Forage Banks Research Articles

Promoting Forage Legume–Pollinator Interactions: Integrating Crop Pollination Management, Native Beekeeping and Silvopastoral Systems in Tropical Latin America

Major declines of insect pollinators are a worldwide concern. Such losses threaten human food supplies and ecosystem functions. Monocultures of pastures used to feed cattle are among the drivers of insect pollinator declines in Tropical Latin America. Plants of the legume family (fabaceae) are mostly pollinated by insects, in particular by bees. The inclusion of legumes in pastures (grass-legume system), as forage banks or the development of silvo-pastoral systems (SPS) with tree legumes, has been widely promoted to improve livestock production and soil fertility, but not to enhance ecosystem services from pollinators. Shortages of seed for the establishment of legumes as forage banks or within pastures or SPS remain a bottleneck for the improvement of ecosystem services brought about by pollinators within these systems and beyond. In this perspective paper, we provide an overview of forage legumes, their interplay with pollinators, and the ecological and socio-economic benefits of pollinator–forage legume interactions, at different scales (farm and landscape level). We further discuss the challenges and opportunities of scaling sustainably intensified cattle production systems that integrate legume forage-seed production with principles of pollinator ecology and native beekeeping. Finally, we provide interested stakeholders, policy-and decision-makers with a perspective on how such agroecosystems may be designed and scaled into multifunctional landscapes.

CONOCER PARA MEJORAR: FACTORES QUE INFLUYEN EN LA TRANSICIÓN HACIA SISTEMAS SILVOPASTORILES EN LA COSTA DE CHIAPAS

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Technology adoptions are the main challenge to achieve transition toward sustainable livestock production. <strong>Objective:</strong> This research evaluated factors that influence the silvopastoral technology adoption in Chiapas, Mexico. <strong>Methodology:</strong> Used an integrative methodology relates variables institutional performance, knowledge, and perception of producers on livestock system and interaction between actors. The above was linked to a physical context with satellite imagines analysis to identify components adopted in the field. <strong>Results: </strong>It was found that the type of producer, the location of the property, and the form of institutional support limit the adoption of herd management and feed production intensification technologies such as protein banks and forage banks. <strong>Implications:</strong> This methodology helped identify the limiting factors for adoption, understand the project process, and identify strategies towards sustainable practices. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The low adoption of technologies is determined by the decision-making of producers on factors such as pest and disease control, climatic, economic and access to machinery and equipment that are influenced by the social synergies that can be built with technicians and with other producers. <strong></strong></p>

Caracterización nutricional y de producción de biomasa de Sambucus peruviana, Sambucus nigra y Morus alba en un banco forrajero

Los bancos forrajeros son estrategias de cultivo de especies arbustivas en altas densidades de siembra que permiten garantizar la disponibilidad de alimento destinado a rumiantes en las fincas. Por ello, se evaluó la producción de hojas y la calidad nutricional de morera (Morus albaL.), tilo (Sambucus peruviana) y sauco (Sambucus nigra L.) sin fertilización en Boyacá (2700 msnm) en un diseño completamente al azar. Se realizó un análisis de varianza (Anova) y donde hubo diferencias significativas se aplicó la prueba de Tukey (p<0.05). Los resultados fueron, área foliar por planta de 81,82 ± 0,01cm2,131,37± 0,01cm2, 89,98± 0,01cm2; peso de forraje verde individual 1,73 ± 0,05 kg, 2,23 ± 0,05 kg, 1 ± 0,04 kg; materia seca (MS)30,8±0,05%, 20,2±0,06%,20,1±0,06%; proteína cruda (PC) 14,62±0,01%, 14,2±0,06%,13,4±0,05%; extracto etéreo (EE)0,85±0,01%, 1,8±0,05,1,4±0,05%; cenizas (CEN)8,6±0,05%, 1,8±0,05%, 10,07±0,01%;fibra cruda (FC) 18,97±0,01%, 17,92±0,18 %,17,8±0,05%; fibra detergente neutra (FDN) 37,8±0,05%, 29,9±0,05%,23,1±0,05%; fibra detergente ácida (FDA) 29,4±0,05%, 47,3±0,05%, 34,8±0,05%, para morera, tilo y sauco respectivamente. La biomasa y calidad nutricional varió por especie destacándose tilo con la mayor producción de forraje verde (6,9 ton/ha) y proteína de 0,19 ton/ha (p<0,05).

