A Simple Theoretical Model For Calculating Agricultural Value Of Grasslands,
2023
University of Debrecen, Hungary
A Simple Theoretical Model For Calculating Agricultural Value Of Grasslands, G. Nagy
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
In spite of the emerging new social demands for non-material grassland products and services (nature reservation, environmental protection, landscape and amenity), the productivity of grasslands is going to remain in the mainstream of overall grassland use in many regions and countries of the world. Strategic planning of future grassland use in a region needs reliable information on the agricultural value of grasslands. The purpose of our research programme was to find a model for calculating the agricultural value of grasslands, in order to assist the classification of grassland productivity for a given area.
The Role Of Proper Use Factor Model For The Prediction Of Available Forage In Rangeland In The South Of Iran,
2023
University Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
The Role Of Proper Use Factor Model For The Prediction Of Available Forage In Rangeland In The South Of Iran, G. R. Badjian, I. Dahlan, M. Shahwahid H. O., A. A. Mehrabi
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
In Iran, 80 to 90% of the livestock production is associated with rangeland but 48% of the rangeland has been classified as in poor condition (Farahpour, 2002). Available Forage (AF) is that portion of the forage production accessible for use by a specified kind or class of grazing animal. Estimates of AF by plant species, consumption by the animal, and the contribution of the forage to the animal's diet must be synchronised with each other in the same time frame (Valentine, 2001). The Proper Use Factor (PUF) is the degree of utilisation of current year's growth of the vegetation that, …
Assessment And Monitoring Of Grazing Lands In The Northeastern United States,
2023
USDA-ARS
Assessment And Monitoring Of Grazing Lands In The Northeastern United States, M. A. Sanderson, Sarah C. Goslee, J. B. Cropper, R. B. Bryant
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The Pasture Condition Score System (Cosgrove et al., 2001) was developed as a monitoring and management tool on grazing lands The system considers 10 indicators of soils, plants, and animals including percent desirable plants, plant cover, plant diversity, plant residue, plant vigor, percent legume, uniformity of use, livestock concentration areas, soil compaction, and soil erosion. The indicators are assigned a score according to detailed criteria and the scores are summed to give an overall score for a pasture, or relevant grazing unit. The score is then interpreted, indicating if some type of management change or treatment is necessary. We …
On-Farm Information: A Valuable Tool For The Sustainable Management Of Mountain Pastures In Protected Natural Areas,
2023
NEIKER, Spain
On-Farm Information: A Valuable Tool For The Sustainable Management Of Mountain Pastures In Protected Natural Areas, N. Mandaluniz, A. Bernués, A. Igarzabal, I. J. L. Riedel, R. Ruiz, A. Sanz, I. Casasús, L. M. Oregui
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Mountain pastures have traditionally been maintained by livestock. The analysis of data concerning farms' characteristics, productive-reproductive management and land use of commercial farms can constitute a real approach to study these systems and the changes that are occurring. This information is necessary to develop new utilisation guidelines, making compatible livestock production and conservation of natural resources. This paper describes a methodological framework to study the issues described above through some examples taken out from a wider research project (Mandaluniz et al., 2003).
Using Landsat Imagery To Analyse Land Cover Change In The Njoro Watershed, Kenya,
2023
University of Wyoming
Using Landsat Imagery To Analyse Land Cover Change In The Njoro Watershed, Kenya, T. J. Baldyga, S. N. Miller, K. L. Driese, C. Maina-Gichaba
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
In developing nations where resources are scarce and increased population pressures create stress on available resources, methods are needed to examine effects of human migration and resultant changes in land cover. Widespread availability and low cost of remotely sensed imagery and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are making such methods a reality to develop quantitative resource mapping and land cover change detection in developing nations (Sheng et al., 1997). However, difficulties arise in tropical regions when trying to analyse traditional vegetation bands (Bands 3 and 4), or indices such as NDVI because saturated pixels limit spectral distinction.
Forage Suitability Group Report: A Tool For Grassland Management,
2023
USDA-NRCS
Forage Suitability Group Report: A Tool For Grassland Management, James B. Cropper, G. L. Peacock
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Forage suitability groups (FSG's) are USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) interpretative reports used to develop conservation plans for forage-producing farms and ranches and provide grassland resource information to producers. These electronic reports use soil properties and climatic data to develop forage selection, management recommendations, seasonal distribution of growth, and yield potentials for groups of soil map unit components that have like agronomic characteristics. The information contained in a FSG report can help the user develop proper livestock-forage balances, grazing management plans, pasture and haycrop renovation options, and land treatment measures.
