Hay Storage Research Articles

Caracterização microbiológica, valor nutricional e digestibilidade do feno de aveia preta sob efeito do cultivo antecessor crotalária ou milho

ABSTRACT: The present study assessed the influence of the preceding crop (crotalaria or corn) on the bromatological, digestibility and microbiological aspects of the EMBRAPA 139 black oat hay (Avena strigosa) cultivar. A randomized block design was used, with subplots divided according to time, whereby the preceding crop (crotalaria or corn) was allocated to the main plot and hay storage times (baling, 30, 60 and 90 days of storage) to the subplots, with five repetitions. Crotalaria as predecessor resulted in lower indigestible fiber and higher protein contents in black oat hay, both in acid detergent, as well as higher pH. Corn as the preceding crop provided better hay digestibility due to lower neutral detergent insoluble protein content and higher in vitro neutral detergent fiber digestibility. The preceding crop did not significantly affect the drying time of forage and the microorganism population.

145 4-H does more than show to grow: Rebuilding educational opportunities and emphasizing positive youth development in a previously show-only focused program

The pandemic temporarily altered program delivery resulting in agents exploring and pivoting to new delivery methods and areas of focus. The Florida 4-H Area North Horse Show Program (ANHS) utilized these shifts to critically evaluate and redevelop its mission. Although a cornerstone of any horse program is competing in shows, it is only one aspect of a positive youth development (PYD) equine program, Eighty-six percent of youth surveyed (n = 22) in 2022 indicated the show was important or very important to their 4-H year, however, < 50% who only participate in the show reported development related to knowledge gain and skill building, which has been an observable long-term challenge. The objective of the ANHS was to adjust and expand non-riding opportunities, building knowledge and skills beyond the arena, and encouraging horseless project engagement. To accomplish this, agents and specialists strategically developed and delivered a suite of educational program activities over 3 years to complement the annual show. Specific program activities included a webinar series (2020+), goal-oriented virtual riding challenges (2020) where youth logged > 780 equine contact hours, 3 multi-county clinics (2020+), and an expert-led youth symposium (2022) to improve comprehension of industry knowledge, horsemanship and sportsmanship. Equine sciencesubject matter included topics in behavior and welfare, pasture management, veterinary skills and emergency preparedness, genetics, body condition scoring and diet management. All program activities incorporated life skills of empathy, sportsmanship, goal setting, responsibility, and independence. When only focused on shows, ANHS reached 65 youth in 2019. As a result of the newly modified programming, the ANHS reached 198 youth in 2022, a 205% increase in total program participation with a complimentary increase in show entries. PYD concepts demonstrated included peer mentorship (97%, n = 40) and increased confidence interacting with peers and industry leaders (97%, n = 54). Additionally, 88–100% (n = 16) of participants indicated improved understanding/intended implementation of applied knowledge (e.g., assessing strengths/weaknesses in their hay storage and feeding practices and comprehension of equine welfare). This adaptive, collaborative approach to providing enhanced educational opportunities for participants has been successful in rebounding post-pandemic interruptions and building a district level culture with further implications for designing PYD horse programs.

Small terrestrial mammals (Rodentia and Soricomorpha) along a gradient of forest anthropisation (reserves, managed forests, urban parks) in France.

