Performance of indigenous and exotic×indigenous sheep breeds fed different diets in spring and the efficiency of feeding system in crop–livestock farming

2014 ◽  
Vol 153 (3) ◽  
pp. 554-569 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. ATES ◽  
G. KELES ◽  
F. INAL ◽  
A. GUNES ◽  
B. DHEHIBI
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Late Spring ◽  
Feeding System ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Spring Period ◽  
Sheep Production

SUMMARYGenetic variation in feed efficiency may have a significant impact on sheep production in integrated crop livestock farming systems in dry areas, where the shortage and poor quality of feed is widespread. Thus, the present study was carried out to investigate the effects of sheep genotype and feed source on liveweight gain, feed conversion efficiency and dry matter (DM) intake in feedlot lambs finished on diets based on low-cost forages or a high-cost concentrated feed as a means of assessing the efficiency of this feeding system. Early weaned lambs of the purebred fat-tailed Akkaraman breed were compared with synthetic Anatolian Merino (0·80 German Mutton Merino×0·20 Native Akkaraman) breed. The lambs were kept in individual pens for 8 weeks and fed four diets: daily harvested forages of triticale (T), Hungarian vetch (HV), a triticale-Hungarian vetch mixture (T+HV), and a concentrate-based feed (CF). Lamb liveweight gain (LWG) was monitored during the early (18 April–16 May) and late (17 May–13 June) spring periods. Diet×period and diet×breed interactions were detected in LWG of the lambs. Lambs from both genotypes on the concentrate-based diet had higher liveweight gains, DM intakes and better feed conversion ratios compared with lambs finished on the forage-based diets. The LWG of lambs offered triticale forage decreased from 177 g/head/day in the early spring to 95 g/head/day in the late spring period, as plant maturity increased. Liveweight gains did not change for the other forage rations during the same period. The LWG of Akkaraman lambs were similar for both the early (189 g/head/day) and the late (183 g/head/day) spring periods, whereas Anatolian Merino lambs gained 41 g/head/day less LW and had 3·8 higher feed conversion rate for the late spring period compared with the early spring period. The present study showed that fat-tailed Akkaraman lambs were better able to utilize forages with low nutritive value compared to Anatolian Merino lambs, and may be better suited to semi-arid areas, where crop and livestock are highly integrated in the farming system.

Genetic improvement of forage crops – past, present and future

2005 ◽  
Vol 143 (6) ◽  
pp. 441-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. O. HUMPHREYS
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
N Fixation ◽  
Forage Legumes ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Livestock Farming Systems

Grass is a complex crop and its value for agriculture must be assessed in terms of the quantity and quality of downstream livestock products (milk, meat and wool). In addition to being a natural low-cost feed for ruminants, grassland protects soil and water resources and enhances the landscape. Temperate grasslands support a major share of the world's milk and beef production but now there is increasing emphasis on sustainability in livestock farming systems rather than maximizing outputs. The economic sustainability of livestock producers in many developed temperate regions is increasingly linked to production from fewer animals giving a higher quality product. A key element in the efficiency of all grassland systems is to optimize the protein/energy balance of forage and value it in a similar way to other livestock feeds. Grasses are rich in energy comprising structural and non-structural carbohydrates while forage legumes are rich in protein. The main forage legumes used in Europe are white and red clover, and lucerne, which form an essential part of sustainable farming systems because of their high nutritive value and ability to fix nitrogen. The productivity of grasslands containing legumes generally reflects the amount of N fixation, which is 65–280 kg/ha/year in W. Europe. Animal production from white clover-based pastures in Europe can be 0·8 that obtained from grass pastures fertilized with 400 kg N/ha/year, and that from lucerne and red clover can be equivalent to animal production from such pastures.

Foraging behaviour of beef cattle in the hilly terrain of a Mediterranean grassland

2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Henkin ◽  
E. D. Ungar ◽  
A. Dolev
Keyword(s):  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Late Spring ◽  
Full Potential

The objective of this study was to determine the role of terrain in the foraging behaviour of beef cows grazing hilly Mediterranean grasslands. The study was conducted in eastern Galilee, Israel, during 2002 and 2003 on two similar 28-ha paddocks encompassing distinct terrain types in terms of slope and rock cover. The paddocks were continuously grazed by cows from mid winter (January–February) to autumn (September) at two different stocking rates (1.1 and 0.56 cows per ha). From early June to the end of September the cows were offered poultry litter ad libitum as a supplementary feed. The location and activity of cows were monitored with GPS collars during four periods in each year: early spring (February–March), late spring (April), early summer (June) and late summer (August). Herbage mass was measured at the beginning of each of these periods. During early and late spring, when the herbage mass and nutritive value of herbage were high, the cows spent 40–50% of the day grazing, with peaks in the morning and afternoon. In the dry, late summer period (August), grazing of the herbage was 20–22% of the day, occurring only in the early morning and late afternoon with sporadic bouts of grazing until midnight. In all periods the cows tended to prefer the flattest terrain sites. As the herbage mass declined to 1000–1500 kg ha–1, the exploitation of the pasture during grazing became increasingly similar among the different terrains. Even on relatively small paddocks, where grazing pressure was close to the full potential of the site, free-ranging cows tended to prefer less sloping and rocky sites. It is concluded that the grazing strategy of beef cows is determined by the interaction between terrain, the distribution of the herbage mass and the nutritive value of the herbage. As herbage mass declines during the growing season, the distribution of grazing becomes uniform and all terrain types are exploited.

