Nutritive value of bamboo as browse for livestock

2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.J. Halvorson ◽  
K.A. Cassida ◽  
K.E. Turner ◽  
D.P. Belesky

AbstractSmall farms in Appalachia need management options that diversify income opportunities, are adaptable to new livestock management strategies, and help maintain environmental integrity. Plantings of temperate bamboo (Poaceae), including species native to West Virginia, were established to determine the potential nutritive value for small ruminants, such as goats (Capra hircus), at different times of the year. The bamboo species we evaluated, included several Phyllostachys spp., Semiarundiaria fastuosa and Arundinaria gigantea, were able to withstand Appalachian winter temperatures and retain some green leaves even in late winter. Although small differences were evident, the nutritive value was generally comparable among species and exhibited similar trends over the season. Total non-structural carbohydrates in bamboo leaves decreased throughout the growing season, and then remained stable or increased during winter. Conversely, crude protein was relatively low in young leaves compared to late season or over-wintered leaves. Concentrations of fiber and protein were sufficient to meet the maintenance needs of adult goats. The ability of bamboo to remain green and maintain the nutritive value throughout winter suggested that it has potential as winter forage for goats in central Appalachia. As an upright browse, bamboo may reduce the exposure of goats to gastrointestinal parasites. Perennial stands of temperate bamboo could prove to be a valuable, multiple-use crop suitable for Appalachian farm operations and easily adaptable to goat production systems.

1986 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 46-49
Author(s):  
Stephen R. Shifley ◽  
Gary J. Brand ◽  
Lewis F. Ohmann

Abstract TWIGS, an individual-tree-based forest growth projection model, was coupled with a gray squirrel habitat suitability model. The combination of timber forecasting models with wildlife habitat models provides a powerful tool for multiple-use decision-making. The linked models allow forest managers to simultaneously forecast and evaluate the effect of alternative management strategies on timber yield, financial return, and quality of gray squirrel habitat. The linked models were used to evaluate two management options for 9 stands comprising a 258-acre tract on the Hoosier National Forest in southern Indiana. Results for this tract indicated that, for most interest rates, the management option that provided the best squirrel habitat had a lower present net value ($/ac). North. J. Appl. For. 3:46-49, June 1986.


2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia M. Lee ◽  
Nivonne R. Hemmingson ◽  
Elena M. K. Minnee ◽  
Cameron E. F. Clark

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and narrow-leaved plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) are able to grow a large amount of high-quality summer feed. Limited information is available on the effect of grazing management on plantain, and no comparison been undertaken of modern chicory and plantain cultivars used in dairy production systems. This study determined the effect of defoliation interval (as determined by the extended leaf height, ELH) and residual height on the yield, nutritive characteristics and plant density of chicory and plantain over 18 months. Chicory leaf yield was reduced in swards defoliated at 150 mm ELH compared with those defoliated at 250, 350 or 550 mm (14.3 v. 17.5 t DM ha–1), and chicory stem yield was least in swards defoliated at 150 or 250 mm. Plantain swards defoliated at 350 or 450 mm ELH yielded more leaf than those defoliated at 150 or 250 mm (20.4 v. 16.7 t DM ha–1); however, stem yield also increased with increasing defoliation interval. Over all seasons, as defoliation interval increased, generally, neutral detergent fibre content increased and crude protein, ash and digestibility declined. Residual height had less of an effect on yield and nutritive characteristics than did defoliation interval. To maximise chicory leaf growth while minimising growth of lower quality stem, the optimal ELH over 18 months was 250 mm, or if the chicory was used only as a 9-month ‘summer’ crop, 350 mm. Recommendations for plantain are not as simple because longer defoliation intervals increase both leaf and stem yield and reduce nutritive value. Defoliating plantain swards at 250 mm ELH appeared to provide a balance between yield and nutritive value; however, further work is required to determine the impact of applying these recommendations on a dairy farm system.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nilo Lima ◽  
Hector Angarita ◽  
Marisa Escobar-Arias ◽  
Wilford Rincon ◽  
Sergio Nuñez ◽  
...  