Understanding the relationships between wildlife biodiversity and zoonotic infectious diseases in a changing climate is a challenging issue that scientists must address to support further policy actions. We aim at tackling this challenge by focusing on small mammal-borne diseases in temperate forests and large urban green spaces. Small mammals are important reservoirs of zoonotic agents, with a high transmission potential for humans and domestic animals. Forests and large urban green spaces are ecosystems where efforts are undertaken to preserve biodiversity. They are put forward for their contribution to human well-being in addition to other ecosystem services (e.g. provisioning and regulating services). Moreover, forests and large urban green spaces are environments where small mammals are abundant and human/domestic-wildlife interactions are plausible to occur. These environments are, therefore, focal points for conservation management and public health issues. The European Biodiversa BioRodDis project (https://www6.inrae.fr/biodiversa-bioroddis) aims at better understanding the relationships between small terrestrial mammal biodiversity and health in the context of global change and, in particular, of forest anthropisation and urbanisation. Here, we present the data gathered in France. The dataset will enable us to describe the diversity of small terrestrial mammal communities in forested areas corresponding to different levels of anthropisation and to evaluate the variability of this diversity over time, between seasons and years.The dataset contains occurrences of small terrestrial mammals (Rodentia and Soricomorpha) trapped in forested areas in eastern France (administrative Departments: Rhône, Ain, Jura). The sampling sites correspond to different degrees of anthropisation. Forests included in biological reserves are the least anthropised sites. Then, public forests and urban parks experience increasing levels of anthropisation. Data were collected during spring and autumn 2020 (three to four sampling sites), 2021 (six sampling sites) and 2022 (four sampling sites). These variations in the number of sites between years were due to lockdown restrictions in 2020 or to the legal authorisation to trap around biological reserves granted in 2021 only. The capture of animals was carried out in various types of forests (pine, deciduous, mixed) and in different habitats within urban parks (wooded areas, buildings, hay storage yards, riverside vegetation, restaurants, playground for kids, botanical garden, landfills). Animals were captured using live traps that were set on the ground for one to 11 nights. During this study period, 1593 small mammals were trapped and identified. They belong to 15 species, amongst which were nine species of rodents (Muridae, Cricetidae, Gliridae) and six species of shrews (Soricidae). They were weighted (gram) and measured (cm): head-body length, tail length and hind-foot length. Sexual characteristics were also recorded.

Longitudinal Investigation of the Native Grass Hay from Storage to Market Reveals Mycotoxin-Associated Fungi.

This study aimed to characterize the fungal diversity and mycotoxin concentrations of native grass hay in various storage periods. In the present study, the native grass hay samples were collected when stored for 0 d (D0 group), 30 d (D30 group), and 150 d (D150 group), respectively. Here, mycotoxin analyses combined with ITS gene sequence were performed to reveal the changes in response to the storage period. There were notable differences in deoxynivalenol and aflatoxin B1 concentrations among the three groups. Compared to the D150 group, the diversity of the fungal community was higher in the D0 and D30 groups, which indicating the diversity was significantly influenced by the storage period. No significant (p > 0.05) difference was observed among the three groups on the dominant phyla. Interestingly, a significant (p < 0.05) difference was also observed in Chactomella and Aspergillus among the three groups, the abundance of the Chactomella was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased and the abundance of Aspergillus was statistically (p < 0.05) increased in the D150 group. Correlation analysis of the association of fungi with mycotoxin could provide a comprehensive understanding of the structure and function of the fungal community. These results indicated that the good practices of storage are essential for the prevention of mycotoxin. The information contained in the present study is vital for the further development of strategies for hay storage with high quality in the harsh Mongolian Plateau ecosystem.

62 Transitioning the Alabama Bermudagrass Hay Summit to a Virtual Workshop

Abstract The Bermudagrass Hay Summit is an in-state Extension workshop that began in 2017. The objective of this workshop has been to provide recent updates and advanced information to bermudagrass hay producers in Northern Alabama. Topics have included insect pests, weed control, soil nutrients, and hay storage techniques. In 2021, organizers of the meeting were left with the conundrum of canceling the event or converting the event into a virtual-only platform as current Alabama Cooperative Extension guidelines would not allow an in-person meeting. As a result of deciding to convert the meeting to a virtual format, the organizers broaden the promotion of the event. The meeting was a 6-hour workshop with multiple speakers. The videoconferencing software Zoom (Zoom Video Communications, Inc., San Jose, CA) was used to register and deliver the workshop. The workshop was advertised on social media, through an Extension communications press release, email blasts, and word of mouth. All presentations were delivered remotely from different locations across Alabama. To ensure technology problems could be resolved quickly, an Extension information technology specialist participated in the videoconference, as well as a graduate student to communicate any chat questions/discussions from participants and assist individual participants as necessary. There were 129 people registered for the meeting, a 1,075% increase over the average from the four previous years (12 participants). Of those registered, 26% were out of state and 1 participant was out of the US. Even though the platform was virtual, the overall satisfaction of the meeting did not change in 2021 (4.7 on a 5-point scale) compared with 2020 (4.8 on a 5-point scale). While it is important to continue in-person and one-on-one interactions in Extension, the ability to provide virtual or hybrid events will allow Extension agents to be relevant to a broader audience, as well as inform potential clients of Extension’s mission.

