Forage Supply Research Articles

INCIDENCE AND POPULATION FLUCTUATION OF SPITTLEBUGS ON THREE PERENNIAL GRASSES: ON-FARM ASSESSMENTS

Significant population outbreaks of spittlebugs (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) have been observed in perennial grasses (Poaceae) established in farms in South of Brazil. This situation is worrying local producers in relation to the continuous supply of forage due to the significant damage caused by this pest species complex. Thus, this study aimed to evaluated the incidence and populational fluctuation of spittlebugs (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) in three perennial grasses [ Cynodon dactylon cv. Jiggs, C. dactylon cv. Tifton 85, and Axonopus catharinensis cv. SCS 315 Catarina Gigante (Poales: Poaceae)] in an experimental farm under semi-intensive milk production system. For this purpose, weekly counts of the foam produced by the spittlebugs nymphs were carried out in 10 points of 0.25 m 2 (0.5 x 0.5 m) each, totalizing 35 assessments from the beginning of September 2015 to the end of April 2016. The incidence of spittlebugs was significantly different among the three perennial grasses. Lower incidence of spittlebugs was observed on A. catharinensis cv. SCS 315 Catarina Gigante (4.91 nymphs foam m -2 week -1 in average), which is a natural species from South Brazil, followed by C. dactylon cv. Jiggs (6.51 nymphs foam m -2 week -1 in average) and by C. dactylon cv. Tifton 85 (7.58 nymphs foam m -2 week -1 in average). Moreover, three characteristic population peaks of spittlebugs was observed: the first in the end of September, the second in the middle of December, and the third in February early. However, the number of nymphs foam of spittlebugs was not significant correlated with the climatic parameters (precipitation, average temperature, and relative humidity) of periods (week) prior to the weekly sampling times. In light of these findings, A. catharinensis cv. SCS 315 Catarina Gigante constitutes an interesting option for establishing new pasture areas.

Avaliação da sonda Grassmaster II como ferramenta para estimativa da produtividade de pastagens de sequeiro no Alentejo

Estimating pasture productivity throughout its growth cycle is an indicator of great interest to farmers in planning and supporting decision making. The management of animal grazing, in regards to animal stocking in each parcel, rotation of the animals by the different parcels, calculation of the forage supply requirements and feed supplementation of the animals are based on pasture productivity. The standard method of assessing pasture biomass is based on cutting the forage within a specific area and requires great effort and expense to collect enough samples to accurately represent a pasture. This work presents the results of tests carried out to calibrate a probe (“Grassmaster II”) in three parcels at Alentejo between 2007 and 2018. The probe was used at 1279 sampling points, in which grass samples were collected for the purpose of determining productivity (total biomass and dry matter production). A monthly regression analysis was performed between corrected meter reading (CMR) measured by the probe and the values of pasture green matter and dry matter (respectively, GM and DM, in kg ha-1). The results showed strong correlations between pasture productivity and CMR, especially in February (r = 0,936; p <0,01; RMSE = 297 kg ha-1 for DM; r = 0,919; p <0,01; RMSE = 377 kg ha-1 for GM) and March (r= 0,807; p<0,01; RMSE= 377 kg ha-1 for DM; r= 0,886; p<0,01; RMSE= 1971 kg ha-1 for GM). During the vegetative cycle of the pasture, the correlation coefficients between the parameters had the tendency to diminish, decreasing the reliability of the estimate at the peak of production (April-May), although still with significant correlation coefficients. These results show that the “Grassmaster II” probe might support decisions making in dryland pastures and grazing management.

