Forage Base Research Articles

Long-term evaluation of restoring understories in Wyoming big sagebrush communities with mowing and seeding native bunchgrasses

Restoring degraded plant communities is a global challenge and a major priority for land managers and conservationists. Degraded Wyoming big sagebrush communities (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis [Beetle & A. Young] S.L. Welsh) have high sagebrush cover with a depleted perennial herbaceous understory. They are widespread in western North America and are a priority for restoration because they provide habitat for sagebrush-associated species and an important forage base for livestock production. Mechanically reducing sagebrush with mowing has been attempted to restore the understory in these communities but often fails because large native perennial bunchgrasses do not increase and exotic annual grasses proliferate. Seeding large native perennial bunchgrasses after mowing sagebrush may increase their density or cover and thereby limit exotic annual grasses. Native perennial bunchgrasses are slow growing; thus, long-term studies are needed to evaluate this treatment strategy. We evaluated mowing followed by drill-seeding large native perennial bunchgrasses in southeastern Oregon for 11 yr post treatment. Large bunchgrass cover and density were approximately 2 × greater with mowing followed by seeding compared with the untreated control. However, mowing, with and without seeding, increased exotic annual grasses and decreased biological soil crusts. Sagebrush cover was less in mowed treatments compared with the untreated control, but sagebrush cover increased over time. Mowing and seeding native bunchgrasses was less successful than desired, particularly since exotic annual grasses increased substantially. This treatment may be improved by reducing the disturbance associated with mowing and drill seeding, decreasing exotic annual grass competition, and increasing the establishment of native perennial bunchgrasses. The results of our study indicate that seeding native bunchgrasses into degraded Wyoming big sagebrush communities has potential as a restoration treatment but needs refinement to improve success.

ОРНІТОФАУНА ПОЛІГОНІВ ТВЕРДИХ ПОБУТОВИХ ВІДХОДІВ МІСТА ХАРКОВА

Introduction.As a result of consumer activity, household waste is generated, which is stored in specially designated landfills. Such areas are factors of multifunctional impact on the environment and are characterized by the release of filtrate and gases, various types of air pollution, soils and groundwater, the transformation of natural landscapes. The biotic component of ecosystems responds most dynamically to changes in landscape conditions, which appear in the transformation of vegetation and the formation of specific fauna. The fauna of such areas is most characterized by avifauna. Birds are attracted mainly by food resources, as well as conditions for rest, wintering, nesting away from humans.Purpose. Тo identify the species composition and ecological features of the formation of avifauna of the territory of Dergachiv and Rohan landfills in Kharkiv. ISSN 2076-5835. Вісник Черкаського університету. 2021. No136Methods. To obtain general idea of the avifauna of landfills, route and point accounting methods were used, using optical equipment (binoculars, camera) and the field determinant "Birds of the Fauna of Ukraine" (Fesenko, Bokotei, 2002). The similarity coefficient is determined by the Jakarra formula.Results. The species composition of the avifauna is represented by a total of 66 species, from 25 families and 11 series. The dominant genus - Passeriformes (Passeriformes), the largest number of members of the family is Crows (Corvidae). The areas of landfills are divided into functional areas for human use to provide the most correct description of the structure of birds in relation to landfill areas - the dominant species are concentrated in the area of active waste unloading, others are usually found around the landfill and on the reclaimed landfill. The similarity of the species composition of the avifauna of two landfills was determined - the similarity coefficient is equal to 0.12, which indicates a small similarity, but noticeable one. The species composition is divided according to trophic preferences according to the classification of Kostin S. Yu. And it is determined that the largest share among the avifauna of landfills is occupied by entomophagous (33.3%) and polyphagous (27.8%). It should be noted that the dominant species by the number of representatives on the landfill are fully polyphagous.Originality. In Kharkiv region, the study of the composition and ecological features of the avifauna of landfills is conducted for the first time.Conclusion. Thus, the species composition of the avifauna of landfills is quite diverse and is formed mainly in two regular directions - the adaptation of species to changes in environmental conditions and the concentration of species that are attracted by the available forage base and conditions for wintering. Differences arise in response to geographical location, landscape conditions, proximity to water, settlements, and so on.Key words: species of avifauna diversity; transformed landscapes; anthropogenic factors; environmental impact; sensitivity and adaptation of fauna.

