Pasture Grazing Research Articles

Evaluation of lead (Pb) concentration in animal tissue, soil, and water samples from grazing pasture near mining industry in southern part of Mongolia

Lead (Pb) is a substance that can cause serious damage to the brain and kidneys, soften bones, adverse effect to the reproductive system, and can be fatal. Long-term exposure to the substance can damage not only children, but also adults' nervous systems. Lead does not belong into the category of toxic substances due to its effects on the human body. It is considered as a harmful substance. In this study, we analyzed lead concentration in liver and kidney of cattle, horse, sheep, and goat from the mining areas located in the Ulaanbadrakh, Zuunbayan, and Airag soums of Dornogovi province. As a result, the level of lead in the liver of sheep and goat Zuunbayan soum of Dornogovi province was slightly higher than in other soums. The content of heavy metals in water and soil samples did not exceed the international standard average.

Agua Salud project experimental catchments hydrometric data, Panama

AbstractThe Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) instrumented the Agua Salud (AS) Experimental Catchments as part of an ongoing series of land‐cover related experiments in the steep, saprolitic, lowland, seasonal tropics of central Panama. The sites include tree plantations, rotational grazed pastures, native forests from 10 to over 80 years old, and a monoculture grassland. This data note provides a brief description of the instrumented catchments, rainfall and discharge data collection methods, data processing, and online availability.

COMPOSICIÓN BOTÁNICA Y EVALUACIÓN NUTRICIONAL IN VITRO DE PASTO KIKUYO COMPARADO CON GRAMÍNEAS DE CLIMA TEMPL

<p><strong>Background: </strong>Intensive continuous grazing of temperate grass and legume pastures has been a feeding strategy adopted in small-scale dairy systems (SSDS) in the highlands of central Mexico that reduces costs and increases profitability of farms. However, temperate grasses have low persistency due to agroclimatic and management conditions, so that pastures are invaded by kikuyu grass (<em>Cenchrus clandestinus</em>), a sub-tropical grass that may be a valuable forage resource in these systems. There are not many studies in Mexico on kikuyu grass pastures and on the relationship between botanical composition, nutritional value and ruminal fermentation parameters, important aspects for their inclusion in feeding strategies for dairy cattle. <strong>Objective: </strong> The objective was to determine the botanical composition and to assess the <em>in vitro </em>digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), and neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and to characterize the kinetics of <em>in vitro </em>ruminal fermentation of a pasture based on with kikuyu grass (KY) in comparison to pastures based on festulolium cv. Spring Green (FL), tall fescue cv. TF-33 (TF), and perennial ryegrass cv. Pay Day (RG), all associated with white clover. <strong>Methodology: </strong> There were four sampling periods every 14 days. On the last day of each period, five random samples in each pasture were cut to ground level to determine botanical composition by manual separation, and 200g samples from each pasture taken by simulated grazing to determine digestibilities and the <em>in vitro </em>fermentation dynamics. Statistical analyses were following a split-plot model. <strong>Results: </strong>There was a higher proportion of grasses in KY and a better <em>in vitro </em>nutritional value for RG, related to a higher content of structural carbohydrates in KY, being a subptropical grass compared to temperate pastures with lower content of cell walls. <strong>Results: </strong>There was a higher proportion (P<0.05) of live grass in KY. There were no differences (P>0.05) among pastures for <em>in vitro </em>nutritional value. There were differences (P<0.05) among pastures and periods for the insoluble fraction fermentation rate (C<sub>B</sub>) and for the interaction between pastures and periods for gas production in 4.0 h of the soluble fraction (A) and the soluble carbohydrate fermentation rate (C<sub>A</sub>), but no differences between pastures, periods or the interaction (P>0.05) for other parameters of ruminal fermentation (lag time and total gas production). <strong>Implications: </strong> Pastures of kikuyu grass associated with white clover have a similar <em>in vitro </em>nutritional value as pastures of temperate grasses representing a valuable forage resource for SSDS. <strong>Conclusion: </strong>In spite of differences in some <em>in vitro </em>ruminal fermentation parameters, the <em>in vitro </em>nutritional value of kikuyu grass pastures associated with white clover is similar to pastures based on temperate grasses with white clover.</p>

