Cost Of Grain Research Articles

Моделювання перспективних систем аграрного вироб­ництва на меліорованих землях Волинського регіону

Goal. To assess the level of profitability of modern crop production practices, to identify the factors influencing this indicator, and offer ways to increase net income from production activities in the reclaimed lands of Volyn. Methods. Multivariate simulation computer modeling of promising options for the development of agricultural production in the reclaimed lands of Volyn region was carried out with the help of the software package “Agroecosystem” using statistical data. Results. Modern agricultural production of crop specialization is characterized by a low level of profitability with significant fluctuations over the years. In the Volyn region on average for 6 years (2011–2016) net profit from growing crops was at the level of 170 USD/ha. The difference between sales revenue and production costs for growing winter wheat varies from 78 to 175 USD/ha with an average value of 134 USD/ha. The close relationship is determined between sales price and cost of grain, as well as the inverse relationship between these indicators and crop yields. This may indicate the existence of factors that limit the profitability of all producers of crop products at a certain level. Significant fluctuations in yield and profitability, on the other hand, are due to changing weather conditions, in particular the deterioration of favorable conditions for crops grown in the summer months, when the likelihood of moisture shortages has increased significantly. Therefore, there is a need for bilateral regulation of the water-air regime of the soil by modernizing reclamation systems. At the current level of net income, the expected amount of capital expenditures will pay off for too long. The transition to the principles of bioenergy diversified agricultural production will significantly increase its profitability with short payback periods. Conclusions. Intersectoral optimization based on restoration of the efficient operation of reclamation systems of the Volyn region, livestock development, flax cultivation and deep processing of raw materials for finished products and bioenergy requires capital expenditures at the level of 13000 USD/ha with an expected net profit of 8000–10000 USD/ha and the payback period of financial resources 2–3 years. Such production systems should be formed based on attracting large investment resources and creating associations of land users within the scope of reclamation systems.

Methods of improving efficiency of soft spring wheat cultivation technology

The paper presents the results of research into the technology of soft spring wheat cultivation of the Siberian Alliance variety taking into account the formation of the production process. The experiment was carried out in 2015–2019 in the zone of the northern forest-steppe of Kuznetsk Depression. The work was done in a long-term stationary experiment of grain-fallow crop rotation: fallow (bare, green-manured – rapeseed, melilot) – wheat – peas – barley (pure barley and intercropped with melilot). The following soil tillage systems were studied: deep moldboard (control), deep combined, minimum combined, minimum moldboard. The soil of the experimental plot was characterized as leached medium-textured, medium humus, heavy-loam chernozem. It was revealed that the influence of the preceding crop on the production process of soft spring wheat accounted for 80.4%, the effect of the soil cultivation system was 13.8%. The maximum yield in the experiment was obtained with minimum moldboard system of soil cultivation preceded by rapeseed green-manured fallow (3.34 t/ha) with the lowest cost of grain (4.6 thousand rubles/t) and high profit (30.3 thousand rubles/ha), control indicators being 3.26 t/ha, 9.2 thousand rubles/t and 15.2 thousand rubles/ha, respectively. The following positive effects on the formation of the production process were identified: soil moisture availability, microbiological activity, a decrease in phytosanitary tension, lack of soil compaction at a high content of agronomically valuable particles. Sowing rapeseed on green-manured fallow in the current crop rotation with the application of minimum moldboard tillage system is the most effective method of cultivating soft spring wheat of the Siberian Alliance variety in the northern forest-steppe of Kuznetsk Depression.

