Forage Crop Production Research Articles

Assessment of planting soil temperature and growing degree day impacts on silage corn (Zea mays L.) biomass.

The annual forage crop production system, enclosing silage corn (Zea mays L.) and following cool-season annual forage, can enhance forage production efficiency where available land is limited for pasture production. In this forage production system, successful silage corn cultivation has a significant value due to the great yield of highly digestible forage. However, some untimely planting or harvesting of corn due to changing weather often reduces biomass and feeding values. Therefore, a study was conducted to quantify the corn silage biomass reductions by the deviations from optimum planting soil temperature and optimum growing degree day (GDD). The approximations of maximum corn production were estimated based on field trial data conducted between 1978 and 2018 with early, medium, and late-maturity corn groups. Based on weather data, the recorded planting dates and harvest dates were converted into the corresponding trials' soil temperatures at planting (STP) and the GDD. The silage corn biomass data were regressed against STP and GDD using a quadratic function. The maximum biomass point was modeled in a convex upward quadratic yield curve and the optimum STP and GDD were defined as those values at the maximum biomass for each maturity group. Optimized STP was at 16.6°C, 16.2°C, and 15.6°C for early, medium, and late maturity corn groups, respectively, while optimized GDD at harvest was at 1424, 1363, and 1542°C. The biomass reductions demonstrated quadratic functions by the departures of STP or GDD. The 5% reductions were anticipated when STP departed from the optimum temperature by 2.2°C, 2.4°C, and 1.4°C for early, medium, and late maturity corns, respectively; the same degree of reductions were estimated when the GDD departed by 200, 180, and 130°C in the same order of the maturity groups. This result indicates that biomass reductions of late-maturity corn were more sensitive to the departures of STP or GDD than the early-maturity corn. Therefore, early maturing cultivars are more stable in biomass production in a silage corn-winter annual forage crop production system to enhance forage-based livestock production efficiency.

Quantifying the roles of intraspecific and interspecific diversification strategies in forage cropping systems

Increases in extreme weather events from climate change are likely to hinder forage crop production. Cropping system diversification may be a strategy for improving productivity and enhancing yield stability of forage production systems in the face of climate change, yet farmers are often constrained by their operations as to what strategies they can readily adopt. Moreover, the type of diversity necessary to provide desired outcomes and the potential tradeoffs from such outcomes are largely unknown. We compared three strategies to increase cropping system diversity via intercropping in winter annuals, summer annuals, and perennials in a three-year forage crop experiment conducted in New York, New Hampshire, and Vermont, USA. For each crop type, three diversification strategies, (1) cultivar diversity (Intraspecific), (2) crop species diversity (Interspecific), and (3) both cultivar and species diversities (Intra+Inter), were compared against a control of a single cultivar of a single species (Baseline). Measured responses included yield, weed biomass, forage nutritive value, and yield stability. Across all crop types, yields in Interspecific and Intra+Inter treatments were 15% and 14% greater than the Baseline treatment, respectively. Species diversity had the greatest effect on performance in perennials, which we partially attribute to temporal diversity indicated by differences in biomass composition across harvests within a season. Perennial diversity treatments that contained species diversity had lower weed biomass, lower crude protein, and greater fiber content than the Baseline or Intraspecific treatments. Stability analysis of yields across growing conditions showed that perennial crop yields were consistently greater in the Inter and Intra+Inter treatments than the Baseline treatment. In the summer annuals, yields of the Intra+Inter treatment were greater than yields of the Baseline treatment in sub-optimal environments (20th percentile of the environmental index), whereas, in winter annuals yields in the Intra+Inter treatment were greater than yields of the Baseline treatment in optimal environments (80th percentile of the environmental index). Across crops, strategies of species diversity had a greater impact on responses than cultivar diversity and no additional benefits were detected in strategies that also incorporated cultivar diversity. Benefits of mixtures could be further enhanced by selecting specific traits that maximize both functional and response diversity. Future research should aim to develop guidelines for species and trait compatibility in mixtures and appropriate seeding rates to optimize performance.

Agrotechnological evaluation of spring barley cultivation in the conditions of the Middle Urals

