Search

The article deals with the use of parameters of fodder behavior of cattle and productive characteristics of herbage for the purpose of rational use of pasture. As a result of the review of literary sources on technological aspects of feeding of ruminants, an analysis of the current status of the study of issues related to the organization of the use of pastures in dairy cows during the summer is made. In particular, the main parameters and factors that determine the conditions of their nutrition on the pasture are analyzed: productive characteristics of the grass, peculiarities of feeding behavior of animals, duration of grazing of animals, etc. It was found that only the maximum consideration of the abovementioned parameters in the planning of grazing can provide a high level of productivity of animals in pastures. Analyzing literary sources in the direction of technological aspects of the use of natural lands with ruminants, it has been established that pasture is an integrated system whose rational use requires special knowledge and skills that provide an assessment of animal nutrition conditions and, if necessary, the planning of their feeding. This paper examines the results of experimental studies on pastures that allow a clearer idea of the relationship between animal feed behavior, grass field performance, feed consumption and animal productivity, and also discusses the main models used to predict feed intake. The article notes that in most studies, attention is focused mainly on qualitative indicators of herbage, on the indicators of its nutritional value, and practically does not pay attention to the supply of feed, productive indicators of herbs (considering that in the presence of high–quality pasture grass the animals will be able to eat enough feed), which ultimately leads to an underestimation of animal feed intake, and therefore to a decrease in their productivity. That is why, under such a traditional approach, it is not possible to adequately assess the conditions of feeding animals, and therefore rationally organize their feeding. In this regard, the article analyzes in detail the influence of the productive indices of grassland pastures on feed consumption and animal productivity. Thus, estimation of feeding conditions of cows on pastures should be carried out precisely through the prism of features of animal feed behavior, productive characteristics of herbs, which will allow to provide effective recommendations for the rational use of such kind of grounds by animals.

Wetlands in Lesotho are at the headwaters of some shared river basins like the Orange-Senqu River basin. These wetlands are threatened by various anthropogenic activities which are compromising their water quality. This study assessed the water quality status of the Khubelu wetland and stream using various water quality parameters to determine its suitability for domestic use, irrigation, and livestock watering. This was a preliminary research study on the suitability of the stream water for various uses in the study area. Calcium was the most concentrated cation in the stream (8.20 mg/L to 16.8 mg/L), followed by magnesium (7.29 mg/L to 12.51 mg/L), with sodium and potassium showing minimum values. The chemical oxygen demand values were in the range of 48 to 160 mg/L. All parameters were within the EU and WHO ranges for drinking water, except EC, DO, BOD, COD, and PO4 levels. The Khubelu wetland water quality index (WQI) had a value of 93, whereas the stream WQI value was 107. The sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) values for the wetland and stream were 3.83 and 1.04, respectively, whereas the Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP) ranged from 18.19 to 39.25%. The stream water quality was acceptable for animal watering and crop irrigation, whereas wetland water would be acceptable for animal watering and would present some challenges for crop irrigation purposes due to the magnesium hazard it poses. The implications for the management of the wetland are discussed.

Six cows managed under extensive grazing conditions were used to study the effect of moving the animals to a higher grazing density on the circadian rhythms of temperature (T), heart rate (HR), and activity (ACT), which were recorded by implantable bio-loggers. Cows were maintained at a density of 1.5 livestock units per hectare (LSUs/ha; low density, LD) until they were moved to a grazing area at 128 LSUs/ha (high density, HD). Animals were implanted subcutaneously with a T, HR, and ACT bio-logger, which was programmed to record data at 5-min intervals. For each animal, cosinor rhythmometry (the study of circadian rhythms by fitting a sine wave to a time series) was applied to the data recorded over 5 days in LD and HD. Mean Midline Estimating Statistic of Rhythm (MESOR; the average value around which the variable oscillates), amplitude (difference between the peak and the mean value of a wave), and acrophase (timing of peak activity) were calculated and evaluated statistically. Differences between mean day and nighttime values, and mean LD and HD values were calculated. Cows presented cosinor curves that fit a 24-h rhythm (p < 0.001) in T, HR, and ACT at both densities. MESOR (T: 37.98 vs. 38.02°C; HR: 69.12 vs. 65.91 bpm; ACT: 49.39 vs. 40.41 mg, for LD and HD, respectively) and amplitude (T: 0.28 vs. 0.28°C; HR: 4.12 vs. 3.14 bpm; ACT: 18.14 vs. 11.28 mg, respectively) did not differ significantly between the two densities; however, significant (p < 0.05) differences between densities occurred in the acrophase of the three variables; specifically, the T acrophase was 2 h later at HD (22:45 h) than LD (20:45 h), and HR (LD: 19:51; HD: 16:49 h) and ACT acrophases 3 and 2 h earlier at HD than LD (LD: 14:47; HD: 12:49 h), respectively. T and ACT differed significantly (p < 0.01) between daytime (mean ± SE; 37.92 ± 0.19°C, 40.39 ± 4.74 mg) and nighttime (38.14 ± 0.17°C, 29.93 ± 5.66 mg). In conclusion, our study suggests that a high animal grazing density might exacerbate the social competence for valuable resources for animals, resulting in shifting the circadian rhythmicity of temperature, heart rate, and activity of the cows, advancing or delaying their acrophases.