Body Condition Score, Rumination, Intake, Milk Production and Milk Composition of Grazing Dairy Cows Supplemented with Rumen-Protected Lysine and Methionine

The study utilised a pasture grazing based, voluntary traffic automatic milking system to investigate milk production of cows fed a pasture-based diet and supplemented with a pellet formulated with vs. without rumen-protected lysine and methionine (RPLM). The study adopted a switch-over design (over two periods of 5 and 10 weeks, respectively) and used 36 cows and equally allocated them into two experimental groups. The RPLM (Trial) pellet had 2% lower crude protein, but similar metabolizable energy content compared to the Control pellet. Pellet intake was 10.0 and 9.4 kg/day/cow. Milk yield was 36.2 and 34.4 kg/day/cow (p = 0.23), and energy corrected milk was 35.1 and 33.8 kg/day/cow (p = 0.076), and milk solids was 2.55 and 2.46 kg/cow/day (p = 0.073) in the Control and Trial groups, respectively. Milk fat%, milk protein%, milk fat: protein ratio, milking frequency and rumination time were not different between the two groups (p > 0.05). In period 1, plasma glucose was 3.1 mmol/L for both groups and milk urea were 150 and 127 mg/L in the Control and Trial groups, respectively. Both plasma glucose (as a proxy for energy supply) and milk urea (as a proxy for nitrogen use efficiency; NUE) were not different between groups (p > 0.05). This study showed that under a grazing pasture system, feeding lactating dairy cows a low protein pellet with RPLM supplementation, maintained milk production performance and NUE, compared with cows fed a high protein Control pellet diet with no RPLM. Further research should assess the long-term (seasonal) effects of feeding a diet formulated with RPLM on cow intake, health and reproductive performance.

Effects of clipping frequency on tiller development of crested wheatgrass and hybrid bromegrass at vegetative and reproductive stages

Information on the tiller development of hybrid bromegrass (Bromus inermis × Bromus riparius) is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of clipping frequency at the vegetative and reproductive stages on the tiller development and concentrations of sugars of c.v ‘AC Knowles’ hybrid bromegrass compared with c.v ‘Kirk’ crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum L.). This experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using the tillers of the vernalized plants dug from the field. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Grasses were clipped once or four times at either vegetative or reproductive stage. Regardless of the growth stage, four clippings reduced the tiller number of hybrid bromegrass by 25.9% compared with the undefoliated control, while single clipping had no impact. The four clippings had no impact on the tiller number of crested wheatgrass, while single clipping increased its tiller number on average by 50.4% at both growth stages. Crested wheatgrass produced 16.6% more tillers than hybrid bromegrass under the single clipping. The two grass species had a similar number of axillary buds under different clipping treatments. The axillary bud size of crested wheatgrass was larger than hybrid bromegrass. All axillary buds were viable under the two clipping treatments for both grasses. Four clippings significantly decreased the stem base glucose concentration of the two grasses and the root sucrose concentration of crested wheatgrass. Hybrid bromegrass was less tolerant to frequent clippings than crested wheatgrass. Therefore, intensive grazing of hybrid bromegrass pasture may result in a thin stand.

Grazing and Supplementation of Dietary Yeast Probiotics Shape the Gut Microbiota and Improve the Immunity of Black Fattening Goats (Capra hircus).