scholarly journals Nutritive attributes of Sesbania parchycapa fodder in a crop-livestock farming system

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 306-312
Author(s):  
J. A. Akinlade ◽  
A. Larbi ◽  
A. A. Awojide ◽  
I. O. Adekunle ◽  
O. O. Ojebiyi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
N Balance ◽  
Panicum Maximum ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Livestock Farming System ◽  
Agro Forestry ◽  
Small Holder

Two experiments were conducted to investigate and compare the nutritive attributes of Sesbania parchycapa (SP) in a crop-livestock farming system. In Experiment 1, the feeding attributes of Sesbania parchycapa (SP) fodder was investigated with 15 West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep, by feeding Panicum maximum (PM) alone and P. maximum supplemented with S. parchycapa (SP) in the ratio of 70:30. The study lasted 28 days, during which feed intake was monitored daily. In Experiment 2, the nutritive value of SP was investigated with WAD sheep and goats by feeding them as sole diets. The study lasted 15 days consisting of 10 days adjustment and 5 days of data collection using 5 each of bucks and rams in a completely randomised design. In the first trial, DM intake (99.5g/kgBW0.75) was higher for the control PM and least (72.8g/kgBW0.75) for SP. Total DM intake followed similar trend. In the second trial, DM (185g/kgBW0.75), CP (40%) and NDF (645g/kgBW0.75) intakes were generally higher (p<0.05). for sheep than for goats. DAM (562), CP (421) and NDF 680g/kg digestibility coefficients were also higher (p<0.05)for sheep than for goats. The N balance and retention (g/h/d) was higher in sheep. Results indicated that intake, digestibility and N- utilisation of S. parcyhcapa by sheep is better than goats although both had a positive N-balance. It could be concluded that apart from the well known positive impact of S. Parchycapa in agro forestry and alley farming systems, it can effectively serve as protein supplement in a small holder crop-livestock farming system.

Forage brassicas have potential for wider use in drier, mixed crop–livestock farming systems across Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (10) ◽  
pp. 924
Author(s):  
Lindsay W. Bell ◽  
Lucinda J. Watt ◽  
Rebecca S. Stutz
Keyword(s):  
Health Risks ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Arid Environments ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Livestock Farming Systems ◽  
Pratylenchus Thornei ◽  
Mixed Crop

Forage brassicas are currently widely used in temperate–humid livestock systems; however, they offer potential to diversify crop rotation and forage options in the drier, mixed crop–livestock zone of Australia. A literature review highlighted that in these hotter and more arid environments, forage brassicas are more likely to fit as autumn-sown forage crop where they offer an energy-rich, highly digestible feed source that could be used during periods of low production and nutritive value of other forage sources. However, brassicas can also accumulate several anti-nutritional compounds that require gradual introduction to livestock diets, thereby reducing potential health risks and optimising animal performance. Preliminary experimental and commercial evaluations in subtropical Australia found high production of some forage brassica genotypes (&gt;5 t DM/ha with growth rates of 50–60 kg DM/ha.day), comparable or superior to widely used forage cereal or forage legume options. Several forage brassicas showed moderate to high resistance to the root-lesion nematode, Pratylenchus thornei, and hence are likely to provide break-crop benefits compared with susceptible species (e.g. wheat). Together, this evidence suggests that forage brassicas have significant potential for wider use in crop–livestock farming systems in Australia. However, research is needed to identify genotypic adaptation and to match different forage brassica genotypes to production environments or system niches, especially some of the new genotypes that are now available. There is also a need to develop regionally-relevant recommendations of agronomic and grazing management that optimise forage and animal production, and mitigate potential animal health risks.

scholarly journals Finnsheep and their utilization experiences in temperate conditions

1988 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 455-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. Baker
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Sheep Production

