Integrating Plant Secondary Metabolites And Foraging Behavior To Enhance Animal Health In Ruminant Production Systems,
2024
Utah State University
Integrating Plant Secondary Metabolites And Foraging Behavior To Enhance Animal Health In Ruminant Production Systems, J. J. Villalba, J. W. Macadam, S. Van Vliet, F. D. Provenza
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Legumes and forbs contain bioactives or plant secondary compounds (PSC) with potential to enhance animal health through their antibiotic, antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties that are evident even at small dietary concentrations. In turn, ruminants can regulate their ingestion of PSC through behavioral mechanisms that allow for the efficient achievement of homeostasis. High concentrations of PSC lead to food avoidance, whereas lower content of PSC in the diet achieved through regulatory mechanisms of ingestion could promote medicinal and/or prophylactic effects in the animal and concomitant health benefits to milk and meat products. Under this context, we discuss the restructuring of rangelands …
The Effect Of Spring Grass Availability On Dry Matter Intake Of Early Lactation Dairy Cows,
2024
Teagasc, Ireland
The Effect Of Spring Grass Availability On Dry Matter Intake Of Early Lactation Dairy Cows, S. Walsh, Z. C. Mckay, M. Egan
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Spring grass availability has a major impact on dry matter intake (DMI) of dairy cows during early lactation. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of opening farm cover (OFC) on DMI during early lactation. A twelve week experiment, which was split into two 6 week periods (Period 1 (Week 1 – 6) and period 2 (Week 7 – 12), was conducted over a two year period. A high and low OFC were established for two treatment groups; 1253 kg DM/ha (High grass = HG) and 887 kg DM/ha (Low grass = LG). Animals were randomly assigned …
Effects Of Stocking Rates On Water Use Efficiency Of Established Species In Stipa Breviflora Desert Steppe,
2024
Inner Mongolia Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, China
Effects Of Stocking Rates On Water Use Efficiency Of Established Species In Stipa Breviflora Desert Steppe, M. Zhao, G. M. Yin, S. B. Liu, W. J. Meng
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Plant water use efficiency reflects the survival adaptation strategies adopted by plants to obtain maximum carbon harvest. Understanding the water and resource utilization strategies of Stipa breviflora in desert steppe will help people understand its growth mechanism, and it is of great significance to analyze the ecological countermeasures of Stipa breviflora to cope with disturbance. In this study, the water use efficiency (WUE) of the established populations of Stipa breviflora in desert steppe was measured by stable carbon isotope method and photosynthometer method, and the adaptation mechanism of Stipa breviflora under different stocking rates was discussed based on the basic …
The Hindgut Microbiome Of Grazing Horses,
2024
Rutgers University
The Hindgut Microbiome Of Grazing Horses, J. R. Weinert, C. A. Williams
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The hindgut microbiome plays an essential role in horses consuming forage-based diets high in fiber, such as pasture. The equine hindgut harbors a large microbial community that ferments dietary fiber and produces by-products which provide a substantial portion of daily energy requirements. Despite the importance in nutrition and health, research evaluating the hindgut microbiome of grazing horses is relatively limited. Grazing horse microbiome research has primarily focused on inter-diet comparisons with mixed diets including concentrates as well as with other forms of forage. Recent research has begun to explore responses of the gut microbiome to different pasture forage species and …
Horse And Pasture Responses To Stocking Methods: Rotational Versus Continuous,
2024
Rutgers
Horse And Pasture Responses To Stocking Methods: Rotational Versus Continuous, C. A. Williams, J. R. Weinert-Nelson
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Rotational grazing management offers potential advantages for economic and environmental sustainability, as well as for horse health. Rotational grazing has the potential to increase pasture yields and available forage for grazing, and therefore reduce supplemental feed costs. A rotational grazing management strategy can also prevent or mitigate negative effects of overgrazing, with implications for pasture productivity and the environment. Overgrazing can reduce vegetative cover over time, increasing the potential for erosion and nutrient run-off. Overgrazing may also result in long-term decreased forage stand persistence and weed invasion, necessitating more frequent pasture renovation. All of this can negatively impact the horse’s …
Challenges Of Stray Cattle On Integrated Crop-Forage Resources In India,
2024
G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, India