Suplementação com silagem de milho para ovinos ingerindo azevém anual

Food intake is determinant in the production process and can be modified when more than one type of forage is supplied in the diet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation with corn silage + soybean meal (9:1 based on DM) in the proportion of 10 g DM kg?1 live weight (LW) for lambs receiving pre-dried ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam) in two forage supply levels: ad libitum or restricted (60% of the consumption ad libitum). Eight castrated male sheep crosses Texel × Criollo (average of 31.5 ± 2.2 kg LW) were used in an experimental design of 4 × 4 Latin square. Each experimental period was performed for 19 days, with 14 days for adaptation and 5 days for collections. Animals were fed three times a day (08h00, 11h30, and 16h30). Supplemented animals received corn silage at 08h00 and ryegrass silage at 11h30 and 16h30. The substitution rates (kg DM consumed forage per kg DM consumed silage) were 0.93 for animals with a supply of ryegrass ad libitum and zero for those receiving the same in a restricted amount. The digestible OM (DOM) intake and nitrogen retention did not vary with supplementation in animals that received ryegrass ad libitum but increased in those with restricted supply. However, animals with restricted supply and supplemented had a less digestible OM intake and nitrogen retention than the average of those that received ryegrass ad libitum. Organic matter digestibility and efficiency of microbial protein synthesis were not affected by treatments, but the digestibility of NDF and ADF was lower in supplemented animals when compared to those non-supplemented and in restricted supply when compared to consumption ad libitum. Even with supplementation, feed restriction of base forage can limit the daily intake of digestible OM and the daily retention of N in sheep.

Long-term impacts of livestock grazing and browsing in the Succulent Karoo: a 20-year study of vegetation change under different grazing regimes in Namaqualand

This study used a fence-line contrast approach to investigate the long-term impact of high grazing pressure on the vegetation at a site in Namaqualand, South Africa. Forty pairs of permanently marked plots were surveyed in 1996, 2006 and 2016. The main objective was to investigate changes in the vegetation structure and species composition between the near-continuously grazed communal rangelands and the relatively lightly grazed commercial rangelands over the 20-year period. The results showed a decline in total vegetation cover in both commercial and communal rangelands in 2016 relative to the two earlier sampling periods. This can be attributed to the low rainfall in 2016 and was due largely to a reduction in annual plant cover, especially on the communal rangeland. Perennial shrub species provide a fodder bank that can be utilised by livestock in times of drought and can buffer short-term deficits in forage supply. However, the annuals that dominate the vegetation of the communal rangeland do not form such fodder banks and consequently do not have the same multi-year buffering capacity as perennial shrubs. This provides the mechanism whereby long-term continuous grazing decreases resilience to rainfall fluctuations and increases livestock variability, thereby promoting non-equilibrium-type dynamics in the system.

Disentangling effects of climate and land-use change on West African drylands’ forage supply

Abstract Livestock rearing is the most important agricultural activity in global drylands, making forage supply an essential ecosystem service (ES). Most drylands are expected to experience increasing levels of climatic aridity and land-use pressure in the future. As few studies account for combined effects of these global change drivers, we still have a limited understanding of how these drivers jointly shape forage supply. Here, the concept of social-ecological systems (SESs) is useful, as it helps to formalize the complex interrelationships of drivers. Taking advantage of steep gradients of climatic aridity and land-use pressure in West Africa, a crossed space-for-time substitution was applied to capture combined effects of climate and land-use change on forage supply. We have operationalized the SES concept via structural equation modelling, and analysed how drivers directly or indirectly affected forage quantity, quality and their integrated proxy (metabolisable energy yield). Results demonstrate that contemporary dryland SESs are mainly controlled by land-use, which has often been used as a proxy for other variables, such as climatic aridity. Aridity was also directly linked to a higher risk of vegetation degradation, indicating that future drylands will be less resilient to grazing pressures. The importance of land-use drivers for ES provision implies that sustainable grazing management could potentially mitigate detrimental climate change effects. However, model effects mediated by intermediate variables, such as aridity, short-term vegetation dynamics, and weather fluctuations, make it extremely difficult to predict climate change effects on ESs. Integrating structural equation modelling into the well-defined SES concept is thus highly useful to disentangle complex interdependencies of global change drivers in dryland rangelands, and to analyze drivers’ direct and indirect effects on ESs. Our novel approach can thus foster a deeper understanding of patterns and mechanisms driving ecosystem service supply in drylands, which is essential for establishing sustainable management under conditions of global change.