The highly prolific Finnsheep (F) has been exported to more than 40 countries around the world to improve the reproductive performance of local breeds through crossbreeding. The infusion of one-half F into local breeds results in a substantial improvement in all reproductive traits with net reproduction (lambs weaned/ewe mated) being increased by about 25 % in the British Isles and Western Europe and by up to 70—100 % in New Zealand, South Africa and the USA. Heterosis for litter size at birth has been low or negligible in a number of crossbreeding studies involving F. Serious reservations have been expressed about the growth, fleece producton and carcass characteristics of F. While F-cross lambs are usually lighter at birth than local breeds, their weaning and post-weaning weights are often very similar, at least partly due to heterosis. Despite the perceived poor live conformation of purebred F, the carcass weight, quality and composition of F-crosses have been very similar to local breeds or crosses. A striking feature of F-cross carcasses is that they have more kidney and less subcutaneous fat than local breeds. This may be a desirable feature of F-cross in extensive, pastoral farming situations to help sheep survive during droughts or periods of low pasture production. The fleece weight of the purebred F is 30—40 % lower than most local breeds, particularly long-wooled breeds. However, the 1/4-F crosses have consistently been only 5—10 % lower in fleece weight. Studies have reported comparable, or superior, processing qualities of F-cross wool. F-cross ewes have generally been shown to have superior longevity, overall productivity and economic efficiency than local breeds across a diverse range of environments and farming systems. Some of the problems of integrating a highly prolific genotype into extensive, low cost, sheep production systems are discussed. F has been utilized in many countries by producing a new synthetic population containing a certain proportion (1/8 to 1/2) of F ancestry. This approach is usually superior to other crossbreeding options such as stratified crossing or rotational crossing systems.

scholarly journals Effect of Total Mixed Ration Based Complete Pellet Feed on the Performances of Stall Fed Native Sheep

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-166
Author(s):  
S Ahmed ◽  
MRH Rakib ◽  
MA Hemayet
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Daily Weight Gain ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Feeding System ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Traditional System ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Pellet Feed

A complete pellet feed was developed using 40 % roughage (Rice straw) and 60 % concentrate (Rice polish 50 %, Maize crush 16 %, Soybean meal 20 %, Molasses 10 %, Salt 2 %, DCP 1 %, Vitaminmineral premix 0.5 %, Pellet binder 0.5 %) for commercial sheep production under stall feeding system. To know the effect of complete pellet feed on animal performances, both on-station and on-farm trials were conducted in growing sheep. The results of the experiment demonstrated that in the traditional system of rearing; only 22.42 g daily weight gain was observed. While, feeding of complete pellet feed achieved 84.98 g, and 100.67 g daily weight gain at on-farm and on-station condition respectively suggesting that pelleting enhanced the efficiency of utilization of feed. However, no differences were observed for the feed cost per kg weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) among the pellet feeding group and other group. But results suggest that complete pellet feed would be more economical for commercial sheep production under the stall-fed condition and farmers would be more benefited using complete pellet feed compared to conventional grass or urea molasses straw (UMS) and concentrate based feeding system. No disease or clinical symptoms were observed in the animals during the experimental period, suggesting that pellet feeds are well accepted by the sheep and results in better growth rate. SAARC J. Agri., 18(2): 157-166 (2020)

scholarly journals Agroecological practices to support tropical livestock farming systems: a Caribbean and Latin American perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gisele Alexandre ◽  
Lylian Rodriguez ◽  
Javier Arece ◽  
José Delgadillo ◽  
Gary Wayne Garcia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Livestock Farming Systems ◽  
American Perspective

scholarly journals Evaluation of indigenous aromatic rice cultivars from sub-Himalayan Terai region of India for nutritional attributes and blast resistance

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Debayan Mondal ◽  
Prudveesh Kantamraju ◽  
Susmita Jha ◽  
Gadge Sushant Sundarrao ◽  
Arpan Bhowmik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Amylose Content ◽  
Blast Resistance ◽  
Starch Content ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Blast Disease ◽  
Basmati Rice ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Rice Cultivars

AbstractIndigenous folk rice cultivars often possess remarkable but unrevealed potential in terms of nutritional attributes and biotic stress tolerance. The unique cooking qualities and blissful aroma of many of these landraces make it an attractive low-cost alternative to high priced Basmati rice. Sub-Himalayan Terai region is bestowed with great agrobiodiversity in traditional heirloom rice cultivars. In the present study, ninety-nine folk rice cultivars from these regions were collected, purified and characterized for morphological and yield traits. Based on traditional importance and presence of aroma, thirty-five genotypes were selected and analyzed for genetic diversity using micro-satellite marker system. The genotypes were found to be genetically distinct and of high nutritive value. The resistant starch content, amylose content, glycemic index and antioxidant potential of these genotypes represented wide variability and ‘Kataribhog’, ‘Sadanunia’, ‘Chakhao’ etc. were identified as promising genotypes in terms of different nutritional attributes. These cultivars were screened further for resistance against blast disease in field trials and cultivars like ‘Sadanunia’, ‘T4M-3-5’, ‘Chakhao Sampark’ were found to be highly resistant to the blast disease whereas ‘Kalonunia’, ‘Gobindabhog’, ‘Konkanijoha’ were found to be highly susceptible. Principal Component analysis divided the genotypes in distinct groups for nutritional potential and blast tolerance. The resistant and susceptible genotypes were screened for the presence of the blast resistant pi genes and association analysis was performed with disease tolerance. Finally, a logistic model based on phenotypic traits for prediction of the blast susceptibility of the genotypes is proposed with more than 80% accuracy.