Sward structure and animal grazing behaviour are key variables in determining herbage intake. The present study was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effect of different sward heights (SH) on the short-term ingestive behaviour variables, in steers grazing winter oats (Avena sativa cv. Calen). Six Holstein-Friesian steers (196 ± 4 kg LW), grouped into three pairs, grazed on swards with different surface heights (SH): 40 cm (SH40), 50 cm (SH50), and 60 cm (SH60). Short-term intake rates (IR) were estimated during grazing sessions of 1 h by the double-weighing technique with correction for insensible weight losses. The number of grazing jaw movements (GJM) and bite jaw movements were measured using the acoustic recorder technique. Measurements were conducted along three consecutive days. On each day, the pairs of steers grazed on one of the SH (1 pair per SH per d). Sound files were analysed visually and aurally. Number of GJM and BJM were determined during three 5-min periods, from minute 5 to 10, from minute 27 to 32 and from minute 50 to 55 of the 1 h grazing session. Bite mass (BM) was calculated as the quotient between IR and the number of bites. Variables of grazing behaviour were analysed by ANOVA according to a 3 × 3 Latin Square design. Classes included in the model were treatment, pair of animals, day, observation time window, and the interaction between treatment and observation time window. Unexpectedly, BM was not affected by the SH (P = 0.97; 0.59, 0.61 and 0.60 g DM bite−1, for SH40, SH50 and SH60, respectively). Similar BM were the result of a numerical, non-significant, decrease in IR (P = 0.65; 30.2, 29.6 and 26.3 g DM min−1, for SH40, SH50 and SH60, respectively), together with a decrease in bite rate (BR; P

International audience; Perennial ryegrass varieties are evaluated in monoculture plots, but in practice are typically sown as combinations of three or more varieties. Monoculture performance is used a predictor of mixture performance, but is questionable, particularly for grazing efficiency traits that interact with the grazing animal. Two field experiments were carried out to examine the production, grazing efficiency and nutritive quality traits of varieties sown in monoculture, and their binary, ternary and quaternary mixtures. Both studies contained two diploid and two tetraploid varieties comprising of only Late heading varieties in Study 1 and combinations of Late and Intermediate heading varieties in Study 2, all managed under cattle grazing with 16 grazing events taking place over two years.Synergistic effects, defined as a higher performance above that of the component variety mean (based on their respective component monoculture performance), were observed within some mixtures for certain traits although these rarely exceeded that of the best component monocultures. Performance differences attributable to ploidy in monoculture were expressed in the mixtures but differences in the spread of heading date within a mixture had few effects. Differences in grazing efficiency between varieties were also expressed within mixtures but with no consistent evidence of a synergistic enhancement of the cattle’s willingness or ability to graze sward mixtures more effectively. Mixture performance values were within the range of the component varieties for most traits, indicating that monoculture evaluation can be used as a reliable indicator of the performance of perennial ryegrass mixtures.

Seed germination determines continuous plant production necessary for human survival with regards to the supply of medicinal plants, feed for animal grazing, and food security. The propagation of some plants is only possible by seed, and if they are difficult to germinate, this threatens their continuous existence. While some seeds remain in the soil until favorable weather conditions stimulate germination, other seeds do not germinate because of physical seed dormancy or poor seedling vigor. Fire and fire cues can stimulate seed germination by initiating the physical and/or physiological processes needed to break seed dormancy which lead to seed germination. This review extensively discusses the crucial role of bush fire and fire cues in stimulating seed germination of fire-prone and non-fire–prone species and enhancing seedling vigor and seedling establishment of horticulturally important plants. The potentials of fire and fire cues inducing germination and effective flower production were also highlighted.