The studies were carried out in 2016–2020 on dark grey forest soil in the conditions of the Sverdlovsk region in a long-term stationary experiment. The object of observation was the spring barley Sonnet. The agrotechnological methods of spring barley cultivation were assessed in a two-factor experiment: factor A - crop rotations (precursor); factor B - food background. It was established that in the 0–50 cm layer during the sowing period, soil moisture availability on average for the predecessors varied in the range of 64.4–80.3 mm. The introduction of mineral fertilisers and their combinations with organic fertilisers in field crop rotations increased the reserves of productive moisture by 7–10 mm. The highest total nitrate and ammonium nitrogen content was noted during barley germination. The systematic use of fertilisers increased mineral nitrogen in the arable layer by 6.3–14.3 m/kg compared with the control (11.5–12.8 mg). A close positive relationship was found between the moisture content and mineral nitrogen in the 0–20 cm layer in the phase of barley seedlings. The correlation coefficient (r) was 0.67. During the crop rotation, there was no noticeable difference between the predecessors regarding the effect on the barley yield. In control, it varied at 2.63–2.77 t/ha. On fertilised nutrition backgrounds, an excess of grain harvest by 0.2–0.47 t/ha was revealed hectares when placing it as the second crop after the pure fallow to the occupied. On average, for predecessors, fertilisers provided an additional grain harvest at 1.53–1.54 t/ha compared to the control (2.71 t/ha). The organometal background of nutrition was not inferior to mineral fertilisers in terms of its impact on the productivity of grain forage crops—payback 1 kg a.i. Depending on the predecessor on the mineral background of nutrition, Fertilizers varied from 13.2 to 19.1 kg of grain. The maximum was noted in the grain-grass crop rotation. With a combination of organic and mineral fertilisers, the return decreased to 8.4–12.0 kg. A strong correlation was revealed between barley yield and mineral nitrogen content in the arable layer. On average, for the growing season, it was r = 0.97.

Proteomic and physiological responses of contrasting two different heat-resistant orchardgrass genotypes to heat stress

As an important forage crop worldwide, the growth and productivity of orchardgrass are greatly impacted by high temperatures. However, little information is known about how orchardgrass proteomic changes under heat conditions. Therefore, the present study investigated the proteomics and physiological changes in 667 [AKZ-NRGR667 (heat-tolerant)] and 7602 [PI237602 (heat-sensitive)] under heat stress (40/35 °C). In addition, the responses of translational regulating of heat stress in orchardgrass were analyzed through proteomic changes using the tandem mass tags (TMT) technique. Together, 410 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified from two orchardgrass genotypes under heat at 24 h. Proteomics analyses indicated that proteins related to substance metabolism, photosynthesis, and heat shock proteins (HSPs) were differentially expressed under heat stress and control conditions. Moreover, a large proportion of HSPs were expressed in the heat-tolerant genotype as compared to the heat-sensitive genotype. In conclusion, genotype 667 has higher adaptability and repairing capability due to stronger heat tolerance capacity that can make it more suited to sustaining its survival and growth than genotype 7602. These findings can provide the basis for genetic improvements in orchardgrass and other crops facing high-temperature stress or heat environment that may lead to heat resistance or tolerance.

Physiological Changes and Nutritional Value of Forage Clitoria Grown in Arid Agro-Ecosystem as Influenced by Plant Density and Water Deficit

Forage crop productivity has lately reduced in countries located in arid and semi-arid regions worldwide due to intensive consumption and the successive years of drought. This problem is exacerbated by the progress of water scarcity. Thus, the current study is aimed at improving the forage productivity and quality of clitoria as a leguminous fodder crop to be involved in crop rotations under low water supply conditions. As an attempt for facing the drought issue, a two-year (SI and SII) field experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of irrigation pattern (IP) and plant density (PD) on clitoria morpho-physiological attributes, nutritive value, productivity, and irrigation water-use efficiency (IWUE) in two growth cycles (GCI and GCII). Based on the soil water depletion method, three irrigation patterns of 100% (IP0%, full irrigation), 80% (IP20%), and 60% (IP40%) were applied. The tested plant densities were 33 (PD33), 22 (PD22), and 17 (PD17) plants m−2. Findings revealed that IP0% × PD22 was the efficient treatment for enhancing the physio-biochemical attributes. However, in SI IP0% × PD22 statistically at par (p≥0.05) with IP0% × PD33, IP20% × PD22, and IP20% × PD17 (for chlorophyll content in GCI); IP0% × PD17 and IP20% × PD22 (for leaf relative water content in GCII); and IP0% × PD33, IP20% × PD33, and IP20% × PD22 (for cell membrane stability index in GCII). Along the two seasons, IP40% × PD33 was the potent practice for producing the highest leaf: stem ratio in both GCI (2.07 and 1.78) and GCII (1.18 and 0.96). Under IP40%, PD33 treatment recorded the greatest protein content in both GCI (24.1–27.0%) and GCII (21.7–19.5%) of SI and SII equaling PD22 in GCII (21.2–18.9%) of both seasons and PD17 in both GCI (24.0%) and GCII (21.5%) of SI and GCII (19.3%) of SII. The best aggregate protein yield for SI and SII was obtained under IP20% × PD33 interaction (1.36 and 1.40 t ha−1) without significant difference (p≥0.05) with IP0% × PD33 or IP40% × PD33 interactions. The greatest aggregate dry forage yield was observed in SI under IP0% or IP20% combined with PD33 (7.77 and 7.52 t ha−1) which did not differ significantly (p≥0.05). It could be concluded that irrigation by 80% water of full irrigation was found to be an efficient water-saving tactic coupled with adjusting the plant density of 33 plants m−2, which improved clitoria forage quantitative and qualitative properties, in addition to enhancing IWUE. Since leaf relative water content and cell membrane stability index decreased and proline increased in plant tissues under deficit water, clitoria is plant considered a moderately drought tolerant. Thus, clitoria is a promising plant could be successfully grown under arid agro-ecosystems.