Pasture Condition Scoring,
2023
USDA-NRCS
Pasture Condition Scoring, James B. Cropper
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
A pasture condition score sheet has been developed for use in the United States. It has rating criteria for key indicators that are used to ascertain if some areas of pasture management could be improved. It can also help evaluate what is causing less than desirable pasture conditions. Pasture condition scoring involves the visual and tactual evaluation of ten indicators that rate a pasture's overall condition. The ten indicators are: percent desirable plants, plant cover, plant diversity, plant residue, plant vigor, percent legume, uniformity of use, livestock concentration areas, soil compaction, and erosion (sheet and rill, gully, streambank and shoreline, …
Disappearance Of Residual Dry Matter On Annual Grassland In The Absence Of Grazing,
2023
University of California Cooperative Extension
Disappearance Of Residual Dry Matter On Annual Grassland In The Absence Of Grazing, W. E. Frost, J. W. Bartolome, K. R. Churches
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Residual dry matter (RDM) is a standard used by grassland managers for assessing the level of grazing use on annual grasslands and associated savannas and woodlands. Residual dry matter is the old plant material left standing or on the ground at the beginning of a new growing season. It indicates the combined effects of the previous season's forage production and its consumption by grazing animals of all types. The standard assumes that the amount of RDM remaining in the fall, subject to site conditions and variations in weather, will influence subsequent species composition and forage production, in addition to providing …
The Impact Of Concentrate Price On The Utilization Of Grazed And Conserved Grass,
2023
Teagasc, Ireland
The Impact Of Concentrate Price On The Utilization Of Grazed And Conserved Grass, P. Crosson, P. O'Kiely, F. P. O'Mara, M. J. Drennan, M. Wallace
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
A linear programming model was designed and constructed to facilitate the identification of optimal beef production systems under varying technical and policy scenarios. The model operates at a systems level and most activities that could occur in Irish spring-calving, suckler beef production systems are included. In this paper, the components of the model are described together with a simple application of the model involving changing concentrate prices.
An Interactive, Web-Based Module To Teach The Principles Of Silage Fermentation,
2023
The Pennsylvania State University
An Interactive, Web-Based Module To Teach The Principles Of Silage Fermentation, M. H. Hall
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The forage-livestock industry represents a major agricultural enterprise throughout the world. In the United States, forages comprise 40-60% of the dairy cow's diet with many producers feeding 50-100% of this forage as silage (Kempisty, 1997). Harvesting forages as silage continues to increase as the size of farms increase and the mechanisation of silage harvesting allows timely harvest of a greater area. There are many factors that affect the quality of silage and producers need to better understand these factors to optimise their silage making process. Our objective was to develop a web-based learning module to help users better understand the …
Pâtur’In: A User-Friendly Software Tool To Assist Dairy Cow Grazing Management,
2023
INRA, France
Pâtur’In: A User-Friendly Software Tool To Assist Dairy Cow Grazing Management, Luc Delaby, J. L. Peyraud, P. Faverdin
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The feeding of dairy cows at pasture presents many technical, economic and environmental advantages, while benefiting from a very favourable image. However, the management of grazed land is a complex game of strategy in which the farmer applies decisions in order to manage two unstable and uncertain fluxes of change: growth of grass and intake of the herd. Many tools (platemeter, etc.) and overall methods (local stocking rate references, farm cover, etc.) have been developed as aids to grazing management. Nevertheless, few decision-support systems are currently available that make it possible to anticipate and assess the consequences of a given …
External Validation In Northwest Spain Of A Decision Support System For Grazing Dairy Cows (Grazemore),
2023
Centro de Investigaciones Agrarias de Mabegondo, Spain
External Validation In Northwest Spain Of A Decision Support System For Grazing Dairy Cows (Grazemore), Antonio González-Rodríguez, J. López Díaz, O. P. Vázquez Yáñez
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
A model to predict intake and milk production of cows on grazed grass (Grazemore) was developed (Mayne et al., 2004) for farmers to increase reliance on the grassland resources of the farm and reduce the tendency towards intensive dairy production in most countries of the Atlantic Arc of Europe (González, 2003). Climatic conditions and fertiliser use is the basis of the herbage growth model, but under practical conditions the estimation of the nutrient supply to cows is much affected by management, number of cows and the area of each paddock grazed. The intake capacity of the animal and the …
The Grazemore Decision Support System For Grazing Management Of Dairy Cows,
2023
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden
The Grazemore Decision Support System For Grazing Management Of Dairy Cows, Mårten Hetta, M. Norrsken-Eriksson, S. Persson, Evelina Larsson, Linda Karlsson, N. Alvarez-Torre, Harry Eriksson, K. Martinsson
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Low prices of concentrates and the high demands for good management of grass growth associated with grazing, have led to lower utilisation of grazed grass in Europe. The use of decision support systems (DSS) with valid predictions of herbage growth (HG) and milk yield (MY) may improve grazing management for dairy farmers. The aim of this study was to explore the possibilities to improve grazing management of dairy cows in Europe, by developing a DSS within the European Union project, Grazemore.
