Silvopastoral Systems Enhance Soil Health in the Amazon Region

Silvopastoral systems (SPS), an integrated farming system in which tropical grasses are combined with trees and shrubs, have been implemented in the last years in the Amazon region in order to mitigate the impacts generated by the traditional cattle ranching system. However, despite the multiple SPS’s benefits to soil and ecosystem, there is a paucity of comprehensive studies revealing the potential soil health (SH) restoration through SPS. Here, by developing an overall SH index using local native vegetation (Amazon rainforest) as a reference, we aimed to assess SH changes induced by the land transition from the traditional livestock production system to the SPS in the Colombian Amazon region. A chronosequence conformed by three areas: (i) native vegetation, (ii) traditional pasture and (iii) silvopastoral system was established in two study sites located in the Colombian Amazon, specifically in Caquetá State, the second hotspot of deforestation in the Amazon Basin. The results indicated high soil compaction and loss of macrofauna diversity and richness due to pasture management, causing a loss of 9% of soil capacity to function. In contrast, by integrating 31 soil indicators, our SH assessment revealed that SPS was an effective strategy for the recovery of SH, impacting positively multiple soil functions related to nutrient dynamics, water retention and supply, and biological activity.

Caatinga Albedo Preserved and Replaced by Pasture in Northeast Brazil

The caatinga is considered South America’s largest seasonally dry tropical forest (SDTF) and one of the most vulnerable endemic biomes in relation to climate change. The surface albedo in caatinga is relevant to understanding the role of this biome in the climate of the Northeast region of Brazil. Thus, a comparative analysis was conducted between the albedos of preserved and anthropized caatinga (pasture). Data were collected using CNR4-type net radiometers during the dry and rainy seasons. The mean albedo values were higher in the Pasture both in the dry and rainy season, with values of 0.181 and 0.177, respectively. In the caatinga, the mean albedo values were 0.137 in the dry season and 0.146 in the rainy season. The hourly average values for albedo, taken between 6:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., with intervals of 30 min, were also higher in the pasture. For convenience, this study uses local standard time (LST), which is 3 h behind from coordinated universal time (UTC). The greatest dispersions in the frequencies of the mean hourly albedo values occurred in the early morning and late afternoon. Some of the consequences of this study is the confirmation that there is an increase in albedo in caatinga replaced by pasture and this causes a reduction in the net radiation and also the finding that a region where there is adequate pasture management also enables albedo management and from solar radiation. And that further studies can indicate the impacts on temperature and precipitation, especially in warmer periods during the dry season.

Gastrointestinal nematodes and Fasciola hepatica in Norwegian cattle herds: a questionnaire to investigate farmers’ perceptions and control strategies

Background Pasture management influences the prevalence and impact of the pasture parasites (PP) in cattle herds, which cause production-limiting disease worldwide. Evaluating farmer management strategies is vital when considering sustainable PP control practices. The aim of this questionnaire-based study was to describe the pasture management and control strategies regarding PP in Norwegian beef cattle (BC) and dairy cattle (DC) production systems with a focus on gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) and Fasciola hepatica. Results A total of 745 responses from BC (return rate 20.5%) and 1347 responses from DC farmers (30.7%) were included. The mean total pasture time for DC was 4.2 months for first-season grazers and 4.3 months for second-season grazers and cows, while the corresponding finding in BC was 5.4 months. Home pasture was used for most of the pasture period, particularly for first-season grazer dairy heifers (81%), which were also commonly grazed on the same pasture every year (79%). For most farmers it was necessary for grazing areas to be used for cattle for more than one season (77% of BC farmers and 89% of DC farmers). However, changing the pasture during the season was common in both DC (67%) and BC (70%) herds. The majority of DC farmers (60%) stated that they did not consider that they had a problem with PP. Of the remaining 40%, few respondents could specify whether their herds had a problem due to infection by GIN (11%) or liver flukes (12%). Treatment for GIN was performed by 52% of DC and 34% of BC farmers. Diagnostic faecal samples were collected upon suspicion of parasitic disease by 5% of DC and 16% of BC farmers. Veterinarians were stated as a central source of information about parasite management and treatment. Conclusions Potential risks for exposure to PP were identified, such as use of the same pasture every year for first-season grazers and frequent use of home pasture. The perception of problems related to PP appeared low. Regular anthelmintic treatment without concurrent use of diagnostic faecal samples seems to be common practice.