The principle of identity of conditions for zonal tests of grain harvesters

The paper presents the analysis results of the methods applied to comparative tests of combine harvesters for threshing grain crops in various climatic zones of Russia. In the USSR, in accordance with the current GOSTs, machine testing stations carried out comparative tests of combines during threshing grain crops with a yield of 4 t/ha by direct combining method in the phase of full ripeness of grain, but no later than 7 days after its onset. At the design stage, the throughput of a combine harvester is calculated taking into account the design parameters of the working bodies of the combine, engine power, thresher width, specific power per unit of throughput, hopper volume and other factors. The classification of combines according to design parameters does not characterize their potential functionality and work efficiency under production conditions with significant fluctuations in the yield of grain crops. It is necessary to comply with the main principle of comparative tests of combines – the identity of their operating conditions. If this principle is violated, it makes no sense to analyze the results. It is necessary to substantiate the methodology of comparative tests of combines in various climatic zones of the country. Given the different yields in certain zones of Russia, especially in the Siberian region, it is necessary to determine not only the nominal throughput for the rational use of the harvester, but also to what extent it can vary depending on harvesting conditions. A technological passport is needed for each combine, which will allow to quickly develop an operation process chart for threshing grain crops in relation to a specific field and taking into account yield and other production efforts. Operation process charts, unlike technological passports, determine the task for performing specific work, subject to technological modes, that ensure high quality products by direct combining and swath harvesting methods with rational loading of the combine thresher. They help to identify actual and estimated cost of grain, taking into account the need in combines and combine operators.

IMPROVEMENT OF THE GRAIN DELIVERY QUALITY MANAGEMENT BY THE UKRAINIAN TERRITORY

The paper analyzes this day state of development and current trends in improving to the grain delivery quality management by the motor transport, within the framework both individual enterprises and the industry on the whole. It’s allowed to form the main purposes of the study this article. The scientific works about the grain delivery quality by road transport give main attention on the development of effective interaction between the process participants, but they don't consider possible changes in the execution of technological operations under the impact of relevant factors. It has been determined there is a need to choose a methodical approach to form effective grain delivery quality management to further reduce the cost of performed operations and accordingly to reduce grain losses. The structure of the process of grain cargo transportation quality management has been considered, namely: the place of transport processes in the functioning of the grain products subcomplex is determined; the scheme for the movement of grain cargoes along the routes is developed. Based on the known initial system's parameters (number of motor vehicles and specialized transport), output parameters (the grain loss throughout handling operations and transportation) and external ones (total amount of grain that was collected and transported, the prime cost of grain transportation, the coefficient of the spilling grain, the cost of grain), the object of study has been schematically presented in the white chest form. An analytical model in the form of total grain losses during the transportation has been constructed. A full-factorial experiment plan for five initial parameters consisting the 32 series of tests has been developed. At that the various combinations of external influence parameters, with appropriate intervals varying in number, have been used. As a result of experiment the values of grain losses during transportation by series of tests have been obtained. It has been determined that the numerical values of the two main parameters (the volume of transportation and the cost of freight) take on maximum ones. A regression analysis by linear function has been performed. With the help of Microsoft Excel some indicators have been calculated, such as the coefficients variables in an equation, the variance, the regression statistic, etc. The got model is found to be adequate because the value of R-squared goes toward 1 and equals 0.785. The values of the regression model coefficients as well as their adequate to the standard error, t-statistic, P-value, lower and upper value has been also checked. It has been established the obtained model allows to predict the system's conduct and to manage the grain delivery quality by the Ukrainian territory for the Company “HARMAR-Service”. Keywords: management, quality, delivery, grain, losses, road transport

Growing grain of winter wheat without the use of herbicides

The models for predicting the contamination of winter wheat crops are presented, including a method of tillage, sowing time and sowing density. They make it possible, after appropriate calculations, to establish the parameters of agricultural practices, the use of which allows growing high grain yield of winter wheat without the use of herbicides, thereby making its growing technology more environmentally friendly and less energy-intensive, reducing not only the cost of grain but also natural environment pollution.