Grassland covers 54% of the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and suffered overgrazing and degradation problems during past decades. To alleviate these problems, a series of policy measures have been implemented during recent two decades and inevitably caused changes of the grassland. To this end, this study quantitatively analyzed the grassland changes and the effects of reduced grazing intensity, and identified the hot plots of grassland degradation in the TP during 2000&ndash, 2019. The grassland status was indicated by the Fractional Vegetation Cover in the green grass period (GP), i.e., FVCGP, and its changes and spatial variations were detected by analyzing the FVCGP trends and their distribution, using the Mann&ndash, Kendal, Sen&rsquo, s Slope, and ArcGIS buffering methods, and data of the MOD13Q1 Collection 6 products and other sources. The results showed that 62.12% of the grasslands were significantly increased in the FVCGP, and 28.34% had no apparent changes. The remaining 9.54% of the grassland significantly decreased in the FVCGP, mainly occurring in the areas nearby roads, rivers, and lakes, and distributed mostly in a point pattern. Of the total FVCGP decreased grassland area, 27.03% was clustered and identified as the hot plots of grassland degradation in six main regions. Decreased grazing intensity and increased precipitation contributed to the increase of grassland FVC in the TP, while local overgrazing could be the main cause of the FVC decrease. To strength the grassland restoration in the TP, the government supports and supervision should be enhanced to further mitigate the grassland pressure of animal grazing, particularly in the hot plot areas of degradation.

This study conducted between 2016 and 2017 in the Kosk Village of Yakutiye District of Erzurum Province on rangeland sites with 4 different slopes (0-10%, 10-30%, 30-60 and 60% and above). In the research, current favorable forage yield and some forage quality characteristics of rangeland sites with different slope degrees were investigated. It was determined that the forage yield of rangeland sites decreased in steep slope rangeland sites and increased in slightly sloping rangeland sites. It was determined that the effect of different sloping degrees on some forage quality was important. Slightly slope rangeland sites, forages had higher crude protein content, while steep slope rangeland sites had higher ADF and NDF ratio. Also, it was calculated that the Relative Feed Value (RFV) in the rangelands decreased due to the increase in slope. According to the obtained results, it reveals the necessity to practice appropriate management such as the proper intensity of grazing, especially in sloping areas to ensure sustainable rangeland use.

To help environmental agencies manage pesticides in residential soil and reduce the associated risks to human health, we developed a screening-level framework that derives pesticide soil standards (PSSs) while considering the multiple uses of residential soil. Our screening models simulated the risk from exposure to soil pesticides via direct and three major indirect (i.e., tuber crops, animal-sourced food, and groundwater) exposure pathways. Based on these models, we derived PSSs for five types of residential soil. Our results showed that, in general, indirect pathways contributed more than the direct pathway to the overall exposure to soil pesticides. Consequently, in rural environments, where residential soil is also subjected to activities such as agriculture, animal grazing, and groundwater consumption, the derived PSSs were low. In addition, we compared the derived PSSs to the current worldwide standards for 13 commonly used pesticides. We found that the current global PSSs were appropriate only for urban residential soil. In many rural environments where the boundaries between different soil uses may be indistinct, the current PSSs are insufficient to protect humans from exposure to soil pesticides. Based on this analysis and the proposed PSSs, we provide regulatory recommendations for the management of pesticides in various types of residential soils.

Urea concentrations in urine patches deposited during animal grazing can be over ten times higher than typical fertiliser application rates, potentially leading to large ammonia (NH3) losses. The process-based NZ-DNDC model was modified to better simulate soil pH changes and ammonia (NH3) emissions following urine application using data collected from a New Zealand field trial. After modification, simulated 30-day NH3 emissions decreased from 506 to 117 kg N ha−1 compared to measured emissions of 78 ± 3 kg N ha−1 (mean ± standard error) and the Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) for daily NH3 emissions increased from −7.11 to +0.97 for the parameterisation dataset. However, modified model correctly estimated the cumulative emissions for the first 7 days. Using the same parameterisation on an independent dataset from a nearby site gave cumulative 18-day NH3 emissions of 84 kg N ha−1 compared to the measured 48 ± 2 kg N ha−1 (mean ± standard error). However, the NSE for daily NH3 emissions was −0.71, indicating site specific parameterisation might be needed. The sensitivity of NH3 emissions to ±5 and ±10% errors in 4 model parameters was tested. The sensitivities ranged from −0.36 to +0.71. The highest sensitivity was to the rate of NH3 transfer from the soil solution to the atmosphere and the lowest sensitivity was to the rate of urea hydrolysis.

