Grazing Grass Research Articles

Export Coefficient Modelling of Nutrient Neutrality to Protect Aquatic Habitats in the River Wensum Catchment, UK

The pressure of nutrient pollution derived from wastewater treatment works and agricultural runoff is a reason for the decline in the ecological health of aquatic habitats. Projected residential development in catchments creates further nutrient loading that can be offset by nutrient management solutions that maintain ‘nutrient neutrality’ either onsite or elsewhere within the same catchment. This study developed an export coefficient model in conjunction with detailed farm business data to explore a nature-based solution to nutrient neutrality involving seven scenarios of crop conversion to mixed woodland or grazing grass in an area of intensive arable cultivation in the groundwater-fed Blackwater sub-catchment of the River Wensum, UK. When compared with the monitored riverine export of nutrients, the calculated nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) inputs under current land use showed that subsurface denitrification is removing 48–78% of the leached N and that P is accumulating in the field soils. The addition of 235 residential homes planned for 2018–2038 in the Blackwater will generate an additional nutrient load of 190 kg N a−1 and 4.9 kg P a−1. In six of the seven scenarios, the modelled fractions of crop conversion (0.02–0.21) resulted in the required reduction in P loading and more than sufficient reduction in N loading (196–1874 kg a−1 for mixed woodland and 287–2103 kg a−1 for grazing grass), with the additional reduction in N load above the requirement for nutrient neutrality potentially contributing to further improvement in water quality. The cost of land conversion is modelled in terms of crop gross margins and nutrient credits generated in the form of 0.1 kg units of N or P. For the range of scenarios considered, the annual cost per credit ranged from GBP 0.78–11.50 for N for mixed woodland (GBP 0.74–7.85 for N for grazing grass) and from GBP 160–782 for P for both scenarios. It is concluded that crop conversion is a viable option to achieve nutrient neutrality in arable catchments in eastern England when considered together with other nutrient management solutions.

Effects of proximity to highways on tissue properties of three tropical grazing grass species

To obtain indicative, extreme scenario data on the possible impacts of expanding road networks in rangelands, this study examined aboveground tissue of three grazing grasses near four high traffic highways: Digitaria eriantha, Brachiaria nigropedata, and Eragrostis lehmanniana. Samples were collected monthly on three occasions at the same respective locations during the rainy season, in transects approximately perpendicular to the highways. For comparison, tissue samples were concurrently collected from a control site more than 3 km from a road. In the laboratory, a whole stem of each specimen was washed in a fixed volume of distilled water. The pH and electrical conductivity of the water containing the washed-off tissue surface material were then measured. Concentrations of heavy metals in dry tissue were determined using ICP-MS analysis. The results showed poorer grass quality near roads. Tissue surface pH was lower (acidic), and electrical conductivity higher, towards the roads. Rainfall tended to dilute the effects. Linear regression models of tissue surface pH and conductivity against distance showed that the effects were pronounced within at least 70 m and up to nearly 800 m from the road edge. The highly nutritious grasses seemed to present higher potential risk of road-sourced metal toxicity to grazers.

Actual and standard crop coefficients for semi-natural and planted grasslands and grasses: a review aimed at supporting water management to improve production and ecosystem services