Challenges Of Stray Cattle On Integrated Crop-Forage Resources In India, Pal Mahendra Singh
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Field survey was conducted covering 1000 residents of district Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand states of India in January 2022 including farmers, school teachers, students and residents of town and cities to study the ‘challenges and threats of stray animals on crop-forage resources in India. The survey indicated that 97.5, 75.6, 60.0, 77.8%, and 68.9 respondents had strong opinion that stray cattle were the serious threat to crops-forage resources, biodiversity, road accidents, transmitting harmful diseases and human-wildlife conflict, respectively, while 85.5, 67.7, 62.7,76.2 and 70.5% respondents gave their consent to solve stray cattle by opening of cowsheds, strict government policies, mass …
Optimizing Production Technology For Sustainable Organic Fodder Production And Soil Health In Indo-Gangetic Plains Of India,
2024
G B Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, India
Optimizing Production Technology For Sustainable Organic Fodder Production And Soil Health In Indo-Gangetic Plains Of India, Pal Mahendra Singh
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Field experiment was carried at Instructional Dairy Farm, G B Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar (India) during 2020-21 and 2021-22 to optimize the production technology for sustainable organic fodder production and soil health in Indo-Gangetic plains of India. Among the organic production systems, application of vermicompost @ 5 t/ha gave the highest fodder yield, gross return and net return but the B:C ratio was derived highest from zero budget natural farming. Among the Kharif crops grown in different cropping systems, BN hybrid intercropped with cowpea gave the significant higher green and dry fodder yield, gross return, net return …
The Combined Role Of Microbes And Forages In Animal Productivity,
2024
USDA-ARS
The Combined Role Of Microbes And Forages In Animal Productivity, K. Panke-Buisse
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Agricultural systems, particularly ruminant systems, are underpinned by diverse, functional microbial communities—in the soil, forage, silo, and rumen. We have relied on the jobs they perform on our behalf, but only recently have we been able to look “under the hood” at the membership and mechanisms within these microbiomes and begin to think about optimization. Ensiling is a common method of forage preservation globally and represents a highly intensive intersection between forage and microbiology, which has been shown to have beneficial effects on forage quality and dairy animal performance. However, observations of enhanced productivity, especially in the context of inoculated …
Determining ‘Wether’ Social Behaviour Or Pasture Quality Drives Sheep Grazing Patterns Using Random Forest Modelling,
2024
University of Sydney, Australia
Determining ‘Wether’ Social Behaviour Or Pasture Quality Drives Sheep Grazing Patterns Using Random Forest Modelling, D. J. Parnell, L. Ingram, J. Edwards
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Monitoring livestock provides valuable insights into the spatial distribution, foraging patterns, and animal behaviour, which may lead to the improved management of livestock. This objective of study was to understand what variables were significant in determining where sheep spent the most time in paddocks of native (dominated by Poa spp., Stipa spp., and Hordeum leporinum), and improved (Phalaris aquatica, Festuca spp., and Trifolium subterraneum) pastures (~24 ha-1 in size). Castrated male sheep, wethers, were tracked using GPS collars on a property located in the Monaro region of Southern New South Wales, Australia. Trials were performed over …
Ruminant Agriculture: A Tool For Climate Change Mitigation,
2024
Agoro Carbon Alliance
Ruminant Agriculture: A Tool For Climate Change Mitigation, B. L. Peterson Munks, M. Rellaford, J. Shanahan, S. Urbanowitz, F. Wang, S. Wang, Y. Zhao, E. Bender
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The quest to address and mitigate climate change has been dubbed a “wicked problem” as it involves many interconnected processes requiring a multifaceted, comprehensive approach. Animal agriculture contributes roughly 15% to CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emissions; as a result, a concerted effort is being made to develop and promote more climate-friendly production practices. These practices include species diversification in grasslands, improving grazing rotation, adding nitrogen amendments, and the use of feed additives to reduce enteric fermentation. Successful inter-seeding of legumes and deep-rooted native grasses increases soil organic carbon (SOC) pools in many systems by increasing the biological carbon inputs to the …
Economics And Other Factors Affecting The Adoption Of Novel Endophyte Technology,
2024