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different feeding modes on the growth performance, gut microbiota, and immunity of Black Fattening Goat (Capra hircus). A total of 30 goats were grouped in three groups by their feeding modes (pasture grazing group, PG; barn feeding group, BF; barn feeding + probiotics, BF + P; n = 10) and the study was performed for 114 days. After a 2-week adaptation period, the first growth performance test was conducted, and the blood and fecal samplings (day 0) were collected on January 17, 2020, while the second and third test and samplings were conducted on days 53 and 100 of feeding. The species-composition of fecal microbiota was analyzed by 16S ribosomal RNA gene-sequencing using PacBio single molecule real time (SMRT) sequencing technology. Both the BF and BF + P groups had the highest (P < 0.05) body’s weight and length, and chest circumference at days 53 and 100, especially at day 100, the body’s weight of both the BF groups were more than 18 kg. The levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were found to be significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the PG and BF + P groups at day 100. The PG group exhibited the highest number of operational taxonomic unit (OTUs) and alpha diversity. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Verrucomicrobia were the predominant phyla in all the fecal samples. The relative abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila and Ruminococcus flavefaciens were found to be significantly higher (P < 0.05) in PG group and BF + P group at day 100, respectively, which might partially explain the significantly higher (P < 0.05) levels of IgA and IgG in these two groups. These findings suggested that BF supplemented with 5 g probiotics (Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mannan oligosaccharides) per day has the potential to enhance the growth and immunity of Black Fattening Goats.

Production of young horse meat when pasture and winter grazing housing under the conditions of forest-steppe area of Transbaikal

The results of research on the meat productivity of horses, the morphological composition of carcasses, the chemical composition of horse meat, its nutritional value and environmental safety have been presented in the article. The content of vitamins and minerals in young horse meat at the age of 6 and 18 months has been established. The chemical composition of pasture grass has been studied. According to the content of vitamins and minerals the environmental safety of young horse meat corresponds to SanPiN 2,3.2. – 1078–01. The carcass weight in foals aged 6 months was 117,3 kg, the slaughter yield was 54,1 %, and in 18 months the carcass weight was 171,4 kg, the slaughter yield was 53,6 %. The yield of by-products of the 1st category was 3,94 and 4,19 kg, respectively, by age. In foals at the age of 6 months, the weight of muscle tissue was 83,6 kg, fat – 5,3 kg, bone – 22,5 kg, connective tissue – 5,9 kg, and at the age of 18 months, the weight of muscle tissue was 121,4 kg, fat – 10,1 kg, bone – 32,2 kg, connective tissue – 7,7 kg. The results of the average meat sample have shown that the meat of foals at the age of 6 months contains 71,7 % water, 21,0 % protein, 6,2 % fat, 1,1 % ash, the caloric content was 1536,4 kcal, and at the age of 18 months, respectively, 70,4, 21,0, 6,0, 6,8, 1,2 % and 1619,2 kcal. The caloric content of meat was higher than at 6 months of age by 82,8 kcal. The benefits of young horse meat are that the amino acids, vitamins and minerals contained in it contribute to the normalization of metabolism in the human body, and the meat itself is a supplier of high-quality animal protein. It has been established that according to the requirements of environmental safety, horse meat meets the maximum permissible concentration of the studied substances according to regulatory documents.

Seasonal patterns of forage quality in six native forb species

The forage value of native forbs is rarely considered in pasture mixtures, even though such species can make up a substantial proportion of the diet of cattle on native rangelands. Incorporating non-leguminous forbs into pasture grazing systems can provide additional ecosystem services such as pollination habitat, and ideally those forbs would also provide some forage value. We therefore assessed the seasonal variation in protein and fiber [neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF)] content of six common western Canadian native forb and sub-shrub species: yarrow (Achillea millefolium), smooth aster (Symphyotricum laeve), prairie crocus (Pulsatilla patens), prairie rose (Rosa arkansana), Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), and American vetch (Vicia americana). The legume V. americana displayed the highest protein followed by S. canadensis and S. laeve. V. americana also has the highest fiber concentration through the growing season. S. canadensis and S. laeve had lower fiber content; thus, making them a good choice for addition in seed mixes to meet the energy and nutrient requirements of cattle. Forb protein and fiber content showed opposite trends during the growing season. Crude protein decreased while NDF and ADF increased as a general pattern tied to physiological stage and degree of senescence. The promising nutritional profile of some forb species suggests that these species should be considered in pasture mixes.

Using Fecal DNA Metabarcoding to Investigate Foraging Reveals the Effects of Specific Herbage on the Improved n-3 Fatty Acid (PUFA) Composition in the Longissimus Dorsi Muscle of Grazing Tan Sheep.