Establishing high-density protein banks for livestock in Burkina Faso (West Africa): agronomic performance under contrasting edaphoclimatic conditions

West African livestock keepers need forage sources to feed animals without degrading the local fragile ecosystems. Establishing high-density forage protein banks for animal feeding was evaluated in three contrasting zones of Burkina Faso. The agronomic performance of the fodder species Leucaena leucocephala (leucaena) and Morus alba (mulberry), planted for intensive forage production (25,000 plants/ha) was monitored through plant height (HEI), stem diameter (DIA), branch number (BrN) and branch length (BrL). Once plots were considered established (at 7 months) all trees were coppiced. Biomass yield subsequently was monitored over three bi-monthly harvests which began approximately 1 year after planting. For both species, a highly significant interaction between experimental site and dates was observed for all variables except BrN. Average HEI (103 cm) were similar. DIA (7 +/- 0.4 cm) and BrL (55 +/- 2.2 cm) were higher in mulberry (6 +/- 0.1 and 29 +/- 1.0 cm, respectively), whereas the BrN remained higher in leucaena (7 +/- 0.2 vs. 2 +/- 0.1 cm). No differences were observed in HEI between sites from June to August. However, from September to October, both species displayed a stronger growth rate at site 1. The biomass yields (t DM/ha/year) in three consecutive harvests were lower than values reported in other tropical regions (1.8 +/- 1.2 and 8.1 +/- 3.9, for mulberry and leucaena, respectively). Differences between sites were due mainly to soil properties, rainfall pattern and termite attacks. This study demonstrated that L. leucocephala and M. alba, planted in high-density forage banks, successfully establish and have high forage yield across several edaphoclimatic conditions in Burkina Faso. Our findings suggest that this technology could significantly contribute to livestock feeding systems in the region, thus reducing negative effects of over-grazing on landscape degradation.

Percepciones Y Caracterización De Pastizales En Los Cantones Joya De Los Sachas Y Francisco De Orellana

This paper focuses on determining the perception and characterization of the pastures in the farms of livestock producers and researchers in the Canton Sachas and Francisco Orellana, Province of Orellana, Ecuador. Their objective was to understand the use and management of Amazonian tropical pastures. Seventeen cattle farms of 8 communities were characterized to observe the characterization of the farmers, land use, use of forage banks, pasture management, and bovine cattle housing. A semi-structured interview was designed to collect primary information about the problem under investigation. When characterizing the farmers in relation to land use, before 47.5% of the producers were engaged in agriculture, today 85.9% carry out livestock work with silvopastoral practices. Only 14.1% were dedicated to agriculture and the production of coffee and cocoa. Regarding the use of feed banks, 35.29% have more food for their animals, while 5.88% have better environmental conditions. In addition, 77.6% of the farmers mentioned that they have improved their production with the use of the feed bank. In conclusion, the results indicate that small and medium producers can benefit from silvopastoral systems as an alternative to improve production and not affect the environment.

Percepciones Y Caracterización De Pastizales En Los Cantones Joya De Los Sachas Y Francisco Orellana

The study allowed to determine the perceptions and characterization of the pastures in farms of livestock producers and researchers in the Canton Sachas and Francisco Orellana, Province of Orellana, Ecuador, whose objective was to know the use and management of Amazonian tropical pastures. Seventeen cattle farms of 8 communities were characterized to observe the characterization of the farmers, land use, use of forage banks, pasture management and bovine cattle housing. A semi-structured interview was designed to collect primary information about the problem under investigation. When characterizing the farmers, in relation to land use, previously 47.5% of the producers were engaged in agriculture, today 85.9% carry out livestock work with silvopastoral practices and only 14.1% are dedicated to agriculture. production of coffee and cocoa. Regarding the use of feed banks, 35.29% have more food for their animals and 5.88% have better environmental conditions. In addition, 77.6% of the farmers mentioned that they have improved their production with the use of the feed bank. In summary, the results indicate that small and medium producers can benefit from silvopastoral systems as an alternative to improve production and not affect the environment.

Caracterización socioproductiva y ambiental de la comunidad peñas blancas, del Municipio de El Cuá, Departamento de Jinotega