Багаторічні зміни біомаси Noctiluca scintillans ((Macartney) Kofoid & Swezy, 1921, Dinophyceae, Noctilucales) в Одеському та Дунайському районах Чорного моря як показника якості водного середовища

Water quality assessment is a key task of any measures in the field of water use, environmental managementand environmental protection. Zooplankton organisms are sensitive to changes in the environment and can be usedas indicators of the ecological status of aquatic ecosystems. One such organism is the heterotrophic dinoflagellateNoctiluca scintillans (Macartney) Kofoid & Swezy, 1921, Dinophyceae, Noctilucales. N. scintillans is a componentof the mesozooplankton of the Black Sea, which is not part of the forage base of planktophagous fish and is characterizedby a short life cycle. Due to this, it has an advantage in eutrophic conditions and can be used as an indicator of increasingtrophic levels of the reservoir. To determine the quality of the studied waters of the Black Sea was used the biomassindex of N. scintillans (%) of the total biomass of zooplankton. In the period from the 1970s (hypertrophication period)to 2010, the% of N. scintillans biomass from the total biomass of zooplankton in the Black Sea decreased annually from60% to 10% in Odessa region (Dnipro-Bug region) and from 90 % to 15% in the Danube region. Such changes indicatea decrease in the impact of the negative eutrophication factor and indicate positive changes in the feed base of industrialfish planktophages and the ecological status of the Black Sea. Ecological quality status (GES/NotGES) was determinedin the following regions of the Black Sea: the north-western Gulf of the Black Sea, the deep-water shelf, the shelf areaand the Danube Avandelta. “Good” ecological status (GES) % N. scintillans of total zooplankton biomass was observedin all research areas of the north-western part of the Black Sea, as the percentage of N. scintillans of total biomass didnot exceed 30%.

Research results of Jerusalem artichoke varieties and hybrids in the forest-steppe of the Omsk region

The article presents the five-year results of the studying the adaptation of varieties, and hybrids of Jerusalem artichoke in the forest-steppe of the Omsk region. The analysis of biometric indicators and crop yield structure is presented. The dynamics of the accumulation of herbage, as well as the periods of the passage of phenological phases are shown. The chemical composition of plants is determined. The studies show that many hybrids and varieties in Western Siberia do not go through the flowering phase, but at the same time form a full-fledged tuber crop. At the same time, the high yield of the aerial mass of Jerusalem artichoke does not always ensure a high yield of tubers. On average, for five years of research, the French D-5 hybrid, Canadian sample and variety samples’ No. 1 and No. 9 we distinguished in terms of herbage productivity. This indicator was 49.4-58.9 t / ha. In terms of tuber productivity, the best varieties were No. 9 and No. 12, as well as the Sireniki-1 variety (29.1-30.2 t / ha). The distinguished varieties and hybrids of Jerusalem artichoke are recommended for the introduction into production in order to improve the forage base of agricultural enterprises. The research on the selection of varieties and hybrids in order to obtain high-tech tubers (large and aligned) for processing in the food industry will be continued.

Research of Aphididae of Cereals and Legumes of the Northeastern Ukraine.