The effect of subjective norm on farmer behaviour in utilizing rice straw as feed in Barru district

Farmer behaviour is influenced by their social environment. The research objective was to determine the effect of subjective norms on farmer behaviour in using rice straw as feed. The research was conducted from January to March 2020 in Tompo Village, Barru Sub District, Barru District, which is one of the centers for developing Balinese cattle. The survey was conducted with farmers who used rice straw as feed by trained enumerators. The total population was 275 people and the number of respondents was 73 respondents which were determined by the simple random sampling method. Data analysis used the F test and t test using multiple linear regression models with the dependent variable of farmer behaviour in utilizing rice straw with criteria namely behaviour in hay storage, behaviour in processing and the technique of using straw as feed. The independent variables consist of extension agents influences (X1), family influences (X2), group influences (X3) and neighbour influences (X4). The results showed farmer dominantly stored their straw in a non-permanent warehouse. The technique of giving it to livestock was mixing salt and used it in the dry season. Factors that influence farmer behaviour in utilizing rice straw as feed are family (P<0.01) and neighbour influence (P<0.05). The family plays an important role in providing labour to collect hay, and neighbours become a model for other farmers to use rice straw as feed. Extension workers and groups are not a role model for breeders to adopt the technology of utilizing rice straw as feed in Barru district.

Development of a linear programming model for the optimal allocation of nutritional resources in a dairy herd

A linear programming model that selects the optimal cropping plan and feeds allocation for diets to minimize the whole dairy farm feed costs was developed. The model was virtually applied on 29 high-yielding Holstein-Friesian herds, confined, total mixed ration dairy farms. The average herd size was 313.2 ± 144.1 lactating cows and the average land size was 152.2 ± 92.5 ha. Farm characteristics such as herd structure, nutritional grouping strategies, feed consumption, cropping plan, intrinsic farm limitations (e.g., silage and hay storage availability, water for irrigation, manure storage) and on farm produced forage costs of production were collected from each farm for the year 2017. Actual feeding strategies, land availability, herd structure, crop production costs and yields, and milk and feed market prices for the year 2017 were used as model inputs. Through optimization, the feeding system was kept equal to the actual farm practice. The linear program formulated diets for each animal group to respect actual herd dry matter intake and fulfill actual consumption of crude protein, rumen-degradable and rumen-undegradable fractions of crude protein, net energy for lactation, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, forage neutral detergent fiber, and nonfiber carbohydrate. Production levels and herd composition were considered to remain constant as the nutritional requirement would remain unchanged. The objective function was set to minimize the whole-farm feed costs including cash crop sales as income, and crop production costs and purchased feed costs as expenses. Optimization improved income over feed costs by reducing herd feed costs by 7.8 ± 6.4%, from baseline to optimized scenario, the improved was explained by lower feed costs per kilogram of milk produced due to a higher feed self-sufficiency and higher income from cash crop. In particular, the model suggested to maximize, starting from baseline to optimized scenario, the net energy for lactation (+8.5 ± 6.3%) and crude protein (+3.6 ± 3.1%) produced on farm, whereas total feed cost (€/100 kg of milk) was greater in the baseline (20.4 ± 2.3) than the optimized scenario (19.0 ± 1.9), resulting in a 6.7% feed cost reduction with a range between 0.49% and 21.6%. This meant €109 ± 96.9 greater net return per cow per year. The implementation of the proposed linear programming model for the optimal allocation of the nutritional resources and crops in a dairy herd has the potential to reduce feed cost of diets and improve the farm feed self-sufficiency.