AbstractNatural and planted grasslands play a very important role in agriculture as source of various ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration and biodiversity, and are responsible for a large fraction of agricultural water use in rainfed and irrigated fields. It is, therefore, relevant to precisely know their water use and vegetation requirements with consideration of relevant climate, from extremely cold, dry, with long winter seasons, to tropical humid and hot climates, thus with a large variability of vegetation. Semi-natural grasslands are basically used for grazing and mainly refer to highland pastures and meadows, steppes, savannas, pampas, and mixed forest systems. The FAO method to compute crop (vegetation) evapotranspiration (ETc) through the product of a crop coefficient (Kc) by the reference evapotranspiration (ETo) is adopted. The selected papers were those where actual ETc (ETc act) was derived from field observations and ETo was computed with the FAO56 definition, or with another method that could be referred to the former. Field derived ETc act methods included soil water balance, Bowen ratio and eddy covariance measurements, as well as remote sensing vegetation indices or surface energy balance models, thus reviewed Kc act (ETc act/ETo) values were obtained from field data. These Kc act refer to initial, mid-season and end season (Kc act ini, Kc act mid, Kc act end) when reported values were daily or monthly; otherwise, only average values (Kc act avg) were collected. For cases relative to cold or freezing winters, data refer to the warm season only. For grasses cut for hay, Kc act ini, Kc act mid, and Kc act end refer to a cut cycle. Kc act values rarely exceeded 1.25, thus indicating that field measurements reported did respect the available energy for evaporation. Overall, Kc act mid for semi-natural grasslands in cold climates were lower than those in hot climates except when available water was high, with Kc act mid for meadows and mountain pastures generally high. Steppes have Kc act mid values lower than savannas. Grasses commonly planted for hay and for landscape generally showed high Kc act mid values, while a larger variability was observed with grasses for grazing. The collected Kc act values were used to define standard Kc values for all grassland and grasses. Nevertheless, the tabulated Kc act are indicative values of Kc to be used for actual water management purposes and/or irrigation scheduling of planted grasslands. It is expected that a better knowledge of the standard and/or indicative Kc values for a wide variety of grasslands and grasses will support better management aimed to improve grass productivity and ecosystem services, including biodiversity and carbon sequestration.

EFECTO DE LA EDAD Y ALTURA DE CORTE DE HÍBRIDOS DE Urochloa sp. SOBRE LA PRODUCCIÓN DE GAS In vitro

<p><strong>Background</strong>. The production of ruminants in the tropics is based on the grazing of grasses, which present variations in their nutrient content depending on the intensity and frequency of cutting. <strong>Objective.</strong> To determine the effect of cutting intensity and regrowth age of the morphological composition of three hybrids of the genus <em>Urochloa sp</em> on gas production and <em>in vitro</em> gas production kinetics. <strong>Methodology</strong>. The samples were formed by the interaction of three morphological-hybrids (Cobra, Cayman and Mulato II-leaf and stem), two cutting intensities (10 and 15 cm) and 5 regrowth ages (7, 21, 35, 49 and 63 d). Partial and accumulated gas production, maximum volume (V), gas production rate (S) and Lag time (λ) were determined for the samples. The statistical design was a 6 x 2 x 5 factorial arrangement within a completely randomized design. <strong>Results</strong>. The leaves and stems of Cobra and Cayman showed the highest partial and cumulative <em>in vitro</em> gas production (p<0.05). The evaluated variables were not affected by the cutting intensity and the behavior in the <em>in vitro</em> tests was greater at 21 and 35 days of regrowth of the pastures. <strong>Implications</strong>. The cut intensity variable did not modify the mean values of the variables evaluated in this research work, while age negatively affects it. <strong>Conclusions</strong>. The leaves and stems of Cobra and Cayman grasses showed the highest partial and cumulative <em>in vitro</em> gas production.</p>

Plant dry weight and nutritive value of genetically diverse germplasm of false Rhodes grass [Leptochloa crinita (Lag.) P.M. Peterson and N.W. Snow], a native forage grass from arid regions of the Americas

AbstractThe native forage, false Rhodes grass [Leptochloa crinita (Lag.) P.M. Peterson and N.W. Snow], represents an important component of the arid and semi‐arid rangelands of the Americas, due to its large area of distribution and its tolerance to drought and cattle grazing. Precise information on nutritive value and the factors that influence this trait is relevant for effective utilization as a forage in arid regions of the world. Here, we characterized dry matter (DM) per plant and nutritive value parameters in leaves, stems, and panicles of 21 genetically diverse L. crinita accessions, in a 2‐yr partially replicated trial. Dry matter, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), ash, fat, phosphorus, and calcium concentrations were determined. Significant (p < .01), substantial variation was found among accessions for DM, CP, NDF, ADF, ash, and fat content. Whole‐plant DM varied ∼three‐fold among the accessions. Variation was also found among the plant parts (p < .001) for all traits, with leaves and panicles having greater CP content than stems, and leaves being the less fibrous organs. In general, the range values found for DM (117–342 g DM plant−1), CP (76–109 g kg−1), NDF (747–839 g kg−1), and ADF (425–479 g kg−1) partially overlapped the range of variation reported for these traits in other forage grasses of arid regions, although some L. crinita accessions had greater CP and DM than most of the compared species; suggesting that L. crinita is an adequate forage grass for cattle grazing.

