Fodder For Livestock Research Articles

Milk and dairy products market: creation of dairy clusters

In modern conditions, public health as a strategic resource is one of the most important indicators that determine the level and quality of life, and is ensured by saturating the market with high-quality food products with high consumer properties. The authors have studied the current state of production of milk and its processed products, which are in the second place in demand after bakery products. In each region of the republic there are processing enterprises of the dairy industry, but not all producers supply goods of high quality. Purpose - development of practical recommendations to provide the domestic market with high-grade and competitive dairy products on the basis of formation and development of dairy clusters. Methods - the system approach was used to determine the value chain from raw materials to finished products, statistical and comparative analysis - to study the dynamics, state, potential opportunities of the dairy subcomplex, economic entities, generalization method - to summarize the results of the study. Results - the main problems existing in the dairy industry of Kazakhstan are revealed: insufficiency of milk for food products, underutilization of production capacities, lack of large farms producing conditioned raw materials in the required volumes, high import dependence, purchase prices for raw milk. Conclusions - the authors recommend the formation of territorial dairy cluster structures. The implementation of this direction will allow to meet the needs not only of the domestic market, but also to achieve a high export potential of the dairy industry, to solve the issues of supply of necessary equipment, fodder for livestock, to increase the competitive advantages of dairy products, the level of utilization of the existing production potential, as well as to expand the raw material base. Of particular importance is the study of promising areas of the dairy industry, since milk and dairy products are necessarily present in the food basket of every family.

Average daily gain in lambs grazing mixed annual forage species compared with single species and relationship to feed on offer

Context Annual forage crops provide high-quality fodder for livestock during typical autumn and winter feed-gaps in the south-east of Australia and benefits through rotations in cropping systems. While benefits from intercropping with cereals and pasture or mixing canola and peas have been studied in Australia, the potential animal-production benefits of grazing mixed annual species forage crops have not been examined. Aims To determine average daily gain (ADG) and rumen fluid parameters when sheep graze mixtures of annual fodder crops compared with a single species. Methods Ninety six Dorset × Border Leicester × Merino lambs (mean = 44.3 ± 0.55 kg) were allocated to one of the following four treatment groups (n = 24/treatment) on the basis of sex and liveweight; a single species brassica control (canola) (Br) or annual forage species mixes containing brassica (canola, turnip, radish) and cereal (wheat, cereal rye) (B + C), brassica and legume (vetch, arrowleaf clove) (B + L) or brassica, cereal and legume (B + C + L). Liveweight and rumen fluid parameters were assessed prior to grazing and again 21 and 35 days after the commencement of grazing. Key results Mean ADG from Day 0 to Day 21 was lower for female, but not male, lambs grazing the Br control (231 ± 23 g head−1 day−1) than for those grazing any forage mix (B + C = 292 ± 23 g head−1 day−1, B + L = 296 ± 23 g head−1 day−1, B + C + L = 310 ± 22 g head−1 day−1). Liveweight change over 35 days of grazing was not different between any forage mixtures. Rumen fluid pH was higher (P < 0.001) for sheep grazing forages containing cereals (B + C = 6.97 ± 0.06, B + C + L = 6.86 ± 0.06) than for those grazing brassica or legume (Br = 6.59 ± 0.06, B + L = 6.68 ± 0.06). Total volatile fatty acid concentration was lower and rumen pH was higher when sheep grazed B + C than when they grazed any other forage mix. Conclusions The higher ADG in females grazing mixtures than in those grazing the Br was related to higher dry matter on offer. Further research should determine whether the lower pH observed when sheep grazed brassica and legume than when grazing mixes containing cereals is associated with subacute rumen acidosis and reduced fibre degradation and forage energy utilisation. Implications Mixed forage species can provide higher DM on offer and ADG. Improved rumen efficiency could be related to improved growth.