Effect of Amazonian tree species on soil and pasture quality in silvopastoral systems

ABSTRACT With the expansion of livestock in the Amazon region, a high percentage of pasture areas are degraded and unproductive. Novel strategies are needed, including the use of native tree species, to simultaneously achieve economic and ecosystem benefits. This study aimed at assessing the effects of five multipurpose native tree species on soil fertility and forage quality of Urochloa brizantha pastures in the southern Amazon. Soil and forage samples were collected under the crown and adjacent to 25 isolated trees belonging to five species during a dry and a rainy season. The presence of native trees positively affected the level of potassium, calcium and manganese in the soil, as well as the mineral matter and crude protein of the forage, especially in the dry season, suggesting a protective effect against the seasonal drought. The tree species had variable effects on soil fertility and forage quality. Soil under Apeiba tibourbou had higher potassium levels, while the forage under Handroanthus serratifolius had higher protein and fiber content. Our results indicate that it is important to diversify silvopastoral systems in the Amazon through the use of native tree species, contributing to the design of novel silvopastoral strategies in the region. Common multipurpose tree species with widespread natural distribution could be used as a complementary aspect of pasture management to provide a protective effect against drought, contribute to enhanced nutrient cycling and even increase forage quality.

Morphogenesis of stockpiled Marandu, Piatã, Xaraés and Paiaguás brachiariagrass cultivars

ABSTRACT The objective this study was to identify differences in the morphogenic patterns of four Urochloa brizantha cultivars (marandu, piatã, xaraés and paiaguás grasses) during the stockpiling period. A completely randomized design was used, with three replications, in experimental plots of 9m². The evaluations took place over 2 years. The grasses were stockpiled for 92 (Year 1) and 95 (Year 2) days. The leaf appearance rate of paiaguás grass was higher, compared to other grasses. In Year 1, the stem elongation rate of xaraés grass was higher than other grasses. At the end of stockpiling period of Year 1, the tiller population density (TPD) was higher in the paiaguás grass, intermediate in the xaraés and marandu grasses and lower in the piatã grass. At the end of the stockpiling period in Year 2, TPD was higher in the paiaguás grass canopy, intermediate in the marandu and piatã grasses canopies, and lower in the xaraés grass canopy. Paiaguás grass has greater leaf growth during the stockpiling period and is therefore suitable for use under stockpiled grazing. Xaraés grass has high stem elongation during the stockpiling period, which is why its use under stockpiled grazing must be accompanied by adjustments in pasture management.

Intensity of land use by pasture as result of pedogeoclimatic characteristics and anthropogenic management

In the world, the most significant change in the ecosystems structure is the conversion from natural land surface into cultivated systems. In 2018, 26.8% of the Brazilian territory was occupied by agricultural activities, from which 73% is pasture. Considering that the management adopted in Brazilian pastures is incipient and leads to degradation, there is a need to characterize the state of the pastures to diagnose the intensity of this use on the soil. However, the diagnosis of large areas using satellites with more detailed resolution is limited by cloud coverage and low temporal resolution. In this sense, the present work aims to diagnose the intensity of land use by pastures (ILUP) in large areas based on the mosaic of images from Landsat 8 (LS8), Landsat 7 (LS7), Sentinel-2 (S2), and MODIS. The methodology consists of harmonizing the NDVI from LS7 and S2 satellites with LS8. For MODIS, the harmonization was carried out based on ILUP obtained previously from NDVI LS8. The methodology was applied at the Doce river basin (DRB). The combination of different sensors allowed to overcome the cloud coverage limitation. DRB has 61.3% of its area occupied by pastures and 78.2% of them have some degree of degradation. ILUP was dependent on DRB’s pedological and climatic characteristics. This dependence is enhanced due to pasture management in the basin, mainly characterized by continuous grazing, which commonly leads to overgrazing scenarios. The areas with great rainfall seasonality and associated with Acrisols/Cambisols are the most susceptible to degradation.