The effects of herbivore aggregations at water sources on savanna plants differ across soil and climate gradients.

Water sources in arid and semiarid ecosystems support humans, wildlife, and domestic animals, forming nodes of activity that sculpt surrounding plant communities and impact critical grazing and soil systems. However, global aridification and changing surface water supply threaten to disrupt these water resources, with strong implications for conservation and management of these ecosystems. To understand how effects of herbivore aggregation at water impact plant communities across contexts, we measured herbivore activity, plant height, cover (trees, grasses, forbs, and bare ground), diversity, and composition at 17 paired water sources and matrix sites across a range of abiotic factors in a semiarid savanna in Kenya. The effects of proximity to surface water and herbivore aggregation on plant communities varied substantially depending on soil and rainfall. In arid areas with nutrient-poor sandy soils, forb and tree cover were 50% lower at water sources compared to neighboring matrix sites, bare ground was 20% higher, species richness was 15% lower, and a single globally important grazing grass (Cynodon dactylon) dominated 60% of transects. However, in mesic areas with nutrient-rich finely textured soils, species richness was 25% higher, despite a 40% increase in bare ground, concurrent with the decline of a dominant tall grass (Themeda triandra) and increase in C.dactylon and other grass species near water sources. Recent rainfall was important for grasses; cover was higher relative to matrix sites only during wet periods, a potential indication of compensatory grazing. These findings suggest that effects of herbivore aggregation on vegetation diversity and composition will vary in magnitude, and in some cases direction, depending on other factors at the site. Where moisture and nutrient resources are high and promote the dominance of few plant species, herbivore aggregations may maintain diversity by promoting grazing lawns and increasing nondominant species cover. However, in arid conditions and sites with low nutrient availability, diversity can be substantially reduced by these aggregations. Our results highlight the importance of considering abiotic conditions when managing for effects of herbivore aggregations near water. This will be particularly important for future managers in light of growing global aridification and surface water changes.

37 Evaluation of Methane and Carbon Dioxide Production in Growing and Finishing Cattle Raised in Conventional or Confinement-based Herds

Abstract Cattle originating from 2 different herds were used during growing and finishing programs to evaluate differences in CH4 and CO2 production. The conventional (CONV) herd used spring calving, summer grass grazing, and winter corn residue grazing. An alternate (ALT) herd housed cows in confinement pens during summer, calved in summer, grazed cover crops in fall and grazed corn residue before returning to confinement pens in spring. Each herd had 4 groups of 20 cows. For 2 years calves from each herd were weaned at the same age and then fed ad libitum for a 120-d growing (GR) period and fed a forage-based diet (NEg 1.23 Mcal/kg). Cattle were then adapted to a grain-based finishing (FIN) diet (NEg 1.51 Mcal/kg) and fed until reaching 1.27 cm backfat. Both CH4 and CO2 were collected in two pen-scale chambers by collecting air samples continuously from each pen ambient air. Each group was evaluated in the pen-scale chambers for 5 days during both the GR and FIN phases. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with day in barn as a repeated measure. Whether cattle originated from CONV or ALT had no impact (P > 0.25) on CH4 or CO2 production. Feeding GR resulted in greater (P < 0.03) CH4 than FIN in grams per day (125.4 vs 117.5), grams per kg of intake (16.1 vs 11.5), or g per kg of body weight (0.50 vs 0.24). Greater CO2 production was observed for FIN as compared to GR which is due to greater size and energy intake. Diet impacts CH4 more so than cow-calf production system cattle originate from.

