scholarly journals Ruminant grassland production systems in Ireland

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. O’Donovan ◽  
D Hennessy ◽  
P Creighton
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Grassland Management ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Grassland Production ◽  
System Sustainability ◽  
Supplementary Feed ◽  
Management Capabilities ◽  
Stocking Rates

In Ireland grazing systems provide the basis of sustainable livestock production, as grazed grass is the cheapest feed source of nutrients for ruminants. The main future objective for these systems is to achieve high grass utilisation, ensure system sustainability and maintain extremely high animal health and welfare. There is no reason why all three cannot be combined together. Ireland’s national farm policy targets growth in exports to €19 billion per annum by 2025. This figure represents an 85% increase from the current 3-yr average. There are major improvements required in the areas of grassland management and its conversion into milk and meat to fulfil such a target. While every farm situation is unique due to varying soil types, climatic conditions, stocking rates and management capabilities, herbage production and utilisation is below optimum on most farms. Irish farms, especially dairy farms, are expanding and will continue to do so over the next number of years. Increasing stocking rates and more compact calving and lambing has resulted in increased spring feed demand. Extra grass needs be grown and utilised in this period to minimise the use of supplementary feed. This paper outlines the importance of grassland on Irish farms, and where farms can improve grassland management, to increase output, lower farm costs and improve further farm system sustainability.

scholarly journals A Review of Precision Technologies for Optimising Pasture Measurement on Irish Grassland

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 600
Author(s):  
Darren J. Murphy ◽  
Michael D. Murphy ◽  
Bernadette O’Brien ◽  
Michael O’Donovan
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Precise Measurement ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Measurement Techniques ◽  
Grassland Management ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Sampling Techniques ◽  
Optimal Sampling ◽  
Labour Costs ◽  
Grassland Production

The development of precision grass measurement technologies is of vital importance to securing the future sustainability of pasture-based livestock production systems. There is potential to increase grassland production in a sustainable manner by achieving a more precise measurement of pasture quantity and quality. This review presents an overview of the most recent seminal research pertaining to the development of precision grass measurement technologies. One of the main obstacles to precision grass measurement, sward heterogeneity, is discussed along with optimal sampling techniques to address this issue. The limitations of conventional grass measurement techniques are outlined and alternative new terrestrial, proximal, and remote sensing technologies are presented. The possibilities of automating grass measurement and reducing labour costs are hypothesised and the development of holistic online grassland management systems that may facilitate these goals are further outlined.

The effect of systems of grassland management and winter feeding on the productivity of an 18-month grass-cereal beef system

1978 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-107
Author(s):  
J. B. Moran ◽  
W. Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Grassland Management ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Field System ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Stocking Rates

ABSTRACTExperiments in two successive years with 24 cattle compared a six-paddock grazing system with a simpler two-field system. In each system the whole area was cut for conservation once during the season. The two systems were stocked each at 3·9 or 6·5 cattle/ha. In the following winters the cattle were offered grass silage (1974) or dried lucerne pellets (1975) ad libitum with two levels of barley.Daily gains on pasture were depressed by the higher stocking rate but there was no difference between grazing systems. The yield of conserved grass was least on the high stocking rate two-field system. The estimated output of utilized metabolizable energy per hectare was highest on the high stocking rate paddock grazing system but the output from the low stocking rate two-field system was almost as high. It was concluded that the latter system was valuable in many practical situations. Cattle that had been grazed at low stocking rates finished earlier in winter. There was some evidence of winter compensation in cattle weight gain on diets with dried lucerne pellets but not on grass silage diets.

