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Dry Matter Intake, Digestibility And Diet Selection By Sheep Grazing On Reseeded And Naturally Regenerating Range Sites At Sheikan Locality, North Kordofan State, Sudan, Sahar Ezzat, Babo Fadlalla

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The aim of this study was to evaluate range quality for sheep from reseeded and naturally regenerating (un-reseeded) range sites at Sheikan Locality, North Kordofan State, Sudan. The study area suffers from over-grazing, excessive tree cutting and frequent cyclic droughts, which have led to a domination of short–lived un-preferred annual plants.

Impacts Of Livestock Preference And Frequency Of Grazing On Production And Nutritive Value Of Pastures In Chile, Oscar A. Balocchi, Ignacio F. López, Juan P. Keim

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Cattle are selective grazers since they only consume some plants or some parts of a plant from the pasture and avoid others. Grazing preference is affected by characteristics of the pasture such as the botanical composition, pasture surface height, herbage mass, phenological stage, digestibility, fibre content, protein and ash content. Three studies were conducted in southern Chile to determine how: 1) grazing preferences of dairy cattle was influenced by pasture mixtures and fertilisation; 2) grazing selectivity was related to tiller features; and 3) grazing leaf-stage influenced pasture quantity and quality. For the first study, fertilised pastures had higher herbage mass, …

Diet Selection By Goats On Rangeland Of North Kordofan State, Sudan, Mohammed F. M. Fatur, Babo Fadlalla, Abdelaziz K. Gaiballa, Abdelrahman E. Babiker

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study was conducted at El Demokeya forest, North Kordofan State, Sudan. The objective was to evaluate goat diet botanical composition as an indicator for pasture quality. Bite counts were obtained from seven goats in protected and open rangeland sites. Percent plant cover in the two range sites were 81.9% and 87.5% respectively. Density was 260.9 and 181.9 plants / m² respectively (P < 0.05). At flowering, goat diet contained 10.8% ± 1.12 and 11.8% ± 5.94 CP in protected and open sites respectively. At seed set CP% was 8.1 ± 1.32 and 8.2 ± 3.01 respectively (P …

Faecal Near Infrared Spectroscopy To Measure The Diet Selected And Productivity Of Grazing Ruminants, Rob Dixon, Maryline Boval, Vincent Blanfort, Virginie Decruyenaere, David Coates

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In ruminants near infrared spectroscopy of faeces (F.NIRS) can measure the concentrations of faecal constituents such as N and fibre. It can also directly estimate many diet attributes, including total N, fibre, digestibility and the major plant groups (e.g. monocots versus dicots, and some plant species). In some situations F.NIRS can be used to estimate voluntary intake and liveweight change, but it is difficult to encompass animal effects (e.g. lactation, maturity), pasture availability or mineral deficiencies. Application of F.NIRS, especially in conjunction with other measurements (e.g. metabolizable energy intake calculated from liveweight change, ^{13 …}

Using Participatory Research, Remote Sensing And Field Surveys To Build A State And Transition Model For The Native Pastures Of Northern Uruguay, Marcelo Pereira Machín

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Native grasslands cover 55% of the agricultural lands of Uruguay. Balancing conservation, agricultural production and human well-being is a major management challenge. Adaptive management approaches have been developed for leased land, underpinned by a newly developed state and transition model (STM). The model was tested in northern Uruguay, in the Department of Paysandú, covering an area of 8300 ha. Floristic surveys were used to define five states, based on the relative cover of key plant species and functional types. Each state was characterized in terms of livestock density, sheep/cattle ratio and years since last ploughing. Aboveground Net Primary Production (ANPP) …

Morphological Acclimatation And Canopy Structure Characteristics Of Arachis Pintoi Under Reduced Light And At Full Sun, Raquel S. Barro, João C. Saibro, Alexandre C. Varella, Igor J. Carassai, Carlos Nabinger, Gilles Lemaire

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The canopy structure is a key variable to determine the adaptive potential of forages and it influences the radiation use efficiency (RUE) under different light conditions. The light extinction coefficient calculated from the Beer-Lambert formula (k) shows the canopy architecture and light interception patterns of plants and thus their potential ability to convert light energy (photosynthetically active radiation-PAR) into plant biomass (Hirose 2005). Under shade, forages may experience changes in plant morphology and canopy structure. Many authors reported those changes and relate them to modifications in light quantity and quality (Varella et al. 2010). The magnitude of these morphological …

Functional Responses Of South African Rangelands In Contrasting Tenure Systems, Cristian A. Moreno García, Jürgen Schellberg, Frank Ewert, Anja Linstädter, Jan C. Ruppert, Susana B. Perelman