Nutritional value of tifton 85 bermudagrass at two cutting heights and different times of storage

The goal of this study was to assess the dehydration curve and nutritional value of Tifton 85 bermudagrass at two cutting heights from ground level (4 and 8 cm) during 120 days of storage in a closed shed. The dehydration curve was determined using samples from the entire plant at eight different times. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with plots subdivided per times and five replicates. The second step consisted of assessing the nutritional value of the stored Tifton 85 bermudagrass in randomized blocks with plots subdivided per times and two treatments per plot: cutting height of four and eight centimeters from the ground, and five different times for the subplots, with five replicates. Dehydration of Tifton 85 bermudagrass at the two heights occurred in 48 hours, considered an ideal time for hay drying. The dry matter content responded quadratically to the time of storage of the two heights, only differing during baling and after 120 days of storage. Crude protein content had a quadratic behavior in the two cutting heights, with the smallest value after 30 days of storage (107.0 g kg-1) and the largest after 90 days (147.8 g kg-1) in the cutting height of eight centimeters. The ether extract exhibited a quadratic behavior in the two cutting heights, only differing after 90 days of storage. The neutral detergent fiber content had linear positive response according to the time of storage, with no difference between the cutting heights. For the neutral detergent fiber content in the two cutting heights, the quadratic regression model was the best fit to the data, differing between the heights after 30 and 60 days of storage. In vitro dry matter digestibility and in vitro cell wall digestibility values of the stored hay were lower than the values obtained at the time of cutting. Cutting performed at four centimeters from the ground was the most suitable for hay production due to higher dry matter production and nutritional value without difference between bailing treatments. Hay storage caused undesirable changes in the nutritional value, especially in fiber content and in vitro digestibility.

Identification of Spacial Pattern in Productive House of Pottery Craftsmen

The research goals were to identify a spacial pattern in craftsmen house and to see its relevance to the social-cultural life of the craftsmen. The existence of domestic and economic activity in craftsmen house creates a spacial pattern with particular characteristics. Data were collected through direct observation, interviews, and visual documentation to record productive house, settlement condition, and sequences of pottery production. The in-depth interview focused on the use of time, space, and house modification in craftsmen house. House in the craftsmen settlement was growing gradually by adjusting to the inhabitant's needs. This research was included in qualitative research that described observation results and then analyzed spacial pattern formed in craftsmen house. Research results show that in this settlement beside the mixed, balanced, and separated type of productive house, there is also pottery collectors house type. The changes in the productive house are related to housing adaptation or house adjustment to accommodate production process. The settlement orientation is along the streets, but the existence of open space in the form of pottery kiln and hay storage become the main orientation for productive spaces inside the craftsmen house. Pottery kiln and hay storage have become open cultural space that characterizes the pottery craftsmen settlement.

Self-insurance and multi-peril grassland crop insurance: the case of French suckler cow farms