Irrigation Management Strategies to Enhance Forage Yield, Feed Value, and Water-Use Efficiency of Sorghum Cultivars.

Water scarcity is a major obstacle to forage crop production in arid and semi-arid regions. In order to improve food security in these areas, it is imperative to employ suitable irrigation management techniques and identify drought-tolerant cultivars. A 2-year field experiment (2019-2020) was conducted in a semi-arid region of Iran to assess the impact of different irrigation methods and water deficit stress on forage sorghum cultivars' yield, quality, and irrigation water-use efficiency (IWUE). The experiment involved two irrigation methods, i.e., drip (DRIP) and furrow (FURW), and three irrigation regimes supplied 100% (I100), 75% (I75), and 50% (I50) of the soil moisture deficit. In addition, two forage sorghum cultivars (hybrid Speedfeed and open-pollinated cultivar Pegah) were evaluated. This study revealed that the highest dry matter yield (27.24 Mg ha-1) was obtained under I100 × DRIP, whereas the maximum relative feed value (98.63%) was achieved under I50 × FURW. Using DRIP resulted in higher forage yield and IWUE compared to FURW, and the superiority of DRIP over FURW increased with the severity of the water deficit. The principal component analysis indicated that, as drought stress severity increased across all irrigation methods and cultivars, forage yield decreased, while quality increased. Plant height and leaf-to-stem ratio were found to be suitable indicators for comparing forage yield and quality, respectively, and they showed a negative correlation between the quality and quantity of forage. DRIP improved forage quality under I100 and I75, while FURW exhibited a better feed value under the I50 regime. Altogether, in order to achieve the best possible forage yield and quality while minimizing water usage, it is recommended to grow the Pegah cultivar and compensate for 75% of soil moisture deficiency using drip irrigation.

Spring-Planted Cover Crop Impact on Weed Suppression, Productivity, and Feed Quality of Forage Crops in Northern Kazakhstan

Integrating cover crops into crop rotation could provide options for herbicide-resistant weed control in farming systems. To evaluate the potential effectiveness of spring-planted cover crop oats (Avena sativa L.) on weed suppression, productivity, and feed quality of annual forage crops as sole crops and intercrops in order to determine the best agroecological technique, two-year experiments were laid out under arid conditions in the Akmolinsk region in northern Kazakhstan. Three annual forage crops, namely, (Piper) Stapf.-Sudan grass (Sorghum sudanense) (control), common millet (Panicum miliaceum L.), and Japanese millet (Echinochloa frumentacea L.), and three annual intercropping systems, i.e., 50% pea (Pisum sativum L.) + 50% barley (Hordeum vulgare L.); 40% pea (Pisum sativum L.) + 30% (Piper) Stapf.-Sudan grass (Sorghum Sudanense) + 30% barley (Hordeum vulgare L.); and 50% pea (Pisum sativum L.) + 50% (Piper) Stapf.-sudan grass (Sorghum Sudanense), as well as the six mentioned treatments with the sole crops and intercrops plus cover crop oats (Avena sativa L.) were used. Japanese millet is a promising newly introduced crop in northern Kazakhstan. It was revealed that the cover crop significantly reduced weed density in the forage sole crops and their intercrops. In all cases, integrating the cover crop with annual forage crops showed higher quality and productivity than non-covered treatments. A highly productive annual crop grown with and without cover intercrop was Sudan grass. The highest yield among the three intercropping systems was recorded with the intercrop constituting 40% pea + 30% Sudan grass + 30% barley. The crude protein content was higher in biomass from sole crops and intercrops constituting cover crops. The overall view was that the use of oats as a cover crop on sole annual forage crops and their intercrops including methods that could be integrated with chemical and non-chemical methods in the field could be a valuable way to reduce weed pressure and improve quality and productivity during the vegetation period.

