Differences in management practices and attitudes between the Triple P Program entrants and other pastoral producers in the region

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 773 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Trompf ◽  
P. W. G. Sale
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Direct Consequence ◽  
Triple P ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Select Group ◽  
Fertiliser Use ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Extension Program

A survey of the pasture productivity settings, practices and attitudes was undertaken for 229 pastoral producers who volunteered to enter the Triple P Program in 1997, and for 89 pastoral producers from 2 representative districts of Victoria. The latter group of producers was considered to be representative of the general population of pastoral producers in the regions where the Triple P Program was undertaken. Comparison of the survey results reveals that the volunteer participants entering the paired-paddock extension program employed different management practices and had different attitudes to productivity issues compared with the general pastoral producers. Before entering the program the Triple P volunteers were already employing more productive practices such as soil testing, measuring pasture availability and spring lambing. In addition the volunteers had higher whole-farm stocking rates and fertiliser use than the general pastoral producers. The different management practices employed by the 2 groups were consistent with their contrasting attitudes towards managing their farms. The Triple P volunteers were focussed on improving production per hectare through increased stocking rates, which could be achieved by additional expenditure on fertiliser and pasture renovation. The general pastoral producers were more focussed on improving production per head which was achieved by gauging animal performance, maintaining stock in good condition and maintaining expenditure on animal health. We contend that the differences identified between the producers volunteering to participate in the Triple P Program and the general pastoral producers are a direct consequence of the voluntary approach used to recruit Triple P participants. This approach attracts a select group of farmers who are inclined to engage in extension and training activities and tend to have different attitudes and practices to the general pastoral producer. A more proactive approach to recruitment will be required if a larger proportion of the general producer population is to engage in the paired-paddock extension program.

Effects of grazing management and environmental factors on native grassland and grassy woodland, Northern Midlands, Tasmania

2004 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven W. J. Leonard ◽  
J. B. Kirkpatrick
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Minor Variation ◽  
Exotic Invasion ◽  
Native Grassland ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Conservation Values ◽  
Few Data ◽  
Stocking Rates

Most remnants of lowland grassland and grassy woodland in Tasmania are grazed by sheep. In some instances, grazed remnants have high conservation value, indicating that grazing and biodiversity conservation are not necessarily conflicting management goals. However, few data exist on the management practices most conducive to maintaining conservation values. The present study examined native grassland and grassy woodland subject to seven different sheep-grazing regimes in the Northern Midlands bioregion of Tasmania and sought to identify the effects of management and environmental factors on vegetation structure and composition. Structural and compositional differences between grassland and woodland, and herbivore scat counts, suggested that grazing disturbance was more intense in grassland than in woodland. Floristic differences within the vegetation appeared to be related to differences in grazing regime. Occurrence of species not commonly observed in grassy vegetation was associated with the resting of pastures in spring, while more intensely grazed sites contained assemblages of species typical of disturbed areas. Exotic invasion was greatest at sites that were not rested and/or had higher stocking rates, and at more eroded sites. Thus, resting and/or low stocking rates were associated with good condition in the grassland and grassy woodland. The nature of differences in vegetation attributes between woodland and grassland suggests that grazer habitat preference increases the differences between these vegetation types. Relatively minor variation in grazing regime was found to have resulted in distinct floristic outcomes, suggesting that the maintenance of a range of management regimes may be conducive to the maintenance of plant species diversity at a landscape scale.

Factors affecting the adoption of productive pastures by participants in a paired-paddock extension program

2000 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
pp. 1089 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Trompf ◽  
P. W. G. Sale ◽  
B. Graetz
Keyword(s):  
Regression Models ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Exit Survey ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Phosphorus Fertiliser ◽  
Fertiliser Use ◽  
Extension Program

A survey of 146 pastoral producers across south-eastern Australia was conducted after they had participated for 3 years in the Grassland’s Productivity Program. The exit survey, together with earlier surveys, enabled the changes in whole-farm stocking rate and phosphorus fertiliser use, management practices, and perceptions of the Grassland’s Productivity Program, to be determined. The magnitude of the increases in productivity settings and the increased use of most recommended management practices were not influenced by either the facilitator who guided the groups of participants, or by the annual rainfall for the farm, which varied between 400 and 1000 mm. Path analysis of the survey data found that changes in productivity settings during 1993–97 did not depend on any one feature of the extension program. Rather the changes resulted from a hierarchy of interacting effects including certain initial (1993) and final (1997) management practices, attitudes to the program and perceived benefits from the program, and situational constraints such as the availability of suitable soil types on the farm. There were differences in the significant terms in the regression models that predicted the change in stocking rate, the change in fertiliser rate, or the combined variable for both, that was designated as the change index.