This article presents a systematic literature review of recent works on the use of machine learning (ML) in precision livestock farming (PLF), focusing on two areas of interest: grazing and animal health. This review: (i) highlights opportunities for ML in the livestock sector; (ii) shows the current sensors, software and techniques for data analysis; (iii) details the increasing openness of data sources. It was found that the use of ML in PLF is in a stage of development and has several research challenges. Examples of such challenges are: (i) to develop hybrid models for diagnosis and prescription as a tool for the prevention and control of animal diseases; (ii) to bring together the grazing and animal health issues; (iii) to give autonomy to PLF using autonomous cycles of data analysis tasks and meta-learning; and (iv) to bring together soil and pasture variables because, for both, animal health and animal grazing, the variables used are only behavioral and environmental.

Weeds interfere with Christmas tree growth at any time and at any stage of production. Growers mostly rely on mechanical mowing and applications of herbicides for weed control in their fields. However, herbicides can be phytotoxic to non-target plants, can cause environment-related issues, and their repeated application can even cause herbicide-resistant weeds. The main objective of this manuscript is to provide a review of non-chemical weed control strategies in Christmas tree production and identify areas where current practices could potentially be improved or in which further research is required. Preventing the introduction of weed seeds requires controlling weeds along farm roads, maintaining clean equipment, and eliminating new weeds before they start seeding. Mowing helps to reduce the number of seeds produced by the weeds and can significantly reduce competition with trees. Shropshire sheep are well suited for grazing Christmas tree plantations as they prefer grazing on grasses and weeds rather than on coniferous trees. Weeds can also be controlled around Christmas trees by mulching. Organic mulch can improve soil moisture, maintain soil temperatures, enhance root establishment and transplant survival, and improve plant establishment and overall growth. Incorporating cover crops into Christmas tree plantations may improve tree growth, quality, and soil fertility and can supplement conventional nitrogen fertilizers. However, if cover crops are not properly managed, they can be highly competitive with the trees. Flaming can cause suppression of many annual weed species but is less effective on larger weeds and needs to be applied with caution. Several insects have been used as biological agents to control selective weed species. However, further research is required to focus on several potential biological agents, different types and depths of mulches, on cover crops types and their competition with different species of Christmas trees and their effects on seedling survival and growth.

Root turnover time is jointly predicted by climate factors and soil properties in global grasslands with different vegetation types. Pasture availability is directly related to the belowground dynamics of soil conditions on spatial scales. However, few studies have examined whether pasture availability could be a spatial indicator of grassland root turnover time on a global scale. In the present study, geographically weighted regression (GWR) modelling, coupled with the ordinary least squares (OLS) method, was used to develop an indicator of root turnover time in global grasslands based on pasture availability. The results revealed a significant relationship between pasture availability and root turnover time in global grasslands. Furthermore, this relationship may depend on the type of vegetation and could be affected by animal grazing (including buffaloes, cattle, horses, goats, pigs, and sheep). Based on regression modelling, significantly positive relationships were detected between pasture availability and root turnover time for temperate grassland and meadows (P

Agriculture faces a large volume of issues in the future that include climate change, growing population, and resource allocation. In addition, soil macronutrients tracking along with land management has always been a challenging field. Since, the macronutrients combined with soil pH, soil moisture, light intensity, air temperature and humidity steers the crop growth, it is imperative to track and log these data points to provide optimal crop growth conditions. In the past, there has been a lack of devices that could track soil conditions for a farmer resulting in non-optimal crop growth. In this paper we propose the Field Agronomic Condition Testing (F.A.C.T) that aids the farmers to test and log soil conditions. F.A.C.T combines agriculture and computer science under the umbrella of IoT (Internet of Things) in order to collect environmental data for agricultural or conservation land improvement across the globe. This device was developed using Raspberry Pi 3, a credit card sized computer, Elegoo Uno microcontrollers, and multiple sensors that collect data on light intensity, soil Ph, soil moisture, air temperature, and humidity. No device exists that can take these readings and present the data in this fashion. Data collection is initiated by either hard buttons on the device or by applications on Raspberry Pi that may be accessed by any device that can connect to the VNC viewer. Data may be collected in all areas using this method. This data is sent via web connection to the AWS (Amazon Web Service) cloud where data is provided in a graph. The data can be used to influence irrigation, crop choice, animal grazing, and assist land stewardship.

