Amount Of Fodder Research Articles

Effect of seed priming on fodder quantity and quality in fodder maize (Zea mays L.)

Effect of seed priming on fodder quantity and quality in fodder maize (Zea mays L.)

A Bayesian analysis of adaptation of mountain grassland production to global change

Abstract In mountains, grasslands managed for livestock production sustain local economies, culture and identity. However, their future fodder production is highly uncertain under climate change: While an extended growing season may be beneficial, more frequent and intense summer droughts could also reduce fodder quantity and quality. Land use and land cover (LULC) changes are another major driver of grassland biomass production, but combined effects of future land use transitions and climate change are rarely quantified. We modelled combined climate and LULC scenarios for grassland production of the Maurienne Valley (French Alps) by 2085. We built a Bayesian Belief Network (BBN) from long‐term grassland production monitoring data complemented with expert knowledge. We assessed the potential of two candidate adaptations, intensification as an incremental solution and silvopastoralism as a transformative solution to compensate combined impacts of two climate scenarios and three land use change scenarios. Total biomass production was far more sensitive to LULC than to climate scenarios. Production losses were largest under the conservation LULC scenario (−28% on average between 2020 and 2085), followed by the tourism development scenario (−7%) and the business‐as‐usual scenario (+3%). Climate change under representative concentration pathways (RCP) 8.5 altered the seasonality of production by increasing potential production from May to July while decreasing summer regrowth. Synthesis and applications: Changes in LULC are more decisive for global biomass production than climate change. However, under the most extreme climate change scenario (RCP8.5), the seasonal shift in production and increased interannual variability threaten the current grass‐based protected designation of origin (PDO) production system. Only the intensification adaptation solution showed significant gains in total biomass production. Still, the silvopastoralism would require less investment compared to the intensification and have a similar efficiency when assessing the gains of biomass by the surface concerned with adaptation solutions. Along with decreased total annual production due to decreasing grassland area compounded by more extreme climate change, the seasonal shift in production and increased interannual variability threaten the current grass‐based PDO production system. Further Bayesian modelling co‐developed with local stakeholders and experts could greatly contribute to adaptation planning of the regional production system.

Diversity and utilization patterns of fodder resources in a Himalayan protected area.

In the Himalaya, collection of fodder from protected areas by local communities for sustenance of their livestock is an integral part of mountain farming systems. Here, we assess the diversity and utilization patterns of fodder resources collected by local communities from Overa-Aru wildlife sanctuary in Kashmir Himalaya. A multi-stage random sampling was employed to select sample villages (5) and households (81) for the survey. Data were collected through personal interviews of household heads administering an interview schedule and then analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear regression model. The results revealed that 74 fodder species were collected by the local communities from the sanctuary. The diversity and magnitude of fodder resource utilization varied across the study area. The fodder collection and utilization on per day and annual basis ranged from 25 to 90 and 2760 to 13,770kg/household, respectively. Across the surveyed villages, the fodder was mainly collected by the females (60%). A positive but non-significant relationship was found between the number of persons collecting fodder and quantity of fodder collection/household/day, while a positive and significant relationship was found between the herd size and quantity of fodder collection/household/day. We also found a negative but non-significant relationship between the education status of respondents and the number of livestock holding. Based on our findings, we suggest policy and management interventions such as regulating livestock grazing, promoting plantation of frequently collected fodder species, and better use of agriculture byproducts to guide the sustainable management of fodder resources in this Himalayan protected area, with learning for elsewhere.

How is plant biodiversity inside grassland type related to economic and ecosystem services: An Estonian case study