Management of grazing systems

1989 ◽  
pp. 117-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Hodgson
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Control ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pastoral Systems ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Alternative Means ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Stocking Rates

Recent assessments of the relative importance of stocking rate. stocking policy and grazing management on the output from pastoral systems are used as a starting point to argue the need for objective pasture assessments to aid control of livestock enterprises to meet production targets. Variations in stocking rates, stocking policy and other management practices all provide alternative means of control of pasture conditions which are the major determinants of pasture and animal performance. Understanding of the influence of pasture conditions on systems performance should provide a better basis for management control and for Communication between farmers, extension officers and researchers. Keywords: Stocking rate, pasture condition, pasture cover

Extension Program Delivery for Greenhouse Growers Using Compressed Video Technology

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 507d-507
Author(s):  
Steven E. Newman ◽  
Karen L. Panter
Keyword(s):  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Compressed Video ◽  
Educational Programming ◽  
Video Technology ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Personal Interaction ◽  
Session Evaluations ◽  
Greenhouse Growers ◽  
Extension Program

There is a need for educational programming for greenhouse growers on effective uses of biorational pesticides and biological controls of insect and mite pests, diseases, and alternatives to herbicide sprays in confined areas; however, in many states, travel for specialists for programming and workshops is becoming prohibitive. A series of programs outlining Best Management Practices (BMP) for the greenhouse industry outlining techniques and practices reducing pesticide use were conducted at multiple sites in Colorado simultaneously using interactive compressed video technology. This conferencing technology is gaining wide acceptance in many venues and provides an opportunity for wider participation of clientele without travel. Participants in the programs reported in post-session evaluations that they did miss the personal interaction with the speakers, but did acknowledge that not having to drive 5 hours to attend a seminar was quite beneficial.

scholarly journals Pre-Weaned Calf Rearing on Northern Irish Dairy Farms: Part 1. A Description of Calf Management and Housing Design

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1954
Author(s):  
Aaron J Brown ◽  
Gillian Scoley ◽  
Niamh O’Connell ◽  
Jamie Robertson ◽  
Amanda Browne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Key Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Healthcare Management ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Housing Design ◽  
Hygiene Management ◽  
Calf Performance ◽  
And Performance

The first few months of life are of great importance to the longevity and lifetime performance of dairy cows. The nutrition, environment and healthcare management of heifer calves must be sufficient to minimise exposure to stress and disease and enable them to perform to their genetic potential. Lack of reporting of farm management practices in Northern Ireland (NI) makes it difficult to understand where issues impacting health, welfare and performance may occur in the rearing process. The objective of this study was to investigate housing design and management practices of calves on 66 dairy farms across NI over a 3-month period and also identify areas that may cause high risk of poor health and performance in dairy calves. An initial survey was used to detail housing and management practices, with two subsequent visits to each farm used to collect animal and housing-based measurements linked to hygiene management, animal health and performance. Large variations in key elements such as weaning criteria and method, calf grouping method used, nutritional feed plane, and routine hygiene management were identified. The specification of housing, in particular ventilation and stocking density, was highlighted as a potential limiting factor for calf health and performance. Lack of measurement of nutritional inputs, hygiene management practices and calf performance was observed. This poses a risk to farmers’ ability to ensure the effectiveness of key management strategies and recognise poor calf performance and health.

California National Animal Health Monitoring System for Meat Turkey Flocks: 1988-89 Pilot Study: Management Practices, Flock Health, and Production

1996 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn H. Christiansen ◽  
David W. Hird ◽  
Kurt P. Snipes ◽  
Cyrus Danaye-Elmi ◽  
Charles W. Palmer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Monitoring System ◽  
Health Monitoring ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Health Monitoring System ◽  
Study Management

Paddy Soil Profile Distribution of δ13C Subjected to Rice Straw Amendment and Burning

2019 ◽  
Vol 886 ◽  
pp. 3-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wutthikrai Kulsawat ◽  
Boonsom Porntepkasemsan ◽  
Phatchada Nochit
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Paddy Soil ◽  
Soil Profile ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Residue Management ◽  
Straw Amendment ◽  
Stubble Burning

Paddy residues are the most generous agricultural biomass from the paddy cultivation, Paddy residues practices include crop residue amendment and in-situ burning. It indicated that residue amendment increased the organic carbon and nutrient contents in soil, However, an open residue burning is still a common practice in Thailand despite of strict law enforcements and proper education to farmers about its implications on soil, human and animal health The present study determined how residues management practices: residue amendment and stubble burning, influence the soil organic carbon by determining δ13C in paddy soil profile. The 30 cm depth soil samples from the naturally straw amendment and stubble burning paddy fields were collected in Chiang Khwan district, Roi-et province during 2017. The δ13C values with soil depth showed that residue management practices produce statistical differences in both soils. The δ13C values of soil samples from amendment and burning sites ranged from-23.19‰ to-17.98‰ and-24.79‰ to-19.28‰, respectively. Carbon isotopes differentiate clearly between amendment site (more positive values) and burning site (more negative values). The results from this study were in accordance with literatures which reported that the δ13C distribution in the soil profile can be applied to study in SOC dynamics as a result of different paddy residue management practices (amendment or burning). Further research is needed to confirm the validity of the stable carbon isotope technique in this type of studies.