Community perception and prioritization of invasive alien plants in Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape, Nepal

The management of invasive species is a complex, yet an essential component of biodiversity conservation and environmental management for sustainable futures. Despite a well-established linkage between biological invasions and human activities, the social dimension of invasive species management is less explored as compared to the ecological aspects. In recent years, the active participation of local communities, such as assessing levels of awareness and the selection of targeted species prioritized by communities, has been considered as a crucial element for managing invasive species. We conducted 32 focus group discussions (FGDs) including 218 participants in Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape (ChAL) of central Nepal, to assess knowledge and perceptions of agrarian and forest-dependent communities about invasive alien plants (IAPs), document the efforts of the community management of IAPs and prioritize IAPs for management. In the prioritization exercise, participants of each FGD were asked to rank three IAPs using scoring methods and to express their experience about the effects of the selected IAPs on humans and the environment. We found that communities had a living memory of the arrival of some of the IAPs in their locality without knowing the exotic nature of IAPs. Biodiversity loss, livestock poisoning, reduced agricultural production and forage supply, and negative impact on forest regeneration were reported as major negative impacts of IAPs. Communities also reportedly utilized IAPs for medicinal purposes, making compost by using biomass, and controlling floods and landslides. None of the government and non-governmental organizations working in the sectors of biodiversity conservation and environmental management has informed local forest-dependent agrarian communities about the consequences of biological invasions and management of IAPs. However, local communities had already started controlling the spread of some IAPs through manual uprooting. They were able to spot, identify and prioritize IAPs for management and some of the prioritized species were among the world's worst invasive species. Ageratum houstonianum was the top-ranked worst invasive species in agroecosystems while Chromolaena odorata and Ageratina adenophora were the top-ranked worst species in natural ecosystems. Our findings will be useful for guiding community education programs as well as the management of IAPs through formal policy and management plans, such as Nepal's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.

Contribution to the Agro-Morphological Characterization of Three Vetch Species (Vicia Spp.) in the Setif Semi-Arid Region by Discriminant Factorial Analysis (ADF)

The issue of the sustainable development of livestock systems in Algeria is part of the way to resolve the issue of the growing gap between forage supply and the needs of a growing livestock herd. The study undertaken is a contribution to the agro-morphological characterization of vetch and the determination of its place in the feeding of animals and also to highlighting the current situation of forage (cultivated and natural) - case of the vetch - in the semi-arid zone of Setif. In this study where the general objective is to characterize agro-morphologically the species of vetch the same variables used were included for two statistical analysis approaches, the first descriptive and the second discriminant, which are Variance study and comparison of means and discriminate factor analysis (AFD) whose results corroborate. These analysis have detected significant differences of the input of the three species where the third one (V. sativa) which is obvious from all the variables by: Nr, Lrp, Ngrg, Ngrp, Pgrp and for the two sites involved (Northern and Centre of Setif). It is also clear from these analyzes that the variables that have the most weight or the most relevant in discriminating between the three species are Ngrp , Nfr, Lrp and Ngp. Variety evaluation allowed to see a lack of distinction between the varieties of the two introduced species 1 and 2 (V. ervilia and V. narbonensis); a difference of 70 % was found between the varieties of local specie 3 (V. sativa). On the other hand, we can assume that these emerging varieties of species 3 (Jose, fig and even Baraka, 715 and 709) exhibit a fairly large phenotypic diversity that can provide a broad genetic base that can potentially serve in improvement programs. In view of the great variability observed in many traits measured for the three vetches studied, this offers the possibility of choosing the species suitable for the development of the forage area in semi-arid zones, depending on the climatic characteristics and different production systems; especially if the introduced varieties do not meet the conditions of the region. So we can infer that these three species have different uses for their agronomic traits related to biomass production and grain yield, they have considerable potential fodder, especially V.sativa which we can offer as complete feed for use on different forms.

Linking the benefits of ecosystem services to sustainable spatial planning of ecological conservation strategies

The maintenance and improvement of ecosystem services on the Tibet Plateau are critical for national ecological security in China and are core objectives of ecological conservation in this region. In this paper, ecosystem service benefits of the Tibet Ecological Conservation Project were comprehensively assessed by estimating and mapping the spatiotemporal variation patterns of critical ecosystem services on the Tibet Plateau from 2000 to 2015. Furthermore, we linked the benefit assessment to the sustainable spatial planning of future ecological conservation strategies. Comparing the 8 years before and after the project, the water retention and carbon sink services of the forest, grassland and wetland ecosystems were slightly increased after the project, and the ecosystem sand fixation service has been steadily enhanced. The increasing forage supply service of grassland significantly reduced the grassland carrying pressure and eased the conflict between grassland and livestock. However, enhanced rainfall erosivity occurred due to increased rainfall, and root-layer soils could not recover in a short period of time, both factors have led to a decline in soil conservation service. The warm and humid climate is beneficial for the restoration of ecosystems on the Tibet Plateau, and the implementation of the Tibet Ecological Conservation Project has had a positive effect on the local improvement of ecosystem services. A new spatial planning strategy for ecological conservation was introduced and aims to establish a comprehensive, nationwide system to protect important natural ecosystems and wildlife, and to promote the sustainable use of natural resources.