scholarly journals Do applications of systemic herbicides when green fruit are present prevent seed production or viability of Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard)?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Leo Roth ◽  
José Luiz C. S. Dias ◽  
Christopher Evans ◽  
Kevin Rohling ◽  
Mark Renz
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Seed Viability ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Alliaria Petiolata ◽  
Late Spring ◽  
Garlic Mustard ◽  
Viable Seed ◽  
Application Timing ◽  
Control Seed ◽  
Second Year

Garlic mustard [Alliaria petiolata (M. Bieb.) Cavara & Grande] is a biennial invasive plant commonly found in the northeastern and midwestern United States. Although it is not recommended to apply herbicides after flowering, land managers frequently desire to conduct management during this timing. We applied glyphosate and triclopyr (3% v/v and 1% v/v using 31.8% and 39.8% acid equivalent formulations, respectively) postemergence to established, second-year A. petiolata populations at three locations when petals were dehiscing, and evaluated control, seed production and seed viability. Postemergence glyphosate applications at this timing provided 100% control of A. petiolata by 4 weeks after treatment at all locations whereas triclopyr efficacy was variable, providing 38-62% control. Seed production was only reduced at one location, with similar results regardless of treatment. Percent seed viability was also reduced, and when combined with reductions in seed production, we found a 71-99% reduction in number of viable seed produced plant-1 regardless of treatment. While applications did not eliminate viable seed production, our findings indicate that glyphosate and triclopyr applied while petals were dehiscing is a viable alternative to cutting or hand-pulling at this timing as it substantially decreased viable A. petiolata seed production. Management Implications Postemergence glyphosate and triclopyr applications in the early spring to rosettes are standard treatments used to manage A. petiolata. However, weather and other priorities limit the window for management, forcing field practitioners to utilize more labor-intensive methods such as hand-pulling. It is not known how late in the development of A. petiolata these herbicides can be applied to prevent viable seed production. Since prevention of soil seedbank replenishment is a key management factor for effective long-term control of biennial invasive species, we hypothesized late spring foliar herbicide applications to second year A. petiolata plants when flower petals were dehiscing could be an effective management tool if seed production or viability is eliminated. Our study indicated that glyphosate applications at this timing provided 100% control of A. petiolata plants by 4 weeks after treatment at all locations, whereas triclopyr efficacy was inconsistent. Although both glyphosate and triclopyr decreased viable seed production to nearly zero at one of our three study locations, the same treatments produced significant amounts of viable seed at the other two locations. Our findings suggest late spring glyphosate and triclopyr applications should not be recommended over early spring applications to rosettes for A. petiolata management, as our late spring application timing did not prevent viable seed production, and may require multiple years of implementation to eradicate populations. Nonetheless, this application timing holds value in areas devoid of desirable understory vegetation compared to no management practices or mechanical management options including hand-pulling when fruit are present, as overall viable seed production was reduced to similar levels as these treatments.

scholarly journals Nanotechnology and Reproductive Management of Farm Animals: Challenges and Advances

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1932
Author(s):  
Nesrein M. Hashem ◽  
Antonio Gonzalez-Bulnes
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategies ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Biological Molecules ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Physiological Status ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Reproductive Management ◽  
Livestock Farming Systems ◽  
Reproductive Disease ◽  
Nutritional Strategies

Reproductive efficiency of farm animals has central consequences on productivity and profitability of livestock farming systems. Optimal reproductive management is based on applying different strategies, including biological, hormonal, nutritional strategies, as well as reproductive disease control. These strategies should not only guarantee sufficient reproductive outcomes but should also comply with practical and ethical aspects. For example, the efficiency of the biological- and hormonal-based reproductive strategies is mainly related to several biological factors and physiological status of animals, and of nutritional strategies, additional factors, such as digestion and absorption, can contribute. In addition, the management of reproductive-related diseases is challenged by the concerns regarding the intensive use of antibiotics and the development of antimicrobial resistant strains. The emergence of nanotechnology applications in livestock farming systems may present innovative and new solutions for overcoming reproductive management challenges. Many drugs (hormones and antibiotics), biological molecules, and nutrients can acquire novel physicochemical properties using nanotechnology; the main ones are improved bioavailability, higher cellular uptake, controlled sustained release, and lower toxicity compared with ordinary forms. In this review, we illustrate advances in the most common reproductive management strategies by applying nanotechnology, considering the current challenges of each strategy.

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