Grazing Capacity Research Articles

The role of slope as an environmental variable in plant biodiversity change in Aegean rangelands by SHE analysis: The case of Çakmar rangeland

Rangelands, which have rich plant and animal biodiversity, are also very important as a source of roughage for livestock. Rangeland vegetation patterns vary considerably under the influence of environmental factors. Indicator factors need to be identified and analyzed in order to manage conservation and utilization objectives. In rangelands of the Aegean region, the slope factor can greatly affect the rangeland plant biodiversity in areas close to the base rangeland. In order to investigate the spatial distribution and species variation in plant biodiversity caused by slope, 6 rangeland sections with different slopes were sampled in Koçarlı region (Aydın / Türkiye). Sampling was carried out using the transect method in the spring 2017 based on field observations. Following sampling, indicator species and species distribution and abundance were determined. Alpha biodiversity indices were used to determine the change in species biodiversity by SHE analysis. SHE analysis tests the relationship between S (species richness), H (Shannon-Wiener diversity index) and E (equality). This method aims to examine the contribution of the number of species and the concept of equity in the context of diversity. According to the information obtained as a result of the analysis, it was seen that the increase in slope may cause a decrease in species biodiversity. More species diversity was found in rangelands with low base and slope. Factors such as erosion and water transport affect the canopy and species abundance in high slope rangelands. However, other factors such as grazing intensity can reverse this situation. For this purpose, it has been determined that slope is an important environmental variable when preparing management plans based on grazing capacity and grazing animal species in vegetation studies.

Qualitative characteristics of sheep's and goat's milk in Albania.

Cost-effective methods are crucial in small-scale operations to assess the physicochemical properties of milk, identify potential clinical or subclinical mastitis, and test β-lactams in small ruminants. The aim was to evaluate the importance of physicochemical characteristics, somatic cells, and antibacterial substances as factors for monitoring the quality and safety of bulk tank milk from sheep and goats. Furthermore, we aimed to elucidate the influence of grazing capacity on the composition of sheep milk. The fat content of sheep milk (n=119) was found to be 7.7%, with a range of 5.3% to 9.9%. The average fat content of dairy goats (n=33) was found to be 4.9%, with a range of 2.8-6.7%. The results indicate that 2.8% of sheep milk samples and 7.8% of goat milk samples exhibited clear positive reactions when assessed using the California mastitis test. β-lactam antibiotics were present in 0.7% of sheep milk samples, but not in any of the goat milk samples using lateral flow strips. This measurement method can be useful to detect adulterated milk and better understand the quality and safety of small ruminant milk before processing.

Experimental warming promotes CO2 uptake but hinders carbon incorporation toward higher trophic levels in cyanobacteria-dominated freshwater communities

Shallow freshwaters can exchange large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) with the atmosphere and also store significant quantities of carbon (C) in their sediments. Current warming and eutrophication pressures might alter the role of shallow freshwater ecosystems in the C cycle. Although eutrophication has been widely associated to an increase in total phytoplankton biomass and particularly of cyanobacteria, it is still poorly understood how warming may affect ecosystem metabolism under contrasting phytoplankton community composition. We studied the effects of experimental warming on CO2 fluxes and C allocation on two contrasting natural phytoplankton communities: chlorophytes-dominated versus cyanobacteria-dominated, both with a similar zooplankton community with a potentially high grazing capacity (i.e., standardized density of large-bodied cladocerans). The microcosms were subject to two different constant temperatures (control and +4 °C, i.e., 19.5 vs 23.5 °C) and we ensured no nutrient nor light limitation. CO2 uptake increased with warming in both communities, being the strongest in the cyanobacteria-dominated communities. However, only a comparatively minor share of the fixed C translated into increased phytoplankton (Chl-a), and particularly a negligible share translated into zooplankton biomass. Most C was either dissolved in the water (DIC) or sedimented, the latter being potentially available for mineralization into DIC and CO2, or methane (CH4) when anoxic conditions prevail. Our results suggest that C uptake increases with warming particularly when cyanobacteria dominate, however, due to the low efficiency in transfer through the trophic web the final fate of the fixed C may be substantially different in the long run.