Biodiversity is globally recognised as a cornerstone of healthy ecosystems and extensive management is assumed to increase biodiversity in all grassland habitats. Often, the maintenance of these semi-natural grasslands via mowing or grazing is financially subsidized and different ecosystem benefits are associated with the plant biodiversity value. These assumptions are usually made after comparing different ecosystems or management options. However, less information is available about the relations between plant biodiversity and ecosystem services in practice. Hence, we studied the impact of biodiversity on the fodder quantity and quality in two different semi-natural grassland habitats. We also checked if the species more commonly found in sites with higher biodiversity are more endangered in comparison to the rest of the species and if they have special site requirements in terms of Ellenberg indicator values. The soil of Estonian calcareous grasslands had higher pH as well as organic matter and Nitrogen content than the soil of Estonian mesic grasslands (habitat 6270). However, the average annual biomass production in the first ones was significantly smaller most probably due to water shortage. No clear relation between site productivity and plant species number was detected in either habitat. The average species number in both studied habitats was almost similar, but the median species amount in mesic grasslands was more than 13% higher than that in calcareous grasslands. Crude protein along with starch & sugar content in the calcareous grassland biomass tended to be lower than in mesic grasslands. In the last habitat, the content of these two components favoured both for fodder and biogas purposes tended to be lower in sites with more species. Positive correlations were found between species number and biomass detergent fibre contents, which is why it must be inferred that plant biodiversity does not improve grassland biomass quality. We detected several species of the Near Threatened category from the IUCN red list, but none of these appeared in our list of species that grew with higher probability in grasslands with higher plant biodiversity. According to principal component analyses, these listed species are less common, less nutrient demanding and more salt tolerant than the rest of the plant species found in calcareous grasslands and more common than the rest in mesic grasslands species. We conclude that high site biodiversity does not guarantee any larger income for the typical bioeconomy products, so other potential economic services should be included to the farm’s budget.

Performance of food–feed maize and cowpea cultivars under monoculture and intercropping systems: Grain yield, fodder biomass, and nutritive value

Livestock feeding in Burkina Faso is characterized by a recurrent deficit in both the quality and the quantity of fodder during the dry season, which affects animal performance. To overcome this, quality fodder/forage production is an alternative. Therefore, this study evaluated food- and feed-improved cultivars of maize and cowpea in intercropping trials using the “mother and baby trials” approach with crop–livestock farmers. The mother trial comprised a randomized block design with eight treatments and four replicates: two cowpea (KVx745-11P and Tiligré) and two maize cultivars (Barka and Espoir), and grown under two cropping systems (monoculture and intercropping). Baby trials were established on-farm and involved 30 farmers during two seasons (2019 and 2020) in four villages in the South Sudan zone of Burkina Faso. Data were collected on (1) weed density and biomass, (2) grain yield and fodder biomass, (3) intercropping efficiency, and (4) fodder nutritive value. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and the least significant difference (LSD) means separation at a 5% threshold. The results revealed that maize and cowpea intercropping significantly reduced weed biomass (p ≤ 0.05). In monoculture, the maize cultivar Barka produced a greater grain yield (4980 kg/ha) and fodder biomass [6259 kg dry matter (DM)/ha] than the cultivar Espoir, which produced a grain yield of 2581 kg/ha and fodder biomass of 4952 kg DM/ha. The cowpea cultivars, KVx745-11P and Tiligré, were similar (p ≥ 0.05) in terms of fodder biomass (2435–2820 kg DM/ha) and grain yield (1152–1163 kg/ha). For the intercropping system, land equivalent ratios for fodder biomass (1.18:1.41) and grain yield (1.02:1.44) were greater than 1; intercropping also had better productivity system indexes than the monoculture cropping system. The crude protein concentration of fodder was greater for Barka maize (9.5%–9.8%) than for Espoir maize (8.5%–8.7%). The crude protein concentration was greater for cowpea KVx745-11P (19%–21.8%) than for cowpea Tiligré (15%–17%). Intercropping both Barka maize and cowpea KVx745-11P was the most productive cropping system for maximizing grain and fodder production for crop–livestock farmers in the South Sudan zone of Burkina Faso.

Grassland farmers’ relationship with biodiversity: a case study from the northern Italian Alps

ABSTRACT To successfully understand and shape biodiversity conservation in Alpine grasslands, it is crucial to understand how farmers’ relationship to biodiversity influences their goals and associated practices. We explored how farmers perceive and value biodiversity, how this is related to agricultural and land use practices, and how they view their roles in affecting it. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 farmers in the northern Italian Alps and with 6 experts in the fields of grassland management, agriculture, and environmental conservation in 2020. The farmers’ answers were analyzed using a mental model approach, relational thinking, and the literature on the ‘good farmer’. The experts’ responses were used to discuss and contextualize the farmer’s answers. We found that the farmers’ mental model of biodiversity is associated to different aspects of agricultural management practices and farmers’ roles in mountain agricultural landscapes. Instrumental values of biodiversity are negative and strongly perceived as such by farmers, while relational values associated with biodiversity are positive, but more weakly perceived. These differing perceptions and values seem to be associated with two roles that farmers have, as producers and landscape stewards, and how they value fodder quantity and quality. Most farmers don’t include considerations related to the conservation of biodiversity in their management decisions, and mostly do not envision any changes in biodiversity or management in the future. Effective biodiversity conservation in Alpine grasslands will therefore need to tap into these dual roles and the associated instrumental and relational values of biodiversity for a meaningful dialogue on conservation.