Efecto de la adición de ácido ascórbico y té de composta en la producción y capacidad antioxidante de forraje hidropónico de maíz

La producción de forraje verde hidropónico (FVH) es una opción que puede ayudar a resolver la problemática de la falta de suministro de forraje en épocas de sequía y escasez de alimento para ganado. Este tipo de forraje presenta rendimientos aceptables además de que tiene gran valor nutrimental y nutracéutico, por lo cual, puede promover la salud del ganado. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar el efecto de la aplicación de ácido ascórbico y té de composta en el sistema de producción de FVH de maíz. La investigación se realizó en la Región Lagunera, en un invernadero ubicado en el Ejido San Lorenzo, en el Municipio de San Pedro de las Colonias, en el Estado de Coahuila. Para la producción de FVH se utilizó semilla de maíz criollo variedad San Lorenzo, que fue evaluado en un diseño experimental completamente al azar con seis repeticiones por tratamiento, los cuales fueron: té de composta (TC), té de composta más ácido ascórbico (TCAA), agua más ácido ascórbico (AAA) y agua (A) como control. Las variables evaluadas fueron rendimiento, porcentaje de materia seca, contenido de fenólicos totales y capacidad antioxidante. El análisis de varianza mostró diferencias significativas (p≤ 0.05) en todas las variables evaluadas, atribuible a la aplicación de té de composta y ácido ascórbico. Se encontró un incremento del 41 % en el rendimiento con el tratamiento de té de composta en comparación con el control. Los resultados más altos en producción de materia seca que se encontraron fueron utilizando té de composta (TC) y la combinación té de composta- ácido ascórbico (TCAA) con 18.91 y 17.6 %, respectivamente. El tratamiento TCAA obtuvo un 49.5 % más de compuestos fenólicos totales respecto al control. Los resultados señalaron un incremento importante en la capacidad antioxidante total mediante la combinación TCAA con 25 y 32 % más (ABTS+ y DPPH+, respectivamente) en los valores obtenidos con respecto al control. Se concluye que el uso de fuentes orgánicas como el ácido ascórbico y el té de composta mejora el rendimiento y la capacidad antioxidante del forraje hidropónico, por lo cual es recomendable para su aplicación en sistemas de cultivo hidropónico de forraje orgánico.

Performance, nutritional behavior, and metabolic responses of calves supplemented with forage depend on starch fermentability

This study evaluated the interactive effects of forage provision on performance, nutritional behavior, apparent digestibility, rumen fermentation, and blood metabolites of dairy calves when corn grains with different fermentability were used. Sixty 3-d-old Holstein calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Dietary treatments were (1) steam-flaked (SF) corn without alfalfa hay (AH) supplementation (SF-NO), (2) SF corn with AH supplementation (SF-AH), (3) cracked (CR) corn without AH supplementation (CR-NO), and (4) CR corn with AH supplementation (CR-AH). All calves received the same amount of pasteurized whole milk and weaned on d 56 of the experiment; the study was terminated on d 70. Steam-flaked corn contained higher amounts of gelatinized starch in comparison with cracked corn (44.1 vs. 12.5% of total starch, respectively). Starter intake was not affected by corn processing methods or AH provision during the pre- or postweaning periods. However, we noted an interaction between corn processing methods and forage supplementation for starter intake during d 31 to 50 of the experiment, where calves fed on SF-AH starter had greater starter intake than those fed SF-NO starter, but the starter intake was not different between CR-NO and CR-AH fed calves. Furthermore, AH increased average daily gain (ADG) of calves fed an SF-based diet but not in calves fed a CR-based diet during the preweaning and overall periods. Interaction between forage provision and time was significant for ADG and feed efficiency, as calves supplemented with forage had higher ADG (0.982 vs. 0.592, respectively) and feed efficiency compared with forage unsupplemented calves at the weaning week. Forage supplementation resulted in more stable ruminal condition compared with nonforage-fed calves, as evidenced by higher ruminal pH (5.71 vs. 5.29, respectively) at postweaning and lower non-nutritive oral behavior around weaning time (55 vs. 70.5 min, respectively). The concentration of blood β-hydroxybutyrate was also greater in calves supplemented with forage than in unsupplemented calves. Results of the present study indicated that performance response and skeletal growth were the same between 2 corn processing methods. Forage provision improved ADG of calves fed the SF-based diet, but not the CR-based diet throughout the study.