Wildlife activity patterns and encroaching woody vegetation response to bush thinning on farmlands in north-central Namibia

The Namibian savannah ecosystem has experienced considerable anthropogenic pressures, which have resulted in the disruption of key ecological processes, and consequently, the proliferation of a dense vegetation structure, commonly known as bush encroachment. Approximately 45 million hectares of land have been affected, which has caused a significant decline in the grazing capacity, poor economic returns for the farmers, and loss of suitable wildlife habitat. Restoration thinning, a method that involves the selective removal of excess trees/shrubs, has been applied to counteract the negative effects associated with this phenomenon. This thesis aimed to assess the effect of thinning on (a) the activity patterns of local ungulates and predators, (b) the encroaching woody vegetation in terms of (i) regeneration, and (ii) structure, abundance, and habitat sighting lines, in a savannah habitat in the north-central region. Generalised linear mixed-effects models (GLMM) and linear mixed-effects models (LME) were used for statistical analysis. Results showed that thinned areas had overall greater wildlife activity. Thinned areas also had reduced tree/shrub abundance, which was significant for the mature height classes. Natural regeneration was rapid in thinned areas, where the abundance of young cohorts was 34% greater than non-thinned areas. In the thinned areas, red umbrella thorn (Vachellia reficiens) was significantly reduced but umbrella thorn (Vachellia tortilis) numbers increased. Tree/shrub densities in the thinned areas fell within the commonly accepted range for a 400 mm rainfall area (600–750 tree equivalents (TE) ha–1). Thinning significantly modified the dense thornbush to an open vegetation structure with a low woody canopy cover that favours grass growth and provides greater sighting lines for open savannah wildlife. This thesis demonstrated that thinning was effective in controlling bush encroachment and could be used as a method to restore other affected areas. However, periodic post-thinning management is recommended to control the established samplings.

Effects of bifenthrin on microcrustaceans grazing behavior on a phytoplankton assemblage dominated by Cyanobacteria.

Insecticides are widely used for pest control and frequently reach aquatic systems, imposing a risk to the biota. In this work, the effect of environmental concentrations of bifenthrin on the grazing capacity of Simocephalus vetulus (Cladocera) and Argyrodiaptomus falcifer (Copepoda) on phytoplankton was evaluated. Fifteen microcrustacean individuals and a natural phytoplankton assemblage dominated by Cyanobacteria were exposed during 46 h to three concentrations of bifenthrin (C0 0 μg L-1, C1 0.02 μg L-1, and C2 0.05 μg L-1). A significant decrease in both microcrustaceans grazing rates on total phytoplankton was observed in C2 compared to C0 and C1. The filtration rate (ml ind-1 h-1) of S. vetulus decreased significantly for the cyanobacteria Anabaenopsis arnoldii, Dolichospermum circinale, and Glaucospira sp. in C2 compared to C0 and C1. The ingestion rate (org ind-1 h-1) of A. falcifer decreased significantly in C1 and C2 compared to C0 only for A. arnoldii. Regarding phytoplankton morphological groups, the filtration rate of S. vetulus decreased in C1 and C2 compared to C0 for Colonies and Coenobiums in C2 concerning C0 and C1 for Filaments and in C2 compared to C0 for Silicified. For A. falcifer, the ingestion rate was reduced in C2 compared to C0 for Silicified, Flagellated, and Sessile. The results showed that bifenthrin affected both microcrustaceans grazing capacity on phytoplankton, especially at the highest insecticide concentration.

Characterization of the fecal microbiota of Pampa Rocha pigs, a genetic resource endemic to eastern Uruguay

Pampa Rocha (PR) is a breed of pig that emerged in eastern Uruguay during the 18th century. They represent an important resource for non-intensive production using purebred or crossbred animals. However, productive activities have been oriented towards intensive production using commercial breeds, abandoning, except by some academic and educational institutions, the promotion of this creole breed. Thus, a population of few animals is still maintained, which could be in danger of disappearing. This work focuses on the fecal microbiota of these animals, which is related to the animal genetic background but also to their grazing capacity and resistance to weather. The structure and diversity of bacterial communities in the intestines of four PR adult females and of other breeds, including crosses, reared under non-grazing conditions, were analyzed and compared. Results obtained indicate that PR fecal microbiota is clearly different from those of other animals analyzed. Some sequences, corresponding to particular groups apparently related to the consumption of fiber, were strongly associated with PR pigs.

