SPATIAL TECHNOLOGIES IN PASTURE AND RANGE MANAGEMENT: A REVIEW

This paper looked at practical ways in which pasture and range management (P&RM) can benefit from application of spatial technologies; namely Satellite Remote Sensing, Global Positioning System and Geographical Information Science. Brief mention of these spatial technologies’ components and ways of their integrations (linear, interactive, hierarchical and complex models) were discussed with specific reference to P&RM. The paper also dwells on salient principles of applied remote sensing and geospatial technics in P&RM using examples and case studies revolving around rangeland management, spatial decision support and resource conservation. Specifically, the relevance of hyper spectral imageries and vegetation indices in cattle population and range roaming determination, grazing land and paddock site-specific management were demonstrated. It is hoped that the review will create awareness for the inclusion and use of remote sensing and geospatial technics in many areas of livestock management in Nigeria.

Climatic and Biological Factors Related with Goat Grazing Management in the Arid Grassland of the Coquimbo Region (Northern Chile)

(1) Background: Desertification is one of the most important environmental impacts around the world. In the semiarid grassland of North of Chile, overgrazing has deep effects on arid lands and consequently on its economy and social development. It is necessary to conduct very detailed studies to determine how the climate, the botanical composition and the grazing system affects this process; (2) Methods: In this paper, we have determined the effect on arid grasslands of three goat managements: exclusions, continuous and deferred grazing on forage biomass, richness, Berger–Parker’s dominance and Shannon’s diversity. This study was developed in Las Cardas Range Station (CEALC) of the University of Chile in the Coquimbo region. The effect of annual and seasonal rainfall on biomass, diversity, richness and dominance parameters was determined; (3) Results: Allochthonous, endemic and native species showed significant changes both for seasonal and annual precipitation. In contrast, the grazing system only affected dominance and biomass of native and endemic species. Deferred grazing was the only management system that increased overall biomass productivity, especially on the best forage plant species. Exclusions showed a positive influence on more endangered species, which were the most vulnerable to goat overgrazing; (4) Conclusions: In consequence, we proposed a network of areas under deferred grazing combined with exclusions. This strategy can increase simultaneously forage productivity, grassland conservation and preservation of associated resources as hunting and wildlife tourism. Moreover, this strategy of range management will allow the sustainability of community of farmers in one of the poorest and most desertified areas in South America.

POST PARTUM UTERINE INVOLUTION AND RESUMPTION OF OVARIAN ACTIVITY IN WHITE FULANI (BUNAJI) AND FRIESIAN BUNAJI COWS AS DETERMINED BY RECTAL PALPATION

The rate of involution of the uterus and cervix, and resumption of ovarian activity were studied in Friesian x Bunaji and purebred Bunaji Zebu cattle. Determinations of the above parameters were made by rectal palpation of the genitalia, visual observations and by vasectomized bulls for signs of oestrus. Involution was found to be complete by 16 to 30 days for the crossbreeds and 17 to 27 days for the Bunaji. The mean interval from parturition to first oestrus was 18.5 ± 2.9 vs 21.4 ± 5.4 days for the Bunaji and Frieslam x Bunaji respectively. The interval between the first and second oestrus in the crossbred was significantly longer than in the purebred Buanji (P<.05). By 60 days postpartum, all the Bunaji had exhibited no less than 3 oestrous cycles as against the Friesian crosses with a mean of 2.4 cycles. Cystic ovaries (6.9%), pyometra (6.9%) and anoestrus (13.8%) observed among the crossbreds were not seen among the Bunaji cows examined. Calving records of the palpated cows were examined for their last three calvings under the range management practised on the farm. Three calving interval groups viz less than 322, 322 to 342 and above 342 days were recognized. In both breeds, most calvings were in the greater than 342 days interval, during which the 'Bunaji had longer calving interval (P< .01) in the pernultimate calving than the crosses.