Physiological Mechanisms of BvCPD Regulation in Sugar Beet Growth

Sugar beet is an important sugar crop, and its roots are mainly used for processing raw materials to produce products such as sugar, molasses, and saccharin, as well as being used as fodder for livestock. BvCPD, a key enzyme gene for brassinosteroid (BR) synthesis, regulates the development of parenchyma cells and vascular bundles by promoting BR synthesis, which promotes the expansion of the sugar beet taproot and influences the growth, development, and yield of sugar beets. This study investigated the impact of BvCPD on the physiological metabolism of sugar beet utilizing BvCPD overexpression, silent, and wild-type (WT) lines. BvCPD increased the chlorophyll content and maximum photochemical efficiency and improved the photosynthetic characteristics of sugar beet leaves. Simultaneously, BvCPD increased the rate of sugar beet taproot respiration and ATP content by enhancing the activities of phosphoglycerate kinase, alcohol dehydrogenase, sucrose synthase, and sucrose synthase catabolism. Moreover, BvCPD induced changes in the sugar fraction content, which increased the sugar yield of a single plant. In addition, BvCPD promoted water absorption, nitrogen accumulation, and lignin/cellulose synthesis activities, facilitated by increased activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase, cellulose synthase, and protein serine/threonine phosphatases, providing the requisite energy and materials for sugar beet growth. These findings not only provide a new perspective for understanding the physiological mechanisms regulating the growth of sugar beets but also provide a theoretical basis for the future improvement of sugar beet varieties through molecular breeding techniques.

Kudzu: An invasive plant or a sustainable resource

Kudzu (Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi) is a fast growing leguminous vine plant that has strong reproductive ability and low requirements on its growing conditions. It has been considered an invasive plant in some places because of its aggressive growth, which can destroy the habitat for native plants and animals. However, its strong environmental adaptability makes it easily cultivated as a sustainable resource. Kudzu can also keep soil from washing away and play an important role in ecological protection. Kudzu has had numerous practical uses in our daily lives since ancient times. For example, its root, stem, flower and pod are used in traditional Chinese medicine. Its root is a healthy food. And its leaf is used as fodder and forage for livestock. Moreover, some recent studies on kudzu have found that it is in rich of bioactive ingredients, especially isoflavones, which further broadens its uses in medicine, healthy food, and cosmetics industries. Its high starch and cellulose content makes it a promising feedstock for biofuel production and paper preparation. This editorial will give a brief discussion on kudzu and its comprehensive utilization.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth, Yield, Nutrient Uptake, Nutrient Use Efficiencies and Economics of Baby Corn (Zea mays. L): A Review

A young, unfertilized, dehusked maize ear that has just started to multiply is called baby corn (the baby phase of the maize cob). It is usually harvested when the silk is between two and three cm long, two to three days following silking. Depending on the agro-climatic circumstances, baby maize can be grown three to four times a year after maturing for 60 to 75 days. As a pre-kharif crop with a brief growing phase, baby maize provides a distinct benefit by making use of fields that would otherwise stay fallow during the periods when rice and wheat are turning over. Higherearnings can be made from the early harvest and selling of baby maize ears. Additionally, untranslocated photosynthates remaining in the green stover can be used as a good source of nutrient-rich green fodder for live stock, which boosts the production of dairy products and meat.
 As the crop with the highest nutritional content, baby maize needs exceptionally high-quality nutrients to be used efficiently and to increase yield. Although the production of baby corn can be increased by applying artificial fertiliser, doing so will eventually compromise the sustainability of the expanding field. Furthermore, farmers' financial stability and soil health can be preserved by replacing a portion of chemical fertilisers with organic sources of nutrients. However, the replacement of 25% and 50% of the nitrogen with organic sources (FYM/Vermicompost/Poultry Manure) had a greater positive impact on the production of baby maize, the yield of fodder, the quality and economics of the nutrient uptake, and the soil fertility status.