Determination of yield, botanical composition and grazing capacity of Övündüler Village (Diyarbakır-Türkiye) Pasture

Bu çalışma; Diyarbakır il merkezine bağlı Övündüler Köyü merasının verim, botanik kompozisyon ve otlatma kapasitesinin belirlenmesi amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Çalışmada, 10 buğdaygil (Poaceae), 5 baklagil (Fabaceae) ve 25 diğer familya bitkileri olmak üzere toplam 40 bitki türü tespit edilmiştir. Bu türlerin 36’sının istilacı, 3’ünün azalıcı ve 1 tanesinin de çoğalıcı tür olduğu belirlenmiştir. Merada en yaygın türlerin Bromus squarrosus, Trifolium repens ve Cichorium pumilum olduğu görülmüştür. Meranın bitki ile kaplı alan oranı %90.13, botanik kompozisyonda baklagillerin oranı %14.01, buğdaygillerin oranı %43.13 ve diğer familya bitkilerinin oranı %42.85, baklagillerin frekansı %8.13, buğdaygillerin frekansı %24.88 ve diğer familya bitkilerinin frekansı ise %28.50 olarak belirlenmiştir. Meranın ortalama bitki boyu 28.8 cm, yeşil ot verimi 1571 kg/da, kuru ot verimi 425 kg/da, HP oranı %18.2, NDF oranı %44.99, ADF oranı %30.35, P oranı %0.37, K oranı %2.63, Ca oranı %1.40 ve Mg oranı %0.35 olarak tespit edilmiştir. Meranın otlatma kapasitesi 29.6 hayvan birimi olup, mera durumu “zayıf” ve “sağlıklı mera” sınıfında yer almıştır. Sonuç olarak, Övündüler Köyü merasının uygun gübreleme, taş toplama ve uygun otlatma sistemi ile ıslah edilmesinin yararlı olacağı sonunuca varılmıştır.

Quantifying the effect of chemical bush control of Senegalia mellifera on vegetation production in the Eastern Kalahari Bushveld, South Africa

Bush encroachment is the invasion of whole landscapes by indigenous and alien woody species. An imbalance in the ratio of grasses to bushes is a consequence of bush encroachment due to competition for moisture, nutrients and sunlight. This imbalance results in a decrease in grass cover, plant biodiversity and grazing capacity, leading to severe economic losses. Several methods exist to reduce high woody plant densities, including mechanical, manual, biological or chemical control. In this study, we assessed the structural and compositional attributes of the grass layer and compared these to the woody vegetation structure for herbicide-controlled rangelands and the no chemical control. The main objective was to evaluate the potential of chemical control to restore an open savanna system dominated by perennial grasses. Woody-dominated vegetation resulting from long-term overgrazing was assessed and compared to chemically controlled sites. Results revealed that chemical control treatment increased forage production and maintained woody-patch conservation. After the treatment, the sites were characterised by more productive and desirable woody species. The re-encroachment of woody species at all bush-controlled sites is possible. A follow-up control programme to manage and mitigate encroachment needs to be implemented when mitigating bush encroachment.

Estimation of grass biomass consumed by rabbits housed in movable paddocks

Biomass allowance is a key feature in pasture-based rabbit production systems. It conditions not only the stock density (rabbits/m²) and/or the number of grazing days, it also influences the grazing behaviour of animals. When herbage restriction occurs, pelleted feed and/or cereal intake goes up. Inadequate pasture management may also impair the biomass quantity and quality if overgrazing occurs. To avoid the undesirable effects of overgrazing and better manage pellet and cereal intake, information on both biomass availability and rabbits’ grazing capacity are needed. Here, we present an adaptation of the rising plate meter method (developed for biomass intake measures for ruminants) for use in rabbit. To this end, we designed an experiment where two groups of 12 rabbits each were kept in two different fields: under an apple orchard (AO) or on fallow land (FL). We followed the animals for 5 consecutive weeks (from 45 to 80 d old). Rabbits lived in 25 m² movable paddocks, and every week a new paddock location (called paddock-spot) was made available for them. At each new paddock-spot, we measured the herbage height inside the paddocks and performed samplings of the available biomass (i.e. herbage cut after herbage height measurement) outside the paddocks. From this data we estimated the available biomass inside each paddock-spot by fitting linear regression equations of biomass to herbage height. Overall, rabbits in the AO and FL had access to 1328±65.7 and 1386±58.6 kg of dry matter (DM) per ha, respectively. In every field and paddock-spot, the biomass available was lower than the rabbits’ grazing capacity; overgrazing was the rule. Roughly, and under a restricted herbage allowance, rabbits in the AO ingested 45.2 g DM/d and rabbits in the FL 43.4 g DM/d. In the last week (64 to 80 d old), the biomass intake of rabbits in the AO and AL represented 26.4 and 23.5% of the total DM intake, respectively. These values, however, does not represent the real grazing capacity of growing rabbits. In this study, we provide some advice on the sampling method to obtain reliable biomass estimations and we mention two methods for handling influential observations in linear regression.