Understanding the natural diet of grazing sheep can help fulfill their nutritional requirements and positively affect the quality of their meat. Emerging fecal DNA (fDNA) metabarcoding technology can provide more accurate estimates for the dietary composition of free-ranging animals. This study has shown that pasture feeding can promote deposition of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in Tan lambs' muscle and decrease the ratio of n-6/n-3 fatty acids (FAs), and thus, we investigated the dietary composition of grazing lambs using fDNA metabarcoding to assess the prevalence of medicinal herbage plants in their diet. Herein, based on the full-time natural pasture grazing and 4-h natural pasture grazing with indoor feeding patterns, the herbage taxa (Bassia scoparia, Euphorbia humifusa, Arnebia euchroma, and Salsola sp.) most correlated to n-3 PUFAs were highlighted to elucidate how diversification in dietary components was associated with the muscle FA profile of lambs. Our findings provide experimental evidence for future feeding research.

Importance of resilient pastures for New Zealand’s agricultural soil carbon stocks

New Zealand’s agricultural pastures contain significant soil carbon (C) stocks that are susceptible to change when impacted by management and natural processes (e.g., climate). Inputs of C to these pastoral soils is through photosynthetic uptake of atmospheric CO2 either on-site or elsewhere. Changes in soil C stocks are in response to the management of the system that alters the input-output balance. Increasing the resilience of pastures to climatic events such as hot and dry summers or cool and wet winters can increase inputs of C to the soil while sustaining above-ground production and so provide an opportunity for C sequestration. Furthermore, increased pasture for grazing can reduce the need for management practices identified as detrimental for soil C stocks such as irrigation or the production of cropped supplemental feed. A reduction in the need for renewal and its associated soil C losses, and the establishment of a more diverse sward, especially if deeper-rooting species are included, has the potential for increasing soil C stocks provided the diversity can be maintained. From a soil C perspective, a resilient pasture maximises CO2 uptake to ensure adequate above- and below-ground inputs to maintain or increase soil C stocks and minimise the need for management activities detrimental to soil C.

Использование и улучшение конских пастбищ в Республике Саха (Якутия): обзор

Исследованы этапы становления лугопастбищного хозяйства Якутии применительно к табунному коневодству со средних веков до нашего времени. В таёжно-мелкодолинной зоне табунного коневодства Якутии необходимая площадь пастбищ для одной взрослой лошади в бесснежный период (165 дней) составляет 5,2 га при урожайности угодий в среднем по 2 т/га в натуральной массе, в зимний период (200 дней) — 11 га при урожайности угодий 0,53 т/га, или в год — 16–17 га. Создание сеяных травостоев из травосмесей регнерии ленской, костреца безостого, ломколосника ситникового, превосходящих по продуктивности естественные природные травостои в 2–2,5 раза, позволяет повысить конеёмкость кормовых угодий в 2 раза. В таёжно-аласной зоне табунного коневодства Центральной Якутии для создания высокопродуктивных сеяных сенокосно-тебенёвочных угодий на аласных лугах рекомендуются кострец безостый сорта Аммачаан и люцерна сорта Якутская жёлтая, а также кострец в чистом виде. Конеёмкость аласных угодий повышается в 1,5–2 раза. Для использования в качестве замороженных тебенёвочных кормов для молодняка в возрасте до 3 лет и маточного поголовья лошадей якутской породы из однолетних культур высокоэффективны овёс, а также овёс с ячменём в два летних срока посева: 25–30 июня — первый срок, 10–15 июля — второй срок. Пробы зелёной массы овса летнего срока посева в замороженном виде (октябрь-март) по кормовым достоинствам мало отличаются от проб зелёной массы овса, взятых на тех же посевах в тёплое время года. Рекомендуемые сроки тебенёвки молодняка — с середины ноября по апрель; сроки тебенёвки маточного поголовья — с февраля по апрель. При этом для рационального тебенёвочного использования угодий необходимо выделять отдельные участки от 5 до 20–25 га каждый. This review provides insights on pasture cultivation in Yakutia from the Middle Ages to these days. In the taiga-bottomland zone of horse herd farming an adult horse requires 5.2 ha of grazing area under grass productivity of 2 t ha-1, while in winter (200 days) — 11 ha under the productivity of 0.53 t ha-1 (16–17 annually). Planting swards of Regneria spp., smooth brome and Russian wildrye increases forage land productivity by 2 times since these crops exceed natural stands in productivity by 2–2.5 times. To obtain high-productive forage lands in the taiga-alas zone of the Central Yakutia smooth brome “Ammachaan” and alfalfa “Yakutskaya zheltaya” are recommended. Alas productivity increases by 1.5–2 times. Oats or oat mixtures with barley (planted on the 25–30th of June or 10–15th of July) are effective in feeding of young horses (up to 3 years old) or breeding stock as frozen feed. Frozen green mass of oats seeded in summer has similar forage characteristics as the one collected in warm period. The best period for young horse grazing is from the middle of November to April; breeding stock — from February to April. It is necessary to separate areas of 5–25 ha for efficient grazing.