The influence of the cultivation technology elements on the economic performance of the bare barley grain production

At the educational and experimental field of the Omsk State Agrarian University, the evaluation of the influence of elements of the cultivation technology of bare barley of the Omsk golozernyy variety 2 (chemical background, sowing time, and seeding rate) on the indicators of the economic efficiency of grain production was carried out. On the background without the use of chemicals, as well as when using herbicides on the background of applying nitrogen fertilizer, the cost of grain per hectare is higher when sowing the crop in the third decade of May. The use of only herbicides (without fertilizer) provided a greater cost of grain at an earlier sowing. Among the studied seeding rates, the maximum cost indicators were observed when sowing 4.5 million viable seeds per hectare. The chemical background also influenced this indicator. The cost of grain per 1 hectare increased by 3,227 rubles with the use of a tank mixture of herbicides, as well as by 4,513 rubles with their complex use with fertilizers (in comparison with the chemical background). At the same time, the strengthening of the chemical background led to an increase in costs per 1 hectare by 1,559 and 3,543 rubles, respectively. An increase in the seeding rate was also accompanied by an increase in costs. The use of herbicides did not lead to a significant change in the cost of grain, but the additional use of nitrogen fertilizer led to its growth. The level of profitability in the version with the use of a tank mixture of herbicides coincided with the option without the use of chemicals (113.1%). The application of nitrogen fertilizer reduced profitability to 81.5% despite the fact that their use was justified by an increase in grain yield. Thus, when considering specific options for the cultivation of bare barley, sowing on May 14-18 with a rate of 4.5 million viable seeds per hectare while using the Puma Super 7.5 herbicides tank mixture, EMV (0.9 l/ha) and Turbo Pruner, MD (75 ml/ha) should be allocated.

БИОПЛАНТ ФЛОРА – УДОБРЕНИЕ НОВОГО ПОКОЛЕНИЯ

The efficiency of Bioplant Flora fertilizer was experimentally proved in increasing the winter wheat productivity of Kazanskaya 560 in the conditions of Middle Volga region. The research was carried out in 2009–2012 years on stationary experiments of Agriculture and agrochemical research Department of the Tatar Scientific Institute of Agriculture in accordance with generally accepted methods. The soil is gray forest, the humus content is 3.0-3.5%, phosphorus and potassium - 250-260 and 80-100 mg/kg, respectively, the amount of absorbed bases is 20-21 mg-eq/100 g, рНсол of arable layer is 5.0 and 5.5. The studies were conducted to study the responsiveness of winter wheat of Kazanskaya 560 variety to the humate fertilizer Bioplant Flora. Bioplant Flora is the newest, nanotechnological fertilizer based on humic acids with trace elements, which was used as a foliar application in autumn based on 2 litres per hectare against the background of the main fertilizer, calculated for N22Р39К62 4 tons per hectare of grain. Pre-sowing seed treatment with Bioplant Flora at a dose of 0.5 litre per hectare of seeds was used against the background of N22Р39К62 4 tons per hectare of grain. Plant nutrition with Bioplant Flora fertilizer stimulated the growth and development of plants that effectively used nutrients from the soil to increase grain yield. The optimal term for treatment of winter wheat by Bioplant Flora is autumn application for seedlings based on 2 litres per hectare. At the same time, the productivity increased by 0.46-0.53 tons per hectare, depending on the application of Bioplant Flora. Pre-sowing treatment of seeds by Bioplant Flora based on 0.5 litres per ton of seeds against the background of the main fertilizer for 4 tons per hectare of grain, on average for 2010-2012, provided a productivity increase of 0.21 tons per hectare. Against this background, the autumn treatment by Bioplant Flora allowed to increase the productivity to 0.15 tons per hectare, compared to the sample without fertilizers. At the same time, the average for 2010-2012 the profit was obtained - 11981 rubles per hectare, the cost of grain amounted to 3596.0 rubles per ton, the profitability of production - 94.6%.

