Improve Forage Production Research Articles

Effect of Seed Rate on Forage Yield, and Nutritional Value of Sudan Grass and Vetch Mixtures in Ethiopia: A Review

The livestock feed resources in Ethiopia are classified as natural pasture, crop residues, improved pasture and forage, agro-industrial by-products, and also hay production of which the first two feed resources are the major feed contributors for the livestock production in Ethiopia but they are lacking in protein and minerals. Natural pastures contribute about 80-85 of animal feed in Ethiopia, including naturally occurring grasses, legumes, shrubs, hurbs, and tree foliages. Crop residue is one of the feed resources used for animal production in Ethiopia and is available in those areas in which livestock and crop production are practiced. Around 30 million tonnes of DM of agricultural crop residues are produced annually on the national scale, of which 70% are used as animal feed. The major agro-industrial by products commonly used in Ethiopia are obtained from different agro-industries. The nutritional values of agro-industrial by products are excellent but their productivity is small, limited, and limited to few farms in urban and peri-urban areas and they contribute much less to livestock feed. Furthermore, traditional livestock feed supply mainly depends upon natural pasture and crop residues, which have low crude protein and other chemical composition. However, there is tremendous potential to alleviate feed shortages using improved forage production. To fulfill this gap, producing a stable improved forage in the livestock sector is mandatory. For that reason, the legume and grass intercropping system are important to increase biomass production and forage yield. Hence, Sudan grass (Aden gode) known with its plant height than other cultivars and vetch (<i>Vicia dasycarpa</i>) have greater plant height and creeping growth habit that enable compatible to larger grass species and they are selectable forages to enhance the forage yield and quality under similar times.

Modelos matemáticos para ajustes na quantificação da volatilização de amônia do fertilizante ureia aplicado em pastagens tropicais

ABSTRACT: In Brazil, urea is the most used nitrogen (N) fertilizer to improve forage production. However, their excessive use can cause environmental impacts through N losses, such as ammonia (NH3) volatilization. Therefore, the current study adjusted and estimated the NH3 volatilization from urea applied on tropical pastures in three rainfall conditions using mathematical models. Data were collected from Marandu grass (Brachiaria brizantha) fertilized with 50 kg N ha-1 during wet, intermediate, and dry conditions. Ammonia volatilization was measured in five semi-open chambers for 21 days. The linear, quadratic, exponential, Gompertz, Groot, and Richards models were tested for fitting and estimating the NH3 volatilization. The Gompertz, Groot, and Richards models generated predictions similar to the observed data, with a high determination coefficient, indicating a better fit of these equations to data, with precision and accuracy. However, the Groot model was selected due to the lowest root mean square error of prediction (0.29 % total N lost as NH3). The greatest N loss as NH3 volatilization occurred in the wet, followed by intermediate and dry conditions (20.2, 17.0, and 11.3 % total N lost as NH3, respectively). Therefore, nitrogen losses as NH3 volatilization after application of 50 kg N ha-1, as urea source, are altered according to the weather conditions, reaching 20% of N added in the wet rainfall period. The Groot model is recommended for fitting and estimating the NH3 volatilization from urea applied on Marandu grass pastures in the wet and dry rainfall conditions.

Intercropping Forage Sorghum with Sunnhemp at Different Seeding Rates to Improve Forage Production

Forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is well established in the Texas High Plains as a drought-tolerant forage that often requires additional feed to provide adequate protein for livestock. Intercropping sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea L.), a legume, with forage sorghum, may increase crude protein. However, the optimal intercrop seeding ratio of sunnhemp to sorghum to improve crude protein content and maintain sufficient biomass is unknown. A two-year field experiment was conducted near Canyon, TX, USA, in 2020 and 2021 using sunnhemp intercropped at three seeding rates (16.8, 33.6, and 50.4 kg ha−1) with forage sorghum at four seeding rates (0, 2.8, 5.6, and 11.2 kg ha−1) under drip irrigation. This study was conducted to (1) evaluate growth potential for sunnhemp in a semiarid environment, (2) find a seeding ratio that can maintain forage sorghum dry matter production and improve forage quality, and (3) determine if a midseason harvest can be supported and further improve quality of the forage produced. Midseason, full-season, regrowth biomass, and forage quality were evaluated. Results indicated that a sunnhemp–forage-sorghum intercrop produced dry matter comparable to forage sorghum when sufficient heat units were obtained in the growing season. Forage with higher nutritive value was produced when the intercrop was harvested twice.