El presente trabajo nos da a entender las dinámicas territoriales, determinando aspectos socio productivo, y ambiental en la Comunidad de Peñas Blanca, caracterizando su funcionamiento actual dentro de la comunidad y a nivel de fincas o unidades productivas, donde, todo esto nos lleva a reflexionar y a proponer alternativas de cambio o desarrollo que se adapten a las nuevas condiciones agroclimáticas. Por un lado, a la determinación de aquellos atributos particulares que presenta una persona o una cosa y que por tanto la distingue claramente. Y por otra parte, a instancias del mundo artístico, especialmente en los ámbitos del teatro, el cine y la tevé, se denomina caracterización a la adecuación de un actor en cuanto a los rasgos físicos, haciendo uso de maquillaje y vestuario, del personaje que le ha tocado interpretar. Los aspectos sociales son de gran interés para la sociedad por que los brinda mejoramientos tanto como en educación, Infraestructura, y servicios tecnológicos entre otros. La agricultura ha sido de gran abundancia por precipitaciones abundantes. Lo cual la mayor parte de año llueve. La caficultura genera empleo y economía es la mayor producción de los agricultores del municipio y también los granos básicos. En lo pecuario es un segundo rubro que genera economía a los productores. Para producción pecuaria se implementa sistemas silvo pastoril y bancos forrajeros. La biodiversidad ha sido de gran importancia en lo ambiental donde se brinda parte de la flora y fauna partes boscosas, recursos hídricos.

Tiller population dynamics in eight cultivars of elephant grass during undisturbed growth

The aim of the study was to assess tiller population dynamics of aerial and basal tillers in eight cultivars of Pennisetum purpureum (Schumach.), syn. Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone, in a warm humid climate in Veracruz, Mexico. This is a pioneer study on tiller population dynamics in elephant grass under conditions of undisturbed growth. The tiller population assays included data from 14 days after cutting until 154 and 182 days after cutting for the dry and wet seasons, respectively. On each sampling date, a distinctive ring was placed on every new tiller, and rings were removed from dead tillers. Tiller density, mortality and appearance were determined. In wet seasons, copious tillering occurred on initial regrowth (by day 42, mostly aerial tillers, with a ratio of 2:1 to 4:1 for aerial to basal tiller appearance), and on day 98 (a higher proportion of basal tillers, with an aerial to basal tiller ratio of 1.5:1). Aerial tillers showed a higher overall mortality rate than basal tillers (29.0 vs 14.4). Younger basal tillers showed higher mortality than older tillers. Higher tiller density occurred during the dry season, where it increased gradually until day 70 and then declined. The cultivars ‘Cameroon‘, ‘CT115‘ and ‘OM22‘ showed remarkably high tillering ability. The findings indicate that harvesting a forage bank is possible from day 70 during a dry season.

Biomass yield and nutrient content of a tropical mulberry forage bank: effects of season, harvest frequency and fertilization rate

AbstractEffects of season (SEAS), organic fertilization with laying hen manure (N) and harvest frequency (FREQ) on forage yield and composition were evaluated in a high‐density mulberry forage bank, established under low‐input tropical farming conditions. The experiment, replicated over two consecutive years, was arranged in 18 treatments resulting from a 3 × 3×2 factorial design which combined three FREQ (60, 90 and 120 d), 3 N rates (100, 300 and 500 kg N ha−1 year−1) and the two seasons (RAIN and DRY). Forage yield, leaf‐to‐stem ratio, the edible fraction (EDIB, %), nutrient content and the maturity indexes were monitored. Either forage yield or qualities by plant fraction were strongly affected by SEAS, FREQ, N rate and by their interactions. Effects of FREQ and N were modulated by SEAS. Increasing FREQ during RAIN negatively affected EDIB yield and quality after 90 d, while increasing ligneous fraction. During DRY, longer FREQ allowed higher total forage and EDIB yields. Leaves were more abundant in RAIN, and its yield was increased with fertilization but only during this season. Maturity indexes were higher in DRY than in RAIN. Under the conditions of this experiment, harvesting at 60 and 90 d in RAIN and DRY, respectively, with an N rate of 300 kg N ha−1 year−1 seems the best agronomic choice for an optimal compromise between forage yield and nutritive value.

The social and other impacts of a cattle/crop innovation in Cambodia

Agricultural innovations can create assets in poor rural communities but there are few studies of the wider, especially social, impact of such innovations. Farm families, previously engaged in “cut and carry” of wild forage, created time savings by their adoption of forage banks to feed cattle. What they did with this time was not known and this is the focus of this exploratory study as a result of the introduction of a “forage crop based production system” (FCP) in Cambodia. Based on interviews in two villages of farmers themselves and of teachers, the study confirmed that adopter farmers achieved considerable time savings, compared to non-adopters, resulting in agricultural, economic and cultural outcomes. Farmers reported better cattle production and grew cash crops while others developed local services. However, perhaps the major outcome was social, that is, their primary and secondary children’s schooling. Parents reported children experienced time savings converted into considerably better attendance and less lateness. Teachers reportedly agreed and added better attitudes and progress. The results were achieved through a greater understanding of the farmer’s relationship with project grass and legume growth and cattle management particularly during periods of feed deficit. Suggestions for further research are made.