Purpose – From the perspectives of the probable replacement of the national calamity funds by multi-peril grassland insurance, the purpose of this paper is to estimate demand for grassland production insurance. Design/methodology/approach – A discrete stochastic programming model with a three-year planning horizon was used to run simulations for farms raising suckler cows primarily with grasslands. In this model, the annual area insured and some production decisions are optimized under grasland yield uncertainty, with possible ex post production-system adjustments. The effects of insurance loading cost (14 levels), insurance coverage level (three levels), risk aversion (two levels) and stock levels (forage and animal stocks vary according to grassland yields and to farm management of the previous years) were analyzed. Findings – The results show that grassland insurance could be used as a flexible risk management tool, when farm becomes vulnerable to fodder shortfall. According to previous years’ grassland yields and to the subsequent states of hay stock and animal liveweight, the area insured could vary between nearly the none and full. Farmers with low-average stocking rate and important hay storage capacity have less incentive to buy grassland insurance. The author also demonstrates that for a given loading cost, more insurance is purchased at a coverage level of 70 percent of average yield than at higher coverage levels. The cost of self-insurance increases for important and rare losses while multi-peril grassland insurance premium decreases. Higher levels of risk aversion also raise the quantity of insurance subscribed. Eventually, insurance price is a key factor. Almost no insurance is bought for loading costs greater than 1.1 under low-risk aversion and for loading costs greater than 1.3 under moderate risk aversion. Research limitations/implications – The willingness to pay for insurance could have been overestimated for different reasons. First, basis risks have not been introduced in the simulation framework. Although the Forage Production Index performed quite well, basis risks are high enough to trigger inappropriate indemnifications in some cases. Consequences of these risks should be estimated in further research. Second, other self-insurance options and public emergency measures such as subsidized loan or reduction in social security contributions should also be considered to assess and reduce farmers vulnerability to risks. Practical implications – The launching of the multi-peril grassland insurance is likely to be successful thanks to the 65 percent of public subsidies on insurance premiuml. However, considering that the loading cost is likely to be high and that demand for grassland production insurance is rather low, multi-peril grassland production insurance may struggle to continue unsubsidized. Originality/value – This paper provides a framework that enables to estimate demand for grassland production insurance factoring in substitution with self-insurance and taking into account successive risks.

Gas Exchanges and Dehydration in Different Intensities of Conditioning in Tifton 85 Bermudagrass: Nutritional Value during Hay Storage.

The present study aimed at evaluating the intensity of Tifton 85 conditioning using a mower conditioner with free-swinging flail fingers and storage times on dehydration curve, fungi presence, nutritional value and in vitro digestibility of Tifton 85 bermudagrass hay dry matter (DM). The dehydration curve was determined in the whole plant for ten times until the baling. The zero time corresponded to the plant before cutting, which occurred at 11:00 and the other collections were carried out at 8:00, 10:00, 14:00, and 16:00. The experimental design was randomised blocks with two intensities of conditioning (high and low) and ten sampling times, with five replications. The high and low intensities related to adjusting the deflector plate of the free iron fingers (8 and 18 cm). In order to determine gas exchanges during Tifton 85 bermudagrass dehydration, there were evaluations of mature leaves, which were placed in the upper middle third of each branch before the cutting, at every hour for 4 hours. A portable gas analyser was used by an infrared IRGA (6400xt). The analysed variables were photosynthesis (A), stomatal conductance (gs), internal CO2 concentration (Ci), transpiration (T), water use efficiency (WUE), and intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi). In the second part of this study, the nutritional value of Tifton 85 hay was evaluated, so randomised blocks were designed in a split plot through time, with two treatments placed in the following plots: high and low intensity of cutting and five different time points as subplots: cutting (additional treatment), baling and after 30, 60, and 90 days of storage. Subsequently, fungi that were in green plants as well as hay were determined and samples were collected from the grass at the cutting period, during baling, and after 30, 60, and 90 days of storage. It was observed that Tifton 85 bermudagrass dehydration occurred within 49 hours, so this was considered the best time for drying hay. Gas exchanges were more intense before cutting, although after cutting they decreased until ceasing within 4 hours. The lowest values of acid detergent insoluble nitrogen were obtained with low conditioning intensity after 30 days of storage, 64.8 g/kg DM. The in vitro dry matter of Tifton 85 bermudagrass did not differ among the storage times or the conditioning intensities. There was no fungi present in the samples collected during the storage period up to 90 days after dehydration, with less than 30 colony forming units found on plate counting. The use of mower conditioners in different intensities of injury did not speed up the dehydration time of Tifton 85.