Impact of N, P, and K rates on stockpiled tall fescue in claypan soils

AbstractStockpiled tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.] is an alternative to extend the grazing season and reduce feeding costs during the winter. In addition, adequate fertility management with N, P, and K nutrients can improve forage production. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of N, P, and K fertilization (from 0 to 120 lb/a, 0 and 50 lb/a, and 0 and 30 lb/a, respectively) on forage accumulation (FA) and nutritive value in stockpiled tall fescue in claypan soils. The study was carried out in Columbus, KS, on established ‘Kentucky 31’ tall fescue pastures in the fall of 2019 and 2021 (two years). The treatments were one unfertilized control and fertilization with six combinations of nitrogen (0, 40, 60, 80, and 120 lb/a), phosphorus (0 and 50 lb/a), and potassium (0 and 30 lb/a) rates. Forage accumulation was greater in the treatments with at least 60 lb N/a compared with the unfertilized control (1,235 vs. 570 lb DM/a). However, the greatest crude protein content (CP; 13%) and crude protein accumulation (CPA; 163 lb CP/a) were produced when 120 lb N/a was applied. Nitrogen fertilization also resulted in greater total digestible nutrients, net energy gain, net energy maintenance, and lower acid detergent fiber. Phosphorus and potassium had little effect on the measured responses. Nitrogen fertilization can be an alternative to increase stockpiled tall fescue FA and nutritive value, reducing the need for energy and protein supplementation of livestock during the winter.

Bacterial diversity and network modularity determine alfalfa yield in flood lands

Advancements in planting and fertilization strategies can improve forage productivity in animal husbandry ecosystems. However, the way in which soil microbes regulate forage yield during this process remains unclear and limits our understanding of the underlying mechanisms that determine the impact of agriculture on forage yield. Here, a 4-year field experiment was conducted using three levels of planting density (high at 20 kg·hm−2, medium at 15 kg·hm−2, and low at 10 kg·hm−2) and two levels of fertilization (high at 150 kg·hm−2 P2O5 with 150 kg·hm−2 of urea and low at 75·kg·hm−2 P2O5 with 75 kg·hm−2 of urea) in nutrient-deficient flood lands. This study aimed to survey the forage yield, soil variables, community features (including diversity, community composition, network patterns, and potential functions) of soil bacteria and fungi, and the linkages. The findings indicated that planting density and fertilization had remarkable impacts on bacterial and fungal diversity, co-occurrence network patterns, and the nitrogen-cycle-related potential of bacteria (including nitrogen fixation, nitrification, denitrification, aerobic ammonia oxidation, and nitrite respiration). The combination of medium planting density with low fertilization resulted in higher levels of forage production, bacterial Shannon diversity, N-fixation potential, and network modularity than did the other treatments. Furthermore, significant positive correlations were observed among bacterial diversity, network modularity, available soil nutrients, and forage production. The soil that supported a large number of bacterial taxa with co-occurring network modularity had high soil nutrient levels and forage production. Structural equation modeling and linear regression models demonstrated that the contribution of soil bacteria to forage yield was higher than that of fungi and that planting density and fertilization indirectly associated microbial function by altering bacterial diversity and network modularization, which also positive associated forage production. Therefore, there is a need to emphasize bacterial alpha-diversity and potential interaction patterns to sustain forage yields, which leads to improvements in future planting and fertilization strategies in animal husbandry ecosystems.

Interspecific competition and productivity in a dryland silage maize/alfalfa intercropping system

AbstractCereal–legume intercropping has the potential to reduce the use of nitrogen (N) fertilizer and increase forage yield and quality, however, how to optimize system design to fully realize interspecific complementary and enhance crop production in an annual and perennial crops intercropping was not well understood. This study was conducted to evaluate the interspecific interaction and yield performance of silage maize (Zea mays L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) intercropping in response to N management and row arrangement under the rain‐fed conditions on the Chinese Loess Plateau. Five planting arrangements, namely, sole maize, sole alfalfa, and maize and alfalfa intercropping in rows of 1:2 (I12), 2:2 (I22), and 2:4 (I24), were compared over a period of 4 years (2018–2021). Two N‐levels (150 and 90 kg N ha−1) were applied to maize in each planting arrangement. Our results show that maize was the dominant species in 2018. In the next 3 years (2019–2021), maize was outcompeted by alfalfa during the first and second cuts of alfalfa, and complete recovery growth of maize was recorded at the third cut. The interspecific competition of I24 was less severe, resulting in a higher yield than I12 and I22. Although the reduction of N application reduced the biomass and crude protein (CP) yield, it weakened the interspecific competition and substantially increased the land equivalent ratio (LER). I24 under low N yielded more than sole cropping, with the LER based on biomass and CP yield of 1.01–1.12 and 1.08–1.18, respectively. In addition, I24 had the highest net revenue of 24,251 ¥ ha−1 on average. Therefore, maize/alfalfa intercrop with a higher alfalfa proportion and a wide strip arrangement (I24) in combination with low N application could alleviate interspecific competition and improve forage production, which is suggested for our study region and similar dryland farming areas worldwide. Maize/alfalfa intercropping provides a basis for grain and livestock mixed farming and helps to improve food supply and resilience of the farming system.