The structure changes of microbial food web during the culture of grass carp larvae

The microbial food web, including phytoplankton, microzooplankton and bacteria, is an important part of the aquatic ecosystem. Microplankton are the natural bait of larvae, and larvae are influenced by microbiota. However, little is known about the functions of microbial food web in fish culture pond. In the present study, we investigated the dynamic changes of microbial food web in grass carp larvae culture ponds, then measured the grazing relationship among mesozooplankton, microzooplankton and phytoplankton, and further explored the relationship between the aquatic bacteria in culture pond and the intestine bacteria in grass carp larvae. Firstly, the density of phytoplankton was lowest while zooplankton was highest on day 3 of larvae culture. The grazing experiments indicated that the grazing capacity of zooplankton decreased on phytoplankton, while the grazing capacity of mesozooplankton increased on microzooplankton with culture time. Secondly, aquatic bacterial diversity increased with culture time when plankton changed. Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes were the dominant bacteria in water. Finally, the species increased and abundance decreased in dominant bacteria of larvae intestine with culture time. The larvae intestinal microbiota exceeded the aquatic microbiota in terms of bacterial diversity on day 7 of larvae culture. And the similarity between the microbiota of the intestine and aquaculture water increased with culture time. Therefore, microbial food web affected the intestinal microbiota of larvae. These results provide a primary investigation into the structural changes of microbial food web in grass carp larvae culture ponds, and may help us to solve the problems of ecological environment and larvae culture.

Spatial variability of herbage yield, grazing capacity and plant diversity in a tropical savannah rangeland ecosystem

To improve ruminant livestock production, evaluation of rangelands must be a routine. Rangeland evaluation gives information about the vegetation structure, biomass yield and quality. The Guinea savannah rangelands of Ghana lack research that characterises the spatial variability of herbage yield and quality. It was hypothesised that there is spatial heterogeneity in herbage yield, grazing capacity and plant diversity in the Guinea savannah rangelands of Ghana. The objective was to evaluate the spatial structure of herbage production and grazing capacity in the Guinea savannah rangelands of Ghana for sustainable livestock production. Data were collected from 105 sampling sites and integrated into geo-statistics, using ordinary kriging interpolation to generate herbage yield and grazing capacity estimates. Herbage yield and grazing capacity ranged from 0.63 t ha−1 to 13.43 t ha−1 and 0.18 LU ha−1 to 3.79 LU ha−1 respectively. The root mean square error and the average standard error values were close (2.38 and 2.51 respectively for herbage yield and 0.67 and 0.71 respectively for grazing capacity). Species diversity using the Shannon’s index ranged from 1.13 to 2.40. There was spatial heterogeneity in herbage yield, grazing capacity and species diversity in Ghana’s Guinea savannah rangelands with some parts needing effective site-specific improvement strategies for sustainable livestock production.

Expansion of the Grassland Biome in the eastern Karoo corresponds with changes in rainfall and livestock numbers

The persistent spread of shrublands is a global phenomenon observed across semiarid grassland-shrubland boundaries. Observations in South Africa, however, have detected a contrasting trend of increasing grass cover across the transition between the Nama-Karoo and Grassland Biomes over the last few decades. A west-to-east gradient of increasing mean annual rainfall, and underlying geology, controls the natural transition of Karoo dwarf shrublands to semiarid grasslands. The availability of historical vegetation surveys and landscape photographs, weather, and livestock census records, made it possible to assess the nature, extent, and drivers of vegetation change across this biome transition. Rainfall has been generally higher over the last four decades compared to the years prior to the original surveys. This, together with a reduction in livestock numbers, is the main driver of the westward expansion by ∼100 km of perennial grasses, and a general increase in dwarf shrub and total vegetation cover. Rangeland condition, as indexed by estimates of grazing capacity, has improved significantly. Despite a structural shift towards grassland-dominance, the original species complement has persisted. The rainfall-driven increase in grass fuel loads in the region, however, places these rangelands at risk of becoming altered by increasing fire frequency.