Dual‐purpose cowpea grain and fodder yield response to variety, nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium fertilizer, and environment

AbstractAddressing the challenges of food and nutrition insecurity in sub‐Saharan Africa will require innovative agriculture production systems that support multiple objectives. Dual‐purpose cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp] varieties are expected to offer greater grain yields for human consumption and high‐quality fodder for livestock in semiarid regions of Senegal. However, limited information is available on the effects of varieties and fertilizer on dual‐purpose cowpea. The main objective of this research was to evaluate the grain and fodder yield of five newly released cowpea varieties (Kelle, Leona, Lizard, Sam, and Thieye) compared to traditional variety (Yacine) with fertilizer (nitrogen‐phosphorus‐potassium 6‐20‐10) and no‐fertilizer application. Genotype × environment × management experimentations were conducted across three cowpea production zones of Darou Mousty (400 mm per year), Bambey (500 mm per year), and Boulel (700 mm per year) over three growing seasons (2019–2021) to compare the growth and yield parameters of the cowpea varieties. Results of the study showed a 40% grain yield advantage from the greater yielding (Leona) variety in this study compared with the lower yielding (Lizard) variety. There was an additional 22% grain yield increase from the application of fertilizer compared with the unfertilized treatment. The variety (Leona) that produced the most grain also produced the most fodder yields. There was 67% fodder yield advantage from Leona compared with fodder yield from the older variety Yacine. Across varieties, application of fertilizer increased fodder yield by 15% compared to the unfertilized control. Average grain yield in high‐yielding environment (Boulel 2019, Darou Mousty 2019, and Bambey 2021) was 100% greater compared with average grain yield in low‐yielding environments (Boulel 2021, Darou Mousty 2021, and Bambey 2019). Compared to Yacine, dual‐purpose varieties increased net returns by 15%–58% or 13%–42% with early‐ and late‐season cowpea sales, respectively. However, fertilizer application was profitable only when cowpea grain and fodder were sold later in the season. In general, cowpea number of branches, pod number, and pod yield increased with fertilizer application. We concluded that producers can adopt dual‐purpose varieties and proper fertilizer management to increase grain yield, fodder availability, and profitability of cowpea production in Senegal.

ОРГАНИЧЕСКИЕ УДОБРЕНИЯ НА ОСНОВЕ ПОБОЧНЫХ ПРОДУКТОВ ЖИВОТНОВОДСТВА – РЕЗЕРВ В ПОВЫШЕНИИ БИОЛОГИЧЕСКОЙ ПРОДУКТИВНОСТИ ПАСТБИЩ

The main requirements for livestock wastewater used for irrigation and fertilization of cultivated pastures are presented. The use of bedless manure and livestock effluents as an organic fertilizer helps to increase the biological productivity of pastures and provides green, juicy fodder for livestock needs and environmental protection.

The fate of rice crop residues and context-dependent greenhouse gas emissions: Model-based insights from Eastern India

Crop residue burning is a common practice in many parts of the world that causes air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Regenerative practices that return residues to the soil offer a ‘no burn’ pathway for addressing air pollution while building soil organic carbon (SOC). Nevertheless, GHG emissions in rice-based agricultural systems are complex and difficult to anticipate, particularly in production contexts with highly variable hydrologic conditions.Here we predict long-term net GHG fluxes for four rice residue management strategies in the context of rice-wheat cropping systems in Eastern India: burning, soil incorporation, livestock fodder, and biochar. Estimations were based on a combination of Tier 1, 2, and 3 modelling approaches, including 100-year DNDC simulations across three representative soil hydrologic categories (i.e., dry, median, and wet).Overall, residue burning resulted in total direct GHG fluxes of 2.5, 6.1, and 8.7 Mg CO2-e in the dry, median, and wet hydrologic categories, respectively. Relative to emissions from burning (positive values indicate an increase) for the same dry to wet hydrologic categories, soil incorporation resulted in a −0.2, 1.8, or 3.1 Mg CO2-e change in emissions whereas use of residues for livestock fodder increased emissions by 2.0, 2.1, or 2.3 Mg CO2-e. Biochar reduced emissions relative to burning by 2.9 Mg CO2-e in all hydrologic categories. This study showed that the production environment has a controlling effect on methane and, therefore, net GHG balance. For example, wetter sites had 2.8–4.0 times greater CH4 emissions, on average, than dry sites when rice residues were returned to the soil. To effectively mitigate burning without undermining climate change mitigation goals, our results suggest that geographically-target approaches should be used in the rice-based systems of Eastern India to incentivize the adoption of regenerative ‘no burn’ residue management practices.