Carbon replacement and stability changes in short-term silvo-pastoral experiments in Colombian Amazonia

There is little information on the effects of land use change on soil Carbon stocks in Colombian Amazonia. Such information would be needed to assess the impact of this area on the global C cycle and the sustainability of agricultural systems that are replacing native forest. The aim of this study was to evaluate soil carbon stocks and changes after the clearing of the native forest, the establishment of pastures and the reclamation of the degraded pasture, in Caquetá, Colombia.We compared the contents of Total C, Oxidizable C and Non-Oxidizable (stable) C in four different land use systems, namely Monoculture (Brachiaria grassland), Association (Brachiaria+Arachis pintoi), Forage Bank (a mixture of forage tree species), and Natural Regeneration of the pasture in both a flat area and a sloping one. The Degraded Pasture was the reference.Results showed that in the sloping area all treatments have higher Total Carbon stocks than the Degraded Pasture, while three of the treatments significantly increased the stocks of Non-Oxidizable C.In the flat landscape, only the Association significantly increased Total C stocks. Plowing and fertilization cause significant increases in Oxidizable carbon and decreases in Non-Oxidizable carbon. This effect needs further research, as C stability will influence equilibrium stocks.In the sloping area, improved pastures and fodder bank rapidly increased Total Carbon contents and stocks, with increases as large as10ton.ha−1yr−1. In the Traditional Fodder Bank, which showed the largest increase, this is partially due to the application of organic manure. Surprisingly, also C stocks under Natural Regeneration were significantly higher than under the original Degraded Grassland. This increase was fully due to Non-Oxidizable Carbon, which is difficult to explain.Stable isotope analysis indicated that under improved grassland, especially Brachiaria monoculture, up to 40% of the original C in the upper 10cm was replaced in 3.3years.

Improvement of biosustainability of a goat feeding system with key supplementation

A one-year study was conducted to measure the effects of balanced supplementation to improve biosustainability of a 110 head goat herd in Mexico in terms of economic feasibility on limited pasturing range land complemented with an alfalfa hay forage bank and grazing corn stubble. Average weight of adult females was 52.410±5 kg, yearlings 40.0±3 kg at first kidding. Average total lactation milk production was 455±21 kg in 210 days. Feeding strategy included balanced concentrate (BC) from December to May, gradually changing the supplementation when grazing started by offering a multinutritional block (MB) and complex catalytic granulate feed (CCF), which was used at the beginning of range pasture and continued, when goats were fed on corn stubble starting October. The initial BC was composed of corn, barley, wheat bran, soybean oil meal, but the latter was withdrawn from the mixture in May (3 Mcal ME and 12% CP; 10% from May on), offered twice a day. Animals on pasture from May until November were supplied ad libitum with MB prepared from molasses, urea, salt, cottonseed meal, limestone, cement kiln dust, corn stubble, and a mineral mixture, composed of triple superphosphate and a commercial mineral mix for ruminants and salt. Beginning in August, 200 g of CCF was added from a mixture of molasses, urea, salt, limestone, cottonseed meal, rice polishing, corn, poultry litter, commercial mineral salts, ammonium sulfate, cement kiln dust, and animal lard. Late pasture on corn stubble was from October to December. CCF was kept with the diet. Average voluntary feed intake (VFI) was 1.880 kg DM/d with an annual total of 828 kg; of which 248 kg DM was provided by alfalfa hay from a forage bank corresponding to 30% of the total feed intake; 182 kg or 22% of the diet was concentrate (BC, MB, CCF), and 398 kg or 48% was from range land (grasses, shrubs and tree leaves) or corn stubble pasturing. Balancing concentrate diminished the protein intake from 2.10 times requirements to 1.19. Changes in supplementation according to forage availability permitted nutritional optimization of the system. It was possible to improve biosustainability (forages produced on the farm) from 33% before to 48%, while increasing milk production from 400 to 455 kg/year and diminishing production cost from 20 to 17 US cents per liter of milk.