Herbage mass of Teosinte (Euchlaena mexicana) grown as mono and mixed with legumes

The popular summer cereal fodder is Teosinte (Euchlaena mexicana) which has low productivity and chemical constituents. The quality and quantity of teosinte fodder can be enhanced by adjusting cultivation practices including use of appropriate sowing dates and by following an appropriate mixed cropping cultivation with legumes. This study was conducted to identify the fodder quantity and quality under a commonly practiced mixed cultivation of legumes with teosinte with varied sowing dates. Three combination of fodder; teosinte, teosinte+cowpea and tesosinte+rice bean was arranged in four sowing dates in Split Plot Design, replicated five times. Sowing dates were arranged as main plot while combination of fodder species was arranged as sub plot. Growth parameters of teosinte (tiller numbers/m2, plant height), green herbage mass, dry herbage mass, crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were determined. The results showed significantly highest (p<0.05) cumulative green and dry herbage mass was obtained from teosinte+cowpea, if sown in 18th April followed by 28th April for the same combination of treatments. Significantly the highest (p<0.001) average value of CP was obtained from teosinte+cowpea whereas the highest (p<0.001) average value of NDF and ADF were obtained from teosinte mono crop. The effect of date of sowing and treatments interaction/combination on average value of CP, NDF and ADF were statistically similar (p>0.05). The result of this experiment indicated that teosinte sown with cowpea in 18th April might be the best combination to produce high herbage mass as well as better quality of fodder. Bangladesh Journal of Animal Science. 2022. 51 (2): 47-54

Parameters of radish phytomass (Raphanus sativus L.) determined by vermicompost and earthworms (Eisenia fetida)

Abstract In 2-year outdoor pots experiment, which was realised in the vegetation cage situated in the campus of Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, both the impact of different doses of vermicompost (Vc) (0%, 10%, 20%, 25% and 50%) and the number of earthworms (EW) (0, 10 and 20 individuals/pot) in the soil substrate were studied on the quantitative and qualitative parameters of radish yield. The achieved results show that along with the increasing quantity of Vc, the total chlorophyll content also increased proportionally. The content of vitamin C declined and the content of nitrates increased in both the aboveground and underground biomass. The weight of the roots and leaves of radish increased until the content of Vc in the substrate did not exceed 20%. Vermicompost abundance >20% led to the decline of root and leaf biomass formation. The root yield and leaf biomass were higher in the presence of 50% Vc content in the substrate, compared with the control. The EW had mostly a negative impact on radish phytomass formation, particularly both weight and root diameter. The highest percentage of roots weight decline cultivated in the treatment with EW were obtained with the least dose of Vc (10%), thereby the least quantity of fodder for the EW. The impact of EW on the total chlorophyll, vitamin C and nitrates contents in roots and leaves was non-significant. The number of EW did not influence the root diameter and content of vitamin C; however, it affected the root weight.

Assessment of the genetic diversity of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) genotypes for kernel yield, oil and fodder quantity and quality under drought conditions

AbstractThe objective of this study was to determine drought tolerance, kernel (KY) and fodder yield and quality amongst diverse groundnut genotypes for direct production or breeding. Hundred genotypes were evaluated at ICRISAT, India during 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 under drought‐stressed (DS) and nonstressed (NS) conditions. Data were collected on KY; oil content (OC); oil yield (OY); protein content; palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acid contents; haulm yield (HY); and fodder quality parameters such as the contents of dry matter, ash, nitrogen (NC), neutral detergent fiber (NDFDM), acid detergent fiber (ADFDM), acid detergent lignin (ADLDM), in vitro digestibility, and metabolizable energy. Data were subjected to parametric and nonparametric statistical analyses. Combined analysis of variance revealed significant (P < .05) genotype differences for all assessed traits. Genotype × water regime interaction effects were significant for KY, OC, ash, NC, NDFDM, and ADLDM. Kernel yield positively and significantly (P < .05) correlated with OY (r = .99), LAC (r = .13), ash (r = .32), and NDFDM (r = .54) under DS condition. Haulm yield was positively and significantly (P < .05) correlated with OC (r = .24), NDFDM (r = .19), ADFDM (r = .18), and ADLDM (r = .17) under DS condition. The study identified four genotypes with high kernel and haulm yields, and six genotypes with high oleic acid content. Further, 10 genotypes were selected with relatively better drought tolerance. The selected genotypes are recommended for further breeding and variety release adapted to drought conditions.