Introduction. The article presents the results of research to establish the species composition of aphids –pests of cereals and legumes of agricultural farm of Kharkov region and analyzes their ecological and biological features. The research was conducted for several years in the spring and summer in the Kupyansk district, Kharkov region. A study of constant changes in the species composition of aphidofauna and recommendations for regulating the number of pests is very relevant today.Purpose.The purpose of the study is to investigate the composition of aphidofauna species of cereals and legumes today and to study the dynamics of the abundance of common species in the field of research.Methods.Inspection of infected plants, determination of the degree of colonization by aphids of each plant. Collecting aphids and determining their species.Results. Thirteen species of aphids of the family Aphididae have been collected and identified. Among the cultivated plants, fields sown with 14 species of cereals and legumes were surveyed. By type of food, certain species of aphids are conditionally divided into oligophages (5 species) and polyphages (8 species). In the aphidofauna of Ukraine, monoecious (non-migratory) life cycles are typicalfor 6 species (46% of the total number), dioecious (migratory) for 7 species (54%) of aphids. The largest number of aphid colonies was recorded on cereals and legumes at the edges of fields bordering on separate strips of woody-shrub and herbaceous vegetation, which serves as an additional forage base or primary host in the dioecious life cycle of some species. Significant aphid damage to cereals was observed during the end of milky –the beginning of waxy ripeness of grain, on the tops of shoots on corn, and in legumes –during the entire growing season on young leaves and stems. As for climatic factors, there was an increase in the number of aphids on cereals in hot dry weather, and on legumes –in moderately warm and humid. Heavy rains suppressed the rapid reproduction and development of all species of aphids. Conclusion.As a result of research, 13 species of aphids of the family true aphids Aphididae were found and identified.The most numerous were polyphagous aphids: the large cereal aphid Sitobion avenae Fabricius, 1775, the common cereal aphid Schizaphis graminum Rondani, 1852, the barley aphid Brachycolus noxius Mordvilko, 1913, the bird-cherry-cereal aphid Rhopalosiphum padi Linnaeus, 1758, elm-cereal, or corn aphid Tetraneura ulmi Linnaeus, 1758, beet-leaf aphid Aphis fabae Scopoli, 1763, pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris, 1776.Key words: aphids; aphid fauna; cereals; legumes; oligophagеs; polyphagеs

Study on the development of the desert pasture agrophytocenoses using a wide range of forage plants

The drained bottom of the Aral Sea covers an area of about 6 million hectares, of which 3.2 million hectares are located on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan. In addition to the fact that salt is spread from the drained bottom, dust and sand causing enormous damage to the environment, on the drained bottom there is a forest suitable area of 1.5 million hectares where it is possible to create desert shrub agrophytocenoses. The purpose of the work was to develop the most effective methods for creating desert agrophytocenoses on forest suitable types of bottom sediments of the dried bottom of the Aral Sea and the selection of desert forage plants to increase the productivity of the created pastures. Studies shown that when using focal, pasture protection and reclamation-fodder methods, as well as such fodder plants as teresken, boialich, keyreuk, it is possible to create pastures with a fodder capacity of up to 500 fodder units per hectare. This will increase the number of grazed animals by 20-30%. The field of application of the results arising from this work are forest suitable types of bottom sediments of the drained bottom of the Aral Sea. The drained bottom of the Aral Sea is a reserve of a forage base for animals in the near future, which will give a new impetus to the development of animal husbandry in the Aral Sea region, and at the same time, fodder plants, fixing the soil of the drained bottom of the Aral Sea, will significantly improve the ecological situation in the Region.

ТЕХНОЛОГИЯ ВОЗДЕЛЫВАНИЯ ОДНОЛЕТНЕГО ВИДА КЛЕВЕРА АЛЕКСАНДРИЙСКОГО (TRIFOLIUM ALEXANDRINUM)