SPME GC‐MS monitoring of volatile organic compounds to assess typicity of Pecorino di Carmasciano ewe‐milk cheese

The sensory traits of Pecorino di Carmasciano (PdC), an artisanal ewe‐milk cheese produced in Irpinia (Southern Italy), are believed to arise from grazing grass growing on a soil rich in sulphurated compounds. Volatiles of nine PdC samples obtained by solid‐phase microextraction gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry have been compared to those of six common ewe‐milk cheese samples. Amongst 82 volatiles identified, no sulphur compound was detected in any PdC sample, excepting traces of dimethyl sulphone. Principal component analysis (PCA) did not distinguish PdC and commercial samples. Thus, the typicality of PdC should be attributed to a combination of biotic and abiotic factors.

Improving the grassland management strategies of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau based on Israeli Noy-Meir’s grazing-system dynamics model

Grassland is one of the important natural ecosystems in the which not only play an important ecological role, but is also the main source for livestock production. Because of overgrazing in many of these lands, degradation is extending, which is an overall key issue in China. The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, which is often called the roof of the world, is known for its high altitude, low temperature and oxygen content, strong ultraviolet radiation and for its short-term grass growing season. This makes it a vulnerable system, while once damaged, it is very hard to recover. Therefore, it is essential to sustain the eco-function of this alpine grassland system. Reasonable grassland management practice is important for maintaining a sustainable healthy ecosystem. As overgrazing is one of the main causes for degradation of grassland, the proper management should take it account the balance between livestock and vegetation components, and it is essential to select an appropriate stocking rate strategy. Optimal production from pastures is gained only when animal needs and the productive capacity of the pasture are balanced. Stocking rate is usually defined as the number of animals per unit area for a given time period, but is affected by a series of factors, such as animal breeds, animal size and weight, animal performance, animal physiological state, climate environment, resources, grass growing rate and biomass and grass grazing tolerance. Therefore, it is challenging to select the optimal stocking rate, and as so it restricts the planning of reasonable grassland management strategies. In addition, forage biomass and its nutritive quality are dynamic and there is no constant stocking rate that is best for all situations. With the fast development of innovative technology and knowledge, models make possible the attempt to determine proper stocking rates and grazing strategies, while taking in account the balance between livestock and vegetation. But most models are complex while using highly detailed simulations input of many parameters, including grassland, climate, forage, animal physiology and weight, cost and policy, which restrict their use and extension. And so, most farmers are not skilled to use these complicated models in practice. The grassland grazing management model, which was developed by an Israeli researcher, Prof. Imnauel Noy-Meir, is simple, which focusing only two basic processes that determine biomass dynamics, including plant growth and animal consumption of herbage, with a second fundamental management tool, grazing deferment at the start of the green season. The two basic factors are adjusted to be conformed to herbage mass to obtain optimum animal production. This current paper tested Noy-Meir's model in a yak grazing system of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The parameters in Noy-Meir's model in this paper were adjusted, based on published and empirical data from the Qinghai-Tibetan yak grazing system in order to analyze the feasibility of using this model for helpful decision making for improving grazing management strategies in alpine grassland in China. The outcome shows that Noy-Meir's model is easier and helpful for planning grazing practices in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau grassland. In order to improve the precision of Noy-Meir's model, the parameters still need better adjustment based on the specific pasture conditions. © 2020, Science Press. All right reserved.

Способ решения проблемы деградации горных пастбищ Центрального Кавказа

Abstract. The authors presented the results of research and development, on the basis of which a new device was created that facilitates the restoration of degraded mountain pastures after unsystematic use with excessive grass grazing. The purpose of the study is to develop a new method of improvement and a prototype of attachments that will allow the seeding of perennial grasses in sparse grass and bare areas of the soil, which will increase stiffness. The object of the study are the working bodies: sowing devices, the original design, scatter cones, net runners. The novelty of the technical solution lies in the fact that the authors of the article developed a new resource-saving method for improving mountain fodder land using a modernized seeder equipped with removable working bodies for automatic, targeted seed sowing, sowing seeds only in degraded and bare areas, skipping areas with normal grass stand. The tests were carried out at a mountain hospital, located on the southeastern exposition of the Dargavsky depression of the North Ossetia-Alania, at an altitude of 1650 m above sea level with a slope of 10°, in six plots, with a recorded area of 360 m2 two options in triplicate. The first option is natural seeding, and the second is the seeding of grasses by the aggregate. The plots are located across the slope randomized. It was found that at a concentration of 17.2 MJ of energy in 1 kg of dry matter of feed, the total collection in the control plot was 29.7 GJ, and in the seeded experimental field – 85.3 GJ. It was revealed that changes in the grass stand influenced the accumulation of biomass of phytocenosis. So, the crop of the aboveground fodder mass, when sowing grasses, in the first year of observations was 18.2 c/ha of dry weight, which is 5 times higher than in the control. During the growing season of the third year of observations, the yield in the sown area was 59.1 c/ha of dry weight against 17.3 c/ha in the control.

