Quality Labels as Drivers of Peri-Urban Livestock Systems Resilience

Livestock farming systems have an important role in the territorial systems of the Mediterranean, but in the last twenty years the sector has undergone serious changes with an important decrease in the number of farms. The purpose of this study is to show the contribution of a local food certification to the resilience of peri-urban livestock farming system and of its food supply chain at territorial level. The focus is on the “Carne Bovina di Pisa” project, a private label promoted by the local livestock producers’ association, with the purpose of preserving biodiversity and provide farmers with an opportunity to strengthen their local marketing power. The case study is the peri-urban area of Pisa (Tuscany, Italy), representative of the urbanized Mediterranean coastal plains with high urban pressure on agricultural land and increasing agricultural abandonment in the peri-urban area. The analysis is based on the qualitative analysis of interviews to stakeholders and the quantitative figures about the changes in livestock system. Results show that the label has positively sustained both the resilience of farming systems and the local food supply chains.

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Contribution of livestock farming systems to the nitrogen cascade and consequences for farming regions

Advances in Animal Biosciences ◽

10.1017/s2040470014000259 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 5 (s1) ◽

pp. 8-19 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

P. Cellier ◽

P. Rochette ◽

P. Durand ◽

P. Faverdin ◽

P. J. Kuikman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

Western Europe ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Livestock Farming ◽

Livestock Farming Systems ◽

Animal Density ◽

Animal Excreta ◽

Nitrogen Flows

This article describes the nitrogen flows in the environment and points to the specificities of the livestock production. Till the beginning of the 20th century, the symbiotic fixation and the recycling of animal excreta supplied the nitrogen necessary for the fertility of soil. In 1913, the Haber-Bosch process allowed the industrial synthesis of ammonia and made possible the fertilisation without association of crop production with the livestock farming. The efficiency of the nitrogen in livestock farming is low with nearly half or more of the inputs losses to the environment. These losses have diverse impacts that intervene at various spatial scales owing to the nitrogen cascade. Quantitative assessment of nitrogen flows at the scale of regions started in the early 1980s in Western Europe and North America. These studies provided estimates of the spatial variability of nitrogen discharge within a region. They confirmed the differences between areas with a high animal density such as Brittany (western region, France) and other regions. It was also found that the same nitrogenous losses could lead to different levels of environmental impacts according to the sensibility of a given environment and its capacity to cope with nitrogen excess. Climate, soils characteristics, animal density, and proportions of agricultural land under annual and perennial crops are drivers of this sensibility.

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Opportunities for plant improvement to increase the value of forage shrubs on low-rainfall mixed farms

Crop and Pasture Science ◽

10.1071/cp13413 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 65 (10) ◽

pp. 1057 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

M. Monjardino ◽

A. Bathgate ◽

R. Llewellyn

Keyword(s):

Farming Systems ◽

Farming System ◽

Agricultural System ◽

Potential Contribution ◽

Economic Returns ◽

Livestock Farming ◽

Small Areas ◽

Feed Quality ◽

Livestock Farming System ◽

Feed Value

Plantings of forage shrubs such as saltbush (Atriplex spp.) in the drier part of the crop–livestock zone of southern Australia have the potential to help fill feed autumn gaps, provide valuable feed during drought periods, and provide year-round groundcover, shelter for livestock and options for management of saline soils. However, the proportion of farms with forage shrub plantings and the extent of those plantings remain relatively low, with the rate of new plantings slowing over the past decade. Development of new forage-shrub options has been occurring with the aim of improving the feed value and adoption of forage shrubs. Using a whole-farm bio-economic optimisation model for a crop–livestock farming system in the low-rainfall Mallee region of southern Australia (Mallee MIDAS—model of an integrated dryland agricultural system), we explored how key attributes of forage-shrub plantings and the associated pasture understorey, such as biomass growth, digestibility and ease of establishment, can make forage shrub plantings economically more attractive to farmers. We found that saltbush types and forage-shrub options with improved feed quality characteristics will offer the opportunity for improved economic returns and increased profitability from larger plantings compared with existing options. Improving feed quality was more important than increasing the growth rates of saltbush plants. Results still indicate only a niche role in farming systems, with profit typically being greatest when using relatively small areas (<10% of farm area) on the less productive soils of the farm. The results suggest that the profitability of forage shrubs will be greatest for those growers with larger areas of marginal cropping soils and greater reliance on livestock than cropping. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that, if cereal prices or yields fall significantly and/or lamb prices rise, the value of a forage shrub planting can increase substantially. The principles revealed have wide application beyond the region, although these need to be adapted on-farm and widely disseminated before potential contribution to Australian agriculture can be realised.