Greenhouse gas emission and energy analysis of vetch (Vicia sativa L.) cultivation

BackgroundAgricultural production accounts for a major share of global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). However, the information on energy use and GHG emissions from various crops is contradictory. Climate change is expected to increase the GHG emission from different crops; therefore, selection of the crops with lower GHG emission could be helpful in reducing the emission and energy consumption. A major focus of energy policy should be on improving energy efficiency. Saving money and lowering GHG emissions are only two benefits of using energy efficiently. However, these are unknown for the vetch cultivation in Siirt province of Turkey. MethodsThis study investigated energy consumption efficiency and GHG emissions of vetch (Vicia sativa L.) production under dry circumstances in Siirt province, Turkey during 2021. Seed rate was kept 120 kg/ha in the current study. The amount of fertilizer applied was 92.0 kg/ha pure phosphorus and 36.0 kg/ha pure nitrogen. To calculate the energy efficiency of vetch production in Siirt, energy inputs and energy outputs were computed. ResultsThe energy intake and output were 8205.02 MJ/ha and 90388.56 MJ/ha, respectively. The energy inputs were: 37.1 % diesel fuel energy, 31.2 % fertilizer energy, 21.2 % seed energy, 9.6 % equipment energy, and 0.9 % labor energy. The results revealed that energy consumption efficiency was 11.02, specific energy was 0.34 MJ/kg, energy efficiency was 2.90 kg/MJ, and net energy was 82183.54 MJ/ha in vetch production. Total GHG emissions from vetch production was 205.19 kgCO2-eq ha−1, with diesel fuel accounting for the lion's share (72.88 %). Diesel fuel was followed by the consumption of nitrogen fertilizer (26.33 %), phosphorous (0.47 %) and machinery (0.42 %). Additionally, GHG ratio was 0.009 kg CO2-eq kg−1 in vetch production. ConclusionIt is concluded that encouraging the farmers to produce vetch as an alternative to the production of conventional forage crops and rotation in fodder production will be beneficial. It will reduce GHG emissions with lesser energy consumption.

Intensification of Forage Production and Quality Parameters: A Review

India supports nearly 20 per cent of the world’s livestock population on just 2.2 per cent of the world’s geographical area. The fodder production in the country is not sufficient to meet the requirement of growing livestock population and country faces a net deficit of 61.1% in green fodder, 21.9% in dry crop residues and 64% in feeds. This puts a tremendous pressure to increase fodder and forage production to meet the diet demands of increasing livestock population. Intensification of fodder and forage can be done by increasing productivity per unit area that can be achieved by integration of fodder crops in the cropping systems as intercrops, round the year forage production and introduction of fodder and forage crops in tree crops as alley crops. In addition to the intensification, the quality parameters of forage are equally important to be stressed upon. Important components that determine forage quality include fats, carbohydrates, crude protein, percent dry matter, pH etc. Anti-Nutritional Factors (ANF) in plants reduce the intake or nutrient utilization and determines the extent of uing those plants a fodder for livestock. The presence of anti- nutritional components viz., nitrates, tannins, oxalates, mimosine, cyanogens, Saponins, BOAA ( Benzo-Oxalic Acetic Acid) limit the forage and fodder consumption. For the lean periods in which land may not be accessible for forage production, forage conservation is the best measure to meet the fodder demands. The forage conservation methods include hay making and silage making. These strategic measures will ensure food and nutritional security by supplying quality food and nutritional security by supplying quality fodder and forage for animals.

Evaluation of Forage Crops Production and Quality of Two Different Rangelands in Sulaimani Governorate

This study was conducted during 2015 in Sulaimani governorate at two main different locations of Sharbazher, Dukan, each one with some sub-locations, the sub- location of sharbazher that contains (Qalachwlan, Bnawela, Kana-Swra, Byana, Bazarw and Kane-Bewka) . The sub- location of Dukan that contains (Mergapan, Kwera-Kane, Hanaran, Qzlar and Kilka-Smaq) to estimate fresh yield, dry yield, dry matter and animal unit. The rangeland areas of Sulaimani governorate located between 350 10' – 360 27' N and 440 40' – 460 22' E were restricted, 250017 and658801 ha for Sharbazher and Dukan locations respectively. The most important results indicated that, it was noticed that the sub-location of Qalachwalan at sharbazher location gave the maximum values of plant height, stem dry weight, leaf dry weight and Leaf Stem ratio for both legumes and grasses with 27.22, 52.9 cm, 5.28% and1.80% as the means of nine replicates respectively. However, the sub-location of Mergapan at Dwkan location gave the maximum values of plant height with 40.43, 69.00cm for both legumes and grasses respectively.Dukan location gave the maximum value of total dry yield 970431.60 ton and 2940701.80 Animal unit/three months, while Sharbazher location which gave the minimum value total dry yield of 17216.20 ton and 52170.30 animal unit/3 months as the means of four replicates respectively. The highest fresh yield, dry yield and animal unit obtained Dukan, location which 13348.27 and 2554.85 kg/ha 2940701.80 animal unit respectively .Results of chemical analysis for the grass and legume plants showed that there were differences between locations. Dukan location gave the maximum percentage of protein content, Carbohydrate, fiber, and magnesium which were (8.75, 17.80 ,19.50 , and 0.74 %) respectively, for legume plants .However, chemical contents for grass plant showed that Sharbazher location gave the maximum percentage of carbohydrate, fiber, oil , phosphorous and ash contents which were (22.28 , 23.50 , 1.22 , 1.33 and 11.01 %), respectively.