Lessons from the Dzud: Community-Based Rangeland Management Increases the Adaptive Capacity of Mongolian Herders to Winter Disasters

• We studied herder communities with and without community-based natural resource management (CBNRM). • Mobility and storage were the most important strategies to limit livestock losses. • CBNRM herders scored higher on major indicators of adaptive capacity. • Knowledge exchange, information access, linking social capital, and proactive behavior increased adaptive capacity. • To strengthen adaptive capacity institutional constraints must be removed. We investigated the role of formal community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) in responding and adapting to the 2009–10 winter weather disaster in Mongolia, by comparing herders’ adaptation strategies and adaptive capacity in communities with and without formal CBNRM. Livestock mobility and forage and hay storage were the most important strategies for limiting livestock loss, but these depended on resource pooling and exchange strategies. CBNRM herders demonstrated greater adaptive capacity than non-CBNRM herders, due to greater knowledge exchange, information access, linking social capital, and proactive behavior. Social factors mediate and institutional constraints limit the implementation of adaptive strategies in Mongolia.

English

This study was conducted to generate information on the dynamics in nutritional qualities of natural pasture hay as affected by harvesting stage, storage method and storage duration at Holetta representing cool tropical environment in the central highlands of Ethiopia. The study was designed with a factorial combinations of four harvesting stages/times (mid-October, late-October, mid-November, late-November), two storage methods (open-air, shelter shade) and five storage durations (zero, two, four, six and eight months). Crude protein (CP), in vitro OM digestibility (IVOMD), metabolizable energy (ME), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and lignin contents in the hay were significantly (P &lt; 0.05) affected by harvesting stages, storage methods and storage durations. The mean CP content was reduced by 30.2%, while both IVOMD and ME contents were reduced by 17.8% each with the delay in harvesting time from mid-October (full heading stage of the pasture) to late-November (one and half months past the full heading stage). On the other hand, the mean of NDF, ADF and lignin contents were increased by 13.8, 21.6 and 36.0%, respectively with the delay in harvesting time within the specified periods. Harvesting during late-October resulted in higher yields of DM (6.83 t/ha), CP (0.48 t/ha) and digestible OM yield (3.77 t/ha) than the other harvests suggesting that late-October is the ideal harvesting time for producing large quantity of better quality hay from natural pasture in the area. The nutritional qualities of the hay also showed considerable dynamism during the eight months storage period both under shade and in open air storage methods. However, the regression analysis indicated that daily rates of changes in nutritional qualities (the rates of decline in CP content and IVOMD, and the rates of increase in the fiber fractions) during storage were higher when the hay was stored in open air than under shade. The result generally showed that in terms of contents of the important nutritional parameters (CP, IVOMD, ME, NDF, ADF and lignin), hay-based feeding could be detrimental to the nutrition of dairy cattle with the delay in harvesting beyond the late-October. Substantial reductions in nutritional qualities were also observed during storage with higher rates of nutrient losses when the hay was stored in open-air than under shade. Therefore, current findings should be supported by further animal performance studies in order to establish proper supplementation schemes considering harvesting stage, storage method and storage duration in hay-based feeding system of dairy cattle in the highlands of Ethiopia. &nbsp; Key words: Native pasture hay, harvesting stage, hay storage, nutritional qualities, cool highlands.

Changes in Tifton 85 bermudagrass hay storage in the field or under shed

The variations of chemical composition, and occurrence of fungi in Tifton 85 bermudagrass hay stored in the field or under shed for 30 days were evaluated. The desing used was completely randomized design with plots subdivided by time with two storage systems, four assessment periods. After 30 days, crude protein was reduced and acid detergent insoluble protein (ADIP) contents increased, with low occurrence of fungi Aspergillus, Rizophus, and Cladosporium and high occurrence of Geotrichium, Phoma, Penici- llium, and Diploccocum.