Wildfire-Grazing Impact on Forage Quality Assessed with Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Generalized Partial Least Squares Regression

Fire and grazing are key drivers of plant community structure in the Great Plains ecoregion, with critical impacts on the quantity and quality of forage. While the impact of fire on forage quality is well understood in many ecosystems, few studies have examined this question in the northern mixed-grass prairie. We investigated the postburn nutrient content of forbs and graminoids over a 4-yr timeframe, asking 1) how forage quality changed over the 4 yr post fire and 2) whether the effect of fire on quality was impacted by the resumption of grazing. We used near-infrared spectroscopy and generalized partial least squares regression (plsRglm) methods to assess crude protein. We show that the use of generalized models provides improved estimates of percent nitrogen than the standard partial least squares approach. Both crude protein and fiber varied annually after the wildfires, with no effect of grazing on forage quality. In the first and second years, burned sites displayed higher protein than unburned locations. Fire did not affect crude protein between plant functional groups; however, forbs showed higher nutrient values than grasses throughout the 4 yr. Fire affected fiber content with grasses showing higher fiber than forbs. There was a positive relationship between neutral and acid detergent fiber and litter in burned sites. These results indicate no long-term effect of wildfire on protein content, which stabilizes in the third year post burn. The improvement of forb digestibility and retention of protein under dry conditions could modify the grazing capacity of the prairies at large scales. This may also change the foraging behavior of large ungulate grazers through mechanisms such as increasing patch reselection (i.e., intensified grazing cycles) and broadening feeding preferences to forbs when grasses are limited or have high fiber content.

Grazing capacity of reindeer pastures in the boreal zone of the West Siberian Plain

Field studies were carried the grazing capacity of the reindeer in the boreal zone. The study is based on the study phytomass forage plants of the reindeer grazing. Soil, geobotanical descriptions were made grazing capacity on the methodology for determining productivity and calculating the fodder capacity of reindeer pastures. The identification of potentially suitable places for the reindeer was carried out on the basis of the decryption of satellite images and the digitization of thematic maps. Grazing capacity was with the allocation on the geobotanical map of the areas of distribution of pine-lichen white-moss and pine lichen-cowberry forests, and on the soil map - the areas of finding illuvial-ferruginous podzols. The study revealed that best the landscape-ecological conditions for the growth of lichens of the species Cladonia alpestris (L.) are the pinery on the podzols in Siberian ridges (Siberian Uvals). Based on the results of field studies, the fodder capacity of reindeer pastures for the studied areas was calculated, and the estimated number of deer was determined. The conducted studies make it possible to judge the state of individual areas suitable for reindeer habitats, and thus make it possible to assess the degree of prospects for reindeer breeding.

THE PRODUCTIVITY ASSESSMENT OF THE VEGETATION OF THE SALINE GRASSLANDS IN ROMANIA

The vegetation of the saline soils (Solonceacuri, Soloneturi and Solodii) in Romania is represented by permanent grasslands and occupies approximately 300,000 hectares from the Black Sea coast to some low plains with groundwater on the surface. Habitat 1310, Salicornia and other annuals colonizing mud and sand represented by the Salicornion prostratae alliance, has a pastoral value (PV) of 3.9 and green mass production (GMP) of barely 0.36 t/ha and Habitat 1410, Mediterranean salt meadows ( Juncetalia maritimi) with 5.5 PV and 0.45 t/ha GMP, both are assessed as degraded form forage quality point of view. Habitat 1530, Pannonic salt-steppes and salt marshes comprises 5 alliances (Cypero-Spergularion, Puccinellion limosae, Junciongerardii, Beckmanione ruciformis and Festucion pseudovinae) with 30.9 PV and 3.85 t/ha GMP, which allows an optimal loading of 0.37 LU/ha in 160 days, 10 times higher than at H 1310 and H 1410. Respecting the optimal grazing capacity is necessary to preserve the biodiversity of these grasslands.