The effects of herbage allowance on pasture characteristics and milk production of dairy cows

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to evaluate the effect of herbage allowance on forage productivity, botanical composition and milk yield of Holstein cows. The treatments comprised three conditions of pasture allowance, high (38.4 kg DM cow−1 day−1), medium (30.3 kg DM cow−1 day−1) and low (26.8 kg DM cow−1 day−1) forage supply during autumn, and throughout the pasture allowance conditions of high (49.8 kg DM cow−1 day−1), medium (33.7 kg DM cow−1 day−1) and low (27.6 kg DM cow−1 day−1) herbage supply during spring. Significant differences (P < .05) were observed for forage accumulation, total biomass production and animal stocking rate according to the seasons. Herbage allowance affected (P < .05) the botanical composition and milk production, registering a decrease in Festuca in the summer, and a continuous reduction in legume proportion. Pasture management with a medium herbage allowance throughout the year provided a greater total annual milk production per hectare.

Intermediate foraging large herbivores maintain semi-open habitats in wilderness landscape simulations

In the context of the rewilding Europe debate, the German national strategy on biodiversity aims to dedicate two percent of the German state area to wilderness development until 2020. Many of these potential large wilderness reserves harbor open habitats that require protection according to the Flora-Fauna-Habitat-directive of the European Union. As forests prevail in potential natural vegetation, research is required, to which extent wild large herbivores and natural disturbances may create semi-open landscape patterns in the long-term. We used the spatially explicit process-based model of pasture-woodland ecosystem dynamics WoodPaM, to analyze the long-term interactions between intermediate foraging large wild herbivores and vegetation dynamics in edaphically heterogeneous forest-grassland mosaic landscapes. We newly implemented a routine for intermediate foraging herbivores. We determined herbivore impact on vegetation from the quantitative balance between the demand and supply of herbaceous forage and woody browse. In abstract landscapes that represent the conditions in the established German wilderness area "Döberitzer Heide", we simulated potential future landscape dynamics on open land, in forest and along forest edges with and without intermediate foraging large herbivores and for a climate change scenario.In our simulations the currently open landscape was conserved and even more the opening of current oak and beech forest was promoted. Canopy thinning and patch-mosaics of oak, birch, poplar and pine stands increased the overall nature conservation value in the long-term. To the contrary, open habitats were lost in simulations without herbivores. Moreover, our simulations suggested that intermediate foraging herbivores are especially suitable to maintain semi-open landscapes in wilderness areas, because (i) no additional winter forage was required, the natural availability of browse was sufficient. (ii) Their grazing maintained open land and their browsing thinned tree canopies even on poor sites that were unattractive for foraging. Here, habitat was maintained for threatened species from dry grasslands.

DELIVERY MODEL FORAGE FEED FOR SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF BALI CATTLE ON MARGINAL LAND (Case Study District Gerokgak, Buleleng, Bali)