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Future Prospects of Smallholder Dairy Production: Pragmatic Evidence from Crop-Livestock Farming Systems of an Economically Transforming State in India

Cuadernos de Desarrollo Rural ◽

10.11144/javeriana.cdr16-84.fpsd ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (84) ◽

Author(s):

Thirunavukkarasu D ◽

Narmatha N ◽

Doraisamy K.A. ◽

RAMESH SARAVANAKUMAR V. ◽

SAKTHIVEL K.M.

Keyword(s):

Tamil Nadu ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Farming System ◽

Livestock Farming ◽

Middle Income ◽

Household Level ◽

Livestock Farming Systems ◽

Market Opportunities ◽

Tamil Nadu State ◽

Milk Marketing

In the context of structural transformation of Indian economy, we examined the patterns of income, migration, milk marketing, dairy trends and future plans at the household level in Tamil Nadu state in south India. The study finds that majority of the dairy households in various farming systems have poor landholdings; belong to low or middle income classes; have one migrant in their families, and diversified sources of income. Given this backdrop, continuing dairy activity in the near future differed based on farming system and market opportunities. The majority were not willing to motivate the next generation to take up dairying as a profession.

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

Nigerian Journal of Animal Production ◽

10.51791/njap.v36i2.1384 ◽

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.

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Managing local breeds: a dynamic connected to livestock farming systems that concerns different levels of organization

Animal Genetic Resources/Ressources génétiques animales/Recursos genéticos animales ◽

10.1017/s2078633614000502 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 56 ◽

pp. 119-125 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. Lauvie ◽

J.C. Paoli ◽

C.H. Moulin

Keyword(s):

Farming Systems ◽

Farming System ◽

Genetic Management ◽

Livestock Farming ◽

Local Breed ◽

Resources Management ◽

Livestock Farming Systems ◽

Genetic Resources Management ◽

Farm Scale ◽

Different Levels

SummaryManagement of local breeds is closely linked to the global challenges involved in genetic resources management. However, it cannot be reduced to this genetic dimension alone and is an integral part of the entire farming system of which it is a part. The aim of this paper is to show why it is essential to have an approach to local breed management that takes the dynamics of livestock farming systems (LFS) into account. After a presentation of the LFS approach, we show how genetic management is strongly linked to other dimensions of farming systems, at the farm scale as well as at more comprehensive scales. We illustrate our claim with different examples of the management of local breeds of different species.

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Characterization of rice farming systems, production constraints and determinants of adoption of improved varieties by smallholder farmers of the Republic of Benin

10.21203/rs.3.rs-917698/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yêyinou Laura Estelle LOKO ◽

Charlemagne D.S.J. GBEMAVO ◽

Gustave DJEDATIN ◽

Eben-Ezer EWEDJE ◽

Azize OROBIYI ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Farming Systems ◽