Grazing capacity determination in short-term and long-term scales using MODIS and Sentinel-2 data in the southern rangelands of Zagros, Iran

Grazing capacity determination in short-term and long-term scales using MODIS and Sentinel-2 data in the southern rangelands of Zagros, Iran

Short-Term and Topographic Variations in Ecological Site Description of a Semi-Arid Mountain Rangeland

Deficiencies in the rangeland assessment methods prompted researchers to seek new methodologies. Rangeland Ecological Site Description (RESD), is a method suggested to produce information about the sustainability of the ecological services of the rangelands. Improvability for various ecologies is an advantage of the method. In this study, the short-term variation and the effect of the topographical differences on the RESD method were determined. Suggested ecological indicators were scored at the 60 different locations (20 north, 20 south, 20 summits) of the Bozdağ Rangeland for two years (2019-2020), and the ecological indicator scores were compared using non-parametric tests. Results showed that the RESD did not change in two years but it was lower at the south face considering the north face and summit. The RESD class of the south faces was “fair”, while they were “good” for north faces and summit positions. Variations in slope gradient, light exposure, and grazing practices might be responsible for this difference. RESD method provides wider information about the ecological services of the rangelands. However, this method should be improved to give information that could be used in short-term rangeland management plans, including grazing capacity.

Grazing capacity change on a small Mediterranean-type South African offshore island following the control of invasive alien European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Invasive alien species (IAS) are one of the most important factors driving extinction rates worldwide. Among the IAS, the impacts of introduced mammals on native biodiversity are most severe, with the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) being the most problematic. Globally, European rabbits have been introduced to five continents and more than 800 islands or island groups where they are a threat to biodiversity and human livelihoods. The impacts of European rabbits on biodiversity and human livelihoods have been extensively studied across the globe. However, some regions of the world, such as the offshore islands along Africa’s southern coast, have been sparsely studied. In this study, we monitored change in grazing capacity on a South African offshore island, Robben Island, following an attempt to eradicate European rabbits between 2008 and 2009. Grazing capacity on the island increased following rabbit control, driven by the recovery of palatable plant species in response to release from herbivory. There was no change in grazing capacity at sites under Eucalyptus plantations because of the inhibitory effects of the alien trees on understory vegetation dynamics. We believe that grazing capacity changes on Robben Island are indicative of potential vegetation changes on other southern African offshore islands.

Grazing pressure index considering both wildlife and livestock in Three-River Headwaters, Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Grassland is not only the natural habitats for the survival of wild animals, but also the material guarantees for livestock husbandry. However, the previous studies on grassland carrying capacity are mostly only considering livestock but wild herbivores were ignored. In this study, the population of large wild herbivores, Tibetan wild ass, Tibetan gazelle and Tibetan antelope, and livestock were surveyed, and the grassland forage yield was estimated by a remote sensing-process coupled model in Qumahe Township in Three-River Headwaters, Qinghai-Tibetan in 2020. The actual carrying capacity (AC) was calculated from the both wildlife and livestock and the theoretical carrying capacity (TC) in the term on edible herbage and crude protein was estimated. Grazing pressure index was measured by the ratio of AC to TC in this region. The results showed the AC was contributed by about 20,700 standard sheep units (SHU) from wild large herbivores, and 256,500 SHU from the livestock. The theoretical carrying capacity of edible herbage, which is 274,800 SHU, was lower than the theoretical carrying capacity of crude protein in the region. If only considering livestock, the grazing capacity pressure index is 0.93, but the index will be 1.01 if the both wildlife and livestock were considered, and wildlife contributes 7.5% to the grazing pressure. This study suggested the wildlife population should be calculated in grassland ecological carrying capacity estimation though domestic livestock contributed much more to grazing pressure than wild herbivores. The new indicator would be useful in grassland management to maintain ecosystem and biodiversity balance, and society-economy sustainability.

Forage Potential Of Ruminated Animal Feed In Oil Palm Plantation Owned By Pt. Nusa Ina Group In The District Of North East Seram Kobi Central Maluku Regency

This study aims to determine the botanical composition, production of forage animal feed and capacity in oil palm plantation owned by PT. Nusa Ina Group which is in the District of North East Seram Kobi. This study uses a survey method through direct observation and measurement of forage in the oil palm plantation area at PT. Nusa Ina Group in the District of North East Seram Kobi. The results showed that the The botanical composition of the pasture in the oil palm plantation area of ​​PT.Nusa Ina group in the sub-district of North Seram, Kobi based on dry weight is dominated by 33.73% carpet grass. The older the age of the oil palm plant, the less the number of species found in the plantation area and the less potential for fresh forage production and forage dry matter production, ranging from 5,794.41 kg/ha fresh weight and dry weight 1,121.80 kg/ha. The grazing capacity for ruminant livestock in the oil palm plantation area of ​​PT. Nusa Ina Group is quite good, namely 0.67 Ha / UT and is estimated to accommodate 442.2 UT / yr with an area of ​​660 Ha.