Economic analysis of green fodder crops for enhancing the dairy profitability in Punjab

The present study has been carried out in three agro-climatic regions of Punjab state, i.e. Sub mountainous, Central and South-Western regions for examining the economics of different green fodder crops and importance of green fodder in enhancing the dairy profitability. The study consisted of a total sample size of 120 farmers growing green fodder crops and keeping dairy animals. It was observed from the study that the profitability from important green fodder crops based crop cycle is a little bit higher (bajra + berseem ` Rs.1,213) than the traditional wheat-paddy crop rotation (`Rs.49,005). It was found that proportion of green fodder in the cost of milk production was lower (12.12 per cent) if green fodder is home-produced compared to the market prices of green fodder (23.13 per cent). In this way, the expenditure on green fodder can be curtailed by about 13-14 per cent, which will curtail the overall cost of production of milk and enhance the productivity and profitability from milk production. A direct link between green fodder quantity and milk yield has been observed. Therefore, farmers need to motivated for enhancing the green fodder production for properly feeding the animals and further, they should try to increase the herd size so that higher profits from dairy farming can be realized.

Determinants of pastoralists\u2019 participation in commercial fodder markets for livelihood resilience in drylands of northern Kenya: Case of Isiolo

Feed insecurity associated with prolonged and recurrent droughts remains a perennial challenge impeding livestock production and a major source of resource-based conflicts in the drylands of many developing countries such as Kenya. Thus, the emerging fodder markets in the drylands act as a secondary source of livestock feed to augment the natural pastures and hence play a crucial role in meeting the year-round feed requirements of pastoralists. However, little information exists on the factors influencing pastoralists to purchase fodder for their own livestock amid their long-held cultural beliefs in using natural pastures for forage . Using primary household survey data from a multi-stage sample of 201 pastoralists, this study assessed socio-economic and institutional factors that influence the pastoralists’ participation in fodder markets in Isiolo County, Kenya. Both descriptive statistics and a Heckman two-step model were applied in data analysis. The findings showed that pastoralists’ decisions to purchase fodder are significantly influenced by access to credit, weather and market information, land tenure system, exposure to shocks, off-farm income, age, gender and proximity to towns. The amount of fodder purchased was significantly affected by access to weather information, exposure to shocks and livestock holdings. These results underscore the importance of improving pastoralists’ access to prerequisite institutional support services to enhance their access to fodder and livestock markets, basic services and increased integration into the broader market economy.

Feed and Fodder Availability and Utilization Pattern in Urban-Peri-Urban Dairy Farms in and Around Navsari City of South Gujarat

This investigation was carried out to study the fodder resource management practices followed by selected 40 commercial dairy farmers in and around Navsari city of South Gujarat. The required information was collected through personal interview. Data analyzed revealed that buffalo consisted more than two third of total strength. Population of younger animals like calves and heifers were 33 and 9 % of total herd strength, respectively. The annual green and dry fodder availability calendar showed that 95 % farmers used sugarcane top during November to March. During April to July 100 % respondents fed whole sugarcane, whereas during August to October 34, 15 and 4 farms were using green grass, green sorghum and green maize, respectively. Among dry fodder, paddy straw was popular and used by 37 farms, whereas 10 farms were using sorghum straw. The quantity of fodder used by each farm revealed that sugarcane tops fulfilled average 39.27 % of ration requirement in 38 farms. Similarly, green sugarcane fulfilled average 23 % of ration requirement in all 40 farms. Green cut and carry grass fulfilled 13.15 % of ration in 34 farms. As far as dry fodder was concerned, paddy straw and sorghum straw were used to fulfill 41.49 and 31.70 % of their ration requirement in farms, where it was used. Among concentrates cotton seed cake, wheat bran and compound concentrate (Sumul Dan) were used by 38, 20 and 16 farms, respectively. They were using cotton seed cake at proportion of 33% in their ration. Analysis of demand and supply of feed and fodder resources revealed that all farms studied together required annually 10124, 2248 and 2248 tons of green fodder, dry fodder and concentrate as per thumb rule feeding of dry matter at 3 % of body weight. However, all feed resources were in shortfall by 21-51 %. Annual shortage of dry fodder was the highest, i.e., 51.33 % and shortage of concentrate was the lowest (14.64 %).