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Land degradation in South African rangelands has frequently been studied in the context of tenure systems, because both governmental policy and range management practices were historically implemented in contrasting forms. We compared the functional response of vegetation along grazing gradients between a communal (CU) and commercial (CO) farming areas. One transect was established per farm from the waterpoint to a mid-field position. Six equally spaced plots (5 m × 5 m) were set up along each transect. Using a taxon-free sampling procedure, we recorded the response of 15 community-aggregated plant functional traits (CPFT) in: (1) mature standing biomass; and (2) …

Grazing Management Flexibility In Pastures Subjected To Rotational Stocking Management: Herbage Production And Chemical Composition Of Kikuyu-Grass Swards, André F. Sbrissia, Valéria P. B. Euclides, Rodrigo A. Barbosa, Denise B. Montagner, Deisy A. Padilha, Gabriela T. Santos, Guilherme D. Zanini, Paulo G. Duchini, Sila C. Da Silva

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Several recent papers published on tropical pastures have pointed out that under rotational stocking management regrowth should be interrupted when canopy light interception is 95% (LI). Further, these studies have revealed a positive and high correlation between LI and sward height, allowing LI management targets to be defined in terms of sward height. However, there are some indications that lower pre-grazing heights relative to those targets would result in similar leaf accumulation without interfering with sward persistence. The objective of this paper was to verify a possible flexibility of such pre-grazing height targets. A replicated experiment was conducted with treatments …

Botanical Composition And Nutritive Value Of Grazing Lands From Organic And Conventional Agrosilvopastoral Production Systems Of Tropical Southeastern Mexico, Claudia Delgadillo Puga, José Bernardo Sánchez Muñoz, José Nahed-Toral, Miguel Ángel Orantes Zebadua, José Luis Cruz Lopez, Mario Cuchillo Hilario

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In the current situation of agriculture, organic livestock farming has been not only adapted to ameliorate undesirable impacts on environment but also it is challenged to hold or improve agricultural yields obtain-ed by conventional agriculture. In the Mesoamerican biological corridor, a region recognized with an abundant diversity, almost all animal husbandry is based on extensive grazing and traditional agrosilvopastoral systems (Nahed-Toral et al. 2009; Nahed et al. 2010). Furthermore, the conversion of natural jungle areas to new farmland through deforestation is a prevalent problem for biological conservation. Therefore, precise knowledge for suitable agriculture and livestock product-ion are needed …

Performance Of Calves Receiving By-Products Of Oil Palm During The Dry Season In An Integrated Pasture-Forestry System In Pré-Amazonic Regions Of Brazil, Xerxes M. Tosta, Rosane C. Rodrigues, Maria Elizabeth Oliveira, Jose A. C. Junior, Ivan B. M. Sampaio

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The integrated farming and livestock-forestry constitutes a viable alternative for the advancement of sustainable agriculture through its influence on social and ecological processes. Silvopastoral systems are integrated systems characterised by the management of animals in an agricultural-forestry association. These systems aim to provide shade for animals, stabilize forage production for meat production and/or milk products, forestry and various other environmental services (Maurício et al. 2010). Despite the benefits mentioned, the seasonality in the production of tropical forages needs to be considered. An efficient way to avoid losses in animal production in the dry season is with the use of …

Herbage Mass, Forage Accumulation And Nutritive Value Of Brachiaria Decumbens In A Silvopastoral System, Domingos S. C. Paciullo, Carlos A. M. Gomide, Carlos R. T. Castro, Carlos A. B. Carvalho, Rogério M. Maurício, Mirton J. F. Morenz

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The use of silvopastoral systems has been suggested to ensure sustainability in animal production systems because of their potential to increase soil fertility, improve forage quality, promote animal thermal comfort and provide income diversification for the producer (Paciullo et al. 2011). Nevertheless, the shade provided by trees may affect plant growth and nutritive value of forage (Sousa et al. 2010).

This study aimed to assess the impact of shading on the allocation pattern of dry matter and on herbage nutritive value, under various shading regimes, in a silvopastoral system, during both the dry and rainy seasons.