In situ dry matter and crude protein disappearance dynamics in stockpiled limpograss

AbstractStockpiling warm‐season perennial grasses for winter grazing is an important management practice for beef cattle production systems in tropical and subtropical regions. Limpograss [Hemarthria altissima (Poir.) Stapf et C.E. Hubb.] has greater digestibility at late maturity than other commonly used warm‐season perennial grasses; however, decreased crude protein (CP) concentration may limit livestock performance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in situ dry matter (DM) and CP ruminal disappearance kinetics of stockpiled limpograss herbage. Forage for the in situ study derived from a 2‐yr field experiment in which treatments were the factorial combinations of three cultivars (‘Kenhy’, ‘Gibtuck’, or ‘Floralta’) and three stockpiling periods (8, 12, or 16 wk) distributed in three replicates of a randomized complete block design. Effective degradability of DM was greater for Kenhy and Gibtuck compared with Floralta (614 and 611 vs. 575 g kg−1), and it declined linearly as stockpiling period increased from 8 to 16 wk (623 vs. 586 g kg−1). Herbage CP concentration (48–32 g kg−1 DM) also declined linearly from 8 to 16 wk, but rumen‐unavailable CP increased during stockpiling (257–438 g kg−1 CP), causing effective CP degradability to decrease (637–489 g kg−1 CP). Limpograss is a good option for stockpiled forage, and both new releases outperformed Floralta; however, concentration and availability of CP must be considered when defining a supplementation strategy.

Evidence Is Growing That Alternative Stable States in Semiarid Grasslands Are the Exception, Not the Rule

AbstractWoody shrubs have increased in abundance in arid and semiarid grasslands around the globe. This can have negative consequences for communities dependent on grasses for grazing and other ecosystem services. A study by Zheng et al. (2020, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JG005439) shows that grasslands in Inner Mongolia, China, which have long been invaded by shrubs, may naturally return to a grass‐dominated state when grazing is eliminated. This result emphasizes the primary importance of grazing in driving vegetation change in grasslands and argues against the existence of critical thresholds and alternative stable states in semiarid ecosystems.

Integrated farming systems influence soil organic matter dynamics in southeastern Brazil