Methods of identifying grain production cost when threshing grain crops in view of the need in combine harvesters and combine operators

The paper presents substantiation of the rational use of combine harvesters’nominal throughput when threshing grain crops with the yield ranging from 0.8 to 5.0 t/ha and over. The main factors that determine nominal throughput of combine harvesters and their operational indicators are identified. The structure andcontents of thetechnological passport of combine harvesters are substantiated, and the algorithm of effective determination of their key operational indicators, based on the passport, are developed. These indicators depend on harvesting technology, grain crop yield, the share of non-grain part in the threshed grain bulk, the coverage of swath headers and direct-cut headers, and the operating speed of combine harvesters. The definition of the term “technological passport of the combine harvester” is given. Maximum and minimum allowable grain crop yield is established for the rational load of combine harvesters threshing at the standard operating speed of7.5 km/hrecommended by the Ministry of Agriculture of theRussian Federation. The existing methods make it possible to determine the operational efficiency of high-performance machinery by operational costs. However, they do not take into account the shortage of human resources when determining production cost of the threshed grain. As a result of the research conducted, the algorithm and techniques of determination of actual grain cost when harvesting grain crops by direct combining and swath harvesting methods are developed taking into account the need in combines of an i-class and combine operators. Production cost of grain threshed on the area of1000 hectarescalculated by the techniques developed, allows to define the minimum estimated and actual grain cost for an i-class combine harvester by direct combining and swath harvesting methods.

АДАПТИВНЫЕ ВЛАГОРЕСУРСОСБЕРЕГАЮЩИЕ ПРИЕМЫ ПОВЫШЕНИЯ ПРОДУКТИВНОСТИ ЯРОВОЙ ПШЕНИЦЫ И ВОСПРОИЗВОДСТВА ПЛОДОРОДИЯ СЕРОЙ ЛЕСНОЙ ПОЧВЫ ПРЕДКАМЬЯ ТАТАРСТАНА

Complex studies were carried out in eight-field cereal-steam and grain-steamed crop rotations with the use of the following factors: precursors, fertilizer systems calculated for 4 and 5 tons of grain per hectare, plant protection and basic tillage methods. Scientific novelty - for the first time on the gray forest soils of Kama, adaptive moisture saving technologies have been developed and the agroeconomic substantiation of the effect of their integrated application on the productivity of spring wheat and reproduction of soil fertility has been given. The aftereffect of various types of organic fertilizers on the productivity of spring wheat and soil fertility under systemic application in crop rotations has been experimentally substantiated. The best precursors of spring wheat turned out to be alfalfa of 3 years of use, winter rye for the sideral sweet and manured fallows. Not bad predecessors are fertilized with organic fertilizers corn and winter wheat placed after the sideral fallow. Effective use of the organomineral fertilizer system in crop rotations, at which the productivity of the cultivated crop increases by 10-11 centners per hectare compared to the background without fertilizers, the supply of nutrients to the elements improves, during which the content exceeds the control by 1.3-1.4 times. The increment of yields from plant protection is in the range 0.2-0.45 ton per hectare, depending on the nutrition background and the protection methods. At the same time, the greatest increase from integrated protection, taking into account economic threshold of damage, is achieved against the background of the organomineral system of fertilizers, the smallest increase - against a background without fertilizers. Among basic soil cultivation methods, it is advisable to loosen without turning the seam to a depth of 15-16 cm, which increases the productivity, provides fuel and energy savings of up to 40%, accumulates and stores 10 to 20% more productive moisture in the meter soil layer than dump plowing. Complex application of adaptive methods on the basis of fructification using the organomineral fertilizer system raises productivity by 1.5-2 times, profitability of production by 43 -98%, reduces the cost of grain by 20-35%.