Calibration and Validation of the FAO AquaCrop Water Productivity Model for Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

Crop models that can accurately estimate yield and final biomass have been used for major herbaceous crops and to a lesser extent in forage systems. The AquaCrop version 7.0 contains new modules that have been introduced to simulate the growth and production of perennial herbaceous forage crops. Simulated forage yields as a function of water consumption provide valuable information that allows farmers to make decisions for adapting to both climate variability and change. The study aimed to calibrate and validate the AquaCrop model for perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) in the high tropics of Colombia (South America). The experiments were conducted during two consecutive seasons, in which perennial ryegrass meadows were subjected to two irrigation regimes: full irrigation and no irrigation. The model was evaluated using precision, accuracy, and simulation error indices. The overall performance of AquaCrop in simulating canopy cover, biomass and soil water content showed a good match between measured and simulated data. The calibration results indicated an acceptable measurement of simulated canopy cover (CC) (R2 = 0.95, d-index = 0.41, RMSE = 9.4%, NRMSE = 12.2%, and FE = −21.72). The model satisfactorily simulated cumulative dry mass (R2 = 0.95, d-index = 0.98, RMSE = 2. 63 t ha−1, NRMSE = 11.8%, and FE = 0.94). Though the biomass values obtained in the end-of-season cuts were underestimated by the model, soil water content was simulated with reasonable accuracy (R2 = 0.82, d-index = 0.84, RMSE = 6.10 mm, NRMSE = 4.80%, and FE = 0.32). During validation, CC simulations were good, except under water deficit conditions, where model performance was poor (R2 = 0.42, d-index = 0.01, RMSE = 40.60%, NRMSE = 40.90%, and FE = −25.71); biomass and soil water content simulations were reasonably good. The above results confirmed AquaCrop’s (v 7.0) suitability for simulating responses to water for perennial ryegrass. A single crop file was developed for managing a full season and can be confidently applied to direct future research to improve the understanding of the necessary processes and interactions for the development of perennial herbaceous forage crops.

Impact of Field Topography and Soil Characteristics on the Productivity of Alfalfa and Rhodes Grass: RTK-GPS Survey and GIS Approach

Understanding the spatial pattern of soil chemical properties along with the topologic indicators is essential for site-specific agriculture management. A study was conducted on a 50 ha field to investigate the effect of selected topographic indicators, including elevation (DEM), slope (SL), flow accumulation (FA) and Topographic Wetness Index (TWI) on forage crop production. The soil samples and yield data were obtained from the field inventory. Topographical parameters of elevation and slope were estimated with the use of a real-time kinematic global positioning system (RTK-GPS), and then the DEM was generated. The collected soil samples were analyzed for pH, EC, nitrogen and soil organic carbon. Sentinel-2 images were for the creation of yield maps of alfalfa and Rhodes grass. Subsequently, on the basis of DEM, the generated elevation, slope and FA model were then compared with the yield and soil chemical properties. Statistical analysis revealed that the SL, FA and TWI, which are associated with water distribution, were significantly related to crop yields. The FA showed a medium-to-non-significant correlation with the productivity of both alfalfa (R2 = 0.586; p = 0.015) and Rhodes grass (R2 = 0.578; p = 0.01). A significant inverse correlation was recorded between the SL and the yield of both crops (R2 = −0.591 to −0.617; p = 0.01). The yield map revealed that the majority of the area (37.56%) of the experimental field was occupied by the medium-yield class, followed by the high-yield class (33.03%).

Совершенствование технологии возделывания кормовых культур как основы устойчивого развития кормопроизводства в Ярославской области