Micro-livestock in smallholder farming systems: the role, challenges and opportunities for cavies in South Kivu, eastern DR Congo

Livestock play multiple roles for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. Mixed crop-livestock systems are common in South Kivu, eastern DR Congo, but herd sizes are small and numbers of large livestock (i.e. cattle) have declined, due to high population density, recent conflicts and extreme poverty. Over half of the farmers keep cavies, a type of micro-livestock fitting the circumstances of smallholders and a valuable asset especially for the poorest households. To characterize cavy husbandry practices, detailed monthly on-farm data on cavy numbers, weights, herd dynamics and feeding practices were collected over 15 months and from households in two contrasting sites in South Kivu. Cavy herds contained on average 10 animals and strongly varied in size over time and between households. The main reasons for keeping cavies were meat consumption, especially for children, and the opportunity to generate petty cash. A large difference was observed in adult cavy live weights between the sites (an average of 0.6 and 1.0 kg per animal in Kabamba and Lurhala, respectively) and attributed to differences in cavy husbandry and genetics. In both sites, quantities of fresh fodder on offer were larger than fodder demand by 50–100%, but no correlation was found between amount of fodder on offer and cavy weight. Farmers faced several constraints to cavy production, including substantial declines in cavy herd size due to predation or theft and a lack of knowledge regarding breeding and feeding. Hence, the introduction of cages to limit mortality and fodder cultivation to improve feed quality were opportunities for improving cavy production. Overall, micro-livestock present a promising entry-point for development initiatives, also outside DR Congo, because of their potential to decrease poverty and improve human nutrition.

Economical, Financial and Environmental Evaluation for the Civil Fish Farms in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate

Fish farming in the private aquaculture sector is the most common. The main objective of the study was to study the economic and environmental assessment of the national fish farms. Field data were obtained through a sample of 138 form representing 16.23% of the total national farms. The most important explanatory variables affect the quantity of the output Of the fish in the sample farms are the number of used labor, the number of fry used, the amount of fodder used, the water area, and the results showed that all the farms of the sample did not achieve economic efficiency for a number of reasons, It was also found that the average size of the average fish production for the three sample groups which below the cost is about 3.57, 49.5, and 5.68 tons / fed. The maximum profit production was also found to be about 0.56, 4.56, 6.5 Ton / fed for the three categories respectively. The internal rate of return for the three categories was 49.8%, 59.4% and 64.5%, respectively, which is higher than the prevailing interest rate of 20% and it was found that the investment in aquaculture So that the most effective economically and financially from depositing money in banks, the study recommended by encouraging the private sector to invest in the field of aquaculture. .

The Faxinal System: Forest fragmentation and soil degradation on the communal grazing land

The Brazilian faxinal is a traditional agrosilvopastoral system, which combines extensive grazing, subsistence cropping and low impact forest extraction, managed within a communal property system. Today it is at serious risk of disappearing due to increasing grazing pressure and logging activities that are leading to environmental problems such as forest fragmentation and soil degradation. The objectives of the study were to: a) evaluate soil physical degradation levels in different grazing areas within the faxinal system; and b) correlate soil degradation, fodder quantity and livestock dynamics in different pasture areas according to the household's location. Landscape mapping, vegetation surveys, and livestock grazing dynamics were assessed. In addition, soil physical parameters were evaluated for each land use (e.g., resistance, bulk density, porosity, moisture, and water infiltration rates). Results showed that livestock grazing and household locations are the main driving forces that lead to forest fragmentation. The household location creates three interrelated gradients in the communal grazing land: 1) soil physical degradation decreases from the pasture areas to araucaria forests; 2) fodder quantity decreases from pastures to araucaria forests; and 3) the livestock grazing intensity decreases from pastures to araucaria forests. In addition, some management practices to mitigate land degradation, including improvement of pastures, installation of removable troughs for drinking water in the upland areas and restriction of livestock from the riparian zone, have been proposed.