Contribution of Climate-Smart Forage and Fodder Production for Sustainable Livestock Production and Environment: Lessons and Challenges from Ethiopia

Sustainable farm animal raising is dependent on the production of sufficient quantities and quality of forages and fodder, especially in dry regions. Improved forage and feed species are an option for these aspects because adequate feed resources enhance soil health and carbon, generate income, and reduce emissions. Therefore, the purpose of this review paper was to investigate the role of climate-smart forage production in sustaining farm animal production and maintaining the environment in arid and semiarid regions. Seasonal fluctuations in feed supply cause temporal scarcity in Ethiopia, with more acute gaps in dry periods, particularly in drought-prone regions. To address these problems in the country, improve forages to strengthen farm productivity, climate change resilience, and environmental sustainability, particularly in arid and semiarid areas. The country has a long history and is of some exemplary practices in indigenous improved forage production, but the input of improved forage to the total biomass production in feed resources is still low due to many factors like scarcity of land and water for irrigation, lack of awareness, forage seed, and policy recommendations. Despite the potential profits of feed and forage grasses and legumes, the availability of species adapted to a wide range of situations in actual use in the livestock sector has been insufficient. Therefore, it is strongly suggested that climate-resilient forage species be popularized to sustain livestock production and the environment, particularly in the country’s arid and semiarid regions.

Synergies of feed, management trainings, and genetics on milk production of dairy cows in the tropics: The case of Ethiopian smallholder farmers

Efforts made so far to increase milk production of indigenous cattle by upgrading with exotic genotypes through crossbreeding under smallholder farmer conditions in Ethiopia have resulted in limited improvement. This study was conducted to determine if combining improved feed and management-related trainings with Holstein genetics will synergistically increase the milk production of dairy cows, and to examine the degree to which the increase or improvement is related to the level of exotic genetics involved. A total of 96 smallholder dairy farmers were purposively selected and allocated to one of three treatments reflecting differing degrees of capacity building support: (1) no training and no material support (Control); (2) training provided by another project (PAID) but without material support; (3) enhanced training plus material support (Feed-Mgt). Sixteen extension development agents and eight livestock experts were selected to provide training and weekly on-farm data collection, monitoring, technical support, and messaging reinforcement visits. Enhanced training addressed a broad range of topics related to feed and feeding, improved forage production, milk production and handling, construction and use of improved dairy housing, disease control, and dairy farm record keeping. Material support was in the form of formulated dairy concentrate feed and improved forage planting materials (seeds/seedlings). Data collection included variables describing animal performance, management practice adoption, and milk and butter quality. Tail hair samples for genetic profiling of breed makeup were also collected from all cows in the study. Results showed that there was a very significant effect of treatment (P < 0.001) on milk production, as well as treatment by week interaction (P = 0.034), with the effect of treatment markedly increasing over time (P = 0.032). That is, cows in Feed-Mgt group had up to 26.6% greater milk production compared to those in the Control group. Region and region by treatment interaction have no effects. Cows used in the experiment had varying proportions of Holstein-Friesian genome that ranged between 0 and 100%, suggesting prevalence of indiscriminate crossbreeding. Cows with a high proportion of Holstein genetics in treatment 3 produced more milk as compared to those in control group. Besides, supplemental feed improved body condition, reduced number of services per conception and resulted in higher lactation length of cows on treatment 3 compared with those on treatments 1 and 2 (P < 0.001). Overall, our findings suggest that an integrated approach of improved feed, feeding practices, and management training for smallholder dairy that goes beyond the improvement of genetics will increase milk production, improve milk quality and body condition, and resulted in higher length of lactation.