<p>In Bolivia, since 2006 the Ministry of Environment and Water, through the National Watershed Plan, has developed the conceptual framework and national policy for Watershed Management. At present, this national policy is still in the process of learning and construction from its application in various river basins, principally through the development of Watershed Master Plans.</p><p>Three principles guide the development of this national planning effort: i. the recognition of the growing dependence on participatory processes as a forum to identify and enable legitimate water management and governance options, ii. the need to plan for an uncertain future caused by climate change and other societal prerogatives iii. the systemic analysis of the territory incorporating biophysical, sectoral and regional interactions.</p><p>Here we present results and lessons learned of this process in the formulation of the Master Plan of the Río Rocha Basin (PDCR); With a population of ~ 1,500,000 people (13% of Bolivia’s population), the basin has high levels of water scarcity that feed an intricate network of conflicts related to access, governance, and environmental degradation. The PDCR is a planning opportunity to enable the necessary conditions to resolve current conflicts and set the foundation of sustainable water management.</p><p>Robust decision support (RDS) has been adopted as a guiding framework, constructing a participatory process that considers uncertainties and strategies within an array of management options for the system. To accommodate the large disparities in water access across interests represented at different regions and scales of the Rio Rocha Basin, we implemented two innovations in the RDS process: first, a set of 24 quantitative indices that can operate at several nested scales of planning sub-units (i.e. from independent irrigation units or household water supply service areas, to the entire river basin), and second the use of an interactive “hard-coupled” decision dashboard to the Water Evaluation and Planning System (WEAP). In combination, this innovations enabled a diverse audience of actors to: i) explore the positive and negative interactions of water management, production systems, hazards and risks management, and ecosystem functions ii) identify disparities in the performance of a proposed plan between scales and ii) analyze and compare different management strategies interactively to improve outcomes and identify and mitigate emerging regional or sectorial conflicts.</p><p>As a result, the PDCR established a set of regional and intersectoral actions for 2025 and 2040, which integrate infrastructure, efficiency, pollution control, and territorial and productive planning actions, accompanied by institutional strengthening and capacity development measures. The plan expects to increase access and coverage of the demand for safe water, improve irrigation access, enable long term sustainable exploitation of groundwater and establish synergies with the existing sanitation plan to achieve additional improvements in the environmental quality of the Rio Rocha.</p>


2019 ◽  
Vol 446 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 163-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arlete S. Barneze ◽  
Jeanette Whitaker ◽  
Niall P. McNamara ◽  
Nicholas J. Ostle

Abstract Aims Grasslands are important agricultural production systems, where ecosystem functioning is affected by land management practices. Grass-legume mixtures are commonly cultivated to increase grassland productivity while reducing the need for nitrogen (N) fertiliser. However, little is known about the effect of this increase in productivity on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in grass-legume mixtures. The aim of this study was to investigate interactions between the proportion of legumes in grass-legume mixtures and N-fertiliser addition on productivity and GHG emissions. We tested the hypotheses that an increase in the relative proportion of legumes would increase plant productivity and decrease GHG emissions, and the magnitude of these effects would be reduced by N-fertiliser addition. Methods This was tested in a controlled environment mesocosm experiment with one grass and one legume species grown in mixtures in different proportions, with or without N-fertiliser. The effects on N cycling processes were assessed by measurement of above- and below-ground biomass, shoot N uptake, soil physico-chemical properties and GHG emissions. Results Above-ground productivity and shoot N uptake were greater in legume-grass mixtures compared to grass or legume monocultures, in fertilised and unfertilised soils. However, we found no effect of legume proportion on N2O emissions, total soil N or mineral-N in fertilised or unfertilised soils. Conclusions This study shows that the inclusion of legumes in grass-legume mixtures positively affected productivity, however N cycle were in the short-term unaffected and mainly affected by nitrogen fertilisation. Legumes can be used in grassland management strategies to mitigate climate change by reducing crop demand for N-fertilisers.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Felipe Elizalde ◽  
Christian Hepp ◽  
Camila Reyes ◽  
Marilyn Tapia ◽  
Raúl Lira ◽  
...  

Western Patagonia lamb production systems are based on extensive rangeland. The harsh climate limits the adoption of more intensive systems. Therefore, producers must focus on developing differentiated products. The aim of this study was to evaluate growth patterns, carcasses and nutritive value of meat from 45 lambs. Lambs were divided into three groups: 15 lambs were slaughtered at weaning (W), with the remaining 30 weaned lambs being allocated to grazing either alfalfa (AG) or permanent pasture (PPG). AG lambs were significantly heavier and had higher condition scores than PPG lambs. Further, AG lambs showed higher carcass weight and larger tissue depth and commercial cuts. Moreover, W lambs had lower shear force and more tender meat than either AG or PPG lambs. The three systems showed a low shear force and acceptable sensory traits. Low levels of cholesterol, with low levels of saturated fat, classified these cuts of meat as extra lean. W lambs had higher omega-3 fatty acid content than AG or PPG lambs. Overall, results showed that meat from the three lamb production systems showed health claimable levels of omega-3 fatty acids and were low in fat and thereby, can be classified as lean meat.


Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 273
Author(s):  
Samuel Royer-Tardif ◽  
Jürgen Bauhus ◽  
Frédérik Doyon ◽  
Philippe Nolet ◽  
Nelson Thiffault ◽  
...  