Taxonomic and functional facets of the resilience to management of mown subalpine grasslands

AbstractQuestionsSustaining ecosystem services for society in the face of global change is a major challenge. Resilience, an ecosystem's ability to absorb disturbance and return to its initial functioning, is critical for this. We assessed the resilience of mown subalpine grasslands following restoration management. Using a novel multi‐indicator approach, we asked how different taxonomic and functional facets of biodiversity influence resilience mechanisms. We demonstrated this approach for a case study in subalpine grasslands, asking: how resilient are grasslands dominated by Patzkea paniculata and their agronomic services to changing mowing regimes?LocationVillar d'Arène, Hautes‐Alpes, Provence‐Alpes‐Côte d'Azur, France. Boundary area of Ecrins National Park.MethodsA manipulative experiment tested the reciprocal effects of mowing cessation and mowing resumption for 10 years. We analysed floristic composition data following four steps. First, we used the Community Structure Integrity Index (CSII; Jaunatre et al., ) to obtain qualitative and quantitative summaries of taxonomic responses. The second step focused on taxonomic biodiversity using species richness, Simpson and Pielou indices, and responsive species identified in the first step. Third, we analysed functional diversity responses using functional groups and community weighted mean (CWM) of vegetative plant traits. Finally, we quantified ecosystem services impacts by estimating fodder quantity and quality using trait‐based models.ResultsThe mowing manipulation demonstrated the high resilience of P. paniculata grasslands and revealed reversibility of transitions between mown and unmown states. By reducing the abundance of P. paniculata, the resumption of mowing restored forage quality. Supported by a complementary case study on post‐disturbance re‐sowing in hay meadows, this study demonstrates the resilience of mown subalpine grasslands to management change and explores underlying belowground mechanisms of vegetative regeneration and belowground reserves.ConclusionOur novel multi‐indicator approach provides multifaceted mechanistic understanding necessary to anticipate impacts of socio‐ecological changes and to maintain the multiple benefits of mountain grasslands. Addressing the different facets of biodiversity from abundance data that are systematically collected in impact or monitoring assessment, this approach provides a common framework, widely applicable to different types of restoration or management interventions, across regions and biota.

The relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem services and the effects of grazing cessation in semi-natural grasslands

Abstract. Land use change can affect biodiversity, and this has an impact on ecosystem services (ESs), but the relationships between biodiversity and ESs are complex and poorly understood. Biodiversity is declining due to the abandonment of extensively grazed semi-natural grasslands. We therefore aim to explore relationships between biodiversity and ESs provided by extensively managed semi-natural grasslands. Focusing on vascular plant species richness, as well as the ESs fodder quantity, quality, and stability, allergy control, climate regulation, nutrient cycling, pollination, and aesthetic appreciation, we carried out botanical field surveys of 28 paired extensively grazed and abandoned semi-natural grassland plots, with four subplots of 4 m2 in each plot. The management of the semi-natural grasslands is and has been at low intensity. We calculated the influence of abandonment on the ES indicators, measured the correlation between the biodiversity measure of vascular plant species richness and ES indicators, and finally determined how the relationships between plant species richness and the ES indicators were affected by the cessation of the extensive management. ES indicators are often, but not always, positively correlated with species richness. Cessation of extensive grazing has both negative and positive effects on ES indicators but the relationships between species richness and ES indicators are often different in extensively managed and abandoned semi-natural grasslands. The relationships between species richness and ES indicators are less pronounced in the extensively managed semi-natural grassland than for the abandoned. One possible reason for this outcome is high functional redundancy in the extensively managed semi-natural grasslands.