Исследование проводилось в период с 2019 по 2021 год на опытном поле Ярославского НИИЖК – филиала ФНЦ «ВИК им. В. Р. Вильямса» в многолетнем стационарном опыте. В семипольном кормовом севообороте (однолетние травы (викоовсяная смесь) с подсевом многолетних трав, 3 года многолетние травы (люцерна + тимофеевка луговая + овсяница луговая), зерновые культуры на зелёную массу + поукосно яровой рапс на сидерат, ячмень, кукуруза) изучались технологии возделывания полевых культур: экстенсивная (без удобрений), органическая, биологизированная, интенсивная, высокоинтенсивная. Исследуемые технологии предусматривали различные сочетания удобрений: без удобрений, органические удобрения и органические совместно с различными нормами минеральных удобрений. Основная цель исследований — разработать зернотравяной севооборот, обеспечивающий производство кормов с высокой энергетической и протеиновой ценностью. При использовании технологий с совместным применением органических и минеральных удобрений наблюдался повышенный сбор сухого вещества, кормовых единиц, сырого протеина и обменной энергии с 1 га посевов. Однако максимальные значения показателей отмечались при разных технологиях возделывания. При интенсивной технологии возделывания был отмечен максимальный сбор сухого вещества, составивший 7,39 т/га. Наибольшие значения по сбору обменной энергии (52,7 ГДж/га), кормовых единиц (6,4 тыс. корм. ед./га) и сырого протеина (1,3 т/га) были отмечены при высокоинтенсивной технологии возделывания. При этом полученная в ходе опыта продукция характеризовалась хорошими показателями качества. В среднем по севообороту содержание сырого протеина варьировалось в пределах от 11,7 до 13,6%, сырой клетчатки — от 22,5 до 23,2%, сырого жира — от 2,3 до 2,6%, безазотистых экстрактивных веществ (БЭВ) — от 53,9 до 56,1%. An investigation was carried out at the trial field of the Yaroslavl Research Institute of Animal Husbandry and Forage Production – branch of the Federal Williams Research Center of Fodder Production and Agroecology in the period from 2019 to 2021 as a part of long-term experiment. Such techniques as extensive (zero fertilization), organic, biologized, intensive and high-intensive cultivations were tested under the seven-field crop rotation: annual grasses (mixture of vetch-oats) overseeded by perennial grasses; perennial grasses (alfalfa + common timothy + meadow fescue) for 3 years; gramineous for green mass + spring rapeseed for green manure; barley; maize. Different backgrounds were analyzed: no fertilizers, organic fertilizers as well as the combination of organic fertilizers with various rates of the mineral ones. The aim was to develop a rotation of grain crops and grasses producing high-energy and high-protein forage. Combined application of organic and mineral fertilizers increased the yields of dry matter, feed units, crude protein and exchange energy from 1 ha. However, the highest values were observed under different cultivation techniques. Intensive cultivation resulted in the highest dry matter yield of 7.39 t ha-1. High-intensive cultivation provided the highest yields of exchange energy (52.7 GJ ha-1), feed units (6.4 thousand feed units ha-1) and crude protein (1.3 t ha-1). At the same time, fodder quality was at high level. Contents of crude protein varied from 11.7 to 13.6%, crude fiber — from 22.5 to 23.2%, crude fat — from 2.3 to 2.6%, nitrogen-free extractive substances — from 53.9 to 56.1%

The Experience of European Countries in Managing the Expenditures of Enterprises in the Agricultural Sector

Ensuring the efficient development and functioning of agricultural enterprises depends on the rationally formed optimal level of costs for the implementation of economic activities, particularly for the production of agricultural products. This article aims to describe methodological principles of cost management of agricultural enterprises based on the European Union countries using determination of interconnection between total costs of agricultural enterprises and indicators of the value of agricultural products manufactured by them. Methods: theoretical analysis, abstraction, induction, deduction, tabular and graphical presentation, description, comparison, comparison, and generalization. Results: It was found that the disclosure of methodological principles of cost management of agricultural enterprises should be carried out by identifying the relationship between the total costs of agrarian enterprises and indicators of the cost of agricultural products produced by them using correlation analysis. As a result of correlation analysis, we established direct and reversed very high, high, medium, moderate, and weak correlations between the indicator of total costs of agricultural enterprises and the indicator of the cost of grain growing, index of production cost of industrial crops and the index of the cost of forage crops production according to the surveyed countries of the European Union. It was found that with very high and high intensity of interconnection between the analyzed variables. The increase in the indicator of total costs directly affects the growth of the cost of growing crops by agricultural enterprises in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, the Netherlands, and Romania. The growth in the indicator of total costs directly affects the growth of the production cost of industrial crops by agricultural enterprises of Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, and Portugal and the increase in the indicator of total costs directly affects the increase in the cost of growing forage crops by agricultural enterprises of Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Ireland, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. The prospect of the following research is to disclose the methodological principles of cost management of agricultural enterprises on the application of the United States of America.

Partial Replacement of Oat Hay with Whole-Plant Hydroponic Barley Seedlings Modulates Ruminal Microbiota and Affects Growth Performance of Holstein Heifers.