Participative Decision Mechanisms For Sustainable Development In Co-Operative Livestock Systems In Europe,
2023
Entlebuch UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Switzerland
Participative Decision Mechanisms For Sustainable Development In Co-Operative Livestock Systems In Europe, E. Ruoss, A. Boltshauser, Pius Hofstetter
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Alpine pastures have been used for centuries and have a specific economic, ecological and cultural history that gives local identity. Alpine pastures, used only in summer, are endangered due to modern farming methods and economic conditions. The consequences include loss of biodiversity, traditionally used landscapes and socio-cultural identity in marginal regions (Riseth et al., 2003). As the Entlebuch UNESCO Biosphere Reserve was established by its inhabitants in a participative process, sustainable development in alpine pastures is also implemented by stakeholder participation. The methodology of participative decision mechanisms were used in two EU-projects: LACOPE: Landscape development, Biodiversity and Co-operative Livestock …
Allocating Grazing Resources With Kansasgrazer® And Making Management Decisions In A Stocker Operation,
2023
Kansas State University
Allocating Grazing Resources With Kansasgrazer® And Making Management Decisions In A Stocker Operation, Joseph L. Moyer, J. O. Fritz
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Management decisions for forage-beef cattle production systems are complex because of the many interrelated factors in the plant-animal complex. Evaluation of a system and effects of any changes to it are critical, however, because of the impact that any factor may have on the operation. A computer program to evaluate forage-beef cattle systems would enable producers to make more informed management decisions. Several such programs are available in Kansas, but they are not widely used because of their limited scope, user-friendliness and/or flexibility. Thus, an earlier program derived from the KYBEEF model by Bullock et al. (1983) was modified …
A Farmer-Based Decision Support System For Managing Pasture Quality On Hill Country,
2023
Massey University, New Zealand
A Farmer-Based Decision Support System For Managing Pasture Quality On Hill Country, I. M. Brookes, D. I. Gray
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Despite considerable effort to promote formal feed budgeting in New Zealand, survey data suggests it is only adopted by 20% of farmers (Nuthall & Bishop-Hurley, 1999). Recent work (Gray et al., 2003) has identified that farmers may use a different approach - micro-budgeting - to manage feed. Rather than operate at a whole farm level, micro-budgeting focuses at the paddock level. This paper describes micro- budgeting as used by a high performing hill country sheep and cattle farmer to manage pasture quality over spring and a decision support model developed to help other farmers undertake this process.
Enhancing Grasslands Education With Decision Support Tools,
2023
University of New England, Australia
Enhancing Grasslands Education With Decision Support Tools, Helen G. Daily, J. M. Scott, J. M. Reid
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
We have successfully used Decision Support Tools (DST) relevant to the management of grazing enterprises to enhance problem solving skills of undergraduates in Australia. Tools such as GrassGrotm (Moore et al., 1997) and GrazFeedtm (Freer et al., 1997) are accessed from a central server by authorised users at many widely dispersed Universities across Australia using remote access to thin-client technology via an Internet portal. This has been supplemented with training for lecturers. Experience in developing appropriate teaching and learning materials and the reliable delivery of simulation software to many clients has enhanced learning outcomes at tertiary …
Systems Simulation Assists Land Capability Estimation In Australia’S Temperate Grasslands,
2023
CSIRO Plant Industry, Australia
Systems Simulation Assists Land Capability Estimation In Australia’S Temperate Grasslands, Richard J. Simpson, L. Salmon, P. Graham, A. D. Moore, A. Stefanski, D. J. Marshall, J. R. Donnelly
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Intensification of production in the water-limited grasslands of temperate Australia has increased the need to quantify their sustainable carrying capacity. Empirical rainfall-based rules for estimating stocking rate fail when used in districts with differing weather patterns, or when soil and pasture resources limit the utilisation of rainfall. Grazing systems simulation should help to overcome these problems because local conditions can be taken into account. This study investigated the impact of soil resources on potential stocking rate, profitability and production risk in a local climatic area of the southern tablelands of NSW, Australia.
Determination Of Optimal Grazing Management For Dairy Cows In Galicia (Spain) Using A Decision Support System,
2023
Centro de Investigaciones Agrarias de Mabegondo, Spain
Determination Of Optimal Grazing Management For Dairy Cows In Galicia (Spain) Using A Decision Support System, O. P. Vázquez Yáñez, A. González Rodríguez, J. López Díaz
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
GRAZEMORE is a decision support system (DSS) oriented to evaluate dairy grazing management decisions on pasture growth and milk production. The system integrates a herbage growth model (Barrett et al., 2003) and a herbage intake model (Delagarde et al., 2004) and has been validated in several EU countries. The objective of this work was to use this DSS to determine optimal grazing management of dairy cows at three supplementation levels and three grazing management strategies under Galician conditions.
Forecasting Forage Yields Using The Arima Model In Pastoral Areas Of East Africa,
2023
Texas A&M University
Forecasting Forage Yields Using The Arima Model In Pastoral Areas Of East Africa, Robert J. Kaitho, J. W. Stuth, Jay Angerer, A. A. Jama
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Predicting forage supply is an age old quest for pastoralists, particularly in fragile and drought- prone areas of Africa. Traditional methods of forecasting forage used by many communities have become less effective due to climate change, frequent droughts and decline of grazing areas. Conflicts relating to available forage and water resources are increasing, because more marginal lands are put to crop production. A new forage forecasting technology has been developed that provides a comprehensive view of current forage condition (Stuth et al., 2004). A multiple species grazing land plant growth hydrology based model (PHYGROW) was parameterised with site-specific soil, …