Farming System ◽

Farm Households ◽

Rice Farming ◽

Livestock Farming ◽

Rice Varieties ◽

Production Constraints ◽

Livestock Farming System ◽

Republic Of Benin ◽

The Republic

Abstract The Republic of Benin has the potential to reduce its heavy dependence on rice imports to meet the needs of its population. For that, the identification of technological and policy interventions allowing to improve the performance of Beninese rice systems is necessary. This study therefore characterized the Beninese rice farming systems and identified the production constraints in the country's different rice-growing areas, and determinants of the adoption of improved varieties by farmers. Four hundred eighteen rice farm households were surveyed across 39 villages using participatory research tools and methods. An hierarchical cluster analysis were used to classify the surveyed farm households into rice farming systems based on household socio-demographic characteristics, farm resources, farming practices and access to agricultural extension services. The cluster analysis revealed four typologies of rice farming systems differentiated by 8 variables. These are, the semi-intensive rice farming system (cluster 1), subsistence rice farming (cluster 2), integrated rice–livestock farming system (cluster 3), and intensive rice farming system (cluster 4). The integrated rice–livestock farming system was the dominant type practiced in the northern Benin, while, it is the intensive rice farming system in the south. Fifteen production constraints across rice-growing areas were recorded, with the lack of agricultural machinery and credits as the most important. The land ownership, risk aversion, production of off-season rice, and contact of farmers with non-governmental organizations positively influenced the adoption of improved rice varieties. Our results suggest that initiatives to boost rice production in Republic of Benin should prioritize the establishment of formal agricultural credit and mechanization option policies. We recommend training of rice farmers on modern production techniques. To increase adoption of improved rice varieties, agricultural extension services should target landowners’ farmers practising off-season rice production, and having in addition to agricultural income, other income from various activities.

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Study the economics of crop-livestock integrated farming system: A study of Hadoti Region of Rajasthan

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES ◽

10.15740/has/ijas/17-aaebssd/34-40 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (AAEBSSD) ◽

pp. 34-40

Author(s):

Avdhesh Sharma ◽

P. S. Badal

Keyword(s):

Primary Source ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Farming System ◽

Livestock Farming ◽

Livestock Farming Systems ◽

System A ◽

Integrated Farming ◽

Gross Income ◽

The Cost ◽

Livestock Rearing

An integrated Farming system is the basic need of today. A survey of farmers was conducted in 2020-21 covering the Kota, Bundi, Baran, and Jhalawar districts of southern Rajasthan. Crop-livestock farming systems were adopted by most of the farmers in the study area. Cereals, legumes, and oilseed were the major crops that were sown. The farmer of this region (Hadoti) practiced livestock rearing along with crop cultivation which had significant contributions as their primary source of income. The gross income per hectare from Soybean, black gram, wheat, and gram was Rs. 34,645.23, Rs. 28,150.61, Rs. 64268.78 and Rs. 47543.00, respectively. The cost was calculated using the Cost concept as suggested by CACP. Using livestock as one more enterprise farmers’ was able to generate higher profit shown in the study. B:C ratio for IFS was 1.3 which was a good sign for the farming enterprise.

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Assessment of ecosystem services provided by livestock agroecosystems in the tropics: a case study of tropical island environment of Guadeloupe

Tropical Animal Health and Production ◽

10.1007/s11250-021-02880-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 53 (4) ◽

Author(s):

J.-L. Gourdine ◽

A. Fourcot ◽

C. Lefloch ◽

M. Naves ◽

G. Alexandre

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Farming System ◽

Livestock Farming ◽

Tropical Island ◽

Cultural Aspects ◽

Livestock Farming System ◽

Agroecological Zones ◽

The Tropics ◽

Cluster 2

AbstractThe present study aims to assess (1) the ecosystem services (ES) provided by LFS and (2) the differential ES between local (Creole) and exotic breeds from pig, cattle and goat. The ES are defined as the benefits that humans derive from LFS. They were summarized in 12 ES indicators that cover services related to provisioning, ecological and socio-cultural aspects and territorial vitality. A total of 106 LFS units that covers the five agroecological zones of Guadeloupe were analysed. Functional typologies of LFS per species were created from surveys. The effect of breed on the ES indicators was tested. Results showed that the 40 pig LFS units were separated into 3 clusters that were differentiated in ES according to provisioning ES (cluster 1), cultural use and sale to the neighborhood (cluster 2) and pork self-consumption (cluster 3). The typology of the 57 farms with cattle distinguished 4 clusters with differences in ES provided in self-consumption (cluster1), ecological ES (cluster 2), socio-cultural ES for racing or draught oxen (cluster 3) and ES associated with territory vitality (cluster 4). The 66 goat LFS units were classified into 3 clusters different in ES concerning self-consumption (cluster 1), cultural aspects (cluster 2) and provisioning ES (cluster 3). Our study highlights that ES indicators are not breed dependent (P > 0.10) but rather livestock farming system dependent. The ES rely more on the rearing management than on the breed type, and up to now, there are no specifications in Guadeloupe to differentiate management between breeds.

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