Assessment of Mycorrhizal Fungal Diversity in Legumes (Medicago sativa, Medicago truncatula and Trifolium rubens) from Algeria and Their Influence on Soil Physicochemical and Microbiological Properties

Background: Medicago sativa, Medicago truncatula and Trifolium rubens are legumes widely distributed in Algeria. These species hold ecological and agricultural significance and serve as a natural resource for combating desertification and as livestock fodder. Methods: Comparative investigations of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization in the roots of these leguminous species were conducted. The physicochemical and microbiological attributes of AMF’s infectious potential were explored for all three species. The presence or absence of endomycorrhizal structures was assessed in these species. Result: The mycorrhizal infectious potential of the flora was significantly enhanced in the case of Medicago truncatula when compared to Trifolium rubens. Mycorrhization occurred at a frequency exceeding 80% in all three species. The impact of legume mycorrhizal fungi colonization on soil physicochemical properties was examined, revealing alterations in soil biological fertility, particularly in terms of phosphate and nitrogen content. Medicago truncatula exhibited a more pronounced positive influence on soil physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics when compared to Medicago sativa and Trifolium rubens. Consequently, these herbaceous species can be employed as nurse plants (facilitators) or as bio-fertilizers.

PENERAPAN TEKNOLOGI PAKAN SILASE RUMPUT GAJAH UNTUK MENDUKUNG MANAJEMEN PAKAN TERNAK PADA MUSIM KEMARAU

The problem experienced by cattle farmers in this community service activity is that it is difficult to provide green fodder for ruminant livestock during the dry season. This community service activity aimed to increase students' knowledge and skills in making silage for ruminant livestock feed. This silage feed technology application program involved lecturers, students, and farmer groups through the methods: 1) pre-test, 2) socialization, 3) training with direct demonstrations, 4) feed application simulation, 5) conducting evaluations, and 6) post-test. The results of this activity showed that all livestock group participants were able to produce high quality silage to support animal feed management. Apart from that, the group also gave a good response in understanding the material provided with an increase in the average score of the post-test given. So it was concluded that the farmer group was able to make silage continuously and independently by choosing quality and easy to obtain materials.

Agroforestry practices for climate change adaptation and livelihood resilience in drylands of Ethiopia

Agroforestry practices have gained attention as a means to enhance the resilience of smallholder farmers to climate threats. However, their role in building resilient livelihoods and adapting to climate change is not well studied in Ethiopia. Through our study, we evaluated the significance of indigenous agroforestry practices for climate change adaptation and livelihood resilience in different agroecologies of Northern Ethiopia. We interviewed 197 households to gather insightful data, and statistical analyses, including Chi-square, Pearson’s correlation, ANOVA, and multinomial regression, were employed to analyze the data. Our findings reveal that farmers are proactively responding to the impacts of a changing climate by making strategic shifts in crop varieties, livestock types, and tree species, which they believe strengthen their adaptive capacity. Indigenous agroforestry emerged as the third most preferred climate change adaptation option among farmers, following livestock and off-farm activities. Additionally, on-farm trees were identified as the third most significant livelihood asset for farming households, underscoring the pivotal role of indigenous agroforestry in bolstering livelihood resilience. Indigenous agroforestry practices offer a multitude of benefits, including wood, livestock fodder, and crucial ecosystem services, particularly during periods of climate shocks. This not only enhances farmers’ adaptive capacity but also alleviates pressure on neighboring natural forests. Notably, on-farm trees exhibited a substantial positive impact on crop productivity, household income, and overall climate change adaptation capabilities. Despite variations observed across different agroecologies, on-farm trees accounted for an impressive 34.35% of the household’s total income, further highlighting their significance in fostering long-term livelihood resilience. In conclusion, our study emphasizes the urgent need to scale up indigenous agroforestry practices as a means to enhance short-term adaptive capacity and foster long-term resilience.

