• Title/Summary/Keyword: Grazing Management

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Application of AGNPS Water Quality Computer Simulation Model to a Cattle Grazing Pasture

  • Jeon, Woo-Jeong;Parajuli, P.;Yoo, K.-H.
    • Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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    • v.45 no.7
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    • pp.83-93
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    • 2003
  • This research compared the observed and model predicted results that include; runoff, sediment yield, and nutrient losses from a 2.71 ha cattle grazing pasture field in North Alabama. Application of water quality computer simulation models can inexpensively and quickly assess the impact of pasture management practices on water quality. AGNPS single storm based model was applied to the three pasture species; Bermudagrass, fescue, and Ryegrass. While comparing model predicted results with observed data, it showed that model can reasonably predict the runoff, sediment yield and nutrient losses from the watershed. Over-prediction and under-prediction by the model occurred during very high and low rainfall events, respectively. The study concluded that AGNPS model can be reasonably applied to assess the impacts of pasture management practices and chicken litter application on water quality.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF GRAZING BEHAVIOUR OF TEDDY GOATS VERSUS THALLI SHEEP

  • Wahid, A.;Hanjra, S.H.;Iqbal, A.;Raza, S.H.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.5 no.4
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    • pp.681-685
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    • 1992
  • Experiment involved range vegetation classified into three major classes: Xerophytic trees, shrubs and grasses. Among them samples of major plant species were collected and analysed for chemical composition. The experimental animals 20 each of Thalli sheep and Teddy goats, located at Livestock Experiment Station Rakh Kharewala district Layyah (Pakistan) were randomly drawn from the main flock. The grazing pattern data were collected from one animal of each species. The observations regarding the grazing behaviour, breeding efficiency and carcass quality were also determined. It was found that overall preference index of Teddy goats were higher for Khabble (Cynodon dactylon) indicated by percent of the total number of bites made on different plant species, while the bites on Lumb (Aristida plumose), Mahabbat booti (Cenchrus biflorus), Dhaman (Cenchrus ciliaris) and Karera (Elionorus hirsutus) were found to be 1.28, 6.74, 0.32 and 3.87 percents. The browsing species as a whole were utilized more during the draught period. Among the grasses, sheep heavily utilized Khabble grass, with overall bite percentage of 89.27. Within browsing species Wan (Salvadora oleoides) and wind fallen dry leaves of Wan were considerably picked by the sheep showing 1.19 and 3.49 overall bite percentage respectively. The overall daily growth rates & dressing percentage for Teddy goats and Thalli sheep were 48.33, 39.00 and 51.00, 46.00 percent respectively. Moreover, among the experimental animals 50 percent goats exhibited signs of oestrus where as none of the sheep came into heat during the study period.

Short-term Response of Vegetation to Cattle Grazing in an Abandoned Orchard in Southwestern Japan

  • Hayashi, K.;Ikeda, K.;Ueda, A.;Fumita, T.;Etoh, T.;Gotoh, T.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.19 no.4
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    • pp.514-520
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    • 2006
  • An abandoned mandarin orange orchard in southwestern Japan was set-stocked by Japanese Black cows at two stocking rates (1.0 and 2.0 animals/ha), and vegetation dynamics and diet selection by cattle were monitored for two years, in an effort to obtain information on effective use of abandoned agricultural fields for low-cost animal production and environmental conservation. Two dominant species at the commencement of grazing, kudzu (Pueraria lobata Ohwi) and tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima L.), showed different responses to grazing during the two years; the composition of kudzu decreased, contrasting with that of tall goldenrod which increased at both stocking rates. This was caused by high preference for kudzu and avoidance or low preference for tall goldenrod by cattle. Retrogression of vegetation due to cattle disturbances occurred at both stocking rates, with the high stocking rate leading to a lower degree of succession than the low stocking rate. It was shown that cattle grazing, particularly at a high stocking rate, was effective in the management of vegetation of an abandoned orchard.