Biodiverse and biosustainable production system with goats in Mexico: importance of a forage bank

A 1-year study was conducted to measure the forage volume necessary to maintain a goat herd in the semiarid zone of Mexico in terms of economic feasibility and seasonal grazing to conserve range land. The average weight of the adult females was 53 ± 5 kg and yearlings weighed 40 ± 3 kg at first kidding. Average milk production was 400 ± 67 kg in 210 days. A concentrate of 2.9 Mcal ME and 16% CP was offered twice a day. Average voluntary feed intake was 1.880 kg DM day −1 with an annual total of 686.3 kg; of those, 248.7 kg DM was provided by alfalfa hay from a forage bank corresponding to 36.2% of the total feed intake; 210.9 kg or 30.7% of the diet was concentrate and 226.6 kg or 33.0% was from the range land (grasses, shrubs and tree leaves). Alfalfa hay varied greatly in price during the year, being cheapest during October to December. Therefore to make most economic use of alfalfa as a forage bank for the rest of the year total supply of alfalfa had to be purchased during that time. Under the system of this study, alfalfa use was greatest during the time of zero grazing which was from February to April to avoid overgrazing and maintain biosustainability of the range land. From July through September grazing was the main source of nutrient supply because of the previous rain, thereby saving alfalfa hay and supplement feeding which diminished cost of production.

Establishment and early persistence of ten forage legumes under three grazing regimes in southern Mozambique

Leucaena leucocephala, Clitoria ternatea, Macroptilium atropurpureum cv. Siratro, Cassia rotundifolia cv. Wynn, Macrotyloma axillare cv. Archer, Stylosanthes guianensis var. guianensis cv. Graham, S. guianensis var. intermedia cv. Oxley, S. hamata cv. Verano and S. scabra cv. Fitzroy and cv. Seca were screened for their ability to establish at five coastal sites of Maputo province, Mozambique. Three grazing treatments were imposed in strips: continuous access, dry-season-only access and an ungrazed control. Grazing pressure was dependent on the movement of communal cattle and goat herds. Mean seedling emergence ranged from a low of 28% for Graham to a high of 78% for Siratro. First season mean seedling vigour (1-10) differed (P = 0.01) among entries and ranged from 4.0 for Graham to 8.0 for Seca. First-year dry season individual plant vigour showed an interaction (P = 0.1) between grazing treatment and entry with Siratro and Seca plots averaging 3.0 or better. Dry season plot cover likewise showed an interaction (P = 0.002) between treatment and entry with Siratro and Seca averaging over 20%. Second rainy season vigour showed differences (P = 0.03) among species only, with Siratro and Seca having values over 7.0. Plot cover was likewise differentiated only among species (P = 0.0006) with Siratro and Seca both covering 59% of their plots, superior to C. ternatea (19%), L. leucocephala (9%), Archer (7%), Verano (16%), Fitzroy (28%), Graham (29%), and Wynn (4%). Oxley (36%)was undifferentiated from either group. Overall, Siratro and Seca had the best establishment whilst Oxley showed promise. Deferred grazing generally appeared to have little effect on establishment. Keywords: cassia rotundifolia ; clitoria ternatea ; forage; forage banks; forage legumes; grazing pressure; grazing treatments; leucaena leucocephala ; macroptilium atropurpureum ; macrotyloma axillare ; mozambique; persistence; plant vigour; stylosanthes guianensis ; stylosanthes hamata ; stylosanthes scabra ; tropical legumes African Journal of Range & Forage Science , 10(3): pp. 135-139

Forage shrubs for the South Island dry hill country: 1. A triplex halimus L. (Mediterranean saltbush)

As an essential ingredient in the development of the South Island's dry hill country, shrubs have a vital role in the amelioration of extreme climatic effects, gully erosion control and in the provision of stock forage. Trials have been conducted in the South Island over the past 20 years, culminating in the establishment of farm scale plantings of Atriplex halimus (Mediterranean saltbush) on "Riverside" (Mike Brosnan), Hakataramea, in 1985. Some 20+ ha of saltbush "forage banks" now exist on this property. The selection of Atriplex species adapted to the dry, cold hill country in the South Island is briefly described together with establishment and grazing management techniques appropriate to farm scale plantings of forage banks. These have been developed on exposed, sunny faces which, in the past, were low priority areas for pastoral development. The climatic adaptability, the preferred soil types and nutrient status, the management and the conservation values of Atriplex halimus as a forage plant are discussed. This is directed at stimulating further integration of forage banks into farming systems appropriate to semi-arid conditions. Planting normally unproductive dryland site with forage shrubs, in combination with other drought tolerant pasture plants, is seen as an important step in the development of successful farming strategy suited to these environments. The positive and practical results realised to date at Riverside need to be developed on other South Island dryland properties as a means of expanding shrub forage bank plantings over a wider range of climate and soil types in New Zealand. Keywords Atriplex halimus, Mediterranean saltbush, forage banks, nutrition, grazing and economic analyses, semi-arid climate