Climate change is threatening our ability to manage forest ecosystems sustainably. Despite strong consensus on the need for a broad portfolio of options to face this challenge, diversified management options have yet to be widely implemented. Inspired by functional zoning, a concept aimed at optimizing biodiversity conservation and wood production in multiple-use forest landscapes, we present a portfolio of management options that intersects management objectives with forest vulnerability to better address the wide range of goals inherent to forest management under climate change. Using this approach, we illustrate how different adaptation options could be implemented when faced with impacts related to climate change and its uncertainty. These options range from establishing ecological reserves in climatic refuges, where self-organizing ecological processes can result in resilient forests, to intensive plantation silviculture that could ensure a stable wood supply in an uncertain future. While adaptation measures in forests that are less vulnerable correspond to the traditional functional zoning management objectives, forests with higher vulnerability might be candidates for transformative measures as they may be more susceptible to abrupt changes in structure and composition. To illustrate how this portfolio of management options could be applied, we present a theoretical case study for the eastern boreal forest of Canada. Even if these options are supported by solid evidence, their implementation across the landscape may present some challenges and will require good communication among stakeholders and with the public.


2006 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
S. N. Rampersad

Tomato production in Trinidad has suffered considerable losses in yield and fruit quality due to infections of hitherto surmised etiology. In order to develop strategies for controlling viral diseases in tomato, the relative distribution and incidence of seven viruses that commonly infect tomato were determined. Of the 362 samples tested, Potato yellow mosaic Trinidad virus (PYMTV) was found in every farm except two and was present at relatively high incidence throughout the country. Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and Tobacco etch virus (TEV) were found in fewer farms and at lower incidences while the other viruses were absent. Single infections of either virus were more common than double infections and multiple infections were rare but present. The results indicated that PYMTV is the predominant and most important viral pathogen in tomato production systems in Trinidad; however, begomovirus disease management strategies will also have to accommodate controls Accepted for publication 10 January 2006. Published 9 March 2006.


Author(s):  
Amy Kathleen Conley ◽  
Matthew D. Schlesinger ◽  
James G. Daley ◽  
Lisa K. Holst ◽  
Timothy G. Howard

Habitat loss, acid precipitation, and nonnative species have drastically reduced the number of Adirondack waterbodies occupied by round whitefish (Prosopium cylindraceum). The goal of this study was to 1) increase the probability of reintroduction success by modeling the suitability of ponds for reintroduction and 2) better understand the effects of different rates of pond reclamation. We created a species distribution model that identified 70 waterbodies that were physically similar to occupied ponds. The most influential variables for describing round whitefish habitat included trophic, temperature, and alkalinity classes; waterbody maximum depth; maximum air temperature; and surrounding soil texture and impervious surface. Next, we simulated population dynamics under a variety of treatment scenarios and compared the probability of complete extirpation using a modified Markov model. Under almost all management strategies, and under pressure from nonnative competitors like that observed in the past 30 years, the number of occupied ponds will decline over the next 100 years. However, restoring one pond every 3 years would result in a 99% chance of round whitefish persistence after 100 years.


2008 ◽  
Vol 37 (spe) ◽  
pp. 143-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Sañudo Astiz

Small ruminants have been one of the first domesticated species and from their origins have produced multiple benefits to humans. In the last two centuries, world sheep production has become more and more specialised upon geographical areas. But, recent changes in consumer attitudes, together with the increment in artificial fibre industries and human world population, some crisis related with the international wool market and some increments in lamb prices, have provoked that lamb meat has increased its relative importance inside the global sheep income. Also, sheep production systems vary considerably across the world, and reflect the different local environmental conditions, which determine, to a large extent, breeds, housing, levels of intensification and, at the end, local market requirements and qualities. However, among all the meats, sheep meat remains the most internationally traded (16 % of total world production is exported), which explains the potential existence of different lamb products in the same market. Then, the new requirements have created a higher interest for meat production, including its quality and quality marks. This interest from producers and the industry should be reflected in a proportional higher interest from the researches towards sheep and goat, where it exists, in general, important lacks of knowledge and, in particular, in lamb and kid meat Science. In the present speech we will made a special incidence on the relationship between carcass quality and lamb acceptability and on some factors like breed and species, diet and production system, slaughter weight and ageing time and their importance on the variation of the carcass and meat quality, including consumer acceptability.


2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 210-218
Author(s):  
Cansu Demir ◽  
Ülkü Yetiş ◽  
Kahraman Ünlü

Thermal power plants are of great environmental importance in terms of the huge amounts of wastes that they produce. Although there are process-wise differences among these energy production systems, they all depend on the logic of burning out a fuel and obtaining thermal energy to rotate the turbines. Depending on the process modification and the type of fuel burned, the wastes produced in each step of the overall process may change. In this study, the most expected process and non-process wastes stemming from different power generation processes have been identified and given their European Waste Codes. Giving priority to the waste minimization options for the most problematic wastes from thermal power plants, waste management strategies have been defined. In addition, by using the data collected from site visits, from the literature and provided by the Turkish Republic Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, waste generation factor ranges expressed in terms of kilogram of waste per energy produced annually (kg/MWh) have been estimated. As a result, the highest generation was found to be in fly ash (24–63 for imported coal, 200–270 for native coal), bottom ash (1.3–6 for imported coal, 42–87 for native coal) and the desulfurization wastes (7.3–32) produced in coal combustion power plants. The estimated waste generation factors carry an important role in that they aid the authorities to monitor the production wastes declared by the industries.


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