Remote sensing and GIS-based study of land use/cover dynamics, driving factors, and implications in southern Ethiopia, with special reference to the Legabora watershed

This paper investigates the trends, drivers, and consequences of LULC changes in Legabora watershed, Ethiopia, by utilizing remote sensing and geographic systems. Landsat Maltispectiral scanner (MSS), Thematic Mapper (TM), Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+), and Operational Land Imager (OLI) images of years 1976, 1991, 2001, and 2022, respectively, were used to study the dynamics of LULC. Essential image pre-processing steps were carefully carried out to correct distortions caused by sensor limitations. Eight main LULC categories were identified based on supervised image categorization methods and the maximum likelihood classification algorithm.The findings of change detection and cross-tabulation matrix demonstrate that there has been a significant increase in the area of cropland 345.1 ha/year, settlement 5.9 ha/year, forest 38.2 ha/year, and degraded lands 2.56 ha/year, respectively, over the period between 1976 and 2022. In contrast, considerable decreases were observed in grasslands (−248 ha/year) and shrublands (−144 ha/year), whereas other LULC categories augmented. The results revealed that the overall accuracy rates stood at 88.3 %, 88.4 %, and 85.6 % for 1976, 1991, and 2022, respectively. The overall kappa coefficient demonstrated values of 0.86 %, 0.86 %, and 0.83 % for the same period. Surveyed respondents perceived population growth, settlement, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development as the most noticeable drivers of these LULC changes. In contrast, deforestation, land degradation, lack of livestock fodder, and biodiversity loss were identified as the main consequences of LULC changes. The factors and implications addressed in this study may be helpful tool for the formulation and implementation of evidence-based land use policies and strategies within in the study area and elsewhere.

OCENA JAKOŚCI ZIELONKI UZYSKANEJ Z MIESZANEK ŁUBINU WĄSKOLISTNEGO Z PSZENŻYTEM JARYM

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the share of components in the mixture of narrowleaf lupin with spring triticale and the harvest stage on the quality of green fod- der for livestock. Two factors were analysed in a three-year experiment: Share of components in the mixture at sowing narrowleaf lupin + spring triticale (seed·m−2): 120 + 0, 90 + 150, 60 + 300, 30 + 450, 0 + 600, harvesting stage: I – narrowleaf lupin flowering stage, II – narrowleaf lupin flat green pod stage. The most favourable quality of green fodder was obtained from narrowleaf lupine, while among the mixtures from the mixture with the highest share of narrowleaf lupine at seed sow- ing. These crops were characterised by the lowest concentration of crude fibre and its fractions and the highest digestibility, dry matter intake and relative feed value. The harvesting of mixtures at the narrowleaf lupin flowering stage proved to be more favourable in terms of the quality of the green fodder obtained. In order to obtain valuable fodder for livestock, the cultivation of mixtures with a seed share at sowing of 90 + 150 of narrow-leafed lupine and spring triticale, respectively, should be recommended.

Edukasi pengetahuan masyarakat dalam pemanfaatan daun insulin di Desa Jambi Kecil Kabupaten Muaro Jambi

The insulin plant (Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray) is a flowering plant with orange-colored flowers that belongs to the Asteraceae family. It can be cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens or green spaces and used in traditional medicine. The benefits and potential of this plant are numerous, including its use as green manure, pest, and disease control, fodder for livestock, soil and water conservation, and its potential in traditional treatments for urinary tract infections, digestive issues, and diabetes management. This community service aims to enhance public knowledge regarding using insulin plant leaves as crude drugs for diabetes treatment. The method employed involves conducting informational sessions through lectures followed by a question-and-answer session. The results show the community learned about using insulin plants as a diabetes remedy. The community's knowledge about using insulin plants as a traditional remedy as a decoction for diabetes treatment increased to 100%.