Integrated farming systems are sustainable strategies to intensify land productivity by combining annual crop, livestock and/or forestry activities in different spatio-temporal arrangements. Therefore, they may help tackle global food and energy insecurity and climate change in the coming decades. We investigated the effects of integrated crop-livestock (ICL) and integrated crop-livestock-forestry (ICLF) systems on quantity, quality, and origin of soil organic matter (SOM) in southeastern Brazil. A native forest and an extensive low-grazing intensity pasture system were used as references. In integrated systems, corn (Zea mays) was alternated with two consecutive years of piatã grass (Urochloa bryzantha) for cattle grazing. In ICLF, eucalyptus trees (Eucalyptus urograndis) were planted in simple rows of 15 × 2 m. Soil sampling was performed three times; in 2014, after two years of grazing; in 2015, after crop cultivation; and in 2016, after a successive grazing year, to evaluate chemical and physical composition changes of organic matter (C, N, δ13C, δ15N, and organic matter fractions) with time. Our findings showed that from 2010 to 2016, all systems (extensive grazing, ICL and ICLF) promoted increments on soil C and N stocks. However, land intensification converting extensive low-grazing intensity pasture to ICL was the most promising strategy, increasing soil C stocks at the rate of 0.28 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 from 2010 to 2016. Annual crop cultivation (corn intercropped with piatã grass) promoted high organic matter inputs on the soil, increasing the amount of soil labile organic matter fractions, which presented higher δ13C and lower δ15N values over time. SOM in the integrated farming systems was originated mainly from C4 plants. Therefore, optimizing development of piatã grass and corn increases organic residue inputs and then, soil C and N stocks. In addition, the crop period increased soil fertility parameters, which favors plant growth, thus providing high labile C inputs to the soil. In contrast, land intensification by adding the forestry component into the system (i.e., conversion from ICL to ICLF) reduced soil C (-0.22 Mg C ha−1 yr−1) and N (-0.03 Mg N ha−1 yr−1) stocks from 2010 to 2016, likely due to the reduction of C and N inputs to the soil caused by limited growth of annual crop and grass species under tree shades. In conclusion, land use intensification through ICL system contributes towards a more efficient and low-C agriculture, whereas the studied ICLF system did not bring further benefits to increase the quantity and/or quality of SOM.

A new algorithm for normal and large-scale optimization problems: Nomadic People Optimizer

Metaheuristic algorithms have received much attention recently for solving different optimization and engineering problems. Most of these methods were inspired by nature or the behavior of certain swarms, such as birds, ants, bees, or even bats, while others were inspired by a specific social behavior such as colonies, or political ideologies. These algorithms faced an important issue, which is the balancing between the global search (exploration) and local search (exploitation) capabilities. In this research, a novel swarm-based metaheuristic algorithm which depends on the behavior of nomadic people was developed, it is called “Nomadic People Optimizer (NPO)”. The proposed algorithm simulates the nature of these people in their movement and searches for sources of life (such as water or grass for grazing), and how they have lived hundreds of years, continuously migrating to the most comfortable and suitable places to live. The algorithm was primarily designed based on the multi-swarm approach, consisting of several clans and each clan looking for the best place, in other words, for the best solution depending on the position of their leader. The algorithm is validated based on 36 unconstrained benchmark functions. For the comparison purpose, six well-established nature-inspired algorithms are performed for evaluating the robustness of NPO algorithm. The proposed and the benchmark algorithms are tested for large-scale optimization problems which are associated with high-dimensional variability. The attained results demonstrated a remarkable solution for the NPO algorithm. In addition, the achieved results evidenced the potential high convergence, lower iterations, and less time-consuming required for finding the current best solution.

Review: Zebra, by Christopher Plumb and Samuel Shaw

Zebra . By Christopher Plumb and Samuel Shaw. 2018. Reaktion Books. (ISBN: 9781780239354). 216 pp. Softcover, $15.94. Everything you ever wanted to know about zebras can be found right here in black and white in this remarkable book. Zebras are popular animals, being described in Thomas Pennant's 1871 History of Quadrupeds with words such as elegant , useless , gregarious , untamable , and vicious . Many regard zebras as striped horses, but more likely horses could be considered zebras whose stripes have been lost. Like the other equids, zebras probably originated in North America, but since the last Ice Age they are found only in Africa. The three zebra species have many differences in physical and behavioral characteristics. They feature hooves consisting of one large toe, powerful jaws with durable teeth for grass grazing, and large eyes with binocular vision, but an inability to focus sharply. Two zebra species are considered endangered, and conservation efforts are critical. Like many other animals, they are being threatened by overexploitation, habitat destruction, and climate …