This study assessed the change in some environmental parameters in the Plateau region of North-Central Nigeria (Barakinladi, Jos, and Kafachan environs) using the nexus of landcover change, land surface temperature, surface albedo, and topography. The study employed both remote sensing and statistical techniques for the period between 1986 and 2014 to analyze the dynamics between and within these environmental variables. In Barakinladi, the built up landcover change is highest (increasing from 39.53% to 47.59% between 1986 and 2014), LST ranges from 19.09 °C to 38.59 °C in 1986 and from 22.68 °C and 41.68 °C in 2014, and the albedo ranges between 0.014 and 0.154 in 1986 and 0.017 and 0.248 in 2014. In Jos, the built-up landcover occupied 34.26% in 1986 and 36.67% in 2014, LST values range between 20.83 °C and 41.33 °C in 1986 and between 21.61 °C and 42.64 °C in 2014, and the albedo ranges between 0.003 and 0.211 in 1986 and 0.15 and 0.237 in 2014. In Kafachan area, the built up landcover occupied 32.95% in 1986 and 39.01% in 2014. Urbanization and agricultural activities, including animal grazing, were responsible for the gradual loss in vegetation and increasing average LST and albedo. The results also revealed that changing landcover and topography have a relationship with surface albedo and land surface temperature, thereby impacting significantly on ecosystem services delivered by the natural system.

Iwaasa, A. D., Jefferson, P. G. and Birkedal, E. J. 2014. Beef cattle grazing behaviour differs among diploid and tetraploid crested wheatgrasses (Agropyron cristatum and A. desertorum). Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 851–855. A study was conducted over 4 yr (1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003) at Swift Current to evaluate the forage preferences of steers grazing five different crested wheatgrass (CWG) cultivars: Kirk (2n=28), Fairway (2n=14) and Parkway (2n=14) [Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.], Hycrest (2n=28) (A. cristatum×A. desertorum) and Nordan (2n=28) [(A. desertorum (Fisch. Ex Link) Schult.)]. Animal grazing frequencies for each CWG cultivar patch were converted to percentages (Grazing%) for each grazing time period. Grazing% for Kirk and Hycrest CWGs were similar with Nordan having higher (P

Sheep and beef cattle grazed hill land represents a potentially large source of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions globally. However, N2O emissions and associated emission factors for the dominant nitrogen (N) source of excreta N (EF3) are thought to be highly variable due to spatial differences in soil conditions across hill land units (HLUs; defined according to slope, aspect and soil type). Variability is also determined by animal grazing and resting behaviour affecting excretal-N deposition. Knowledge of spatially different EF3 values could be used to improve estimates of N2O emissions from grazed hill land. This paper presents N2O emission factors for sheep urine (SU) and dung (SD) and for beef cattle dung (BD) determined in four regions in New Zealand (NZ) (Waikato, Southern Hawkes Bay, Manawatu and Otago). Urine (spring 2009) or urine and dung (autumn 2011) was applied to low (

O objetivo do estudo foi investigar o uso do solo em propriedades familiares (PF) manejadas sob integração lavoura-pecuária (ILP) em bacia hidrográfica e relacionar com a qualidade do leite. Para tal, 14 PF foram caracterizadas e agrupadas quanto ao uso do solo (Grupos 1, 2 e 3) e monitoradas quanto à qualidade do leite, durante os meses de maio de 2010 a fevereiro de 2011. Nas amostras de leite, avaliou-se o teor de gordura, proteína e sólidos não gordurosos. Observou-se que o uso do solo objetivando o cultivo de grãos em detrimento do pastejo animal influencia negativamente o teor de gordura e proteína, em média 6,3% e 5,4%, respectivamente, sobretudo no período de verão. Assim, o planejamento de uso do solo em PF manejadas sob ILP é fundamental, pois a competição entre as atividades reflete na qualidade do leite. As PF especializadas na atividade leiteira apresentam melhor qualidade do leite durante as estações do ano.