This research is aimed at overcoming the limited forage problem at marginal land that adversly affects the sustainability of forest. The research was done at Gerokgak District, Buleleng Regency, Bali Province from April 2010 until March 2011. Because the feed problem is complex and dynamic, systems dynamic modelling was used as the method. This method supported with participatory rural appraisal methods for system identification, mean absolute percentage error method for analysis validity of model, and sensitivity analysis to determine the scenarios of feed scenarios. Simulation results showed that the feed available on the actual conditions (in 2009) is only able to meet 64.5% of the total feed required, and potentially to 48.5% in the long term (year 2034). In that period, the feed supply of 52,629 tons / year increased to 74,886 tons/year while consumption increased from 81,403 tons/year to 155,834 tons/year, thus it potentially increases the damage of forest because the burden of forests as the source of feed would increase from 35.5% to 51.5%. To overcome these problems, five scenarios was developed to increase the feed supply. From the five alternative scenarios, the highest increase of feed supply successively given by Scenario 2 (planting field boundary with forage plants), followed by Scenario 1 (introducing the new technology in maize and rice cultivation), Scenario 5 (building feed storages), Scenario 4 (increasing the number of forest community groups from four to 14) and the last is the Scenario 3 (plantingcorn in the dry season by utilizing irrigation ponds) Those scenarios give the potential additional supply of feed 51.6%, 30.1%, 10.1 %, 3.1% and 0.1% respectively. Partially, no single scenario can provide sustainable feed supply; to do so the combination of at least two scenarios must be implemented.keywords: forage supply model, Bali cattle, marginal land, system dynamicRai

Optimal formula feed is a key for efficient transformation of forage to animal products in grass-based livestock husbandry

The animal husbandry in China can be categorized broadly into pastoral and farming animal husbandry. Grazing has long been a main form of animal husbandry in the pastoral areas. The lack of sufficient supply of high quality forage is a key factor that limits the development of animal husbandry in both the pastoral and farming animal husbandry. Natural grasslands in China have degraded seriously since 1970s due to overgrazing and global climate changes, exhibiting low productivity and poor ecological functions. Import of forages (mainly alfalfa and oat hay) from overseas (mainly USA and Australia) has increased markedly in recent years. The insufficiency for supply of high quality of forage and poor ecological function of natural grasslands are major issues limiting the social and economical development in large pastoral areas in China. How to develop a high-efficiency and environmentally-friendly animal husbandry has been a big challenge in these areas. The development of concept of “Grass-based Livestock Husbandry (GLH)” is novel in solving these problems by integrating the processes associated with grassland management, forage planting, forage processing and livestock feeding. More specifically, the GAH theory emphasizes that grasslands are of ecological importance with less function for forage production, while the production of high quality of forage will rely on the development of artificial pasture to sustain the livestock husbandry. Extensive efforts have been made to manage and restore the degraded grasslands, and develop artificial pasture with great yield, high quality and use efficiency of resources. In contrast, less attention has been paid to harvest, process, and store as well as utilize the forages for livestock husbandry in both pastoral and farming areas. In this paper, we discussed the effective ways to supply forage to livestock in both pastoral and farming areas. We further explored the technical solutions to improve the insufficient supply of forage in the two areas. We specifically highlighted the important roles of artificial pasture in provision of sufficient forage with high quality for livestock, thus protecting the natural grasslands and maximizing their ecological functions. Finally, we proposed that development of formulated forage systems with high efficiency is a crucial step for success in the grass-based livestock husbandry, and that green animal product is a main driver for development of ecological grass-based livestock husbandry in China. These theories and methodologies have great implications in development and practice of the grass-based livestock husbandry in both pastoral and farming areas.