North Carolina State University, Raleigh
Economics And Other Factors Affecting The Adoption Of Novel Endophyte Technology, M. H. Poore, J. Horner
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Endophyte infected tall fescue impacts cattle and other livestock across vast regions of the world. Toxicosis from wild type endophyte is widespread in regions where toxic tall fescue is the base perennial forage. The Alliance for Grassland Renewal was founded to address this complex issue and to facilitate appropriate adoption of Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue, the only potentially 100% effective remedy for fescue toxicosis. A poor understanding of the Cost/Benefit ratio of renovating pasture is one of the main reason farmers give for not renovating tall fescue pastures. An Excel-based spreadsheet tool was developed by University of Missouri Extension to …
Physiological And Behavioral Responses Of Heifers That Graze Tall Fescue Infected By Wild-Type Or Novel Endophytes,
2024
Virginia Tech
Physiological And Behavioral Responses Of Heifers That Graze Tall Fescue Infected By Wild-Type Or Novel Endophytes, S. Poudel, A. Halili, L. Wright, G. Pent, J. Fike
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Fescue toxicosis presents serious challenges and huge economic losses to the beef industry in the U.S. Replacing tall fescue (TF) infected by wild-type endophyte (WE) with TF infected by novel endophyte can eliminate this problem but adoption of this technology has been limited. We aimed at demonstrating the physiological and behavioral responses of heifers that grazed either WE or NE TF using relatively non-invasive techniques. Angus or Angus cross heifers (n = 24) were assigned to either WE or NE pastures for a 56-d grazing period during the summers of 2020 and 2021. Heifer ADG and hair retention scores were …
Smallholder Zebu And Forage Production Development In Central Madagascar,
2024
Kew Madagascar Conservation Centre, Madagascar
Smallholder Zebu And Forage Production Development In Central Madagascar, L. Randriamanalina, M. S. Vorontsova, M. T. Rajaonah, O. P. Nanjarisoa, C. E. R. Lehmann, D. Miharinjanahary, H. N. S. Ratovoarinjaka, A. Bendrainy, C. Rijaniaina, A. M. Rabendrina, D. Rabeharison, B. F. Rakotozafy, F. Rakotoarison, D. Tahirinirainy, T. Randriamboavonjy, H. Ralimanana, J. Raharimampionona, C. Birkinshaw, W. Truter
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Poverty in the Central Highlands of Madagascar is partly driven by inefficient exploitation of native forages and poor livestock nutrition. Zebus are of importance as cultural symbols, but this tradition has grown disconnected from agricultural policy. This project is working with three central highland communities near the protected areas of Itremo, Ibity and Ankafobe, to boost rangeland productivity and trial management methods which will support key forage grasses and improve livestock nutrition. A severe nitrogen deficiency compounded by extremely acidic soil conditions and low phosphorus is observed across the three sites. The lowest grazing capacity of an estimated 0.7 livestock …
Dry Season Feeding Strategies And Winter Forage Production By Communal Area Sheep Farmers Of The Eastern Cape Province In South Africa,
2024
Fort Cox Agriculture and Forestry Training Institute, South Africa
Dry Season Feeding Strategies And Winter Forage Production By Communal Area Sheep Farmers Of The Eastern Cape Province In South Africa, B. Moyo, K. E. Ravhuhali
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Experimental research into the possibility of employing winter forages as a low-cost, high-quality winter supplement has produced promising outcomes. The extent, challenges, and mitigation strategies of communal farmers involved in winter fodder production in the Eastern Cape are unknown. This study examines farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of winter fodder production, its difficulties, and perceived advantages for communal sheep farmers. The study was carried out in the Swartwater communal area of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Thirty-two sheep farmers who cultivate winter forage were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Using SPSS 17, descriptive statistics were produced for the …
Harvesting Site Influenced The Concentration Level Of Nitrogen And Mineral Status Of Woody Species In Semi-Arid Areas Of South Africa,
2024
North West University, South Africa
Harvesting Site Influenced The Concentration Level Of Nitrogen And Mineral Status Of Woody Species In Semi-Arid Areas Of South Africa, K. E. Ravhuhali, H. S. Mudau, H. K. Mokoboki, B. Moyo, L. E. Motsei