Productivity of bread winter wheat when treating seeds with combination of protectant and biofertilizers

Purpose. To evaluate the effect of seed treatment with protectant and its combined use with biofertilizers on formation of productivity elements and yield of bread winter wheat. Methods. Field, laboratory, mathematical. Results. It was established that at renewal of vegetation all varieties and variants of treatment exceeded the control variant by the following characteristics: plant height, tilling capacity, secondary roots number, dry and wet mass of plants. On average, during the years of research (2012–2014), in variants of seed treatment with protectant combined with biofertilizers the plant height, number of productive stems per 1 m2, grain weight per spike also increased as compared to control variant. When processing seeds of winter wheat varieties with biofertilizers “Riverm” (0.3 l/ton) and “Biokompleks BTU” (0.8 l/t), yielding capacity increased as compared to the control on average for the varieties by 0.27–0.33 t/ha and in combination with the protectant Yunta Quattro (1.5 l/t) by 0.65–0.75 t/ha. During the years of research the maximum yield (5.66 t/ha) as compared to control (4.95 t/ha) was obtained on average for the varieties in the variant of seed treatment by Yunta Quattro (1.5 l/t) + “Biokompleks BTU” (0.8 l/t). Notional profit for all variants of processing increased by 587–2,098 UAH/ha. The maximum profit on average for the varieties 10,113 UAH/hа was obtained when processing seeds by biofertilizer “Biokompleks BTU”that exceeded the control variant by 2,098 UAH/ha. In all variants of seed processing, the net cost of grain decreased by 22–155 UAH/t, the level of profitability increased by 2–13 % compared to the control. Conclusions. It was established the efficiency of using combined treatment of seeds with protectants and biofertilizers in bread winter wheat cultivation technologies that increase the productive tiller number (27–41 /m2), grain mass per spike (0.27–0.30 g), yield (by 0.27–0.71 t/ha), and facilitate the rise of economic efficiency and net profit (by 587–2,098 UAH/ha).

The efficiency of the crop rotations with short rotation with different levels of their saturation of cereals and crops in the conditions of Western Forest-Steppe

There were analyzed and disclosed the basic components of arable farming systems and their Meaning, the current state and scientific principles in the context of the further development of field crop cultivation in the conditions of Western Forest-Steppe.
 The purpose of research. To study an effect of alternation of crop in crop rotation in conditions of brief rotation on the soil water regime, productivity and economic efficiency.
 Methods. Field, laboratory, comparative and analytical.
 Results. The results of researches on study of productivity of four-field crop rotations with short rotation depending on their saturation by the grain and tilled cultures, of various use of mineral fertilizers, green manure crops and collateral products which were conducted during 2014-2015 in the stationary experiment of the scientific and technological department of plant growing and arable farming, of the TDSGDS of the IKSGP of NAAN are resulted In the article.
 The elements of the biologization of farming are the basis of our development of crop rotations with short rotation. The study of the effect of green manure crops and collateral products in four-field crop rotations with a different set of crops on the change of soil fertility and productivity of crop rotations as a whole was carried out to this purpose. According to the results of the research, is provided the information on the effectiveness of improving the field crop rotations with short rotation with varying degrees of saturation by grain and tilled crops, that ensure the production of environmentally friendly products, reducing the cost of grain, improving the quality of marketable products.
 The study of the effect of alternation of crop in crop rotation in conditions of brief rotation on the soil water regime, productivity and economic efficiency showed that an increase in crop rotation productivity is observed in short-rotation crop rotations, if they are saturated by grain crops up to 100%, cereals crops reduction to 50% in crop rotations contributes to a decrease in crop productivity.
 Conclusion. Thus, the results of the research showed that with the correct construction of short rotational crop rotations, such problems as rational use of nutrients and soil moisture, control of weeds and pests of agricultural crops, improvement of the physical and chemical properties of the soil, increased efficiency in the use of fertilizers and equipment, Cheapening of the received agricultural product may be solved.