Heavy grazing of buffel grass pasture in the Brigalow Belt bioregion of Queensland, Australia, more than tripled runoff and exports of total suspended solids compared to conservative grazing

Loss of sediment and particulate nutrients in runoff from the extensive grazing lands of the Fitzroy Basin, central Queensland, continue to contribute to the declining health of the Great Barrier Reef. This study measured differences in hydrology and water quality from conservative and heavy grazing pressures on rundown improved grass pastures in the Fitzroy Basin. Conservative grazing pressure was defined as the safe long-term carrying capacity for rundown buffel grass pasture, whereas heavy grazing pressure was defined as the recommended stocking rate for newly established buffel grass pasture. Heavy grazing of rundown pasture resulted in 2.5 times more bare ground and only 8% of the pasture biomass compared to conservative grazing. Heavy grazing also resulted in 3.6 times more total runoff and 3.3 times the peak runoff rate compared to conservative grazing. Loads of total suspended solids, nitrogen and phosphorus in runoff were also greater from heavy than conservative grazing.

Isotopic signatures of major methane sources in the coal seam gas fields and adjacent agricultural districts, Queensland, Australia

Abstract. In regions where there are multiple sources of methane (CH4) in close proximity, it can be difficult to apportion the CH4 measured in the atmosphere to the appropriate sources. In the Surat Basin, Queensland, Australia, coal seam gas (CSG) developments are surrounded by cattle feedlots, grazing cattle, piggeries, coal mines, urban centres and natural sources of CH4. The characterization of carbon (δ13C) and hydrogen (δD) stable isotopic composition of CH4 can help distinguish between specific emitters of CH4. However, in Australia there is a paucity of data on the various isotopic signatures of the different source types. This research examines whether dual isotopic signatures of CH4 can be used to distinguish between sources of CH4 in the Surat Basin. We also highlight the benefits of sampling at nighttime. During two campaigns in 2018 and 2019, a mobile CH4 monitoring system was used to detect CH4 plumes. Sixteen plumes immediately downwind from known CH4 sources (or individual facilities) were sampled and analysed for their CH4 mole fraction and δ13CCH4 and δDCH4 signatures. The isotopic signatures of the CH4 sources were determined using the Keeling plot method. These new source signatures were then compared to values documented in reports and peer-reviewed journal articles. In the Surat Basin, CSG sources have δ13CCH4 signatures between −55.6 ‰ and −50.9 ‰ and δDCH4 signatures between −207.1 ‰ and −193.8 ‰. Emissions from an open-cut coal mine have δ13CCH4 and δDCH4 signatures of -60.0±0.6 ‰ and -209.7±1.8 ‰ respectively. Emissions from two ground seeps (abandoned coal exploration wells) have δ13CCH4 signatures of -59.9±0.3 ‰ and -60.5±0.2 ‰ and δDCH4 signatures of -185.0±3.1 ‰ and -190.2±1.4 ‰. A river seep had a δ13CCH4 signature of -61.2±1.4 ‰ and a δDCH4 signature of -225.1±2.9 ‰. Three dominant agricultural sources were analysed. The δ13CCH4 and δDCH4 signatures of a cattle feedlot are -62.9±1.3 ‰ and -310.5±4.6 ‰ respectively, grazing (pasture) cattle have δ13CCH4 and δDCH4 signatures of -59.7±1.0 ‰ and -290.5±3.1 ‰ respectively, and a piggery sampled had δ13CCH4 and δDCH4 signatures of -47.6±0.2 ‰ and -300.1±2.6 ‰ respectively, which reflects emissions from animal waste. An export abattoir (meat works and processing) had δ13CCH4 and δDCH4 signatures of -44.5±0.2 ‰ and -314.6±1.8 ‰ respectively. A plume from a wastewater treatment plant had δ13CCH4 and δDCH4 signatures of -47.6±0.2 ‰ and -177.3±2.3 ‰ respectively. In the Surat Basin, source attribution is possible when both δ13CCH4 and δDCH4 are measured for the key categories of CSG, cattle, waste from feedlots and piggeries, and water treatment plants. Under most field situations using δ13CCH4 alone will not enable clear source attribution. It is common in the Surat Basin for CSG and feedlot facilities to be co-located. Measurement of both δ13CCH4 and δDCH4 will assist in source apportionment where the plumes from two such sources are mixed.