PPDM PENGOPTIMALISASI POTENSI RUMPUT LAUT DI KECAMATAN KEERA KABUPATEN WAJO, SULAWESI SELATAN

The Development Program of Village (PPDM) is an activity funded by the Ministry of Education and Technology's 2018 budget year, which aims to improve the economy of the community through superior programs that have been agreed upon. The problems faced by the Keera government in the field of fisheries are: (1). Mining and seaweed business are still virtually free and have not fully implemented modern technology, (2). The position is that the producer of the commodity whose tendencies are lower and has less engineering than the outside product, so that there is no ability to absorb energy and consumers, (4). The farm products produced generally have not yet fulfilled the quality, (5). The market of producers is still a long stretch of consumer and non-transparency, which is the difference between prices of very large prices which are received by farms / producers with prices that are paid mainly for products of a Muslim nature, (6). Increased levels of disturbance of organisms in farms and culture and seaweed, (7). Not yet the use of waste from the roots and seaweed, and (7). Not yet related to both the fish and the world of business. The method of executing the start with the activities of the Socialization of the PPDM Program in the meetings of the Keera Village which was attended by partners, the government of Keera District represented by the Secretary of the Sub-District, The head of Keera village, the village facilitator and fishermen. The socialization objectives are (1) Explain what will be done by the PPDM team as well as the error in terms of increasing production partners, (2) Inventory the analysis that will be given to the owner of the needs. The first year provides training and supporting equipment production partners, conducts training in other fields; Training of seaweed manufacture, grass grazing, seaweed screw, lawn juice, and sea grass grass while the equipment we provide partners to support production activities namely, spinner, freezer, gas stove, printer cake, mixer, display etc., each of these equipment.

Effects of forage species and feeding systems on rumen fermentation, microbiota and conjugated linoleic acid content in dairy goats

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of forage species and feeding systems on ruminal fermentation, microbiota (Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Fibrobacter succinogenes and total bacteria) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) concentration of milk in dairy goats. Twenty female crossbred Saanen lactating goats (~35 ± 3.0 kg bodyweight) in early to mid-lactation stage were assigned to a 45-day completely randomised-design feeding experiment, with the following four forage (roughage) treatments: cut-and-carry grass (CG), grazing of grass (GG), cut-and-carry leucaena (CL) and grazing of leucaena (GL; n = 5). All animals were given concentrate equivalent to 1.5% of their bodyweight. The grass used in the study was napier Pak Chong 1 grass (Pennisetum purpureum × Pennisetum americanum hybrid). The results showed that irrespective of the type of forage, grazing goats (GG and GL) had a higher (P < 0.05) forage intake and, thus, total dry-matter and crude-protein intakes than did those fed indoors (CG and CL). However, the intake of C18:2n6 and particularly of C18:3n3 was generally higher for grass-fed goats than for leucaena-fed goats. Treatments did not exert significant differences on rumen fermentation characteristics. However, the populations of B. fibrisolvens, F. succinogenes and total bacteria were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in grazing goats (GG and GL) than in their counterparts fed with the cut-and-carry system (CG and CL). Goats in the grazing system also had a higher (P < 0.05) milk yield, and milk fat, c9, t11 CLA and omega-3 fatty acid concentrations than did those in the cut-and-carry system and only grazing goats produced detectable levels of t10, c12 CLA in milk. Putting the above together, it can be concluded that allowing dairy goats to outdoor grazing stimulates a higher forage intake, including that of C18:2n6 and C18:3n3, as well as enhancing population of B. fibrisolvens (involved in the synthesis of milk CLA), resulting in a higher milk yield, and enhances c9, t11 and t10, c12 CLA in goat milk.

Corrigendum to: Effects of forage species and feeding systems on rumen fermentation, microbiota and conjugated linoleic acid content in dairy goats

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of forage species and feeding systems on ruminal fermentation, microbiota (Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Fibrobacter succinogenes and total bacteria) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) concentration of milk in dairy goats. Twenty female crossbred Saanen lactating goats (~35 ± 3.0 kg bodyweight) in early to mid-lactation stage were assigned to a 45-day completely randomised-design feeding experiment, with the following four forage (roughage) treatments: cut-and-carry grass (CG), grazing of grass (GG), cut-and-carry leucaena (CL) and grazing of leucaena (GL; n = 5). All animals were given concentrate equivalent to 1.5% of their bodyweight. The grass used in the study was napier Pak Chong 1 grass (Pennisetum purpureum × Pennisetum americanum hybrid). The results showed that irrespective of the type of forage, grazing goats (GG and GL) had a higher (P B. fibrisolvens, F. succinogenes and total bacteria were significantly (P P B. fibrisolvens (involved in the synthesis of milk CLA), resulting in a higher milk yield, and enhances c9, t11 and t10, c12 CLA in goat milk.