Algunas reflexiones sobre la producción de granos básicos en Centroamérica

The situation of the staple grain production in the Central American area is full of contradictions. Although there has been an increment in the food production, apparently sufficient, compared with the population growth, the yields have remained stagnant in the last decade. In the whole region, the real prices at farm level have dropped dramatically during these years of economic crisis. The state policies of organizing a regional market for basic food faces the large prevalent differences in prices and costs of grains among the Central American countries. According to a comparative analysis, these differences are stemmed in the prices of chemicals input s and mechanization costs at the farm level, which jeopardize the international region' s competitiveness and then may hurt those countries with relatively higher technified production within the region. In fact, the last available data confirms that, in economic terms, the technology for basic food production is not as effective as traditional farming. Finally, the massive food aid received by the isthmus, mainly wheat, has caused a change in the relative prices of staples food and leads in the urban, consumer to modify his feeding habit.

“Atender las necesidades del vecindario”: las políticas de la Junta de Administración Civil de Jalapa para evitar la carestía y la especulación de alimentos, 1914-1917

El objetivo de este artículo es mostrar las actividadesque la Junta de Administración Civil deJalapa emprendió para evitar el desabasto dealimentos entre 1914 y 1917. A mediados de1914, las autoridades municipales recibieronquejas de que faltaban alimentos en la ciudad,por lo que autorizaron varias medidas tendentesa acopiar granos e impedir que los comerciantesaumentaran sus precios. Con el fin deconciliar intereses, los comerciantes propusieroncrear un fondo regulador, el cual tendría lafunción de moderar los costos de los granos yevitar que fueran objeto de especulación. A pesarde las buenas intenciones, la carencia de alimentosy los abusos no desaparecieron, aunqueel desabasto no alcanzó proporciones tan dramáticascomo aconteció en otras regiones delpaís.

Effects of Combining Feed Grade Urea and a Slow-release Urea Product on Characteristics of Digestion, Microbial Protein Synthesis and Digestible Energy in Steers Fed Diets with Different Starch:ADF Ratios.

As a result of the cost of grains, the replacement of grains by co-products (i.e. DDGS) in feedlot diets is a common practice. This change produces diets that contain a lower amount of starch and greater amount of fibre. Hypothetically, combining feed grade urea (U) with slow release urea (Optigen) in this type of diet should elicit a better synchrony between starch (high-rate of digestion) and fibre (low-rate of digestion) promoting a better microbial protein synthesis and ruminal digestion with increasing the digestible energy of the diet. Four cannulated Holstein steers (213±4 kg) were used in a 4×4 Latin square design to examine the combination of Optigen and U in a finishing diet containing different starch:acid detergent fibre ratios (S:F) on the characteristics of digestive function. Three S:F ratios (3.0, 4.5, and 6.0) were tested using a combination of U (0.80%) and Optigen (1.0%). Additionally, a treatment of 4.5 S:F ratio with urea (0.80% in ration) as the sole source of non-protein nitrogen was used to compare the effect of urea combination at same S:F ratio. The S:F ratio of the diet was manipulated by replacing the corn grain by dried distillers grain with solubles and roughage. Urea combination did not affect ruminal pH. The S:F ratio did not affect ruminal pH at 0 and 2 h post-feeding but, at 4 and 6 h, the ruminal pH decreased as the S:F ratio increased (linear, p<0.05). Ruminal digestion of OM, starch and feed N were not affected by urea combination or S:F ratio. The urea combination did not affect ADF ruminal digestion. ADF ruminal digestion decreased linearly (p = 0.02) as the S:F ratio increased. Compared to the urea treatment (p<0.05) and within the urea combination treatment (quadratic, p<0.01), the flow of microbial nitrogen (MN) to the small intestine and ruminal microbial efficiency were greater for the urea combination at a S:F ratio of 4.5. Irrespective of the S:F ratio, the urea combination improved (2.8%, p = 0.02) postruminal N digestion. As S:F ratio increased, OM digestion increased, but ADF total tract digestion decreased. The combination of urea at 4.5 S:F improved (2%, p = 0.04) the digestible energy (DE) more than expected. Combining urea and Optigen resulted in positive effects on the MN flow and DE of the diet, but apparently these advantages are observed only when there is a certain proportion of starch:ADF in the diet.