A Comparison of Forage Production and Utilization Efficiency on Some Different Grass/LeGume Pasture Mixtures for Grazing Management (서로 다른 화본과/두과 방목이용 초지에서 사초생산성 및 초지 이용률 비교 연구)

  • Seo, Sung;Lee, Joung-Kyong;Jo, Mu-Hwan
    • Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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    • v.16 no.3
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    • pp.183-189
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    • 1996
  • The productivity and utilization of four different grasdlegume pastures for grazing management were examined. The pasture mixtures used in this study were orchardgrass + ladino clover (Tl), orchardgrass + alfalfa (T2), perennial ryegrass + alfalfa (T3), and orchardgrass (T4, without legumes) respectively. The pastures were mtationally grazed 7 times with growing cow which had an initial weight of ca 243kg. The gmwth of pasture plants, dry matter (DM) yield, DM distribution, daily DM production, and pasture utilization were investigated at the NLRI, in Suwon, from April to October in 1991 and 1992. The average plant height at each grazing was 32-33m. The average DM content was 17.8%, wil the lowest in TI (16.4%) and highest in T3 and T4 (18.4%). The annual DM production were 9,609 kg (T3), 9,420 kg (Tl), 9,402 kg (T2), and 9,194 kgha (T4) in that order, but no significant differences were found in forage yield between treatments. Most of forage DM was produced in spring season, particularly in May. The daily DM production was highest in May (81.9kg), and lowest in August (33.0kg/ha). The average efficiency of pasture utilization was about 79%, with the lowest in TI (77%), and highest level of utilization was observed in T4 (82%). In this experiment, production and utilization of each pastures were observed similarly. However, the forage nutritive value, botanical composition, and animal performance as affected by different pasture mixtures for suitable grazing management are needed to ascertain.

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Effect of stocker management program on beef cattle skeletal muscle growth characteristics, satellite cell activity, and paracrine signaling impact on preadipocyte differentiation

  • Vaughn, Mathew A.;Lancaster, Phillip A.;Roden, Kelly C.;Sharman, Evin D.;Krehbiel, Clinton R.;Horn, Gerald W.;Starkey, Jessica D.
    • Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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    • v.61 no.5
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    • pp.260-271
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    • 2019
  • The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different stocker management programs on skeletal muscle development and growth characteristics, satellite cell (SC) activity in growing-finishing beef cattle as well as the effects of SC-conditioned media on preadipocyte gene expression and differentiation. Fall-weaned Angus steers (n = 76; $258{\pm}28kg$) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 stocker production systems: 1) grazing dormant native range (NR) supplemented with a 40% CP cottonseed meal-based supplement ($1.02kg{\cdot}steer^{-1}{\cdot}d^{-1}$) followed by long-season summer grazing (CON, 0.46 kg/d); 2) grazing dormant NR supplemented with a ground corn and soybean meal-based supplement fed at 1% of BW followed by short-season summer grazing (CORN, 0.61 kg/d); 3) grazing winter wheat pasture (WP) at high stocking density (3.21 steers/ha) to achieve a moderate rate of gain (LGWP, 0.83 kg/d); and 4) grazing winter WP at low stocking density (0.99 steers/ha) to achieve a high rate of gain (HGWP, 1.29 kg/d). At the end of the stocker (intermediate harvest, IH) and finishing (final harvest, FH) phases, 4 steers / treatment were harvested and longissimus muscles (LM) sampled for cryohistological immunofluorescence analysis and SC culture assays. At IH, WP steers had greater LM fiber cross-sectional area than NR steers; however, at FH, the opposite was observed (p < 0.0001). At IH, CORN steers had the lowest Myf-5+:Pax7+ SC density (p = 0.020), while LGWP steers had the most Pax7+ SC (p = 0.043). At FH, CON steers had the highest LM capillary density (p = 0.003) and their cultured SC differentiated more readily than all other treatments (p = 0.017). At FH, Pax7 mRNA was more abundant in 14 d-old SC cultures from HGWP cattle (p = 0.03). Preadipocytes exposed to culture media from proliferating SC cultures from WP cattle isolated at FH had more $PPAR{\gamma}$ (p = 0.037) and less FABP4 (p = 0.030) mRNA expression compared with NR cattle. These data suggest that different stocker management strategies can impact skeletal muscle growth, SC function, and potentially impact marbling development in growing-finishing beef cattle.

Studies on the Utilization of Woodland for Livestock Farming II. Problem and Its Improvement Followed by the Join Cattle Grazing in king Won Do (임지의 축산적 이용에 관한 연구 제2보. 강원도의 새마을 "소" 임간공동방목사업의 문제점과 개선책)