scholarly journals Animal Health Management Practices Among Smallholder Livestock Producers in Australia and Their Contribution to the Surveillance System

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Hernández-Jover ◽  
Lynne Hayes ◽  
Robert Woodgate ◽  
Luzia Rast ◽  
Jenny-Ann L. M. L. Toribio
Keyword(s):  
Surveillance System ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Animal Health

Survey of farm management practices of the northern wheat belt of New South Wales

1988 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 499 ◽  
Author(s):  
RJ Martin ◽  
MG McMillan ◽  
JB Cook
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Sowing Date ◽  
Grain Protein Content ◽  
Wheat Grain ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
South Wales ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fertiliser Use

A survey of management practices on wheat farms in northern New South Wales was carried out on 50 farms between 1983 and 1985 and was supplemented by a questionnaire mailed to 750 growers in 1985. Information was collected on crop rotation, tillage practice, fertiliser use and weed control practices. Data were collected from 1 paddock on each farm and included: wheat grain yield and quality, available soil water and nutrients at sowing, wild oat density, and incidence of soil-borne diseases. The 3-year average grain yield in survey paddocks was 2.2 t/ha. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify factors affecting grain yield and protein in 1985. Of the variation in wheat grain yield, 74% was explained by variation in available soil water at sowing, available soil nitrate at sowing, sowing date and wild oat density. Grain protein content declined with increasing available soil water and phosphate at sowing and with earlier sowing, but increased with available nitrate at sowing. Agronomic practices aimed at maximising wheat grain yield, in the presence of a deficiency ofavailable soil nitrate, are likely to result in a reduction of grain protein content. Likewise, responses to application of nitrogenous fertiliser are likely to be inversely related to available soil water at sowing. The mean gross margin for 1984 and 1985, based on $100/t of wheat grain, was $128. The mean gross margin for the least profitable 20% of paddocks was $37, and $253 for the top 20%. New varieties of wheat and herbicides were readily adopted by farmers. On the other hand, adoption of nitrogenous fertiliser use was slow, considering the widespread and long-standing deficiencies of nitrogen in cropping soils of the region. Crop rotation and tillage practices have changed only marginally since the late 1940s. The results of this survey indicate that the usefulness of soil testing for predicting fertiliser requirements could be improved by taking into account levels of available soil water, weed competition and sowing date and by using multiple regression analysis.

scholarly journals 184 Review of animal welfare data for cattle and swine

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 13-14
Author(s):  
Michelle S Calvo-Lorenzo
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Herd Health ◽  
Mortality Trends ◽  
The Past ◽  
Mobility Data ◽  
Transport Losses

Abstract Interest in the topic of animal welfare continues to grow as knowledge about the quality of life of food animals evolves. Improving management practices that enhance welfare conditions for livestock requires tools that allow livestock caretakers to assess and address animal welfare conditions effectively and practically on farms. Over the past several years, Elanco Animal Health has developed analytical resources for beef cattle and swine producers to inform them on trends associated with finished cattle mobility and mortality, and transport losses in marketed swine. This presentation will share findings from Elanco’s databases and the published literature to inform and foster discussion important to livestock welfare advancements. Relative to finished cattle mobility, data captured from 11.5 M head (2015–2019) demonstrate that cattle mobility continues to trend positively with approximately 90% of cattle observed with normal mobility conditions at packing plants (Edwards-Callaway et al., 2017); however, mortality trends and veterinary medical charges are higher over the past 5 years (2014–2018) when closeout data from 41.8 M head of beef cattle are evaluated across U.S. feedlots. Relative to market weight pig transport losses, an industry survey of 310 M pigs (2012–2015) indicate that averages for total dead pigs, non-ambulatory pigs, and total losses were 0.26%, 0.63%, and 0.88%, respectively (Yoder et al., 2017), which is similar to reported values in the literature (Ritter et al., 2009). Collectively, this information is important for measuring continuous improvement and determining where opportunities exist to evaluate management practices associated with herd health protocols, seasonal impacts, handling, and transport conditions. Animal welfare challenges are a non-compete issue for the livestock industry, and tools to assess these welfare topics are key to the enhancement of current practices and development of novel approaches to positively impact the role that livestock caretakers have on animal welfare.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document