Approximate Modeling of the Uptake of Pesticides by Grass for Grazing Risk Assessment and Pasture Management

Pesticide application on grasslands is a major concern in pastoral farming. To evaluate the uptake of pesticides by grass in grasslands, we developed a three-compartment approximate model that simplified the simulation of pesticide residue levels in grass. In addition, we introduced default safety emission rates (ERSafe0) for pesticides based on simulated pesticide concentrations in grass (CG)—on the surface of grass leaves (CLS) and in the soil (CS)—to help protect against risks to livestock health. The simulated results for 744 pesticides show that, in general, the degradability of pesticides in soil and the octanol–water partition coefficient (KOW) exert a relatively strong influence on the model outputs (e.g., CG and ERSafe0); when the pesticide degradation rate in soil (kS) is greater than approximately 0.01 day–1, there is a positive correlation between degradability and ERSafe0. This indicates that livestock animals (e.g., cattle) have lower risks of exposure to lipophilic pesticides with a high degradability in soil. Other parameters of pesticides, such as their degradability in grass, can also affect their uptake (e.g., the time required to reach the maximum CG value); however, kS and KOW dominate their overall simulated fates. We validated the approximate model by comparing simulated bioconcentration factors (BCFs) with data from the current literature and models and found that the BCFs are consistent when comparing our model and other studies for 86% of the studied pesticides if the steady-state condition is considered. Thus, the simple and approximate model developed in this study can be a useful and practical tool for screening-level risk assessment and pasture management.

A Landscape of Medieval Common Peat Fens: The Lower Witham Valley and Wildmoor, Lincolnshire (UK)

ABSTRACT The peat fen was viewed by landscape improvers of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries as under-utilised land in need of improvement. Two contrasting areas of common peat fen in Lincolnshire are examined to test this contention. It is shown that by the twelfth and early thirteenth century these fens were closely managed. To prevent flooding the adjoining rivers the watercourses were canalised. Drainage channels were cut through the fen to remove water and embankments were constructed to constrain the rivers. Some permanent settlements were established by monasteries in the twelfth century to use the rich pasture for cattle grazing. Other areas were enclosed for meadowland. Instead of considering these as poorly used wetlands which could not be drained, it is argued that their usage was adapted to the different conditions within the peat fens and that this allowed a range of resources to be exploited.