Effect Of Defoliation Frequency On Forage Yield From Intensive Silvopastoral Systems Compared To A Monoculture Grassland, L. Sarabia-Salgado, Francisco J. Solorio-Sánchez, Fernando Casanova-Lugo, Luis Ramírez-Avilés, Juan C. Ku-Vera, Jose A. Caamal-Maldonado

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Livestock production in the tropical regions of the world faces serious constraints as a result of climate change. Monoculture based pastures require the use of large amounts of nitrogen fertilizers to sustain production throughout the year. In general terms, tropical grasses are of low quality and when consumed by ruminant species, contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases (methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide) (Herrero et al. 2009; Place et al. 2009). The establishment of intensive silvopastoral systems (iSPS) with associated shrubs legumes and grasses can increase the yield and quality of forage as well as fixation and transfer of …

Productive Performance Of Growing Cattle Grazing A Silvopastoral System With Leucaena Leucocephala, R. Mayo-Eusebio, M. P. Utrilla-García, C. F. Aguilar-Pérez, Francisco J. Solorio-Sánchez, A. J. Ayala-Burgos, Eduardo G. Briceño-Poot, Luis Ramírez-Avilés, Juan C. Ku-Vera

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In tropical regions, the feeding of cattle is usually based on the grazing of medium to low quality grasses. Low fertility of soils, changing climatic conditions and the poor management of pastures, have further reduced the quality and forage yield of pastures. The low availability and quality of grasses gives modest weight gains for grazing cattle and this in-turn causes low economical efficiency of cattle production systems (Campos et al. 2011). Silvopastoral systems represent a sustainable option for meat and milk production in the tropics. The association of grasses with legumes such as Leucaena leucocephala (leucaena) supply forage with …

Hedges And Woody Strips Browsing By Cattle On Pasture In Wallonia, Belgium, Sophie Vandermeulen, Mathilde Pascal, Christian Marche, Arnaud Pilet, Yves Beckers, Jérôme Bindelle

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Shrub and tree forages are commonly used in animal production in many regions of the world. Nonetheless, in Western Europe, and especially in Wallonia in Belgium, hedges and woody strips have disappeared from the agricultural landscape over the past 60 years. Browse species are usually rich in plant secondary compounds such as tannins whose benefits on CH4 production and intestinal parasitism have been highlighted (Ramírez-Restrepo et al. 2010). Currently, agri-environmental measures taken by the Walloon government promote hedges and woody strips in pastures, raising the interest in browse species functionalities in ruminant production.

This study aimed at: (1) determining …

Balancing Pastoral And Plantation Forestry Options In New Zealand And The Role Of Agroforestry, Grant B. Douglas, Andrew J. Wall, Michael B. Dodd, Martin F. Hawke, Ian R. Mcivor

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Pastoral agriculture and forestry enterprises are key features of New Zealand’s landscape and are very important economically. They are competing landuses, particularly on moderate to steep hill country. Agroforestry involving spaced trees of Pinus radiata on pasture was developed in the 1970s to provide dual incomes from livestock enterprises and the later tree crop. In contrast, wide-spaced trees of predominantly Populus and Salix spp. are planted mainly for erosion control. Characteristics of pastoralism and plantation forestry are reviewed, including trends in conversions between these landuses. Roles, challenges and opportunities with wide-spaced trees are presented, together with current and future research …

Coimbatore 3 (Co3 - Pennisetum Perpureum X Pennisetum Americarnum) Grass As An Intercrop Under Coconut (Cocos Nucifera), Sharini Carol Somasiri, Sujatha Premaratne

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The effect of cultivation of Coimbatore 3 (CO3; Pennisetum perpureum x Pennisetum americarnum) grass under coconut has not been researched in Sri Lanka. We examined the effect of different levels of nitrogen fertilizer and the spread of CO3 roots in the soil. CO3 root slips were cultivated under coconut in two rows with 1x2 m within and between row spacing in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates. Treatments were four Nitrogen (N) levels- 0, 14, 21 and 35 kg N/ha/year. There were sixteen effective palms per treatment. CO3 bushes were harvested at 15 cm height from ground …

Methane Emissions From Ruminants On Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems, Laíse Da S. Pontes, Raquel S. Barro, Edemar F. De Camargo, Vanderley P. Da Silva, Ian M. Cezimbra, Alexandre Berndt, Cimélio Bayer, Paulo C. De F. Carvalho

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Ruminant livestock produce ~80 million tonnes of methane (CH4) annually, accounting for ~33% of global anthropogenic emissions of CH4 (Beauchemin et al. 2008). CH4 is a powerful greenhouse gas, with global warming potential of 25 (Eckard et al. 2010), and represents a significant loss of dietary energy (2 to 12% of gross energy of feeds; Patra 2012) in the ruminant production system. Despite greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have become an increasingly important topic worldwide, there is still a high variability around the estimated values of these emissions, mainly about emissions attributable to livestock (range from 8 to 51%; …

Integrated Crop Livestock Systems--A Key To Sustainable Intensification In Africa, A. J. Duncan, S. A. Tarawali, P. Thorne, D. Valbuena, Katrien Descheemaeker, Sabine Homann-Keetui