The dairy industry is facing challenges in balancing forage supply and crop production. Therefore, forage supply based on a farm land-saving approach should be developed to overcome the human–livestock competition on farmland. The objective of this study was to learn the potential impact of partially replacing oat hay with whole-plant hydroponic barley seedlings (HBS) produced via a land-saving hydroponic method on growth performance, digestibility, and rumen microbiota in Holstein dairy heifers. In total, 39 Holstein heifers were randomly divided into 13 blocks based on age and body weight for an 8-week experimental period. The heifers within each block were randomly allocated to one of three diets group: (1) 0% HBS and 16% oat hay (CON); (2) 4% HBS and 12% oat hay (25% HBS); and (3) 8% HBS and 8% oat hay (50% HBS). Compared to CON, feed intake, growth performance, and body N retention were similar to those in cows fed 25% HBS but lower in 50% HBS-fed animals (p < 0.05). Reduced digestibility (crude protein (CP) and organic matter (OM)) was observed in 50% HBS animals (p < 0.05). Compared to the control, the levels of Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group, Bacillus, and Colidextribacter were higher, but the levels of Sphaerochaeta and Ruminiclostridium were lower in 50% HBS animals (p < 0.05). Additionally, the digestibility of CP (p < 0.01, r = −0.61) and ether extract (EE) (p < 0.01, r = −0.58) was negatively correlated with Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group. The digestibility of OM (p = 0.01, r = −0.55), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (p = 0.01, r = −0.56), acid detergent fiber (ADF) (p = 0.02, r = −0.52), and CP (p < 0.01, r = −0.61) was negatively correlated with Bacillus. The digestibility of NDF (p = 0.02, r = −0.52) and ADF (p = 0.03, r = −0.50) was negatively correlated with Colidextribacter. The digestibility of OM (p = 0.03, r = 0.50), NDF (p = 0.03, r = 0.50), and ADF (p = 0.03, r = 0.49) was positively correlated with Ruminiclostridium. The digestibility of OM (p = 0.04, r = 0.47), CP (p < 0.01, r = 0.58), and EE (p = 0.03, r = 0.49) was positively correlated with unclassified_f_Rikenellaceae. The digestibility of CP was positively correlated with Sphaerochaeta (p = 0.02, r = 0.53). In conclusion, the current study suggests that HBS could replace oat hay in a ratio-dependent manner. The reduced growth performance could be caused by lower feed intake and digestibility, which may be attributed to the alteration in the rumen’s microbial population. Further exploration of the inhibiting factors of HBS would broaden the application of hydroponic feed in the future.

Morphological, Physiological, Productivity, and Nutritional Characteristics of Saline-Tolerant Forage Plants

Because of a source of feed, saline-tolerant forage plants are one of the factors promoting the development of ruminant livestock on saline soils. Developing tolerant forage on saline soils necessitates several requirements cause saline soil stress reduces forage crop productivity. The strategy for developing forage on saline soils is to create forage that is characterized by morphology, physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. These characteristics must be identified in order for the forage developed to truly adapt to saline land and become local varieties or new high yielding varieties as a result of saline tolerant breeding. Forage production, performance (architecture), and nutrition are expected benefits of tolerant saline soils forage. Cultivation technology must support the genetic advantage of forage varieties on saline soils in order for their genetic potential to emerge. Planting superior forage varieties on saline land is expected to meet the ongoing need for feed while also developing livestock on sub-optimal land.

Impact of precipitation variation on summer forage crop productivity and precipitation use efficiency in a semi-arid environment

Planting annual forage crops could provide fodder supplies, enhance the development of the livestock industry, and optimize cropping systems in semi-arid regions, but water shortages and variable precipitation limit forage production on the Loess Plateau. To explore forage production under variable precipitation conditions, we conducted 3-year field experiments to evaluate the crop production, water use, water use efficiency, and precipitation use efficiency of three forage crops, soybean (Glycine max L.), oat (Avena sativa L.), and vetch (Vicia sativa L.), under three rainfall scenarios: a 30 % decrease in rainfall (R-30 %), normal rainfall (CK), and a 30 % increase in rainfall (R +30 %). The scenarios were implemented with rainfall-collection-redistribution devices. In 2017, under the CK scenario, the dry matter yield (DMyield) values of soybean, oat, and vetch were 3617.56, 5284.00, and 2631.00 kg ha−1, respectively, and the crude protein yield (CPyield) values were 555.20, 518.37, and 467.57 kg ha−1, respectively. Compared to those under the CK scenario, the soybean, oat, and vetch DMyield values under the R + 30 % scenario increased by 26.25 %, 13.16 %, and 26.38 % in 2016, but the water use efficiency for dry matter yield (WUEDM) increased by 28.04 %, 40.58 %, and 27.77 %, respectively, in 2018 under the R-30 % scenario. Compared to that of soybean, the precipitation use efficiency for crude protein yield (PUECP) of oat was significantly lower, by 32.58 %, 31.19 %, and 27.50 %, in 2018 under the R-30 %, CK, and R + 30 % scenarios, respectively. Across the three growing seasons, under the R-30 %, CK, and R + 30 % rainfall scenarios, oat had the highest DMyield and WUEDM, but soybean had the highest CPyield and PUECP. Therefore, oat and soybean are two suitable forage types for this region, and they could be integrated into existing cropping systems. Under wet conditions, we recommended incorporating oat into fallow-winter wheat and fallow-maize-winter wheat cropping systems during the fallow periods to produce forage. Under dry and normal climate conditions, we recommend planting soybean in fallow-winter wheat and fallow-maize-winter wheat cropping systems to reduce soil water use and increase precipitation use efficiency.