Establishment of alfalfa interseeded into corn in response to one cycle of selection and hybridization

AbstractIntercropping alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in corn (Zea mays L.) can improve forage production, but wet growing conditions and high corn yields adversely impact alfalfa establishment. Therefore, we evaluated breeding alfalfa specifically for intercropping by selecting surviving plants from previous alfalfa varietal evaluations under corn and assigning them to five polycrosses to form cycle‐1 synthetics. Pollen from four polycrosses was also used to generate hybrid seed using a male‐sterility system. Corn was planted in May, intensively managed, and harvested for silage during September at Arlington and Prairie du Sac Wisconsin during 2019. Parental, polycross, and hybrid alfalfa entries were interseeded as swards between corn rows. Two subplots within each whole plot were treated with prohexadione, fungicide, and insecticide (PFI) or left as nontreated controls. Competition from high yielding corn combined with 43% above average precipitation during the growing season contributed to complete stand failure of nontreated alfalfa. Application of PFI improved foliar health, increased root mass, and enabled alfalfa establishment. Following corn silage harvest average stand density of PFI‐treated polycross entries was 35% greater than parental entries (105 vs. 78 plants m−2); broad‐sense heritability was 0.54. Overall, PFI‐treated polycross and hybrid entries had similar stand densities after corn, but posthoc comparisons indicated two hybrids had twofold greater stand density than parental entries. These results indicate plant selection can be highly effective for developing polycross and hybrid germplasm with improved survival under corn. Our findings should stimulate further breeding work to improve alfalfa and other forages for use in intercropping systems.

Enhancing dairy productivity through best bet feeding interventions under smallholders in the central highlands of Ethiopia

Dairy cattle production is an integral part of smallholder farming systems in the central highlands of Ethiopia, but it is characterized by low milk productivity mainly due to nutritional constraints. This study assessed the comparative advantage of using improved forage-based feeding system over the traditional feeding practices on feed intake, milk yield and quality, and cost benefit analysis of crossbred dairy cows under smallholder farmers. The study was conducted at Welmera and Ejere districts on 12 farmers and two cows per farmer, and two dietary treatments were assigned to each cow randomly, and the study lasted 8 weeks. The treatments were: 1) intervention diet composed of oats-vetch mixture hay with concentrate supplementation at the rate of 0.5 kg/l of milk and 2) basal diet following farmers’ current feeding practices: crop residues and native hay, commonly soaked with local brewery residue (“Atela”) and water. The results showed that there was no difference in total dry matter intake between the two diets. However, the basal feed intake was higher in the traditional feeding practice by 11% whereas the concentrate intake was higher in the intervention diet by 25%. Crude protein intake was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the intervention group by 23%. As a result, milk yield was increased by 36% under oat-vetch mixed fodder-based feeding system as compared to the traditional feeding practice. Consequently, the amount of feed required per unit of milk was lower in the intervention group, indicating higher feed conversion efficiency as compared to the traditional feeding practice. On the other hand, there was no significant variation in milk composition between the two groups. Partial budget analysis indicated that the benefit from the intervention diet (95 birr/cow/day) was greater by 266% than that obtained from the traditional practice (45 birr/cow/day). Utilization of improved forage varieties was proven to play significant role in supplying good quality and abundant feed resource that increased milk yield and also fetch additional economic return for smallholder farmers compared to the existing traditional practice. In general, this study demonstrates that adoption of improved forage production and feeding practices along with sufficient training on balanced ration formulation has been observed to increase dairy productivity and food security through provision of sustainable livelihood opportunity for smallholder farmers.

Nitrogen fertilization increases the growth and nutritional quality of the forage legume, Calobota sericea – A preliminary investigation

Calobota sericea is being evaluated as a forage for drought stressed areas. The nutritional quality of C. sericea from native populations are poor, and this is believed to be due to poor soil fertility. Therefore, a greenhouse trial was established to determine the impact of N-fertilization level (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 kg/ha) on the growth and nutritional quality of C. sericea plants. Three-month-old plants were harvested and the root and shoot length, as well as branching intensity on each plant determined. Thereafter, the shoots were separated into leaves and stems and all plant parts were oven dried for dry mass determination. After weighing, the leaves and stems for each plant were combined and the dried shoots used for nutrient determination. Results indicated that increased N application levels is positively correlated with improved C. sericea growth. Similarly, mineral nutrient uptake increased significantly under all the N-fertilization treatments and crude protein content increased from 9.6% to 18.6%. Plant growth was only statistically significantly (p < 0.05) improved when N was applied at rates of 50 kg/ha and more, but crude protein content increased from the lowest N application rates (25 kg/ha). The improved growth and nutrient uptake could primarily be explained by improved resource allocation under N-fertilization. Therefore, appropriately fertilized C. sericea can result in improved forage production and improved quality forages and when N is applied at high enough rates.