The article discusses the results of studies of a new technology developed by us for the cultivation of an annual crop of Alexandrian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum), which includes the method of pre-sowing seed treatment with different terms and methods of sowing. Recently, along with agrotechnical measures to stabilize crop production, there is a need to cultivate non-traditional crops useful for human nutrition and health, and annual legumes play an important role in this process. A short vegetation cycle and intensive rates of crop formation make it possible to cultivate them in repeated crops in places with a favorable bioclimatic potential. Annual fodder grasses have a variety of uses and purposes. In the zone of sufficient moisture, these are good fallow-occupying crops. Annual leguminous grasses play an important role in creating a solid forage base: in summer they are the main source of green fodder production, they are used for making hay, haylage, silage, concentrated fodder in the form of grass meal, cutting, full-ration briquettes and granules; annual legumes can also be used as a concentrated feed in the form of grains. Harvesting grasses in the early phases of vegetation and with multi-cutting using artificial drying makes it possible to obtain fodder that is not inferior in total calorie content to oats and barley, and significantly exceeds them in protein content. Annual grasses are distinguished by a great diversity in terms of agrobiological features: they are widely used as preliminary crops on lands of radical improvement and as links in a pasture conveyor. The studies carried out by us over four years (2017-2020) revealed that the presowing treatment of Alexandrian clover seeds with double and triple mixtures of PABA, krezatsin and chicory infusion (against the background of preliminary stratification) provides a low-cost, environmentally friendly way of presowing stimulation of Alexandrian clover seeds with simultaneous hardening, adaptation and selection of the best species for use in a particular region, it is advisable to sow clover for seeds with a row spacing of 50 cm and a seeding rate of 6 kg/ha, and the optimal sowing time is the beginning of March and the first ten days of September.

Rational use of floodplain ecosystems of the North

The purpose of the study is the spatial analysis of the factors of floodplain ecosystems and the calculation of rational use, through the calculation of technical and economic indicators and the calculation of the economic efficiency of haymaking. The assessment of the economic efficiency of the forage base was obtained based on the study of the grass stand and productivity of hayfields in five key areas of the Ob River floodplain, the study of soil properties, their qualitative characteristics necessary for understanding the soil fertility of floodplain ecosystems, on which land productivity depends. The spatial analysis of the rational use of the floodplain ecosystems of the Ob River was made in a semi-automatic way by decoding the Bing satellite image (the SAS Planet mapping and navigation program) in the Semi-Automatic Classification Plugin module in the QGIS geographic information system, the cartographic material was edited in the MapInfo Professional geographic information system.

ВОДНЫЕ БИОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ РЕСУРСЫ РЕСПУБЛИКИ МОРДОВИИ. РЕКА СУРА

The article considers the results of comprehensive fisheries research held in 2009–2015 in the Sura River, the main water body of the Republic of Mordovia. The Sura River ranks the second place after the Moksha River. Forage base studies have shown the underutilization of zoobenthos and phytoplankton. According to the average indicators of the feed base over the above period, the production capacities of the river were calculated, and made about 113.5 tons, or 141.9 kg / ha. Of these, the native ichthyofauna (zooplankton, zoobenthos) effectively use 71.0 kg / ha. The total number of fish aged 3+ years with mass more than 10 g in the Sura within the borders of Mordovia is estimated at 1028.8 thousand species; ichthyomass is 39.1 t or 49 kg / ha. At the same time, the proportion of juveniles aged 0–2 +, as well as small fish species whose biomass is estimated at 81 kg / ha, is big. The increase in fish production was calculated and the total catch quotas were determined, according to the most valuable commercial species in the ichthyofauna - roach. Within the borders of Mordovia they make up to 16 tons, in the Middle Sura - up to 40 tons. When carrying out fish reproductive and conservation measures the stocks of aquatic biological resources in the river can increase by 2–3 times due to valuable large fish species, and the catch - from 20 kg / ha to 40-60 kg / ha

Host plants as reservoirs of the main oil-producing cabbage crops pests in the eastern forest-steppe of Ukraine