Nová uplatnění jetelovinotravních směsek ve struktuře pícnin na orné půdě

The use of clover-grasses in the structure of fodder crops grown on arable soil, especially those with intergeneric hybrids as the main component part, could avert the negative current trend, i.e. further decreasing the area of perennial fodder plants or fodder crops as a whole on arable soil. They have an irreplaceable role in crop sequences and in preserving the cultural character of the countryside, above all due to the fact that they improve soil fertility and microbial life in the soil and that they have an excellent pre-produce value, and, at the same time, they are applied in various farming systems (both conventional and ecological) and in various climatic conditions, and agricultural businesses are well equipped for growing, harvesting and storing them. In the Czech Republic, the area of fodder crops grown on arable soil was decreased from 1,019.9 thousand hectares to mere 396.7 thousand hectares between 1980 and 2009, which is 15.6 % of the total area of arable soil whereas perennial fodder plants only take up 8.5 %. Fodder from clover crops and clover-grass growths on arable soil are one of the main resources of voluminous fodder for dairy cows. Most of this fodder is preserved through a fermentation process (silages, hay storage); a smaller part is fed as fresh fodder, or serves for production of hay. Silages made with perennial fodder plants are the most important source of both proteins and other nutrients for ruminants, especially for high-yielding milch cows. The basis of fodder production systems are the conservative elements of the landscape area (geomorphology) in combination with the progressive elements (weather conditions, plants and human labour) and relict ones, the representative of which is the soil. The fodder production systems in Europe are divided into five main fodder production zones. From this point of view, the areas where short-term clover-grass mixtures are grown on arable soil could be classed with Zone 4, i.e. intensive fodder production and cattle breeding. This characterisation corresponds with the Vysočina Region (the Czech Republic), which is the focus of our work even though extensive breeding can be found in this area on a smaller scale as well. Therefore, our aim was to verify the production and qualitative parameters of the fodder crops and mixtures included in the test in chosen agricultural businesses in the Vysočina Region and to recommend the most suitable variant for the given area. A statistically significant correlative relationship (P &lt; 0.05) was proved between the net energy for lactation contents and the percentage of organic matter digestibility. The evaluation of the production parameters evidently shows the favourable influence of the grass component part or of intergeneric hybrids on the stability of dry matter yield per hectare as well as on the stability of individual nutrients.

Potential dangers of hay bailing

Individuals engaged in farming have higher risks of injury and death from trauma than many other workers. Fatalities most often involve tractor-related incident such as roll-overs. Although it is also recognized that farm machinery may result in serious injuries and death, little has been reported on problems associated with hay baling, transport and storage. Case 1: A 43-year-old man trying to dislodge jammed hay in a hay baler had either been pulled, or had fallen, into the baler, where he had been crushed, rotated and then cocooned within a hay bale. The body showed extensive blunt trauma to the head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis and limbs, with burning from a fire that subsequently started within the overheated machine. Case 2: A 58-year-old man was crushed between the moving arms of a hay shuttle and a safety fence. Death was attributed to blunt chest and abdominal trauma with crush asphyxia. Case 3: A 56-year-old man fell some distance from the top of stacked hay bales fracturing his neck and causing virtual transection of his cervical spinal cord. These cases demonstrate rare forms of farm deaths that may be associated with the creation (baling), moving (shuttling) and storage of hay bales. All forms of farm machinery should be treated circumspectly, given the possibility that serious injury or death may result from inattention or inappropriate handling. Temporary stacking of hay bales may create high work platforms that risk falls with lethal consequences.

Assessment of an indirect technique to predict hay and silage storage dry matter losses through Monte Carlo simulation

Control of dry matter losses (DML) is a major concern of forage conservation systems. Measuring DML during hay and silage storage is difficult and time-consuming, so it is usually limited to experimental conditions. The lack of a practical way of measuring DML to monitor forage conservation efficiency has contributed to the poor adoption of good practices. The availability of a practical, easy, and economic technique capable of estimating on-farm DML would facilitate advisory and extension work. The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy and precision of an indirect technique based on compositional changes to estimate storage DML for silages and hays. Data were generated through a Monte Carlo simulation developed to test the effects of type of data distribution (normal or log-normal), variability (5 and 10% coefficient of variation), and sample size (1000, 30, 20, and 10). Results indicated that potential markers (acid detergent fibre and acid detergent lignin were explored) had log-normal distribution and that a coefficient of variation of ~10% was reasonable. Summary statistic analysis showed that means and medians were coherent for different sample sizes. It was concluded that changes in marker concentrations could lead to a reasonably robust system of predicting DML during hay or silage storage.