  • 맹원재;윤익석;유제창;정승헌
    • Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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    • v.3 no.2
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    • pp.100-111
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    • 1983
  • The research results reported herein had the objectives to understand and analyze the present problems of saemaeul woodland joint cattle grazing system in Kang Won Do and to take steps of improvement. The study results on actual management conditions, problems analyzed and improvement plan of total 208 joint cattle grazing area which was established 105 area in 1981 and 103 area in 1982 were summarized as follows: 1. the effectiveness of joint cattle grazing projects 1) Average daily weight gain of cattle during joint cattle grazing period was 0.4kg, showing higher daily than the conventional feeding of 0.33kg. 2) Increase of total farm income over the conventional feeding system were \1,031,357,320 during the grazing period from May to October in 1982 by adapting the 208 joint cattle grazing system, of which effectiveness of weight gain was \293,075,300 and labor saving was \543,838,750. 3) According to the results of questionaire investigation from 208 joint cattle grazing area, effectiveness of joint cattle grazing system over the conventional system were (1) labor saving, (2) feed cost saving, (3) reduced diseases, (4) increase of number of feeding, (5) inspiration of joint endeavor, (6) effect of more gain, (7) easiness of feeding and feed cost savings. 2. Problems of joint cattle grazing system. 1) Shortages of grass were a problem at second year of joint cattle grazing period due to the low regrowth rate of wild grass. 2) Proper land for woodland joint cattle grazing is belonging to land of Government ownership and it is very hard to get the permission from office of forestry for cattle grazing purpose. 3) It is also difficult to find a proper time of breeding in grazing area by the difficulty of estrus detection. 4) There are a difficulty to give a proper vaccination and medical examination for the grazing cattle. 3. Improvement plans for woodland joint cattle grazing projects. 1) Obtain sufficient roughages by hoof cultivation and oversowing pasture from the second year of joint cattle grazing period. 2) In order to increase the beef production and to use for a calf production area, Government should arrange that all proper grazing land of Government owned in Kang Won Do convert into woodland joint cattle grazing area. 3) Make a good reproductive record by mixed grazing with a excellent breeding cow in a remote area. And carry out the collective artificial insemination with synchronous puberty induced by injection of puberty stimulation hormone. 4) Make a preventive injection for blackleg, twice medication of fasciola hepatica in a year, and spray and medication of tick insecticide. 4. A policy towards upbringing of woodland joint cattle grazing area. 1) Government should thoroughly investigate about a proper land for woodland joint cattle grazing from all forests. 2) When the area is suitable for the woodland joint cattle grazing, though it is national forest or restricted area, government should make it possible to establish a grazing area. 3) On the proper land foe joint cattle grazing in the remote place, Government should support for the road construction and electric fence equipments by using of national funds. 4) There should be an administrative consideration for well promotion of the project that make woodland joint cattle grazing suitable to the characteristics of Kang Won Do. 5) In order to improve the reproduction record, Government should reform the insufficiency of artificial insemination in the joint cattle grazing area. 6) In order to maintain a proper price of cow, Government should carry out the price plan. 7) When there is any request for grassland formation in the woodland joint cattle grazing area, Government should permit it with preference.

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Consequences of Post-grazing Residues Control and Birth Season on the Body Traits, Reproductive Performance and Offspring's Growth of Suckling Goats and Ewes Reared at Pasture in Guadeloupe (FWI)

  • Ortega-Jimenez, E.;Alexandre, G.;Arquet, R.;Coppry, O.;Mahieu, M.;Xande, A.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.16 no.8
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    • pp.1108-1117
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    • 2003
  • In Guadeloupe small ruminants (SR) are reared for meat production under pasture conditions. Intensive rotational grazing systems (irrigated, fertilised and high stocked) allow reasonable levels of production but generate high post-grazing residues. Experiments were designed to control them. A system in which residuals were mown (RM) was tested in comparison to the control system (Residuals Remained, RR). The same design was carried out for two years with Creole goat (G) and Martinik sheep (S). An accelerated reproductive rate (3 parturitions over 2 years) was carried out. Systems were compared at three parturition seasons per year(dry, intermediate and rainy seasons). Each group was composed of 20 goats ($36.0{\pm}2.5kg$) or 20 ewes ($46.8{\pm}2.4kg$). The female body traits did not vary according to pasture management and seasons. The stocking rate averaged 1,400 kg LW/ha. The mean fertility rate for does varied significantly (p<0.05) within the kidding season, from $80.4{\pm}0.5%$ to $93.7{\pm}2.9%$ while the mean litter size was $2.30{\pm}0.07$ total kids born. No effect of pasture system was observed. Corresponding values for ewes were $83.2{\pm}12.8%$ vs. $75.6{\pm}12.5%$ (p<0.05) and $2.43{\pm}0.24$ vs. $2.03{\pm}0.29$ (p<0.01) total lambs born for SRM and SRR ewes, respectively. A seasonal effect was observed upon ewe performances. The preweaning mortality of kids and lambs averaged 16.3% and 14.4%, respectively. It was 7 and 9 percentage points more (p<0.01) for RR than for RM kids and lambs, respectively. For both species, weaning took place at an average age of $81.4{\pm}3.6days$. In Creole kids, live weight at birth and at weaning were $1.9{\pm}0.2kg$ and $8.9{\pm}0.8kg$, respectively. In the Martinik sheep, the traits averaged $2.9{\pm}0.2kg$ and $18.9{\pm}0.9kg$. For both traits in both species, significant (p<0.05) group${\times}$season interactions were recorded. The consequences of elimination of post-grazing residues varied according to the SR species, the environmental conditions and the animal physiological status. The forage characteristics were not limiting factors since forage availability in the RM systems (2,300 and 2,600 kg DM/ha, respectively) and chemical composition were at satisfactory levels (CP content averaged 12 and 10%). It is recommended to develop new grazing system which would allow the use of post-grazing residues instead of mowing the refusals.