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Mixed crop-livestock systems provide livelihoods for a billion people and produce half the world’s cereal and around a third of its beef and milk. Market orientation and strong and growing demand for food provide powerful incentives for sustainable intensification of both crop and livestock enterprises in smallholders’ mixed systems in Africa. Better exploitation of the mutually reinforcing nature of crop and livestock systems can contribute to a positive, inclusive growth trajectory that is both ecologically and economically sustainable. In mixed systems, livestock intensification is often neglected relative to crops, yet livestock can make a positive contribution to raising productivity of …

Re-Growth Yield And Nutritive Value Of Winter Cereals, Gurhan Keles, Serkan Ates, Behic Coskun, Saban Koc

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Cereal crops can be grazed in early winter or early spring when feed is scarce, or to utilize their high feeding value. In the early spring of 2011, the re-growth yield and nutritive value of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), rye (Secale cereale L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum), oat (Avena sativa L.), and triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) grown in the Central Anatolian Region of Turkey, were evaluated after three successive weekly harvests (Cut 1, Cut 2, Cut 3) during the tillering to stem elongation stages. Plants were cut at a height of 5 cm then allowed …

The Role Of Alfalfa And Forage Resources In Crop-Livestock Systems In A Rain-Fed Region Of North-Western China, Yuying Shen, Zhibiao Nan, Fujiang Hou, Lihua Tian, Huimin Yang

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Western China has been facing the challenges of both environmental sustainability and economic development. Current government policies and interventions support the development of integrated crop-livestock production systems for enhancing food security and environment sustainability. Compared with traditional grain-based faming systems, integrated systems have better resource utilisation, however annual forage supply deficits estimated at 1.37 t DM forage/farm are experienced in the region, especially in late winter and early spring. Accordingly, optimising the use of available forage resources is a priority for regional researchers and extension officers, with research seeking pathways for better fodder conservation and greater and more effective use …

Early Sowing And Irrigating Of Rape Crops In Cool Temperate Environments Boosts Forage Yield Potential, Matthew T. Harrison, Keith G. Pembleton, Richard P. Rawnsley

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Forage rape is commonly grown on Tasmanian dairy farms to provide feed during periods of low pasture growth and/or low nutritive value. In these regions, forage crops are generally sown between early spring and late autumn and are commonly rainfed, though farmers may apply a single irrigation at sowing. While the effect of water availability on forage yield has been well characterised for regions in north-western Tasmania (Neilsen 2005), there is a dearth of information for other regions in Tasmania. Hence, the objectives of this study were to identify optimal sowing times for, and determine the extent to which a …

Aboveground Biomass And Soil Moisture As Affected By Short-Term Grazing Exclusion In Eastern Alpine Meadows Of The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China, Haibo Liu, Jianping Wu, Wen Wang, Xiaoli Jin, Zhenheng Liu, Wenhua Du

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Heavy grazing substantially influences grassland vegetation and animal nutrition on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau (Guo et al. 2003). Degradation is characterized by a reduction in vegetation height, reduced ground cover decrease in species diversity (Wang et al. 2007).

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of short-term exclusion from grazing on aboveground herbage, forage nutritive value, and soil moisture in an alpine meadow in the eastern zone of the plateau. Three farms, applying different intensity of grazing over the summer months, were compared.

Performance Of Anatolian Merino And Akkaraman Lambs Fed Triticale, Hungarian Vetch Or A Mixture Of The Two Forages, Serkan Ates, Gurhan Keles, Fatma Inal, Ahmet Gunes, Mounir Louhaichi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Forages from Hungarian vetch and triticale monocultures or mixtures that can be produced with relatively low cost are important feed sources for ruminants in spring particularly in the arid and semiarid regions. The feed intake and the response of different sheep breeds (Fraser et al. 2009) to forage resources that vary in feeding value may differ. Therefore it is critical to match forage to animal and crop production needs for more efficient production in integrated crop livestock farming system.

Plant Biomass And Bovine Live Weight Changes In Mono-Specific And Mixed Pastures During The Rainy Season In Dry Tropical Mexico, Régulo Jiménez-Guillén, Adrián R. Quero-Carrillo, Pedro A. Martínez-Hernández, Alfonso Hernández-Garay

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Dry tropics suffer long drought periods each year, negatively affecting the amount and digestibility of forage for cattle production. The aim of this study was evaluate different pasture types, grazed by cattle during the rainy season. Three hectares were prepared to compare: grass monoculture, Andropogon gayanus (G); a grass-legume mixture of A. gayanus and Clitoria ternatea (GL), and a grass-legume-tree mixture of A. gayanus, C. ternatea and Morus alba (GLT). Two grazing cycles (4 d grazing followed by 32 d resting; 72 d total) were completed. Three heifers (average initial weight 192 kg) grazed each experimental unit. The amounts …