Monitoring Rainfed Alfalfa Growth in Semiarid Agrosystems Using Sentinel-2 Imagery

The aim of this study was to assess the utility of Sentinel-2 images in the monitoring of the fractional vegetation cover (FVC) of rainfed alfalfa in semiarid areas such as that of Bardenas Reales in Spain. FVC was sampled in situ using 1 m2 surfaces at 172 points inside 18 alfalfa fields from late spring to early summer in 2017 and 2018. Different vegetation indices derived from a series of Sentinel-2 images were calculated and were then correlated with the FVC measurements at the pixel and parcel levels using different types of equations. The results indicate that the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and FVC were highly correlated at the parcel level (R2 = 0.712), whereas the correlation at the pixel level remained moderate across each of the years studied. Based on the findings, another 29 alfalfa plots (28 rainfed; 1 irrigated) were remotely monitored operationally for 3 years (2017–2019), revealing that location and weather conditions were strong determinants of alfalfa growth in Bardenas Reales. The results of this study indicate that Sentinel-2 imagery is a suitable tool for monitoring rainfed alfalfa pastures in semiarid areas, thus increasing the potential success of pasture management.

The Effects of Foot and Mouth Disease in Yak and Cattle herds of Rasuwa District due to Climate Change

In the era of Climate Change, the paper spotlights the importance of managing the high-altitude range land management in Nepal’s northern Rasuwa district bordering the Tibetan plateau. It points to the important fact that policies and strategies need to be inclusive and intersectional with gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) as a vital principle of good governance. Such policies, inclusive governance and support to vulnerable transhumance herders will enhance adequate grass and fodder for yak, chauri, sheep and cattle and at the same time provide veterinary support leading to improved livelihoods for the entire communities. Yak herding is carried out by Tamang transhumance community and in the age of climate change; pasture management together with extension support from local government, is critical to provide additional income to the local communities. The paper examines risk factor, i.e., foot and mouth disease (FMD) and vital nutrient requirements in terms of good quality grass fodder. It also examines the role of customary headman called the “Chogo” who collectively with his “local counsel” facilitate, wise use of the region’s natural resources, i.e., water, irrigation, forest, agriculture and above all pasture land and mediates local conflicts.

Very Low Nitrogen Leaching in Grazed Ley-Arable-Systems in Northwest Europe

High input dairy farms that are located on sandy soils in northwest Europe are predisposed to substantial nitrate leaching during a surplus of winter precipitation. Leys within integrated crop-livestock systems play an important role in soil fertility, soil C sequestration and soil N mineralization potentials. Therefore, leys are a feasible option that can be utilized to reduce local N losses to the environment, especially following maize grown for silage. We hypothesize that grass-clover leys ensure low nitrate leaching losses even when grazed intensively. The extent to which NO3-leaching occurred across seven different pasture management systems in terms of their sward composition, cutting, grazing, fertilization and combinations thereof was investigated in integrated animal-crop grazing systems over three winter periods (2017/2018, 2018/2019 and 2019/2020). The observed grazed systems were comprised of cut-used- and grazed grass-clover swards (0, 1 and 2 years after establishment following cereals), a catch crop grazed late in the year as well as a cut-used permanent grassland for comparison. Overall, all treatments resulted in nitrate leaching losses that did not exceed the WHO-threshold (25 mg nitrate/L). The highest level of NO3-leaching was observed in the catch crop system and the lowest in cut-used permanent grassland, with NO3-N losses of 19.6 ± 5.3 and 2.1 ± 0.3 kg NO3-N ha−1 year−1. Annual herbage yields were in the range of 0.9 to 12.4 t DM ha−1 and nitrogen yields varied between 181 ± 51 and 228 ± 66 kg N ha−1 during the study period. The highest herbage-N-yields were observed from the 1- and 2-year-old grass-clover leys. The highest N-field-balance was observed for the grazed leys and the lowest for the cut-used permanent grassland. However, no correlation was found between the highly positive field-N-balance and the amount of NO3-leached. This indicates a high N carry-over from grass-clover swards to the subsequent cash crop unit instead of increasing the risk of groundwater contamination from grazed leys in integrated animal crop-systems and underlines the eco-efficiency of dairy farming based on grazed ley systems.