Considering the geographical position of Ukraine, which is Such biotic factor as the vegetation distribution, which is the forage base for most insects, influences their spreading greatly. This connection is strongly expressed among the harmful herbivorous insects. The presence and distribution of the plants which are cultivated or used by humans and on which the insects are fed is certainly the first and basic condition for the emergence of a zone or a breeding ground of harmfulness. The presence of the most preferred by the insects fodder plants often leads to the formation of a zone or a center of the greatest damage (in the presence of other favorable conditions for the existence and reproduction of the pest). In the course of the researches concerning the identification of the host plants as reservoirs of the main oil producing cabbage crops pests which have been conducted in 2011–2014 in the communities (meadows, roadsides of highways and field perimeters) of the Kharkiv district of the Kharkiv region it has been found out the host plants as reservoirs for the dominant pests of the oil producing cabbage crops were dandelion, caustic buttercup, field mustard, hedge mustard, tansy mustard, yellow rocket and field shepherd’s purse. The largest number of species of the host plants as reservoirs was found on the roadsides of highways and along the field perimeters (6 species) and on the meadows (2 species).The cruciferous fleas, rape blossom beetles and cruciferous bugs visited such crops as field mustard, hedge mustard and yellow rocket most often. Field shepherd’s purse was the least significant among the identified host plants as reservoirs. Only a small amount of the cabbage fleas fed on this crop. This fact can be explained by the small white flowers that do not attract the rape blossom beetles and rose chafers as well as by a ground flat leaf rosette, which is always covered with dust and prevents the fleas and bugs from feeding.

Prospects of millet crops cultivation for forage purposes in the non-black earth zone North-West area

The article deals with the issues of barnyard millet, Turkestan millet, foxtail millet, and proso millet cultivation in the Novgorod region conditions. In the three research years, positive results were obtained for all studied crops and varieties. Regarding climatic zone conditions, the duration of the period before harvesting ripeness, calendar harvest dates, and the level of the studied crops varieties herbage yield were identified. The herbage analysis for the content of crude protein, fiber, available energy, and feed units was conducted. It was established that the proso millet Sputnik and Regent varieties and foxtail millet Stepnoy Mayak variety ripen for seeds in the Novgorod region. The introduction of new crops in crop rotation will provide an opportunity to expand forage crops range and to strengthen the Non-Black Earth Zone forage base.

The natural forage base of ponds and its influence on the development of ectoparasitic invasions in the fish farms of the Lviv region, Ukraine

The natural forage base of ponds and its influence on the development of ectoparasitic invasions in the fish farms of the Lviv region, Ukraine

76 Evaluating Nitrogen Management Strategies to Improve Southern Bermudagrass Grazing Systems

Abstract Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) is one of the most common perennial warm-season forage crops grown in the South. While prominent in the region bermudagrass management requires large amounts of fertility and forage quality is moderate at best. Incorporating a legume into bermudagrass pastures could serve as an alternative to the necessary applications of synthetic N, while also improving the nutritive value of the forage base. A two-year grazing evaluation was conducted from May-Sept. 2018 (Y1) and May-Aug. 2019 (Y2) at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus in Tifton, Georgia, to compare concurring production of alfalfa/bermudagrass mixed pastures (BGA) with bermudagrass monoculture pastures with (BGN) or without (BGZ) the application of synthetic nitrogen. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three treatments and two replications. All paddocks were evaluated pre and post grazing event for herbage availability, botanical composition, forage species competitiveness, and nutritive value. Paddocks (0.8-ha) were rotationally grazed using put and take management with stocker steers (Y1 BW=195.9±22.9 kg; Y2 BW=228.5±30.0 kg), two testers per treatment. Steers were weighed at initiation, conclusion, and on a 28–30 day interval for calculation of ADG and gain/ha. Statistical analysis was conducted using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS. Despite significant drought in Y2, year did not affect total gain/ha, however treatment did (P = 0.04), such that BGA was highest (383.6±35.1 kg/ha), and BGN and BGZ were not different (261.2±35.1 kg/ha and 239.0±35.1 kg/ha, respectively). This is likely due to the lower stocking density and inclusion of high-quality volunteer annual grasses in BGZ treatments which allowed for selective grazing. These data suggest that rotationally grazing alfalfa/bermudagrass mixtures can result in a higher gain/ha, than bermudagrass pastures that are supplemented with or without synthetic N in the South.