Süt Sığırcılığı İşletmelerinde Yem Tüketimi ve Yem Dönüşüm Oranının Belirlenmesi: Hatay İli Örneği

This research was carried out to determine the feed consumption and feed conversion ratio in dairy cattle farms. The data used in the research were gathered from 141 dairy cattle farms in the Hatay province. According to the research results, the average forage crops production area size in the enterprises was 18.13 da, and the share of forage crops cultivation areas in the crop production pattern was determined as 31.07%. The average cattle stock was 11.02 heads, the number of dairy cattle was 4.87 heads, the milk yield per dairy cattle was 5.619 lt/head, and the milk income was calculated as 2.811 US$/head. The roughage consumption of a dairy cattle in the lactation period was 3,139.67 kg, the monetary value of the consumed roughage feed was 371.61 US$, the consumption of concentrated feed and crushed feed was 2958.90 kg, and the monetary value of the consumed concentrated feed was determined as 1118.57 US$. In the research area, the total expense amount was approximately 1.9 million US$. The proportional share of variable costs in the total cost was calculated as 64.26%, and the share of fixed costs was calculated as 35.74%. The proportional share of feed costs in variable costs was 80.56%. The research revealed that 1.90 liters of milk was obtained by the 1 kg of concentrate and crushed feed that was given to a dairy cow in the lactation period. Considering the average of the enterprises; for 100 US$ of feed consumption, the gross production value of dairy cattle was calculated as 236.02 US$, and the milk income was calculated as 195.72 US$. In the study it, was determined that there were statistical differences between the farm size groups in terms of milk yield and the amount of roughage and grain feed consumption. Within the research it was revealed that the feed needs of the enterprises should be provided by their own enterprise in order to achieve higher milk yield and income per animal.

Yem bitkileri üretimine yönelik tarımsal desteklerin araştırılması: Desteklerin bölgeler temelinde etkilerine bir bakış

Objective: Although the farmers producing forage crops have been supported since 2000, the targeted level of forage crop production has not been reached. Hence a study was conducted and the objective of this t was to determine the factors affecting the increase in forage crop production at the regional level. Material and Methods: The Central Anatolia and Eastern Anatolia Regions, where forage crop production is common in Turkey, were selected. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with randomly selected 980 forage crop producers. Linear regression analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: It has been determined that the most important variables affecting the increase in forage crop production in both regions are the presence of land and the number of animals. An increase of 1 hectare in the irrigated land led to an increase in the production of 2.77 hectares of vetch crop (Vicia sativa L.) in the Central Anatolia Region. In the Eastern Anatolia Region, it was determined that this situation caused an increase in the production of 4.69 hectares of alfalfa crops (Medicago sativa L.). After the subsidies, the forage crop production of the non-animal farmers was approximately 2.14 times higher than the livestock farmers. Conclusion: Giving forage crops supports considering the crops production pattern and geographical conditions of the regions will contribute more to the increase in forage crops production.

Житняк — ценная кормовая культура для условий степной зоны Центрально-Черноземного региона

Among bluegrass perennial grasses, wheatgrass are one of the most valuable species for the steppe zone. The wheatgrass (Agropyron pectiniforme Roem. et Shult.) in the herbage of many zones occupy one of the leading positions. This is the most common species among wheatgrass in the wild. At the Voronezh Experimental Station for perennial grasses, primary seed production of the Pavlovsky 12 variety is carried out, based on collected wild-growing samples. Wheatgrass variety Pavlovsky 12 withstands grazing well, and is also well eaten by all farm animals in the hay and pasture. It is the main component of grass mix-tures (wheatgrass + alfalfa or sainfoin) in field and grassland crop rotations. An important condition for increasing the productivity of forage crops is the use of zoned breeding varieties adapted to the specific natural and climatic conditions of cultivation, in this regard, a research program has been developed at the station, which includes wheatgrass in the breeding process, as a more drought-resistant species of peren-nial grasses. In 2011, in order to accomplish the assigned tasks, they began to study the wheatgrass. After 4 years of study, a complex hybrid population of wheatgrass called SGP-8 was formed. In 2015, a com-petitive variety testing of samples with increased forage and seed productivity, drought resistance and resistance to stressful effects of abiotic and biotic environmental factors was started. Based on the results of the research, a promising sample variety was identified, which in 2020 was transferred to the State Commission of the Russian Federation for registration by expert assessment in the State Register of Breeding Achievements Permitted for Use.