Establishment and management of alfalfa pasture in cold regions of China

Grasslands occur naturally in cold regions in China, and are the traditional animal husbandry base. Natural grasslands have degraded severely due mainly to heavy use and global climate change, distinguished with low productivity and poor ecological function. The small scales and low-industrialization levels of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) pasture are bottlenecks for development of modern animal husbandry in China. Therefore, forage production from natural grasslands cannot fully meet the demands for animal husbandry. Development of high-yield alfalfa pasture is an effective way to solve these problems. In this review, we systematically analyzed both domestic and international markets for alfalfa. Currently, alfalfa hay production in China can only supply less than 50% of total alfalfa demands, and more than 50% of alfalfa hay has to be imported from overseas countries, mainly from USA. On the one hand, the lack of forage supply greatly restricts development of animal husbandry in the alpine regions of China, which is a traditional base of animal husbandry in China. On the other hand, there are large areas of lands that can be used to develop alfalfa pasture in these regions. As a key component of “Grass-based Animal Husbandry”, establishment of alfalfa pasture with high yield and quality as well as high resource efficiency is of importance for the successful development of “Grass-based Animal Husbandry” in China. The development of large scale of alfalfa pasture in the alpine regions is hindered by the lack of alfalfa varieties adapted to the alpine regions and poor alfalfa establishment and management technologies. In practice, the management regimes of crops are often copied to manage alfalfa pasture. However, the crop and pasture systems differ markedly. For example, crops and alfalfa are used for harvesting grains and above-ground biomass, respectively. Moreover, crops are often annual, while alfalfa is perennial. To solve these problems, we developed comprehensive technologies in alfalfa pasture in the alpine regions. More specifically, we selected several elite alfalfa varieties that exhibited high yield and were capable of surviving the cold winters. We further developed planting methodologies that allowed for the rapid establishment of seedlings, facilitation of leaf growth, and minimizing weeds and water evaporation. Our results showed that production of alfalfa hay in the alpine region of Hulunbeir, Inner Monogolia Autonomous Region, China, was 5000 kg ha −1 in the first year of planting, and it reached 9000 kg ha −1 in the second year of planting. The crude protein contents of the alfalfa were as high as 20%. These achievements highlight that the development of high yield alfalfa pasture is feasible, and that it provides technical support and theoretical guidance in development and management of high quality alfalfa pasture in these regions.

Forage Business at Breed Source Area of Ruminansia in Central Java Province

Kebumen district is one of beef development centers in Central Java that requires numerous forage supplies (HPT). Farmers without personal foraging area have to buy forages almost on a daily basis. Forage business is an emerging and prospective business sector to improve farmers’ welfare particularly the income. Government is therefore expected to support in terms of facility and infrastructure to maintain a sustainable business practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the necessity of forage business in cattle development center in Kebumen district, forage marketing channel, forage business revenue, profit margin, R/C ratio and government support in terms of infrastructure or policy related to forage business.

Spatial assessment of ecosystem service trade-offs and synergies in Zimbabwe

As the human population continues to increase, ecosystem services (ES) are increasingly under pressure to support livelihoods and economies. This pressure leads to spatial trade-offs among ES in multi-functional landscapes. Characterising ES trade-offs and synergies is critical for sustainable management of ecosystems. This study therefore sought to quantify the spatial structure of ES, as well as assess and map trade-offs and synergies that exist among six ES at national scale in Zimbabwe. Pair-wise relationships between ES were assessed using Pearson’s product moment correlation test. Principal Component Analysis and the K-means cluster analysis were used to detect trade-offs and synergies among ES. The results show that surface water supply and carbon sequestration were positively correlated (r = 0.52). This implies a synergy. By contrast, forage provision was negatively correlated with carbon sequestration and surface water supply (r = -0.38 and -0.51, respectively). A weak but significant correlation was also observed between cattle density and soil conservation. The study for the first time demonstrates the existence of ES trade-offs and synergies throughout Zimbabwe based on six key ES indicators – net primary productivity, surface water supply, cattle density, soil carbon, soil conservation and grazing capacity.

Mechanisms regulating the productivity and stability of artificial grasslands in China: Issues, progress, and prospects

China has 400 million hectares of grasslands, occupying 41.7% of the country’s total land area. Due to the overexploitation of grassland’s production functions and the neglect of its ecological functions, intensive livestock grazing in recent decades has resulted in widespread grassland degradation, reduction in ecosystem services, and imbalance between forage production and livestock demands in China. Compared to natural grasslands, artificial grasslands can increase forage yield up to 10–20 times. The development of high-quality artificial grasslands could fundamentally ease the severe shortage of forage supply, break the bottleneck in meat and milk production, curb grassland degradation caused by overgrazing, and thereby restore grassland ecological functions. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms that regulate the productivity and stability of artificial grasslands is a major national strategic need in order to transform the practices of sustainable livestock production based on the scientific and technological advancements, and to promote national ecological security, food security, and the development of ecological civilization. In this study, we examined theoretical basis underlying the regulations of artificial grassland productivity and stability, including theories of ecological stoichiometry, niche differentiation, compensation, mutualism, grazing optimization, and intermediate disturbance. Then, we reviewed current research status and the latest progress that has made in this field. Finally, we proposed fundamental research questions that need to be fully addressed in future studies, regarding the effects of stoichiometry of key nutrient elements, coupled water and nutrient availability, mutualism between forage species and soil microbes, and complementarity of functional traits and multiple forage species on plant carbon assimilation, growth, reproduction, forage quality, biomass allocation, primary productivity, and ecosystem stability. We also highlighted several key biological and ecological mechanisms regulating the productivity and stability of artificial grasslands.