ASSORTMENT STRUCTURE OPTIMIZATION INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISE BY THE ANALYTIC HIERARCHY PROCESS

The growth of competition puts new demands on enterprises, in particular to the range of products and its quality. Assortment policy is now one of the factors of enterprise competitiveness. All decisions related to the formation of assortment policy at the enterprise have a significant impact on the economic and competitive position of the enterprise. Therefore, the problems of analysis and optimization of the range of the enterprise, the formation of its assortment policy are the focus of researchers. At present, a significant number of methods of analysis and range management have been developed. The choice of a specific path in the formation of the assortment strategy is determined by many internal and external factors. The decision to be made should be the best in terms of increasing profits, increasing sales and reducing the complexity of manufacturing products. But decisions about changes in the range and the definition of the range strategy are made in conditions of uncertainty and risk. In such conditions, multicriteria methods that minimize risk and create a basis for making optimal management decisions are useful. Of great interest are multicriteria methods that can take into account criteria of different nature, both quantitative and qualitative. One of the most famous in the world and the most effective method used to solve multi-criteria decision-making problems is the analytic hierarchy process. The study was conducted in collaboration with a polymer film company. The article proposes the use of the analytic hierarchy process to decide on the need for further production of some types of film. Criteria for comparison of films and decision-making are defined, interrogation of experts is carried out. The practical results of the research are presented: the priorities of each type of film studied are determined. Recommendations are given to the management of the enterprise: what types of films should not be continued to be made. The results of the study demonstrate the possibility of improving the decision-making procedure for optimizing the product range.

Changes in some vegetation properties of the rangelands of the Palandöken Mountains, Erzurum, over two decades

Plant community responses to environmental changes depend upon management strategies, climate, topography, and time. The objective herein was to determine canopy coverage and botanical changes in Turkish highland rangelands with different topographical characteristics between 1993 and 2013. Trends in the plant composition changed depending on the slope aspect (compass direction) and topography. The contribution of the grasses to the canopy decreased, while that of legumes and the other families increased. The results indicated that rangeland degradation occurred under uncontrolled grazing conditions. Suitable range management changes are recommended for the conservation of natural resources in the highland rangelands of Turkey.

Growth Performance and Profitability of Broilers Supplemented with Vermi Meal under Free Range Management System

Background: Poultry rearing systems and feeding have been the emphasis of broiler raisers to in able to meet the costumers demand for high-quality products. In this study, free range management have been introduced that allows the birds to enjoy their natural habitat while utilizing vermi meal as supplemented to commercial feeds. Method: Evaluated the growth performance and profitability of broilers fed with different levels of vermi meal. Treatments represent T1- 100% Commercial Feeds (CF), T2- 2% Vermi Meal (VM)+98% CF, T3- 3% VM+97% CF, T4- 5% VM+95% CF. Treatment means having significant differences were subjected to Least Significant Difference at 5 % level of significance. Result: Vermi meal did not influenced the weight gain, feed intake, feed consumption and dressing percentage of broiler chicken. However numerically, final weight and weight gain in T4 containing 5% VM was higher than T1 with commercial feed a difference of 66. 66 grams and 67.60 grams respectively. Birds of T4 with 5% inclusion of vermi meal showed higher in most parameters compared to the group fed with commercial feed. Consequently, 5% level of vermi meal had an optimum result in final weight, gain weight, feed conversion ratio, feed consumption, live weight and carcass weight.

“Spitting Mad”

The War for the West started during the George H. W. Bush administration and exploded into a more narrowly partisan conflict when President Clinton took office. Tensions were driven by the rise of a new management paradigm, ecosystem management, which led to new emphases on riparian health in range management. They were also driven by ongoing disagreements over county road rights-of-way and economic development of federal resources. Skirmishes in the War for the West varied considerably. Individual ranchers battled the federal government to maintain their accustomed grazing practices; Catron County, New Mexico, launched the County Supremacy Movement by demanding that the federal government protect its established “customs and culture”; Nye County, Nevada, returned to battles from the Sagebrush Rebellion; and several counties in southeastern Utah reignited debates over their authority to manage ambiguous road claims in the wilderness. The net result was a rise in threats against federal employees during the 1990s.

Keeping your promises

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds his/her own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Have you ever thought what McDonalds can learn from the operators of its franchises? What Uber drivers can tell the company they supply their services to? Or even what Airbnb can be told about hospitality from its would-be hoteliers? When it comes to organizational learning, it is clear that anyone selling their services to a huge multinational will be trained, and indeed learn a lot about such things as branding, range management and cost control. But few of us would stop to think what the big corporate can learn from the small supplier. Practical implications This paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.