Resposta de genótipos de Urochloa mosambicensis à adubação fosfatada em solo com baixo nível de fósforo

Abstract Phosphorus (P) is one of the main nutrients capable of increasing yields of tropical grasses. The definition of adequate P fertilizer rates can contribute to improving forage production of pastures. However, the efficiency in the response of different genotypes of Urochloa mosambicensis (Hack.) Dandy (Bushveld herringbone grass) to P fertilizer rates is not known. This study aimed to quantify the response of U. mosambicensis genotypes to P fertilizer levels and classify the genotypes as to efficiency and responsiveness. The experiment was carried out in pots, under controlled conditions, in a completely randomized design, in a 2 x 9 factorial with five replications. The factors consisted of equivalent P rates of 10 and 90 kg ha-1 of P2O5 (triple superphosphate) and eight genotypes of U. mosambicensis (UmCO-1 (2), UmCO-2 (2), UmCO-4 (1), UmCO-8 (1), UmCO-11 (2), UmCO-12 (2), UmCO-13 (2) and UmCO-14 (2)), in addition to a control, Urochloa brizantha syn. Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Piatã. Each experimental unit consisted of one pot. Biometric attributes and dry mass yield were evaluated over four cutting cycles. There was no effect of the P fertilization x genotypes interaction for the variables evaluated. However, the highest fertilizer rate increased dry mass yield and tiller population density in all genotypes and cuttings evaluated. The genotype UmCO-4 (1) and the cultivar BRS Piatã proved to be responsive to and efficient in P use. The highest P rate promoted greatest production of dry mass and greatest number of tillers in all genotypes of U. mosambicensis.

A Decision-Support System for Economic Feasibility of Subsurfaced Poultry Litter

Cattle (Bos spp.) producers routinely spread fertilizer or broadcast poultry (Gallus gallus L.) litter to improve forage production. With poultry litter widely available across the southeastern United States and being a cheaper source of plant nutrition than commercial fertilizer when proximal to application sites, the novel application of litter below the soil surface, while costly, allows for greater nutrient retention than broadcasting. Since quantifying costs and benefits of subsurfaced litter is complex, we develop and present a decision support spreadsheet for automated farm-scale model comparisons across modes of nutrient management. We compare subsurfaced litter to commercial fertilizer and broadcast litter in user-specific scenarios involving equipment choices (new, used, custom), desired nutrient needs for crops grown, litter nutrient concentration, and interval between litter application given the slow-release nature of litter compared to commercial fertilizer. Using Visual Basic for Applications programming available with Microsoft Excel®, we develop a decision aid that collects relevant user-specific farm parameters that allow customization of output. Performance data of the innovative subsurface application equipment as observed during field operation and published engineering equipment performance standards, combined with cost information, allow estimation of relative performance metrics. Break-even and sensitivity analyses are performed to identify key equipment modifications or subsidies needed to speed adoption of subsurfacing poultry litter to minimize odor and nutrient runoff externalities experienced with broadcast litter. Results showed that subsurfaced litter can compete with commercial fertilizer on a cost/return basis and especially so in situations where organic farming practices may be targeted. With a longer interval between litter application, enhanced annual capacity utilization of the applicator, and a good match between nutrient needs of crops fertilized and litter nutrient content, the decision aid demonstrated cost savings with subsurfaced litter over commercial fertilizer while being more or less cost-neutral in comparison to broadcast litter. The decision aid lends itself to estimating operation-specific subsidies needed to encourage adoption of subsurface application of litter with the intent to reduce nutrient runoff and odor externalities. Alternatively, the sensitivity analyses pinpointed the need to enhance the performance rate of subsurface application that may be achievable by increasing the implement’s width.