The present situation and prospect of the processing technology of forage grass in China

In recent years, with the rapid improvement of Chinese people’s living standards, the demand of animal products is increasing greatly, which leads to significant shortage in supply of forage especially high-quality forage. The insufficient supply of forage especially high-quality feed blocks the further promotion of animal husbandry. In China, the area of grassland accounts for 42% of the total land area, which is critical for animal husbandry. However, a gap exists between grass and livestock. Grass products such as silage and hay, are the bridge connecting grass cultivation and animal husbandry. Besides, processing technology of grass products is able to solve the question that the excess utilization of the winter-spring pasture and the imbalance of forage grass with the livestock. Therefore, we proposed that grass products processing is the key factor of promoting the development of farming and animal husbandry, it can adjust the balance of grass supply of all years, and guarantee the modern development of animal husbandry. Although great improvement has already been obtained in the processing technology of grass products, the level still is quite low compared with developed countries. Firstly, there is a lack of systematic research related to processing technology, which directly causes the low quality of grass products and weak market competition. Secondly, the machinery equipment associated with forage harvesting and processing in our country are heavily dependent on imports, its high price limits the mechanized production of grass. The physical and chemical characteristics of grass can be improved through processing modulation of grasses, contributing to the efficiency of their storage, transportation and feeding. Of the many kinds of grass products, we highlighted the importance of silage and its additives. Additives are natural or industrial products added in rather large quantities to the forage or grain mass. Additives control or prevent certain types of fermentation, thus reducing losses and improving silage stability. In order to assist in the fermentation process, various silage additives have been used to improve the nutrient and energy recovery in silage, often with subsequent improvements in animal performance. The purpose for applying additives to the silage is to ensure that the growth of lactic bacteria predominates during the fermentation process, producing lactic acid in quantities high enough to ensure good silage. Therefore, this review is made to focus on some practical aspects of the fermentation process and the uses of some common silage additives that include microbial inoculants, enzymes, and propionic acid. Overall, we summarized the current research achievements and existing issues in the processing of grass products at home and abroad regarding concepts, significances, current situations, main theories and technologies in this review. By analyzing problems, we propose the concept of grass processing especially the silage processing technique, and provide a theoretical guidance for upgrading grass products in China, which we consider an important guidance significant for forage production with high quality in the future.

Integrating diverse forage sources reduces feed gaps on mixed crop-livestock farms

Highly variable climates induce large variability in the supply of forage for livestock and so farmers must manage their livestock systems to reduce the risk of feed gaps (i.e. periods when livestock feed demand exceeds forage supply). However, mixed crop-livestock farmers can utilise a range of feed sources on their farms to help mitigate these risks. This paper reports on the development and application of a simple whole-farm feed-energy balance calculator which is used to evaluate the frequency and magnitude of feed gaps. The calculator matches long-term simulations of variation in forage and metabolisable energy supply from diverse sources against energy demand for different livestock enterprises. Scenarios of increasing the diversity of forage sources in livestock systems is investigated for six locations selected to span Australia’s crop-livestock zone. We found that systems relying on only one feed source were prone to higher risk of feed gaps, and hence, would often have to reduce stocking rates to mitigate these risks or use supplementary feed. At all sites, by adding more feed sources to the farm feedbase the continuity of supply of both fresh and carry-over forage was improved, reducing the frequency and magnitude of feed deficits. However, there were diminishing returns from making the feedbase more complex, with combinations of two to three feed sources typically achieving the maximum benefits in terms of reducing the risk of feed gaps. Higher stocking rates could be maintained while limiting risk when combinations of other feed sources were introduced into the feedbase. For the same level of risk, a feedbase relying on a diversity of forage sources could support stocking rates 1.4 to 3 times higher than if they were using a single pasture source. This suggests that there is significant capacity to mitigate both risk of feed gaps at the same time as increasing ‘safe’ stocking rates through better integration of feed sources on mixed crop-livestock farms across diverse regions and climates.