Nitrous oxide and methane emissions from optimized and alternative cereal cropping systems on the North China Plain: A two-year field study

The impacts of different crop rotation systems with their corresponding management practices on grain yield, greenhouse gas emissions, and fertilizer nitrogen (N) and irrigation water use efficiencies are not well documented. This holds especially for the North China Plain which provides the staple food for hundreds of millions of people and where groundwater resources are polluted with nitrate and depleted through irrigation. Here, we report on fertilizer N and irrigation water use, grain yields, and nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) emissions of conventional and optimized winter wheat–summer maize double-cropping systems, and of three alternative cropping systems, namely a winter wheat–summer maize (or soybean)–spring maize system, with three harvests in two years; and a single spring maize system with one crop per year. The results of this two-year study show that the optimized double-cropping system led to a significant increase in grain yields and a significant decrease in fertilizer N use and net greenhouse gas intensity, but the net greenhouse gas N2O emissions plus CH4 uptake and the use of irrigation water did not decrease relative to the conventional system. Compared to the conventional system the net greenhouse gas emissions, net greenhouse gas intensity and use of fertilizer N and irrigation water decreased in the three alternative cropping systems, but at the cost of grain yields except in the winter wheat–summer maize–spring maize system. Net uptake of CH4 by the soil was little affected by cropping system. Average N2O emission factors were only 0.17% for winter wheat and 0.53% for maize. In conclusion, the winter wheat–summer maize–spring maize system has considerable potential to decrease water and N use and decrease N2O emissions while maintaining high grain yields and sustainable use of groundwater.

Genetic parameters and genotype × environment interaction for feed efficiency traits in steers fed grower and finisher diets1

The objective of this study was to examine the genetic parameters and genetic correlations of feed efficiency traits in steers (n = 490) fed grower or finisher diets in 2 feeding periods. A bivariate model was used to estimate phenotypic and genetic parameters using steers that received the grower and finisher diets in successive feeding periods, whereas a repeated animal model was used to estimate the permanent environmental effects. Genetic correlations between the grower-fed and finisher-fed regimens were 0.50 ± 0.48 and 0.78 ± 0.43 for residual feed intake (RFI) and G:F, respectively. The moderate genetic correlation between the 2 feeding regimens may indicate the presence of a genotype × environment interaction for RFI. Permanent environmental effects (expressed in percentage of phenotypic variance) were detected in the grower-fed steers for ADG (38%), DMI (30%), RFI (18%), and G:F (40%) and also in the finisher-fed steers for ADG (28%), DMI (35%), metabolic mid-weight (23%), and RFI (10%). Heritability estimates were 0.08 ± 0.10 and 0.14 ± 0.15 for the grower-fed steers and 0.42 ± 0.16 and 0.40 ± 17 for the finisher-fed steers for RFI and G:F, respectively. The dependency of the RFI on the feeding regimen may have serious implications when selecting animals in the beef industry. Because of the higher cost of grains, feed efficiency in the feedlot might be overemphasized, whereas efficiency in the cow herd and the backgrounding segments may have less emphasis. These results may also favor the retention (for subsequent breeding) of cows whose steers were efficient in the feedlot sector. Therefore, comprehensive feeding trials may be necessary to provide more insight into the mechanisms surrounding genotype × environment interaction in steers.