Defining resilience in pasture-based dairy-farm systems in temperate regions

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Horan ◽  
J. R. Roche
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Sustainable Intensification ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Global Demand ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Supplementary Feed ◽  
Grazing Behaviour

The sustainable intensification of pasture-based food-production systems provides an opportunity to align the ever-increasing global demand for food with the necessity for environmentally efficient ruminant production. Biophysically and financially resilient grazing systems are designed to harvest a large amount of the pasture grown directly by the cow, while minimising the requirement for machinery and housing, and exposure to feed prices. This is primarily achieved by matching the feed demand of the herd with the annual pasture supply profile (i.e. seasonal milk production). Ideally, the entire herd is calved before pasture growth equals herd demand; breeding and drying-off policies facilitate this. The type of cow is also important; she must be highly fertile and have good grazing-behaviour characteristics. Pasture species are chosen to best suit the predominant climate, and pasture management aims to maximise the production and utilisation of chosen species. Purchased supplementary feeds support biophysical resilience and can be successfully incorporated into grazing systems, if stocking rate (SR) is increased to achieve high pasture utilisation. However, industry databases indicate that, on average, profitability declines with increasing purchased supplementary-feed usage, because of reduced pasture utilisation and lower than expected marginal milk-production responses. In the present paper, we outline the characteristics of resilient pasture-based dairy systems in the context of the necessity for the sustainable intensification of global food production.

Balancing animal, pasture and environmental outcomes in grazing management experiments

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (9) ◽  
pp. 1775 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Michalk ◽  
W. B. Badgery ◽  
D. R. Kemp
Keyword(s):  
Grassland Management ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Commercial Practice ◽  
Large Plot ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Landscape Variability ◽  
Native Pastures ◽  
Stocking Rates

About 60% of the gross value of Australia’s agriculture (AU$49 billion) is produced from the 85 million ha of temperate grasslands of southern Australia. A large part of this production comes from grazing livestock in the high-rainfall zone (HRZ) where 40% of the area has been retained as native and naturalised pastures, located in variable landscapes. These native pastures have seen a decline in productivity and increasing environmental problems, such as erosion, due to a loss of productive perennial species over recent decades. Grazing management systems have been advocated to not only balance the quality and quantity of forage with the nutritional demands of grazing animals, but also to manage the degradation caused by grazing. There has been an evolution of grazing management research through national projects from Temperate Pasture Sustainability Key Program to Sustainable Grazing Systems and then EverGraze, which has shifted from a focus on small plots and fixed stocking rates, to large-plot and farmlet experiments that include landscape variability and flexible grazing systems that more closely resemble commercial practice. These experiments generate reliable plant and animal response data that can be used to validate system models needed to assess the spatial and temporal challenges of grassland management. The present paper introduces the research conducted at the Orange proof site as part of the national EverGraze program. The research investigated the interactions between landscape variability and grazing method (1-, 4- and 20-paddock grazing management treatments) with flexible stocking rates. The following three key questions were addressed: (1) does increasing the number of paddocks and implementing rotational grazing result in a higher stocking rate, higher per hectare production and better economic outcomes; (2) which is the most appropriate combination of grazing method and stocking rate to achieve a higher and more stable perennial component to improve production and environmental benefits in different parts of the landscape; and (3) can landscape variability be identified, mapped and effectively managed on HRZ native grassland properties? This special edition of Animal Production Science answers these questions and provides recommendations for managing HRZ native pastures.

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

scholarly journals Laying hen mortality in different indoor housing systems: a meta-analysis of data from commercial farms in 16 countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Schuck-Paim ◽  
Elsa Negro-Calduch ◽  
Wladimir J. Alonso
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Laying Hen ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Commercial Farms ◽  
Degree Of Maturity ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Average Drop

AbstractSocietal concern with the welfare of egg laying hens housed in conventional cages is fostering a transition towards cage-free systems in many countries. However, although cage-free facilities enable hens to move freely and express natural behaviours, concerns have also been raised over the possibility that cage-free flocks experience higher mortality, potentially compromising some aspects of their welfare. To investigate this possibility, we conducted a large meta-analysis of laying hen mortality in conventional cages, furnished cages and cage-free aviaries using data from 6040 commercial flocks and 176 million hens from 16 countries. We show that except for conventional cages, mortality gradually drops as experience with each system builds up: since 2000, each year of experience with cage-free aviaries was associated with a 0.35–0.65% average drop in cumulative mortality, with no differences in mortality between caged and cage-free systems in more recent years. As management knowledge evolves and genetics are optimized, new producers transitioning to cage-free housing may experience even faster rates of decline. Our results speak against the notion that mortality is inherently higher in cage-free production and illustrate the importance of considering the degree of maturity of production systems in any investigations of farm animal health, behaviour and welfare.

Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) in ponds and cages in China.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Yi ◽  
Zong-wen Wu
Keyword(s):  
Grass Carp ◽  
Ctenopharyngodon Idella ◽  
Mixed Feed ◽  
Female Ratio ◽  
Commercial Feed ◽  
Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon Idella ◽  
Supplementary Feed ◽  
Pellet Feed ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Male To Female

Abstract In China, broodstock conditioning of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) is conducted in earthen ponds at a density of 2,250 - 3,000 kg ha-1 and at a male to female ratio of 1:1 or 1:1.25. Vegetation such as duckweed and rye grass and small amounts of farm-made or commercial feed are given. Nursing from fry to fingerlings (early nursing) is done in nursery ponds at a density of 1,500,000 - 2,250,000 fish ha-1 (150-225 m-2). After nursing for 20-30 days, the fish reach 3-4 cm in length and are released into fingerling nursery ponds for advanced nursing. Fingerlings are stocked in fingerling nursery ponds at a density of 3,250-4,000 fingerlings ha-1 (0.325-0.40 m-2). The main feed is pellet feed and grass. After 6 months of culture, the fish can reach 800 g. Then they are released into grow-out ponds or cages. Stocking rates for ponds are 1,650-2,000 fish ha-1 (0.165-0.20 m-2) and 50-80 fish m-2 for cages. Mixed feed is used as the main feed and grass is given as supplementary feed. The fish can reach 1.5-2.0 kg in 1 year and 3.5-5.0 kg in 2 years.

scholarly journals Environmental effectiveness of the cross compliance standard 4.6 ‘Minimum livestock stocking rates and/or appropriate regimens’

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (1s) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Sepe ◽  
Mauro Salis ◽  
Rosa Francaviglia ◽  
Marco Fedrizzi ◽  
Antonio Melchiorre Carroni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Species ◽  
Maximum Level ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Italian Regions ◽  
Environmental Effectiveness ◽  
The Cross ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Cross Compliance

The paper presents the main results of the monitoring on the effectiveness of the cross compliance standard 4.6 ‘Minimum livestock stocking rates and/or appropriate regimes’ carried out in two case studies within the project MO.NA.CO: sheep grazing in medium-rich pastures in southern Apennines and in the plain of Sardinia, Italy. The monitoring involved aspects related to soil, flora, livestock and economics (competitiveness differential). The study showed, although in the short term, that the minimum stocking rate 0.2 LU/ha/year was not effective and, conversely, the effectiveness of the maximum level of stocking rate (4 LU/ha) for the maintenance of the habitat. The generalization in applying minimum and maximum rate, not taking into account the climatic conditions, forage resources or farming system (including the species of grazing animal) may lead to a serious nullification of the conditions of the Standard. The authors recommend to identify homogeneous areas and eligible specific stocking rates from all Italian regions, also considering the animal species.

Invited review: Importance of animal health and welfare for the stability of the three pillars of sustainability of livestock systems

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-214
Author(s):  
P. Chemineau
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Population Increase ◽  
Strong Interactions ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Livestock Systems

The future livestock systems at the world level will have to produce more in the perspective of the population increase in the next 30 years, whereas reducing their environmental footprint and addressing societal concerns. In that perspective, we may wonder if animal health and animal welfare, which are two essential components of production systems, may play an important role in the stability of the three pillars of sustainability of the livestock systems. We already know that objectives driven by economy, environment and society may modify animal welfare and animal health, but is the reverse true? The answer is yes and in 11 cases out of 12 of the matrix health-welfare×3 pillars of sustainability×positive or negative change, we have many examples indicating that animal health and animal welfare are able to modify, positively or negatively, the three pillars of sustainability. Moreover, we also have good examples of strong interactions between health and welfare. These elements play in favour of an holistic approach at the farm level and of a multicriterial definition of what could be the sustainable systems of animal production in the future which will respect animal welfare and maintain a good animal health.

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