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Feed shortages in semi-arid areas cause a major set-back for livestock production. An understanding of the nutritive value of woody species in most parts of savanna regions can be vital to predicting what these species can offer for livestock productivity. The study assessed the variation in nitrogen and mineral concentration of leaves of woody species as influenced by harvesting site in South Africa. The study sites were communal areas in Limpopo and North West provinces. A total of 52 browse species were selected and used for this study. All statistical tests showed that there was a significant effect of species …
Winter Herbage Mass Accumulation And Animals Grazing Days Of Set Stocking Or Cell Grazing Dairy X Beef Systems In Southwest England,
2024
Rothamsted Research, UK
Winter Herbage Mass Accumulation And Animals Grazing Days Of Set Stocking Or Cell Grazing Dairy X Beef Systems In Southwest England, M. J. Rivero, Sarah Morgan, Maite Fajardo, G. Irisarri, P. Chilibroste
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Cell grazing (CG) has shown to increase the production per hectare by allowing higher stocking rates, greater grass production and higher herbage utilisation throughout the grazing season compared to set stocking (SS). Our objective was to compare the herbage growth rate during winter resting (WHGR, October/November to April) and the animals grazing days per ha (AGD-ha) of CG and SS systems grazed by dairy x beef steers. Three 1.75ha (1.5ha in 2018) plots and three 1.0ha were used for the SS and CG, respectively. Forty-two and 48 autumn born dairy x beef steer calves were split into six equal groups …
Operational Model Of The Alliance For Grassland Renewal,
2024
University of Missouri
Operational Model Of The Alliance For Grassland Renewal, C. A. Roberts, J. G. Andrae
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Novel endophyte tall fescue was developed over 20 years ago, and novel endophyte cultivars are among the most innovative cultivars developed in recent decades. Yet adoption of novel endophyte technology is slow. In order to expedite adoption, a diverse group of stakeholders self assembled as the Alliance for Grassland Renewal, a nonprofit organization that includes colleagues from the sectors of industry, university, government, and production. Since 2012, the Alliance has held workshops for producers, educators, and industry across the southeastern US, where tall fescue is the predominant pasture grass. Also since 2012, the Alliance has monitored and reported endophyte purity …
Economic Value Of Improving Feed Efficiency Of Beef Cows On Pasture,
2024
North Dakota State University
Economic Value Of Improving Feed Efficiency Of Beef Cows On Pasture, J. T. Biermacher, J. K. Rogers, D. Lalman, A. Holder, R. S. Walker
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Dry matter intake of beef cows is based on a percentage of body weight, so as mature cow size increases, intake increases. Feed efficiency, or the amount of feed required to produce gain or maintain production, has a direct impact to the producer. That is, as mature cow weight increases, yearly maintenance costs increases due to higher feed costs. However, variation in feed efficiency exists within population. Some large cows consume the same or less dry matter as a smaller cow, but produce a larger calf. Conversly, some smaller cows consume the same or more as a large cow but …
Effects Of Concentrate Supplementation During Summer On Animal Performance And Heat Stress Of Angus Steers Grazing Native Grasslands In Uruguay,
2024
INIA Uruguay
Effects Of Concentrate Supplementation During Summer On Animal Performance And Heat Stress Of Angus Steers Grazing Native Grasslands In Uruguay, P. Rovira, P. Lorenzo
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Research in temperate grasslands has addressed livestock supplementation (SUPL) mainly during winter, but more studies are needed on the impact of SUPL during summer where heat stress (HS) conditions may occur. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of summer SUPL on average daily gain (ADG), respiratory rate (RR), and body temperature (BT) of steers grazing native grasslands (60% TDN, 7.3% CP) in Uruguay (33°14'S, 54°15'W). Eighteen 15-month-old Angus steers (285±11 kg) were randomly assigned to 6 groups (2 treatments x 3 replicates) with free access to shade and water on a continuous stocking system (1.5 steer/ha) …
Bale Grazing To Improve Soil Fertility In Kentucky Pastures,
2024
University of Kentucky
Bale Grazing To Improve Soil Fertility In Kentucky Pastures, N. Roy, J. W. Lehmkuhler
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
A long-term project on a small Kentucky beef farm has demonstrated that bale grazing is an effective means of improving soil fertility. With the cooperation of a beef cattle producer, Extension personnel have been able to measure improvements in soil fertility using both high density and moderate density bale grazing practices. Initial efforts demonstrate that high density bale grazing improved soil fertility quickly by increasing soil test phosphorus from 15 to 45 ppm and potassium from 52 to 175 ppm on Melich III soil test extraction method. High density bale grazing was also shown to serve as a strategy to …