Feeding systems and productive and physiological parameters of lambs raised under heat stress

The objective of this study was to determine physiological parameters (rectal temperature = RT, respiratory rate = RR, heart rate = HR) and production parameters (dry matter intake = DMI, water intake = WI, average daily weight gain = ADG, and feed conversion = FC) of crossbred and Katahdin lambs raised in rotational grazing of native pastures (NP) and in confinement under heat stress conditions. Nine crossbred lambs (average initial weight = 19.4 kg) were used and fed in a rotational grazing system for 70 days with occupation and rest periods of seven and 21 days, respectively. The lambs had daily access to the grazing area for four to six hours, grass hay and water ad libitum, a daily supplement of 100 g of commercial concentrate and a nutritional block. In the confined system, six lambs of the Katahdin breed (average initial weight = 27.3 kg) were used, and for 28 days these were fed total mixed rations (TMR) containing 30% grass hay, 15.4% soybean meal, 54.6% corn grain and a mineral block. The diet contained 14% Crude Protein (CP) and 66% Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) and was formulated for an ADG of 200 g. The offered and rejected feed was quantified every day [4% body weight (BW)/dry matter basis (DMB)] to determine the DMI, and the volume of water offered and rejected to determine WI. To validate the stress conditions, the maximum environmental temperature and relative humidity were monitored to calculate the temperature and humidity index (THI), and the RT, HR and RR of the 15 lambs were determined. The lambs were weighed every seven days. In both experiments, the THI oscillated between 78 and 80. The lambs were under environmental heat stress conditions (THI x̅ = 79) during both studies. The averages of HR and RT in the grazing system were 118.0 beats per minute and 38.6° C, while the averages under the confinement system were 108.6 beats per minute and 39.4° C, respectively. The average RR (53.6 and 62.6 breaths per minute, in grazing and in confinement, respectively) was greater than the normal value considered for thermal comfort. Respiratory rate is the main mechanism used by lambs to dissipate heat. The heart rate also showed slightly higher values than those reported for animals in their comfort zone. However, the rectal temperature values were constant. As expected, crossbred lambs fed under grazing conditions with naturalized pastures (NP) had a low ADG (55.6 g). Nevertheless, Katahdin lambs fed in confinement with TMR had a DMI of 935.4 g/day (3.14% BW/DMB), a WI of 3.5 L/day, a FC of 4.74 and an ADG of 226.2 g. In conclusion, raising crossbred sheep in rotational grazing of NP without any type of agronomic management results in ADG that could not be considered viable in traditional production systems. The introduction of pure breeds and feeding them in confined systems with a TMR results in a pre-determined ADG (&gt;200 g/day) and is an alternative that can be evaluated economically for its practical implementation.

Use of Clean Energy in On-Farm Livelihood Security

Livelihood security in rural areas can be broadly divided into three categories based on land use as primary criterion. Livelihood such as agricultural production depends on land. All such predominantly land dependent activities are covered under on-farm livelihood options. These include cultivation of paddy, wheat, vegetables, etc. Those livelihood activities that do not require cultivation but are of manufacturing or service category are called non-farm activities. These include input and output services for agriculture, agro-processing, transport, education, health, warehousing, retailing, etc. There are some activities which do not require large amount of land ownership are covered under off-farm category. These include goatery, poultry, fishery, dairy, etc. They may require access to pasture for grazing, which can be part of community or forest land. On the basis of livelihood activities practiced by households in rural areas the clean energy requirement will vary. Current study emphasizes on successful development of solar operative irrigation appliances mounted over bi-cycle. On farm use of one such case study has been deliberated from rural areas of South Odisha where the diffusion of clean energy products has taken place.