77 Evaluating Nitrogen Management Strategies to Improve Southern Bermudagrass Grazing Systems

Abstract Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) is one of the most common perennial warm-season forage crops grown in the South. While prominent in the region bermudagrass management requires large amounts of fertility and forage quality is moderate at best. Incorporating a legume into bermudagrass pastures could serve as an alternative to the necessary applications of synthetic N, while also improving the nutritive value of the forage base. A two-year grazing evaluation was conducted from May-Sept. 2018 (Y1) and May-Aug. 2019 (Y2) at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus in Tifton, Georgia, to compare concurring production of alfalfa/bermudagrass mixed pastures (BGA) with bermudagrass monoculture pastures with (BGN) or without (BGZ) the application of synthetic nitrogen. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three treatments and two replications. All paddocks were evaluated pre and post grazing event for herbage availability, botanical composition, forage species competitiveness, and nutritive value. Paddocks (0.8-ha) were rotationally grazed using put and take management with stocker steers (Y1 BW=195.9±22.9 kg; Y2 BW=228.5±30.0 kg), two testers per treatment. Steers were weighed at initiation, conclusion, and on a 28–30 day interval for calculation of ADG and gain/ha. Statistical analysis was conducted using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS. Despite significant drought in Y2, year did not affect total gain/ha; however, treatment did (P = 0.04), such that BGA was highest (383.6±35.1 kg/ha), and BGN and BGZ were not different (261.2±35.1 kg/ha and 239.0±35.1 kg/ha, respectively). This is likely due to the lower stocking density and inclusion of high-quality volunteer annual grasses in BGZ treatments which allowed for selective grazing. These data suggest that rotationally grazing alfalfa/bermudagrass mixtures can result in a higher gain/ha, than bermudagrass pastures that are supplemented with or without synthetic N in the South.

Current climate conditions within semi-arid rangelands of the Caspian lowland desert

The Caspian lowland desert is a plain slightly inclined to the Caspian Sea, which covers an area of 2,148,648 hectares and is divided into northern, more arid, with semi-desert landscapes (Nogai Steppe) and middle that covers the deltas of the Terek and the Sulak. These territories are routinely used for animal husbandry with a forage base to be attributed to climate conditions. In recent decades, there has been a widespread rise in air temperature with different trends in precipitation. These trends are estimated based on the datasets from the Makhachkala and Lagan meteorological stations for 1960–2018. Despite the current climate changes, the conditions for heat and moisture availability to support the vegetation period estimated by the hydrothermal coefficient generally remain quite stable and sometimes even more enabling for a sustainable forage base to be formed in the region.

Conditions for carp growing in feeding ponds of the Yaniv fishery

The article presents the results of research on the ecological conditions of carp farming in feeding ponds, which were carried out on the basis of the fishery “Yaniv”, which is part of PrJSC “Lviv Regional Fish Production Plant”. The research was carried out during the vegetation period of 2019 in accordance with the methods adopted in hydrobiology and fish farming. The hydrochemical state of the studied reservoirs and their biotic component, in particular zooplankton and zoobenthos, were analyzed. The results of studies of water quality of feeding ponds of the fishery “Yaniv” show that the hydrochemical parameters during the study period in the vast majority were within the maximum permissible concentrations set for fish farms; sometimes were registrated some indicators which slightly exceeded the normative limits, in particular permanganate oxidation, nitrites, phosphates, chlorides. The study of the natural forage base by zooplankton and zoobenthos revealed that the values of development of the studied aquatic organisms corresponded to the limits of development, which are characteristic of the ponds of the studied type of the Forest-Steppe zone. The values of zooplankton biomass in the experimental ponds were in the range of 5.3–12.5 g/m3. The dynamics of zooplankton development in feeding ponds shows its maximum development in early summer and some decrease in the second half of the vegetation season. In general, the basis of its biomass was consisted of Cladocera (Daphnia magna Straus, Bosmina longirostris, Daphnia cucullata Sars, Ceriodaphnia quadrangula OF Müller, Moina rectirostris Leydig), representatives of Copepoda (Thermocyclops crassus Fischer), Calanoida (Diaptomus castor Jurine, Eudiaptomus coeruleus Fischer) and Rotatoria (Brachionus diversicornis Daday, B.calyciflorus Pallas, Filinia longiseta Ehrb., Keratella cochlearis Gosse). Cladocera and Copepoda made the largest contribution to biomass, while Rotatoria had almost twice less share of total biomass. Indicators of zoobenthos biomass in ponds were in the range of 4.9–6.8 g/m2. The maximum development of benthic organisms was observed in late spring. The basis of biomass of zoobenthos was mainly consisted of insect larvae and oligochaeta.