Physicochemical and Biological Characterization of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. Seed Oil Collected from The Bordj Bou Arreridj Region, Algerian Highlands

Background: The prickly pear is well adapted to arid and semi-arid areas. It occupies an important part in the human diet and it is also used as fodder for livestock. It is an interesting plant due to the environmental conditions in which it grows and its resistance to extreme climatic conditions. The objectives of our study were to determine the biological effects of oil extracted from prickly pear seeds (Opuntia ficus-indica L. Mill.). Methods: The organoleptic characteristics and the physicochemical parameters of this oil were done. The antibacterial and antifungal effects of the oil were tested in vitro against certain numbers of pathogenic bacteria and fungi by the aromatogram method. The antioxydante activity and the GC-MS analysis were proceeded also in this study. Result: The results show that the bacterial strains Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterococcus faecalis are the most sensitive to the acid oil of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. with an inhibition diameter varying between 23 mm and 25 mm, respectively. On the other hand, prickly pear seed oil exhibits an antifungal effect mainly against Candida albicans (25 mm). The oil extracted was strongest active (IC50 = 0.55 mg/ml). This indicates that our oil exhibited high reducing activity. 18 components were found in prickly pear seeds oil after analysis by GC-MS, which are presented mainly by phthalic acid (45.04%), monounsaturated fatty acid (18.56%), polyunsaturated fatty acid (16.69%) and other components (19.71%). The oil of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. seeds showed good biological activity grace to its richness in components.

Effects of Methanol Extract of Albizia lebbeck Leaves on the Body Weight, Hematological Parameters and Histological Structures of Digestive Organs in Rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Due to its use in traditional medication and its leaves and pods being considered as potential fodder for livestock the toxicity of Albizia lebbeck needs to be thoroughly explored. The study evaluated the effects of 70% methanol extract of Albizia lebbeck leaves on body weight, hematological parameters and histopathology of digestive organs in Wistar rats. Twenty-one healthy adult female rats were experimented with and divided into two groups of six and fifteen animals. Six rats were randomly subdivided into two groups of three rats each for plant extract LD50 determination at 2000 mg/kg and 5000 mg/kg dosages, respectively. Fifteen rats were randomly sub-allotted into three groups of five animals. Group I the control received distilled water by gavaging. Groups II and III received 100mg/kg and 400mg/kg of the extract, respectively—treatment covered 30 days. On day 31, the body weight of each rat was recorded before being sacrificed under chloroform. Blood was collected for hematological analysis. The liver and stomach were trimmed and processed for histopathology. The results revealed the LD50 of the extract to begreater than 5000 mg/kg. Extract treatment had no significant effects on the rat’s body weight. A significant (P<0.05) increase in WBC, Eosinophils, RBC, and Hematocrit was revealed at 100 mg/kg of extract treatment. A dosage of 400 mg/kg of the extract caused a significant increase in Eosinophils and Lymphocytes. However, the plant extract caused a significant (P<0.05) decrease in Mean Platelet Volume and Platelet Distribution Width at both doses, Monocytes and Neutrophils at 400 mg/kg and Mean Corpuscular Volume and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin at 100 mg/kg compared with the control. Both doses of the extract treatments caused lesions in the liver characterized by, necrosis, sinusoidal dilatation and inflammatory cell infiltration with no significant lesions in the stomach. In conclusion, the extract of Albizia lebbeck leaves caused a significant decrease in some hematological parameters and some lesions in the liver at 100 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg.

Silvopasture offers climate change mitigation and profit potential for farmers in the eastern United States