Constraints of Improved Forage Adoption in East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia

Inadequate quality and quantity of animal feed is a highly significant factor that affects production of livestock in Ethiopia. The major feed sources (crop residue and natural pasture) did not support even the annual maintenance requirement of livestock feed. Thus, to fill this gap, the production of cultivated forage is essential. However, the production and utilization of improved forage to animal feed is low in the highlands of Ethiopia due to different constraints. So, identifying constraints and opportunities of improved forage production is important for designing forage development strategies and intervention options for forage and livestock production. So, this study was conducted to identify the main constraints of forage production in three agroecologies. Of all agroecologies, two districts were selected by simple random sampling system, and a total of 12 peasant associations from six districts (two peasant associations from each district) were selected by simple random sampling system. Thus, a total of 30 respondents were selected by simple random sampling system from each peasant association. Of all agroecologies, a total of 360 respondents were interviewed by simple random sampling system. The data were gathered through focus group discussion and interviewing of individuals and analyzed by SPSS. Approximately 51% of the respondents did not produce cultivated forage crops due to land shortages, lack of awareness and seed, and fear of farmers towards birds set on forages. Thus, awareness on forage production, efficient utilization of cultivated land, utilization of fallow land for forage production, and planting or sowing of improved forage crops with food crops, in contour strips areas and homesteads areas can enhance the adoption of improved forage production in the study areas.

MtPT5 phosphate transporter is involved in leaf growth and phosphate accumulation of Medicago truncatula.

Phosphorus (P) is an indispensable mineral nutrient for plant growth and agricultural production. Plants acquire and redistribute inorganic phosphate (Pi) via Pi transporters (PHT1s/PTs). However, apart from MtPT4, functions of the M. truncatula (Medicago truncatula) PHT1s remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated the function of the PHT1 family transporter MtPT5 in M. truncatula. MtPT5 was closely related to AtPHT1; 1 in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and GmPT7 in soybean (Glycine max). MtPT5 was highly expressed in leaves in addition to roots and nodules. Ectopic expression of MtPT5 complemented the Pi-uptake deficiency of Arabidopsis pht1;1Δ4Δ double mutant, demonstrating the Pi-transport activity of MtPT5 in plants. When overexpressing MtPT5 in M. truncatula, the transgenic plants showed larger leaves, accompanying with higher biomass and Pi enrichment compared with wild type. All these data demonstrate that MtPT5 is important for leaf growth and Pi accumulation of M. truncatula and provides a target for molecular breeding to improve forage productivity.

Improved Forage Production in Ethiopia: Efforts Done, Success Achieved, Challenges, and Future Opportunities: Review

Improved Forage Production in Ethiopia: Efforts Done, Success Achieved, Challenges, and Future Opportunities: Review

Rotational grazing and multispecies herbal leys increase productivity in temperate pastoral systems – A meta-analysis

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with ruminant livestock production is important for climate change mitigation. Regenerative Agriculture (RA) practices are increasingly promoted to improve forage production and livestock performance in temperate livestock systems. These practices include i) rotational grazing (RG) of livestock around multiple subunits of pasture to achieve ungrazed periods of ‘rest’, and ii) herbal leys (HL), where perennial forbs such as chicory, lucerne and trefoils are included as components in multi-species swards. While there are plausible mechanisms for adoption of these practices to improve agricultural productivity, quantitative syntheses of their impacts are required. Here, we conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of RG and HL practices on herbage dry matter (DM) production, animal daily liveweight gain (DLWG), and sheep wool growth in temperate oceanic regions. We use quantitative predictors in our Bayesian hierarchical models to investigate the role of rest period and stocking density in RG systems, and specific plant traits and sward diversity in HL. We found that herbage DM increased by 0.31 t.ha−1 over a growing season as the proportion of rest in an RG grazing system increased from 0 to 1. Stocking density significantly moderated the effect of rest period on sheep and cattle DLWG; at higher stocking densities, longer rest periods were required to maintain livestock growth rates. In HL studies, herbage DM yielded 1.63 t.ha−1 more per metre of increased sward root depth and a sward entirely comprised of legumes yielded 2.20 t.ha−1 more than when no legumes were present. Sheep DLWG increased by 3.50 g.day−1 per unit increase in leaf nitrogen concentration (mg.g−1), but we could not determine an effect of leaf condensed tannin content on animal performance. Although there remain differences between the RG and HL study treatments meta-analysed here and RA in practice, our results provide empirical support for some of the mechanisms attributed to increased pasture and livestock productivity following adoption of selected RA grazing practices.