Adaptation strategies to pasture degradation: Gap between government and local nomads in the eastern Tibetan Plateau

In the last decade, there has been increasing interest in climate change, pasture degradation and its driving forces, and innovations in nomadic pastoralism on the Tibetan Plateau. However, little is known of indigenous strategies of adaptation to pasture degradation, which limits the effectiveness of adaptation strategies planned by local government. This paper analyzes nomads’ strategies of adaptation to pasture degradation on the basis of a field survey of three townships of Dalag County in the source regions of the Yangtze and Yellow rivers. Pastures there have evidently degraded, with pastures in Wasai mainly in a state of slight or medium degradation and those in Manzhang and Jianshe in a state of medium or severe degradation. With the degradation of pasture, the grazing time is reduced, which affects the livelihoods of nomads. Although the Four-Package Project has commenced in this region, there is still severe fodder shortage in winter and spring. The traditional hay storage strategy does not work because of pasture degradation, and few nomads establish fenced and artificial pastures. Therefore, nomads have employed other strategies, such as renting pasture, providing supplementary feed, and diversifying their livelihoods. Local strategies taken by nomads can provide valuable insights into ecological restoration and livelihood improvement in the region and suggest changes to means promoted by local government. It is necessary to seek new means that combine the best aspects of nomadic pastoralism with modern stockbreeding technologies to help nomads adapt to pasture degeneration and improve their livelihoods.

Use of conditioners in the production of Tifton 85 grass hay

The objectives of this study were to estimate the curve of dehydration, bromatological composition and occurrence of fungi in Tifton 85 grass, submitted to four methods of dehydration. The curves of dehydration were studied in a completely randomized design with a 4 × 11 factorial scheme with four drying systems (1 conditioning + 1 turn-over; 2 conditionings + 1 turn-over; no conditioning + 1 turn-over and no conditioning + 2 turn-overs) and 11 sampling times (0, 3, 15, 18, 21, 24, 39, 42, 45 and 47 hours after the cutting), with six replicates. For the bromatological composition and fungi occurrence, the experimental design was completely randomized in a 4 × 3 factorial scheme with the four drying methods of Tifton 85 grass and three periods of evaluation (before the cutting, at the time of the baling and 30 days after storage) with six replicates. It was found that after the first hour after cutting and at the end of the period of dehydration, Tifton 85 plants that were treated with conditioners showed higher levels of dry matter. Stored hay that was treated with conditioners presented higher levels of acid detergent insoluble protein. Until baling, the drying methods did not alter the crude protein content of hay; however, after storage, the hay submitted only to turn-over showed crude protein content higher (13.90%) than those submitted to conditioners (9.94%). There was an increase in the occurrence of fungi after storage, but the application of conditioners and one turn-over resulted in lower CUF/g, compared with other treatments, enhancing the effect of conditioners on accelerating the dehydration rate and obtaining better hay storage conditions

Incorporating farmer observations in efforts to manage bovine tuberculosis using barrier fencing at the wildlife–livestock interface

A federal and provincial cost-shared program was initiated in 2001 around Riding Mountain National Park in southwestern Manitoba, Canada to provide free game wire barrier fences for baled hay storage areas to prevent transmission of TB among cattle ( Bos taurus), wild elk ( Cervus elaphus), and deer ( Odocoileus virginianus). Farmer observations of cervids on their farms were evaluated by interviewing 50 farmers that owned a game wire fence for >1 year. Of those interviewed, 82% reported some type of elk or deer damage to hay bales in the field or in their yard prior to fencing. After fencing, 23% of respondents reported some annual damage to stored hay bales that were not inside the fence, but there was a 100% decrease in the estimated annual value of hay losses. Incursions of deer inside the barrier fence were reported by 18% of respondents and most of these were due to leaving gates open. No incursions of elk inside a barrier fence were reported. Despite the important successes achieved, barrier fencing of hay bales alone does not completely protect cattle from bovine tuberculosis.