Silvopasture—integrating trees, forage, and grazing livestock on the same piece of land—is increasingly popular, given its potential to store carbon (C) and improve farmers’ livelihoods. We examined the C and economic implications of adding different silvopastoral systems to existing pastures in historically forested areas of the eastern United States (U.S.). We assessed nine distinct systems, varying by species and product (timber, nuts, and fodder for livestock), for two market scenarios: one based on current demand and one that assumes increased demand for products from silvopasture systems. For each system, we assessed C storage (biomass) and economics (internal rates of return (IRR) with and without C payments). We find that silvopasture in the eastern U.S. could expand by 5.6–25.3 million hectares under base case and full adoption scenarios (equaling a 6% increase in the global footprint of silvopasture), and could capture up to 4.9 or 25.6 Tg CO2e yr.−1, respectively. Expansion of silvopasture in these scenarios would come largely from demand for fodder as a supplemental feed, as well as specialty timber products. Per ha mitigation potential varied widely (0.5–6.5 tCO2e ha−1 yr.−1), due to species differences in C accumulation rates. Economics differed too, with some systems offering short break-even timelines (e.g., 7–9 years for fodder systems), and others costing more up front but having greater long-term returns (e.g., Chestnut). Furthermore, while some systems are profitable without any price on C (e.g., fodder-based silvopasture offers 6–14% 10-year IRRs without a price on C), higher payments for C would likely be necessary to unleash broad investment in timber and nut-based silvopasture. Our analysis included planting, maintenance, and harvest costs and tree product revenue. Future work is needed to fully incorporate additional considerations, like loss of grazing use during establishment, shade-induced effects on forage production, and livestock productivity. Furthermore, specific economic, ecological, site- and operation-level considerations are critical to evaluate the appropriateness of silvopasture systems for a given setting. This analysis suggests that across the eastern U.S., silvopasture could offer both climate change mitigation and enhanced profitability for farmers, with notable differences in the system-specific magnitude of opportunity.

The Effects of Brackish Irrigation on Soil Ion Accumulation and Growth of Atriplex Species

Prolonged drought conditions in New Mexico have led growers to use brackish groundwater for crop irrigation. Desalination of the groundwater with reverse osmosis (RO) is possible, but the concentrated waste requires environmentally safe disposal, such as by irrigating native halophytic plants, Atriplex, which could be cultivated to feed livestock. We hypothesized that ions from the brackish irrigation would increasingly accumulate in the soil away from the roots as the wetting front expanded further from the emitter, while not affecting the aboveground growth of the plants. Atriplex species were irrigated with brackish water at two irrigation levels for three years. Soil samples were collected at the beginning, middle, and end of the study at two depths and three distances from the emitter. Electrical conductivity (EC), soil ion accumulation, and plant growth were recorded. The average EC of the soil increased with brackish water irrigation. As the ions accumulated along the wetting front of the percolating water rather than near roots, a favorable environment for root growth was provided. While sodic levels of ion accumulation were not reached in this study, aboveground growth still declined. This leads to the recommendation that RO-concentrated waste could be used to irrigate Atriplex species for livestock fodder, with further plans to irrigate with fresh water to remove accumulated ions as a potential sustainable waste management process. Additional studies are necessary to develop guidelines for Atriplex tolerance and harvesting.

Assessment of the Nutritional Value of Stems and Leaves of Australian Adzuki Bean.

Adzuki bean has recently been proposed as a viable dual-purpose (grain-and-graze) crop for the Northern regions of Australia because of its successful use in semi-arid regions and its nitrogen fixation capacity to improve soil fertility and animal nutrition. However, there are very few studies on the phytochemical composition and nutritional value of the non-seed material. This study investigated the phenolic composition of the parts grown in the vegetative phase (leaves and stems) of nine Australian adzuki bean varieties for the first time. The total phenolic content (TPC) of the stem material (157-406 mg GAE/100 g) was 23-217% higher than that of commercial livestock feed, while the TPC of the leaf material (1158-1420 mg GAE/100 g) was 9-11 times higher. Using tandem liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS), the major phenolic compounds identified were rutin, luteolin, salicylic acid, and quercetin-3-glucoside. The leaf and stem materials showed high levels of apparent in vitro dry matter digestibility, with no significant difference in total gas or methane production compared to lucerne hay. The results suggest that adzuki bean vegetative materials could be a high-value livestock fodder and support pursuing further in-depth studies into their nutritional value for livestock.

Exploring the Nutritional Landscape: A Review of Fodder Options for Livestock

Livestock nutrition plays a crucial role in ensuring the health and productivity of animals. Fodder are key component of livestock diets, providing essential nutrients for growth, reproduction, and overall well-being. The application of inorganic nutrients with the combination of organic nutrients leads to improve crop yield with improvement in soil health and its productivity without deteriorating the environmental conditions. This review aims to explore the nutritional landscape of fodder and forage options for livestock, examining their composition, availability, and potential benefits.