This study was conducted on a mixed-grass prairie in south-central North Dakota, USA, to test the effect of animal grazing on rhizome biomass. Below-ground plant biomass samples were collected from pastures with moderate and heavy grazing by beef cattle. Because the biomass data did not meet the normality assumptions, the computer resampling method involving a nested anova was used. A reduction in rhizomes was found under heavy grazing, as compared with moderate grazing. Although rhizomes only accounted for a small fraction of total below-ground plant biomass, our study suggested that the high rhizome density found in the moderately grazed pastures might be partly responsible for the greater potential of plant regrowth in the moderately grazed pastures than in the heavily grazed pastures on this mixed-grass prairie.

Studying the philosophy of animal grazing and diet selection in rangelands is crucial. There are vast activities regarding animal diet that have gradually been developed since the beginning of rangeland research studies. Survey of the investigation of the animal diets throughout the world can assist in gathering and categorizing the compiled information on this subject. The present study is done by utilizing databases (e. g. Science Direct, Elsevier, and J. Store) as library research method. About 700 articles have been examined in this investigation and the results showed that the study of animal diets started in 1950s and continued in 1980s as applied and comparative research. The early studies were carried out on cattle, sheep, and goats, and then progressed on wildlife including deer, rabbits, red elk, and wild goats. The survey of these investigations have also shown that there are eight methods to study animal diets, including direct vision, fistulation, stomach content, fecal analysis, utilization,...

The objective of this work was to evaluate the structural quality of the soil, as a function of the management, in a SIPA in the municipality of Rio Crespo-RO. The study was carried out at Esperanca farm, in September 2017. The following operations were studied: area 1: corn-grain harvest / soybean-safflower (2015/2016); soybean crop / Bracharia ruzizienses / grazing-60 days - 3.87 AU / ha (2015/2016); crop-soybean / safrinha-maize-silage / Bracharia ruzizienses grazing-60 days - 3.39 AU / ha (2016/2017); area 2: harvest-corn-grain / safrinha-soybean (2015/2016); soybean crop / Bracharia ruzizienses / grazing-60 days - 3.39 AU / ha (2015/2016); crop-soybean / safrinha-maize-silage / Bracharia ruzizienses - grazing-60 days - 4.22 AU / ha (2016/2017); area 3: crotalaria / corn-grain harvest / safrinha-soybean (2015/2016); harvest-corn-grain (2015/2016); crop-soybean / safrinha-maize-grain / Bracharia ruzizienses without grazing, area 4: crotalaria / corn-grain harvest / safrinha-soybean (2015/2016); crop-corn-grao / Bracharia ruzizienses / grazing-60 days - 3.20 AU / ha (2015/2016); crop-soybean / safrinha-maize-grain / Bracharia ruzizienses - grazing-60 days - 4.22 AU / ha (2016/2017) and area 5: native forest. The soil quality evaluation was done visually by the method of rapid diagnosis of soil structure, assigning grades to the Soil Structural Quality Index (IQES) from 1 to 6. The IQES of each area were: area 1 - 5 , 67 (very good structural quality); areas 1 and 4 with IQES of 4.12 and 4.05, respectively (good structural quality). Areas 2 and 5 with IQES of 2.77 and 2.54 respectively (poor structural quality). The implantation of SIPAs results in improvement in the structural quality of the soil. The best quality of the soil structure is obtained when no animal grazing is used. In areas with an animal stocking greater than 4.0 AU / ha, constant monitoring of the soil structure quality is necessary, also observing the homogeneous distribution of the animals in the area. KEYWORDS: Conservationist management, Integration-crop-livestock, Soil structure.

A field trial and 2 grazing experiments were conducted to determine the efficacy of Endo-Fighter (ADM Alliance Nutrition Inc., Quincy, IL), a product designed for cattle grazing wild-type endophyte-infected tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum). A 126-d (June 1 to October 5) field trial with beef (Bos taurus) steers (BW = 275 ± 2.3 kg) had 2 treatments: a control (n = 53; MasterGain mineral, ADM Alliance Nutrition Inc.) and Endo-Fighter (n = 67; MasterGain mineral with Endo-Fighter). There was no difference (P > 0.05) in BW gain between the control and Endo-Fighter treatments. During midday, more (P 0.05) by feeding Endo-Fighter or the prototype in either grazing experiment. Consumption of Endo-Fighter altered animal grazing behavior, but did not affect the BW gain of cattle consuming wild-type endophyte-infected tall fescue.