Supplementing Dairy Ewes Grazing Low Quality Pastures with Plant-Derived and Rumen-Protected Oils Containing Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid Pellets Increases Body Condition Score and Milk, Fat, and Protein Yields.

Simple SummaryThis study evaluated the lactation performance and body condition scores of purebred Awassi and Awassi × East Friesian crossbred dairy ewes grazing low quality pastures and supplemented with diverse plant-derived oil enriched pellets under on-farm management conditions. The origin and treatment of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to get the rumen protected EPA + DHA treatment was based on a modification of the microencapsulation of oil droplets in a protein-aldehyde matrix procedure. The results demonstrated that supplementation with rumen (EPA + DHA) and oil-infused pellets improved milk, fat, and protein yields by approximately 30%, 13%, and 31% respectively, and crossbred ewes produced more milk than purebreds. These results are very useful for dairy sheep producers in improving ewe lactation performance, milk quality, and body condition score under low quality pasture grazing conditions.The Australian dairy sheep industry is small and mostly based on a natural grass grazing system, which can limit productivity. The current study tested different plant oil-infused and rumen protected polyunsaturated fats and their interactions with sire breeds to improve lactation traits and body condition scores (BCS) of ewes grazing low quality pastures. It was hypothesised that supplementing lactating ewe’s diets with plant-derived polyunsaturated oils would improve milk production and composition without compromising BCS. Sixty ewes (n = 10/treatment) in mid-lactation, balanced by sire breed, parity, milk yield, body condition score, and liveweight, were supplemented with: (1) control: wheat-based pellets without oil inclusion; wheat-based pellets including; (2) canola oil (CO); (3) rice bran oil (RBO); (4) flaxseed oil (FSO); (5); safflower oil (SFO); and (6) rumen protected marine oil containing eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (RPO). Except for the control group, all supplementary diets included the same level of 50 mL/kg DM of oil and all diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Experimental animals were grazed in the same paddock with ad libitum access to pasture, hay, and water during the 10-week study. RPO was the most effective diet that enhanced milk, fat, and protein yields by approximately 30%, 13%, and 31%, respectively (p < 0.0001). A significant increase in milk production was also observed with CO, RBO, and SFO treatments (p < 0.0001). Breed significantly influenced animal performance with higher milk yields recorded for crossbred Awassi × East Friesian (AW × EF) (578 g/day) vs. purebred Awassi (452 g/day) (p < 0.0001). This study provides empirical evidence for the use of rumen-protected and plant-derived oil-infused pellets as supplements under low quality pasture grazing conditions to improve the production performance of purebred Awassi and crossbred AW × EF ewes.

Impact of crop-livestock-forest integration on soil quality

Integrated agricultural production systems with trees, grain crops and forage species are important for land use optimization. However, they can result in non-uniform changes in physical and chemical soil properties. The objective of this work was to evaluate chemical and physical soil properties in a eucalyptus-based agroforestry system. The experiment was conducted in a Red–Yellow Argisol in Southeast Brazil. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus grandis × E. camoldulensis) seedlings were planted in rows 12.0 m apart, and 2.0 m between plants. For 4 years the inter-row space was cropped to soybeans (Glycine max L. Merrill), Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) and maize (Zea mays L.) in association with palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha). After that, the forage was grazed by beef cattle. Five years after the implementation of the experiment, chemical and physical soil analyses were performed along the profile. Non-uniform changes were observed in fertility and soil physics in the transect between the eucalyptus planting lines, both at the soil surface layers and in depth. Integrated crop/livestock production systems, where eucalyptus is intercropped with annual crops and forage grasses for grazing, results in lower soil fertility near tree lines and up to 100 cm deep over time. Next to the tree line there is an increase in soil compaction and reduced aggregate stability in the uppermost soil layer, while microporosity and soil structuring are increased in the soil deeper layers. These effects are probably due to animal trampling under the trees.