Introducing The Gis-Based Ecological Carrying Capacity Model Of Nutrition Resources, Gholamreza Badjian

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The GIS-based Ecological Carrying Capacity Model of Nutrition Resources (ECCNR-GIS) software is a new approach based on rangeland assessment and the estimated energy content of forage. This software is derived from Badjian (2005) following studies on the ecological capacity model of livestock feed resources in Bakkan plain area, Southern Iran. ECCNR-GIS software is designed to calculate the regional ecological carrying capacity based on available forage resources and considers the energy metabolism (ME) requirements in relation to livestock management to estimate the animal needs. ECCNR-GIS software is written in Visual Basic, as a set of mathematical equations that represent a system …

Spatial Variability Of Soil Phosphorus In Grazing Systems, Mark Trotter, Warwick B. Badgery, Joshua Barron, Chris Guppy, Rebecca Haling, David Mitchell, Geoff Millar

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Phosphorus (P) use efficiency has been identified as a key issue for Australian grazing systems. This project examined the spatial variability in soil P concentration from two separate surveys of grazed pasture fields. A field on the central tablelands of NSW had a range in Bray P of 1.2 to 140 mg/kg and a COV of 107%. The other field on the northern tablelands of NSW reported a range in Colwell P from 13.0 to 121.1 mg/kg and a COV of 59%. Maps of the spatial variability of soil P demonstrated that there is a relationship with field elevation. Application …

Alternative For Intensification Of Beef Production Under Grazing, Valéria P. B. Euclides, Kepler Euclides Filho, Denise B. Montagner, Geraldo Ramos Figueiredo, Flávia Da Conceição Lopes

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

One of the challenges to overcome in order to assure the position occupied by Brazil as one of the most important players in the world beef market is to design sustainable technological alternatives, which will maintain a constant uniform beef supply all year round. This crucial problem could be solved by using more intensively, the alternatives available for pastures management and feed supplement-ation. However, the potential results created by these strategies might be better explored by using the right choice of animals as far as genetic group and weaning weight is concerned. Thus, in order to fulfill this goal it …

The Nutritional Status Of Japanese Black Breeding Cows Grazed In A Larger Abandoned Paddy Field, Motohiko Ishida, Naoki Matsumoto, Yojiro Maki, Jyunichi Tanimoto, Kohei Takahashi, Keigo Asano, Mizuho Ogino

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Because rice consumption has decreased in Japan, the number of abandoned paddy fields has increased. Some of the abandoned paddy fields are being used for livestock grazing, effectively using the abandoned fields and reducing the production costs on livestock farms. Such grazing may use an integrated grazing system of scattered small pastures where each of the small abandoned paddy fields scattered in a given agriculture area is defined as one grazing yard, and a herd consisting of two or three head of cattle is moved from one grazing yard to another. However, because the number of abandoned paddy fields has …

Pasture Grass Conversion In Digestive Tract Of Red Deer Over Different Grazing Periods, Imants Jansons, Ira I. Vitina, Vera Krastina, Aleksandrs Jemeljanovs, Sallija Cerina, Biruta Lujane, Baiba Osmane, Liga Proskina

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Deer farming is an alternative to traditional animal farming which also promotes a more economic use of pasture grass resources in Latvia. 61 holdings of farmed red deer and fallow deer have been registered in this country (Paeglits et al. 2006). Over the summer season, pasture grass is the main feed source for red deer (Cervus elaphus) (Miller 2004). No matter how much feed animals get, it is of no use unless it can be digested. This is the process that happens in the stomach and gut, when the feed is broken down (Tuckwell 2003).

The goal …

Effect Of Plant Spacing On The Growth And Yield Of Forage Plant, Maize, Intercropped With Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata Sub Spp. Sesquipedalis), Kelechi A. Ike, Leonard C. Nwaigbo, Ugochukwu H. Ukpabi, Sunday N. Ukachukwu, Olufemi S. Onifade, Uchenna Y. Anele, Princewill N. Njoku

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Feed constraint is the most important impediment to improved livestock production in the Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries (Agyemang 2003), as a result of seasonal shortages in the quantity and quality of forage from natural pastures that supply most of the feed for animals due to the prolonged annual dry season. Appropriate technologies to improve the performance of the local animal breeds and feed resources under the traditional system are generally lacking. Maize forms a major part of the cereal crops consumed by man and the residues serve as a source of fodder for livestock (Asawalam and Adesiyan 2001). Demand for …