Detecting the Seeds of Nassella neesiana in Large Round Hay Bales, by Means of Non-Destructive Core Sampling

In the last three decades or so there has been a significant increase in fodder trading, both in terms of the quantity of fodder traded and in terms of its economic value to the industry. Often, this fodder type may be supplied free of charge to graziers in distress due to circumstances that follow natural disasters such as bushfires, drought, and flood. However, because of the obvious urgency arising from these situations, it is suspected that much relief fodder may unintentionally pose an elevated risk for dispersal of weeds since it may be supplied from pasture not normally used for trade in fodder, and therefore is of unknown quality. Previous destructive method to detect weed propagules in bales of fodder are cumbersome, time consuming and of limited ecological and statistical value. Therefore, objective of this paper was to development of a convenient method to assess round pasture hay bales for the presence of weed propagules, to prevent unintentional spread of noxious species in hay bales. To examine this objective known quantity of seeds were added in a series of distributions to bales of seed free pasture hay, and a positive correlation for the amount of seed added per bale with that recovered in core samples was observed. Whilst the number of seeds detected per bale varied according to the distribution of seeds within the bales and the number of cores analysed, the absolute detection of seeds suggests that this sampling method is worthy of further examination. In addition, a pragmatic estimation of bale remnants after stock feeding has been investigated to more closely estimate the potential size of the remaining seed bank. The authors propose that development of this approach is timely, in the light of future climatic uncertainty driving extreme weather events that increase the need for relief fodder, which can be a potential vector for the spread of noxious weed seeds.

Alluvial grasslands along the northern upper Rhine – nature conservation value vs. agricultural value under non-intensive management

Semi-natural non-intensively managed grasslands are among the most species-rich and threatened ecosystems in Central Europe. Alluvial meadows along large European rivers are part of the European Union's Habitats Directive, and therefore part of conservation and restoration efforts. Sustainable management of these meadows should aim to reconcile the interests of both nature conservationists and farmers. In this context, we conducted a two-year comparative study in alluvial meadows of high and low nature conservation value, belonging to the alliances Arrhenatherion and Cnidion. Firstly, we aimed to assess how differences in fodder yield and quality are linked to abiotic and biotic factors. Secondly, we addressed the possibility of incorporating fodder from these meadows into livestock farming. Our results revealed that while yield tended to be higher in meadows of low nature conservation value, fodder quality (e.g. energy content) showed the reverse trend. These differences are most likely caused by differences in vegetation composition and soil fertility. In addition, the response seemed to be closely linked to the precipitation pattern. In 2006, when precipitation was evenly distributed, fodder quantity seemed to be mainly related to site conditions. In 2007, when a drought occurred in April, differences in the proportion of functional groups were additionally related to differences in yield. The degree to which this fodder can be integrated into farming systems depends on the intensity of livestock farming and marginal economic conditions. The present study confirms that under non-intensive management, meadows of high and low nature conservation value yield similar fodder qualities.

The ‘One cow per poor family’ programme: Current and potential fodder availability within smallholder farming systems in southwest Rwanda

Livestock is an essential component of smallholder farming systems in the East African highlands. The ‘One cow per poor family’ programme was initiated in Rwanda as part of a poverty alleviation strategy, aiming to increase the livestock population. A four month-study was conducted in Umurera village (Simbi sector), southern Rwanda with the objectives to (1) quantify the on-farm fodder availability, (2) quantify the amount and quality of fodder on offer to livestock, (3) analyse potential fodder availability under five future scenarios and (4) evaluate the implications and feasibility of the programme. Farmers’ surveys, measurements of field sizes, together with daily measurements of fodder on offer, milk production and fodder refusals were conducted. Feeds used were diverse, comprising grasses (53%), banana plant parts (25%), residues of several crops (9%) and other plants (10%). Herbs collected from valley-bottoms, uncultivated grasses and crop residues were predominant fodder types on poorer (Resource group 1 – RG1) farms while Pennisetum and Calliandra were predominant fodder types for moderate (RG2) and better resource endowed (RG3) farms. The amount of fodder on offer for cattle ranged from 20 to 179kg fresh weight animal−1day−1 (9–47kg DM). The milk yield ranged between 1.3 and 4.6Lday−1. The amount of Pennisetum and Calliandra fodder available decreased in the dry season with a concomitant increase in reliance on banana leaves and pseudo-stems. The poorest farmers (RG1) were not able to feed a local cow under all scenarios. RG2 farmers can sustain a local cow during both seasons when using all possible fodder resources, but can sustain a European cow under just two scenarios during the rainy season. RG3 farmers can feed a European cow during the rainy season under all scenarios and for four scenarios during the dry season. We conclude that the ‘One cow per poor family’ programme needs to be adjusted to increase its effectiveness. Our main recommendations are to shift to livestock that require less fodder, for example local cattle or small ruminants such as goats.