, and these shortfalls may discourage their use. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, drones) for conducting wildlife surveys has recently demonstrated the potential to bridge gaps in data collection by offering a less labor intensive, minimally invasive, and more efficient process. Photographs and …

Effects Of Nitrate On Arsenic Mobilization During Aquifer Storage And Recovery, Hania Hawasli

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Aquifer storage and recovery technology is used to sustain water resources and to prevent saltwater intrusion. The injected water can come from various resources, including treated wastewater. In pilot ASR studies in the Tampa Bay region, researchers found high As concentrations in the recovered water from the oxidation of the arsenopyrite that is embedded in the aquifers. The presence of dissolved O2 in the injected water is a major factor in the arsenopyrite oxidation during ASR, however the effects of NO3- on the arsenopyrite has not been studied yet. This is an important knowledge gap because injected water may contain …

Made To Graze: Using Cattle To Regenerate Soil Health, Debby Dulworth

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Beyond being a cattle farm in extreme western Kentucky, Dogwood Farm is part of an ecosystem dominated by the nearby Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Northern Ballard County was still a wilderness of temperate rainforest in 1840, when settlers began clearing trees to convert it to farm land. Almost every year since, more land has been cleared, tilled and planted to crops.

Dogwood Farm pastures offer examples of several different ways to affordably and profitably convert long‐farmed row‐crop land‐‐most of which had previously grown annual monocultures of corn, winter wheat and soybeans for many decades‐‐back to perennials that will keep the …

Usda‐Nrcs Graze Model: An Update Of A Static Pasture Balance Tool For Grazing Planners, Jimmy C. Henninger, Ivelin Denev

Kentucky Grazing Conference

The USDA‐NRCS Graze Model is a spreadsheet‐based, pasture budgeting digital tool to assist landowners and grazing advisors assess the pasture balance of current and future forage livestock systems. The tool will assess current stocking rates and help to calculate optimal carrying capacity. The model allows the user to see the impact of changing the forage base and grazing efficiency on the ability of a system to be sustainable. The model will accommodate cattle, sheep, goats, and seasonal grazing livestock. Yield information is based on historic, attainable values for Kentucky and the mid‐South region. Livestock intake is calculated on a percent …

Flexible Fencing And Watering Systems For Rotational Grazing, Morgan Hayes

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Creating proper and watering systems is critical for managing livestock. Not only do farmers need fencing to contain their livestock on their property, but also to ensure the livestock eat down the forage intended rather than areas that are supposed to be rested. With temporary fencing there are many options for laying out flexible fencing which will be discussed below. In many rotational grazing setups access to water is the limiting factor. There are options and considerations that can make a watering system more flexible as well. When trying to develop or improve a rotational grazing strategy being able to …

Precision Ag Isn’T Just For The Row Crop Guys, Christopher D. Teutsch

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Guidance utilizing the global positioning system (GPS) has long been used for various operations in row crop agriculture. However, the high price of these systems has limited use in low input forage‐livestock operations. Reduced prices and the availability of used guidance systems has the potential to increase the use of precision agriculture in ruminant operations. Currently, entry level guidance systems can be purchased for $1,000 to 2,500.

Participatory Observatories To Connect Multifunctional Landscapes, Link Smallholder Farmers, And Collectively Diversify Income, I. Espejel Carvajal, G. Romero, O. Pérez, R. Yaguez, Elisabeth Huber-Sannwald, N. Martínez Tagueña, C. L. Lauterio Martínez, V. M. Reyes Gómez, S. Lucatello

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Cattle ranching was introduced to Baja California, Mexico (semiarid and arid climates) by the Spaniards, who brought the animals and the techniques. One important activity was moving livestock from the mountains (forests and few kinds of grass) to the coast crossing poor shrublands known as chaparrals. Fire was a common practice to promote grass growth and pastoralists could move through the land freely. Pastoralism became a common practice when English workers built the Ensenada port and became ranching landowners. They followed the practice of livestock movement through the exorreic watersheds. Native Indians, as well as other Mexicans known as ejidatarios, …

Participatory Management Of Rangeland Hydrology – A New Socio-Ecological Technology To Effectively Adapt To And Mitigate Climate Change: Case From Morocco, Lhoussaine Bouchaou, El Hassane El Mahdad, El Hassan Beraaouz, Abdelfettah Sifeddine, Alessandro Rizzo, Mohamed Hssaisoune, Hanane Reddad, Abdelghani Chehbouni, Elisabeth Huber-Sannwald

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Morocco’s drylands cover over 90% of the land area; low and irregular rainfall and high potential evaporation contribute to extremely high-water deficits. These phenomena have greatly impacted rangeland hydrology and nomadic and transhumant pastoralism. To adapt to this predominant water deficit, the inhabitants of these areas have developed two forms of lifestyles, which include household and livestock mobility: (i) a pendulum movement for seasonal transhumance between the mountains and their bordering plains; and (ii) random nomadic mobility regulated by the sporadic frequency of rains and thus water availability. In both cases, this mobility is controlled by the degree of development …

Bale Grazing: Feeding Hay The Rotational Grazing Way, Gregory S. Halich

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Imagine a hay feeding system where you did not have to use a tractor for months at a time and that allowed you to build up pasture fertility without applying commercial fertilizer. Would this be of interest to you? What if this same system also kept your cattle clean during the winter without coats caked in mud and manure, allowed you to creep graze fall‐born calves, and built up the organic matter levels in your pasture soils. Would you be even more interested? As far‐fetched as this may sound, all these benefits are possible with an innovative winter‐feeding technique called …