Disappearance of heathland in Limousin (France) is a phenomenon which can be reduced troughout one of the objectives that the « Conservatoire regional des espaces naturels du Limousin » is currently trying to achieve. Actions vary according to the state of dwarf shrubs and to the proliferation of scrubs. The development of bracken Pteridium aquilinum is also to be controlled. Effective measures have been developed, such as at the site of « la butte de Frochet » (in Haute-Vienne) where mowing several times a year and stripping the soil were successful. At Marcy (Correze, France), an other technique was to grow cereals on a heath originally covered with bracken, and then let sheep graze the vegetation. Overall, animal grazing and mecanic actions seem to be complementary for heathland management.

Management intensive rotational grazing (MIRG) has garnered a great deal of interest in recent years as a method for returning profitability to Northeastern dairy farms. This work uses a random sample of Connecticut dairy farmers to estimate a binary choice adoption model and then cost, productivity, and profit functions that control for the adoption choice. MIRG adopters are shown to be more educated and have less rented agricultural land (a proxy for lack of access to land within a short distance of the barn). MIRG adoption had no significant effects on costs and productivity, nor did it lower profits, per cow. Evidence was found, however, to suggest that full adopters of the technology had more profitable farms than partial adopters. These results also show the importance of controlling for the different characteristics of adopters when evaluating the returns to animal grazing.

Copyright © 2013 Springer Netherlands. This chapter proposes to estimate the technical efficiency in agricultural grazing systemsgrazing systems (dairy, beef and mixed) in Azores, in the year 2002. This research used 184 agricultural farms of FADN – Farm Accountancy Data Network. DEA, a non-parametric methodology, was used to estimate efficiency by means of DEAP software. The results have shown that the average technical efficiency in the dairy grazing system was 63.2% (CRS) and was higher (71.4%) in VRS, and the scale efficiency was about 89.2%. In beef grazing system, the average technical efficiency (CRS) was 69.4%; VRS and the scale efficiency were 82.9 and 84.2%, espectively. In the mixed grazing system, the average technical efficiency (CRS) was 89%, the VRS was higher (99.24%) and the scale efficiency was 89.8%. The mixed system is the most efficient, and about half (46.7%) of the farms were efficient. In the dairy grazing system and in the beef systems, only 9.8 and 11.1% were efficient farms. The efficiency is generally higher in mixed systems than in dairy and beef systems.

Bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] is productive in summer but is dormant for much of the year. The grazing season for bermudagrass pastures can be lengthened by fall interseeding of rye (Secale cereale L.). In trial 1, performance of Stocker cattle (222 kg average BW) grazing monocultured rye (MR) followed by bermudagrass (MB) in separate pastures was compared with that of cattle grazing interseeded rye-bermudagrass pastures (IRB). Spring forage production and 1989 carrying capacity were greater (P .10)between systems. Summer bermudagrass gain and grazing days from the two systems varied by year. Overall gain per hectare of land grazed and animal grazing days per hectare were greater (P 2.0, indicating a greater efficiency for interseeding. In trial 2, ruminally fistulated heifers (395 kg average BW) were used to estimate forage intake and nutritional components from the two types of rye pastures. Dietary forage from MR was higher (P ≤ .01) in neutraldetergent fiber, ADF, and in vitro organic matter digestion (IVOMD, 48 h) and lower (P .10) between MR and IRB dietary forage. Heifers grazing MR had higher (P

AVHRR data are widely used to monitor vegetation greenness and to provide a gross measure of primary production throughout the world. This paper examines whether AVHRR data can be used for determining the extent of land degradation in arid rangelands under commercial grazing using models of vegetation dynamics and animal grazing behaviour developed for Landsat-MSS data. These models are applied after large rainfall events and either search for systematic change in average vegetation cover across relatively uniform landscapes with increasing distance from stock watering points or examine the magnitude of vegetation response to rainfall for each pixel. We applied the models where previous work with Landsat-MSS had demonstrated the extent of grazing impact. An index of vegetation cover using adjusted AVHRR channel 1 values produced trends in wet period average vegetation cover with increasing distance from water similar to, but less pronounced than, those obtained with MSS data. NDVI produced incons...