THE BENEFITS OF CATTLE IN MIXED FARM SYSTEMS IN PABNA, BANGLADESH

  • Udo, H.M.J.;Meijer, J.;Dawood, F.;Dijkhuizen, A.A.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.5 no.3
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    • pp.495-503
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    • 1992
  • The internal and external outputs of the agricultural sub-systems of mixed livestock-crop farms in Pabna Bangladesh were analysed, to clarify the multiple functions of cattle in farm systems. Production systems with grazing areas were relatively more productive than those with no grazing. There was a tremendous variation in farm income, largely because of land area. An increase of one ha in land area was estimated to boost farm income by about 50%. Number of cattle, cattle off-take percentage and milk off-take per average cow related positively to farm income. As land area decreased the relative importance of cattle production increased. Crops were dominant in producing food for home consumption. Cattle contributed only 5-6 per cent to home consumption. Cattle supplied a significant cash income: 45 per cent in the villages with grazing areas and 57 per cent in the other villages. In future, the cash output from cattle will decline and emphasis will shift to the role of cattle in supporting crop production. Any research or development strategy for livestock needs to focus first on the importance of the complex relation between livestock and crops.

Cattle Do Remember Locations of Preferred Food over Extended Periods

  • Ksiksi, T.;Laca, E.A.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.15 no.6
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    • pp.900-904
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    • 2002
  • The duration of spatial memory in cattle is potentially important for grazing management. The ability of livestock to remember the location of food patches may lead to uneven range use. In this experiment, how long cattle are able to remember food locations was determined. Six steers were used to conduct this study in a pasture with an 8 row by 8 column grid of 64 plastic containers 5 meters apart. Four randomly chosen containers were loaded with feed pellets. All steers were trained to find the loaded locations until a minimum of empty containers were visited. After this initial training, each steer was tested at 5, 10, 20 and 48 days post-training. Total number of visits (TV), number of containers visited (NC), the ratio of loaded containers (LC) to NC were recorded. Once the steers learned the locations of loaded containers NC did not increase with time since last training up to 48 days (p>0.05). Logarithmic transformation of NC (LNC) was 0.70 and 0.80 for the control and 48 day treatments, respectively. Steers were equally efficient in locating containers with feed. The steers also showed that their ability in locating food was much better than expected by chance (Z>1.62). Findings of the present study do not suggest using spatial memory decay as a tool to promote better grazing distribution. Because steers remembered food locations accurately for at least 48 days.

Palatability and Livestock Preferences of Restored Plants in Steppe Restoration Areas, Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, China

  • Kim, Jihee;Choi, Seungse;An, Injung;Lee, Seunghyuk;Lee, Eun Ju;You, Young-Han;Kim, Baek-Jun;Han, Donguk;Park, Sangkyu;Joo, Sungbae
    • Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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    • v.2 no.3
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    • pp.170-179
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    • 2021
  • Hulunbuir steppe, one of the four largest steppes in China, has experienced rapidly progressing desertification partly due to overgrazing by livestock. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of various vegetation recovery methods, including the selection of unpalatable plants less affected by grazing livestock. To determine livestock grazing preferences at Hulunbuir restoration sites, we used DNA barcoding methods to analyze fecal materials of horses and cattle grazing on four restored plants: two trees (Pinus sylvestris L. var. mongolica and Populus canadensis) and two shrubs (Caragana microphylla and Corethrodendron fruticosum). Neither of the two tree species were detected in livestock feces, whereas both shrub species were detected at lo w frequencies. There were no significant differences in compositions of species consumed by horses and cattle except that Asteraceae species were more often consumed by cattle. Our results showed that the four plants used for restoration may be classified as unpalatable or less palatable species in the Hulunbuir restoration area. Our results may help inform restoration strategies implemented in restoration areas, especially regarding negative effects of livestock grazing during the initial stage of restoration in Hulunbuir.