74 Production Responses of an Alternative Beef Cow-calf System

Abstract A two-yr study was conducted to measure reproductive responses of an alternative cow-calf production system. Multiparous, crossbred cows (n = 160; average age = 5.7 ± 2.8 yrs-old) were utilized, per yr, in a generalized randomized bock design and unstructured treatment design. In yr one, cows were blocked by origin source and age, randomly assigned to one of two production systems, each with four replicates (n = 20 cows/rep). Once allotted to treatment and replicate, cows remained in assigned treatment for the duration of their productive life. Treatments were: 1) traditional extensive spring calving system utilizing perennial pasture and corn residue grazing (TRAD); 2) alternative fall-calving system utilizing confinement, summer-planted oats, and corn residue grazing (ALT). Breeding body condition score (BCS) was greater (P &amp;lt; 0.01) for TRAD compared to ALT (6.45 vs. 5.47 ± 0.159, respectively). There were no differences (P ≥ 0.24) in conception rates (93.86 vs. 94.14 ± 2.26 %), pregnancy loss (4.37 vs. 5.62 ± 1.86 %), calving rates (89.50 vs. 88.49 ± 3.06 %), and weaning rates (86.88 vs. 82.50 ± 3.08 %) for TRAD and ALT, respectively. There was no difference (P = 0.47) in calf body weight at birth (40 vs. 39 ± 1.0 kg) for TRAD and ALT, respectively. Weaning BCS was greater (P &amp;lt; 0.01) for TRAD compared to ALT (5.71 vs. 5.27 ± 0.048). Calves in the TRAD system had greater (P &amp;lt; 0.001) wean BW (237 vs. 185 ± 3.7 kg) compared to ALT calves. Cows from TRAD system had greater (P &amp;lt; 0.001) kg weaned per cow exposed to bulls (208 vs. 151 ± 6.3 kg) compared to ALT cows. Results indicate no difference in reproductive performance among systems. The extensive spring-calving system produced heavier calves at weaning, leading to more kg of calf weaned per cow exposed.

Estimation of diet organic matter digestibility in grazing dairy cows

ABSTRACT Precise and continual information on the energy supply from pasture is mandatory for managing grazing ruminants. Therefore, estimating the organic matter (OM) digestibility from faecal crude protein concentration using the regression equation, OM digestibility [%] = 79.76–107.7 · e(−0.01515 · faecal crude protein [g/kg OM]), is known to be a suitable tool. However, essential information regarding faeces sampling times and the required number of samples are not yet available. We therefore analysed the OM digestibility data of an experiment with dairy cows grazing two pasture types and receiving two concentrate types over 6 d in three independent runs. Both pasture type and grazing day affected the OM digestibility estimates, whereas concentrate type and intake did not, indicating that this method reliably detects small changes in OM digestibility of pasture without being interfered by moderate concentrate supplementation, selective grazing behaviour or differences in feed intake. Likewise, as sampling time did not influence OM digestibility, faeces sampling once daily can be recommended to be sufficient for an accurate estimation of OM digestibility. The variance within pasture type and grazing day amounted for 1.1 percentage units of estimated OM digestibility, which enabled to define the minimum sample number required to detect given differences in OM digestibility with adequate statistical certainty. In conclusion, estimating OM digestibility from faecal crude protein concentration is an applicable and sensitive method to reliably detect differences in the quality of ingested pasture using a limited number of animals. Therefore, instructions for faeces sample collection were provided.

Hydro‐physical soil properties as influenced by short and long‐term integrated crop–livestock agroecosystems

AbstractIntegration of cover crops and livestock (ICLS) in an existing corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cropping system can be an effective strategy to improve soil physical and hydrological properties. Three on‐farm long‐term (≥30 yr) sites (Sites 1, 2 and 3) and one short‐term (3 yr) experimental site (Site 4) with a randomized block design in eastern South Dakota were selected to evaluate the impacts of ICLS on soil physical and hydrological properties. At Sites 1, 2, and 3, the following long‐term management systems were compared: ICLS (corn/grazing–soybean/grazing–cover crop/grazing), control (CNT, corn–soybean with no cover crop and no grazing), and a grazed pasture (GP). At Site 4, the treatments included ICLS (corn/grazing–soybean/grazing–oat [Avena sativa L.]–cover crop/grazing], cover crop (corn–soybean–oat–cover crop with no grazing), CNT (corn–soybean–oat without cover crop and grazing), and GP. Data showed that soil organic carbon (SOC) was higher by 20–26% and bulk density was lower by 18–37% in long‐term ICLS compared with CNT. Long‐term ICLS also improved soil water retention, macroporosity, infiltration rate, and total porosity compared with the CNT. However, these properties were not affected by short‐term ICLS at Site 4. The GP had the lower soil bulk density and higher SOC and infiltration rate compared with ICLS and the CNT except at Site 4. This study showed that long‐term integration of cover crops and livestock grazing under ICLS can be beneficial in enhancing soil physical and hydrological properties. However, whether such integration improves other soil quality parameters and crop yield requires further investigation.