Знахідки вовчка сірого (Glis glis) у сховищах печерного типу в регіоні Середнього Придністер'я

The Middle Dnister Region (left bank and right bank of the Dnister from the mouth of the Zolota Lypa River in the northwest to the mouth of the Zbruch River in the southeast) has a complex geological structure and richness of geomorphological forms: limestone, gypsum and sandstone outcrops, travertine rocks and forms of karst origin. This determines the richness of the fauna of troglophilic species. This report presents cases of observation of the fat dormouse in cave-type shelters, both natural (karst caves, cavities in the outcrops of Albian and Cenomanian limestones and travertines) and artificial origin (abandoned basements, stone foundations, etc.). These facilities provide animals with shelters for rest and reproduction. They are usually located on hard-to-reach steep slopes in canyon-like river valleys, where the level of disturbance of animals during various phases of their daily activity and annual life cycle is minimized. An important factor in the existence of populations of the studied species is the combination between complex geomorphological objects that provide shelters and a rich forage base. This is determined by the presence of forest and other tree and shrub vegetation, which includes nut species (hazel, wild walnut trees, beech) and berry and stone species (turf, viburnum, black viburnum, cherry, thorn, barberry). The information presented here on records of the fat dormouse (Glis glis) is not the result of purposeful research but it was accumulated in the process of describing geomorphological objects. Further research using special techniques and appropriate instrumentation would allow us to expand our understanding of the ecological requirements of the fat dormouse to the conditions of existence, which would be the scientific basis for environmental management of this species. However, current data on 13 records at 11 sites also provide clarity on the use of shelters by dormice.

Invited Review: Methane sources, quantification, and mitigation in grazing beef systems

ABSTRACT Purpose The purpose of the review was to examine enteric methane emissions, quantification methods, and mitigation strategies in grazing beef systems. Sources Peer-reviewed literature and conference abstracts were the main sources of information for this review. Synthesis Methane emissions (CH4) can be reduced by improving forage quality by including more cool-season forages and legumes and rotationally grazing animals. Including forages with beneficial secondary compounds such as condensed tannins and saponins also has CH4-mitigation potential. Providing nutritional supplements that improve the nutritional status of the animal and the efficiency of feed energy use has the potential to reduce CH4 emissions from grazing cattle. Genetic selection has shown some viability in reducing herd emissions, but heritability estimates are low for CH4 yield. More research is needed to understand the potential. Soil methanotrophy may partially offset CH4 emissions when animals are stocked moderately but soil CH4 uptake rates are relatively low in most grazing ecosystems. A new metric to quantify the global warming potential of CH4, GWP*, may allow future models to more appropriately consider the behavior and effects of CH4 in the atmosphere. Conclusions and Applications Methane mitigation strategies in grazing environments are limited, but producer decisions that improve the nutritional status of animals, the quality of the forage base, and supplementation of known CH4-mitigation compounds can reduce CH4 production. Now that less expensive, easier to use quantification tools exist, researchers need to conduct more long-term monitoring experiments and focus on reducing CH4 production of grazing animals where potential for reduction is largest.

Milk production, nitrogen utilization, and methane emissions of dairy cows grazing grass, forb, and legume-based pastures.