Emergency seeding of cool‐season annuals into perennial grass after fall drought

AbstractSpring establishment of cool‐season annual grasses into poorly producing orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L) (OG) swards may improve forage production and nutritive value in the southeastern United States following a fall drought. A randomized complete block experiment was conducted where annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) (AR) or forage oat (Avena sativa L.) (FO) was interseeded into an existing OG stand over three seeding dates with (+) or without (–) a burndown herbicide (BD) treatment and compared with an OG monoculture (control). In 2017, after a warm and wet winter, the OG monoculture (control) was able to produce sufficient forage mass (FM) without significant reduction in nutritive value as compared with OG interseeded with AR or FO. In 2018, OG had approximately 2,600 lb acre–1 less FM than in 2017, suggesting that recurrent fall drought with unfavorable winter conditions resulted in long‐term damage to the perennial sward. Meanwhile, treatments without BD did not show higher FM in the beginning of the season. Burndown treatment in general increased FM and nutritive value. An economic analysis of the study also revealed results suggesting that interseeding AR and FO in the spring is not economically viable, as it may cost up to 10 times as much as the control.

Bud Chip Method: A Potential In vitro Technology for Bajra-napier Hybrid (Pennisetum glaucum L. X P. purpureum Schum.) for Sett Multiplication

Background: Forages of high quality are the most valuable commodity of any livestock activity and they serve as the basis for most of the rations in a forage-based diet. The lack of good quality seedlings/seeds, notably improved varieties, is the primary reason for the slow adoption of improved forage production technologies. Traditional establishment of bajra napier forage incurs more labour costs, harvesting sett material, transporting, preparing two budded setts and carrying to the planting area. Nearly three to four tons of green leaves stem materials are wasted for planting one hectare of area. In this situation, an alternate method is required to produce high-quality seedlings in a short period. This research objective compared single node bud chip seedling in different protray cell cavities and pot mixtures. Methods: The green shade net field study was carried out between 2019 and 2020, the effect of different pro-tray sizes (50, 60 and 98 cell cavities) and potting mixture (red earth, cocopeat, farmyard manure, vermicompost and root growth promoters like phosphobacteria bio-fertilizer and indole acetic acid (IAA) was taken in different combination for the establishment of Bajra Napier hybrid variety Co (BN)-5 seedling by using single node bud chip technology. The observation was taken up to 30 days in related to seedling growth and development. The observed parameter was statistically analysed in SPSS software. Result: Among the three different protray cavities and five different pot mixtures, 60 cavity protray with red earth + cocopeat + vermicompost (2:1:1) results revealed significant differences (p greater than 0.05) in seedling growth parameters among the different protray and growing media. The maximum seedling growth parameters like germination, numbers of the leaf, plant height, leaf length, width and root length (94.4 per cent, 8.17, 39.12 cm, 38.14 cm, 2.5 cm and 30.8 cm) were observed at 30 days aged seedlings followed by red earth + cocopeat + farmyard manure (2:1:1 ratio) and treated with IAA substance in 60 cavity protray.

Assessment of livestock feed supply and demand concerning livestock productivity in Lalo Kile district of Kellem Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia

The purpose of this research was to determine the impact of seasonality on feed balance in the Lalo kile district of the Kellem Wollega Zone of Western Ethiopia. The district was divided into two agro-ecological zones: mid and low altitude. A total of 127 respondents were chosen to be interviewed. To collect the required data in the study areas, a cross-sectional survey was used. To analyses the qualitative data, descriptive statistics were performed, while the General Linear Model (GLM) method was used to assess the impacts of seasonal feed availability and agro-ecology on dry matter yield and production constraints. The result showed that there has been seasonal fluctuation in the feed availability and the feed is generally abundant from June to September. The feed supply in terms of DM, ME, and DCP per household per year was 118.7 kg, 74,781 MJ/kg, and 118.61kg, respectively. The feed balance was negatively associated and substantially different all across the studied areas (P < 0.01). With a year's approach, the annual total feed supply exceeds only 66.13, 25.81, and 87.24 percent of the DM, DCP, and ME demands per household, respectively. As a result, total dry matter production, digestible crude protein, and metabolizable energy supply were only fulfilled for 9, 3.5, and 12 months in the research area's mid-altitude and 7, 3 and 9 months in the study area's low land altitude, respectively. The main limitations in both agro-ecologies of the research area include low production and reproduction, poor use of existing feedstuffs, and poor adoption of improved forage production. As a result, for successful livestock development in the study area, the adoption of better fodder and supplementation of productive animals should be considered.