Technical and economic analysis of biogas production in Ireland utilising three different crop rotations

The Biofuels Directive sets reference values for the quantity of biofuels and other renewable fuels to be placed on the transport market. Biogas from agricultural crops can be used to meet this directive. This paper investigates biogas production for three crop rotations: wheat, barley and sugar beet; wheat, wheat and sugar beet; wheat only. A technical and economic analysis for each crop rotation was carried out. It was found that wheat produces significantly more biogas than either barley or sugar beet, when examined on a weight basis. However sugar beet produces more biogas and subsequently more energy when examined on an area basis. When producing biofuels, land is the limiting factor to the quantity of energy that may be produced. Thus if optimising land then a crop rotation of wheat, wheat and sugar beet should be utilised, as this scenario produced the greatest quantity of energy. This scenario has a production cost of €0.90/m N 3, therefore, this scenario is competitive with petrol when the price of petrol is at least €1.09/l (VAT is charged at 21%). If optimising the production costs then a crop rotation of wheat only should be utilised when the cost of grain is less than €132/ton. This scenario has the least production cost at €0.83/m N 3, therefore, this scenario is competitive with petrol when the price of petrol is at least €1.00/l. But as this scenario produces the least quantity of biogas, it also produces the least quantity of energy. In comparing with other works by the authors it is shown that a biomethane system produces more energy from the same crops at a cheaper cost than an ethanol system.

Limit-feeding a high-concentrate diet may alter nutrient absorption (2007)

Feeding newly arrived cattle is commonly characterized by a few days of feeding longstemmed hay followed by a series of step-up diets, wherein concentrate levels are increased to promote ruminal adaptation to a highconcentrate finishing diet. This is done to give the rumen microbes time to adjust to larger amounts of readily fermentable starches in cereal grains. Rumen epithelial adaptation may be achievable by limit-feeding a finishing diet, with gradual increases in feed intake, until the cattle are on full feed. If this can be achieved without causing ruminal disorders and days off feed, then the cost of feeding cattle can be reduced. By limit-feeding, the higher roughage step-up diets are replaced with a single high-concentrate diet. The cost of grain is less than that of roughage, and there are decreased costs in terms of storage space, waste disposal (due to decreased manure production), and mixing and hauling of rations. The purpose of this experiment was to examine the effects of a traditional step-up program versus a limit-fed finishing diet in terms of dry matter intake, acetate to propionate ratio, and ruminal dilution rate. Diet effects on volatile fatty acid concentration and absorption were also examined by using valerate as a marker for volatile fatty acid absorption.

Assessment of Lablab (Lablab Purpureus) Leaf Meal as a Feed Ingredient and Yolk Colouring Agent in the Diet of Layers

A feeding experiment was conducted to determine the performance, nutrient digestibility and egg quality of layers fed 0,50, 100 or 150 g/kg leaf meal of Lablab purpureus (lablab) Chemical analysis of lablab gave (g/kg) crude protein 234.0, ether extract 19.0, crude fibre 83.4, ash 116.0 and nitrogen free extracts 467.0. Feeding lablab at 100 and 150 g/kg significantly reduced feed intake and egg production while egg weight, feed conversion efficiency and body weight changes were not affected (p>0.05) by dietary treatments. Apparent nutrient digestibility of dry matter and crude protein decreased significantly (p 0.05) on the proportion of egg components but boiling effected a percentage reduction of 62, 56 and 52 in the egg yolk colour of 50, 100 and 150 g/kg lablab fed layers respectively. The persistence of the colour change after withdrawal of lablab ranged from 5 days (50 g/kg) to 15 days (150 g/kg). Based on egg quality, lack of mortality and similar biological efficiency, it may be possible to include lablab in layer diets up to 100 and 150 g/kg in situations of acute scarcity and/or high cost of grain and concentrates.

Performance ofMedicago sativaunder dryland conditions on the eastern Highveld

Abstract Increased livestock numbers and improved animal performance based on dryland lucerne pastures requiring little or no nitrogenous fertilizer have been demonstrated to be feasible on the eastern Highveld. With large scale planting of lucerne‐based pasture (25% of arable land) 350 to 500% more sheep products can be delivered at a lower cost. When lucerne is included in crop rotations the production cost of grain can also be reduced. The increased usage of lucerne‐based pastures, especially for sheep and dairy enterprises, will also reduce the pressure on natural pasture and improve the conservation of vegetation, soil and water resources.