Achieving high animal productivity without degrading the environment is the primary target in pasture-based dairy farming. This study investigated the effects of changing the forage base in spring from grass-clover pastures to forb or legume-based pastures on milk yield, N utilization, and methane emissions of Jersey cows in Western Oregon. Twenty-seven mid-lactation dairy cows were randomly assigned to one of three pasture treatments: grass-clover-based pasture composed of festulolium, tall fescue, orchardgrass, and white clover (Grass); forb-based pasture composed of chicory, plantain, and white clover (Forb); and legume-based pasture composed of red clover, bird's-foot trefoil, berseem clover, and balansa clover (Legume). Pastures were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates (i.e., blocks) with each replicate grazed by a group of three cows. Production and nutritive quality of the forages, animal performance, milk components, nitrogen partitioning, and methane emissions were measured. Feed quality and dry matter intake (DMI) of cows were greater (P ≤ 0.05) for Legume and Forb vs. Grass, with consequent greater milk and milk solids yields (P < 0.01). Cows grazing Forb also had more (P < 0.01) lactose and linoleic acid in milk compared with cows grazing the other pastures, and less (P = 0.04) somatic cell counts compared with Grass. Cows grazing Forb had substantially less (P < 0.01) N in urine, milk, and blood compared with cows grazing the other pastures, with not only a greater (P < 0.01) efficiency of N utilization for milk synthesis calculated using milk urea nitrogen but also a larger (P < 0.01) fecal N content, indicating a shift of N from urine to feces. Both Forb and Legume had a diuretic effect on cows, as indicated by the lower (P < 0.01) creatinine concentration in urine compared with Grass. Methane emissions tended to be less (P = 0.07) in cows grazed on Forb vs. the other pastures. The results indicate that Forb pasture can support animal performance, milk quality, and health comparable to Legume pasture; however, Forb pasture provides the additional benefit of reduced environmental impact of pasture-based dairy production.

КОРМОВА ПРОДУКТИВНІСТЬ ОЗИМИХ КОРМОВИХ АГРОФІТОЦЕНОЗІВ ЗАЛЕЖНО ВІД ЕЛЕМЕНТІВ ТЕХНОЛОГІЇ ВИРОЩУВАННЯ

Серед значної кількості кормових культур в умовах західного Лісостепу заслуговують на увагу однорічні сумішки, зокрема озимі, які високо цінуються за адаптивність до умов вирощування, особливо в умовах кліматичних змін. Незважаючи на значну частину проведених досліджень з питань розробки технології вирощування озимих кормових культур, актуальним залишається питання оптимізації їх компонентного складу та підвищення стійкості найбільш господарсько цінних видів в умовах змін клімату. Польові дослідження проводилися відповідно до загальноприйнятих методик з кормовиробництва на колекційно-дослідному полі Відокремленого підрозділу Національного університету біоресурсів і природокористування України «Заліщицький аграрний коледж ім. Є. Храпливого» протягом 2016-2018 рр. На основі експериментальних даних, виділено оптимальні елементи технології вирощування агрофітоценозів вики паннонської з житом озимим та тритикале озимим для умов Лісостепу західного. Встановлено, що найбільшим виходом з 1 га кормових одиниць та обмінної енергії серед вико-житніх травосумішок (4,50 т та 62,8 ГДж) відзначився агрофітоценоз до складу якого входила вика панноська в кількості 2,5 млн/га схожих насінин з житом озимим – 75% від повної норми висіву у одновидовому посіві, а серед вико-тритикальних (5,09 т та 64,6 ГДж) – варіант із висіванням аналогічної норми висіву бобового компонента та тритикале озимого – 25% від повної норми висіву у одно видовому посіві. Насіння вики паннонської в обох варіантах оброблялося перед сівбою стимулятором росту. Отримані результати досліджень сприятимуть зміцненню кормової бази для тваринництва і підвищенню продуктивності сількьсогосподарських тварин.