scholarly journals Pasture herbage mass, quality and growth in response to three whole-farmlet management systems

2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (8) ◽  
pp. 685 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. Shakhane ◽  
C. Mulcahy ◽  
J. M. Scott ◽  
G. N. Hinch ◽  
G. E. Donald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
The Other ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Explanatory Factors ◽  
Normalised Difference Vegetation Index

The effects of different whole-farm management systems were explored in a farmlet trial on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia, between July 2000 and December 2006. The three systems examined were first, a moderate input farmlet with flexible grazing on eight paddocks considered ‘typical’ of the region (farmlet B), a second, also with flexible grazing on eight paddocks but with a high level of pasture renovation and increased soil fertility (farmlet A) and a third with the same moderate level of inputs as farmlet B but which practised intensive rotational grazing on 37 paddocks (farmlet C). The changes in herbage mass, herbage quality and pasture growth followed a seasonal pattern typical of the Northern Tablelands with generally higher levels recorded over spring–summer and lower levels in autumn–winter but with substantial differences between years due to the variable climate experienced. Over the first 18 months of the trial there were no significant differences between farmlets in total herbage mass. Although the climate was generally drier than average, the differences between farmlets in pasture herbage mass and quality became more evident over the duration of the experiment. After the farmlet treatments started to take effect, the levels of total and dead herbage mass became significantly lower on farmlet A compared with farmlets B and C. In contrast, the levels of green herbage were similar for all farmlets. Throughout most of the study period, pastures on farmlet A with its higher levels of pasture renovation and soil fertility, had significantly higher DM digestibility for both green and dead herbage components compared with pastures on either of the moderate input systems (B and C). Thus, when green herbage mass and quality were combined, farmlet A tended to have higher levels of green digestible herbage than either of the other farmlets, which had similar levels, suggesting that pasture renovation and soil fertility had more effect on the supply of quality pasture than did grazing management. This difference was observed in spite of the higher stocking rate supported by farmlet A after treatments took effect. Levels of legume herbage mass, while generally low due to the dry conditions, were significantly higher on farmlet A compared with the other two farmlets. While ground cover on farmlet A was found to be less than the other farmlets, this was largely associated with the higher level of pasture renovation. Generally, all three farmlets had ground cover levels well above 70% for the duration of the experiment, thus being above levels considered critical for prevention of erosion. A multivariate analysis showed that the main explanatory factors significantly linked (P < 0.01) with the supply of high quality herbage were, in decreasing order of importance, those related to season and weather, pasture renovation, grazing management and soil fertility. Measurements of net pasture growth conducted using a limited number of grazing exclosure cages on three paddocks per farmlet revealed clear seasonal trends but no significant (P > 0.05) differences between farmlets. However, post hoc estimates of potential pasture growth rate using remotely sensed MODIS satellite images of normalised difference vegetation index captured weekly from each farmlet revealed a significant (P < 0.001) relationship with the seasonal pattern observed in the measurements of pasture growth rate.

scholarly journals Soil bulk electrical resistivity and forage ground cover: nonlinear models in an alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) case study

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Rossi ◽  
Alessio Pollice ◽  
Gianfranco Bitella ◽  
Rocco Bochicchio ◽  
Amedeo D'Antonio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Resistivity ◽  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Nonlinear Models ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Plant Productivity ◽  
Additive Models ◽  
Deep Soil ◽  
Soil Features ◽  
Normalised Difference Vegetation Index

Alfalfa is a highly productive and fertility-building forage crop; its performance, can be highly variable as influenced by within-field soil spatial variability. Characterising the relations between soil and forage- variation is important for optimal management. The aim of this work was to model the relationship between soil electrical resistivity (ER) and plant productivity in an alfalfa (<em>Medicago sativa</em> L.) field in Southern Italy. ER mapping was accomplished by a multi-depth automatic resistivity profiler. Plant productivity was assessed through normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) at 2 dates. A non-linear relationship between NDVI and deep soil ER was modelled within the framework of generalised additive models. The best model explained 70% of the total variability. Soil profiles at six locations selected along a gradient of ER showed differences related to texture (ranging from clay to sandy-clay loam), gravel content (0 to 55%) and to the presence of a petrocalcic horizon. Our results prove that multi-depth ER can be used to localise permanent soil features that drive plant productivity.

Are vegetation indices useful in the Arctic?

Polar Record ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 34 (191) ◽  
pp. 333-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. G. Rees ◽  
E. I. Golubeva ◽  
M. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Vegetation Indices ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Tundra Vegetation ◽  
Normalised Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Extent Of Damage

AbstractThis paper describes a preliminary investigation of the extent to which the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), derived from satellite optical imagery, can indicate the extent of damage to upland tundra (fruticose lichen and dwarf shrub) vegetation. We combine the results of a previously reported classification of Landsat multispectral scanner imagery from Kol'skiy Poluostrov, Russia, with field measurements of the biomass and spectral reflectance of tundra vegetation. The results show that the NDVI is not strongly influenced by biomass, but that differences in species composition and ground cover are significant. Other workers have concluded that vegetation indices are not useful for boreal forests. It is therefore suggested that the use of the NDVI by itself as an indicator of the state of disturbed vegetation in Arctic regions is not recommended.

Changes in botanical composition on three farmlets subjected to different pasture and grazing management strategies

2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (8) ◽  
pp. 670 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. Shakhane ◽  
J. M. Scott ◽  
R. Murison ◽  
C. Mulcahy ◽  
G. N. Hinch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
The Other ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Curvilinear Relationship ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Tall Grass ◽  
Soil P

As part of the Cicerone Project’s farmlet experiment, conducted on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia, between July 2000 and December 2006, this study assessed the effects of varying soil fertility, pasture species and grazing management on the botanical composition of three 53-ha farmlets subjected to different management strategies. Starting with the same initial conditions, the farmlets were managed to reach different target levels of soil phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S); Farmlet A aimed at 60 mg/kg of Colwell P and 10 mg/kg S (KCl40) whereas Farmlets B and C both aimed at 20 and 6.5 mg/kg of P and S, respectively. Pastures were renovated on six out of eight paddocks on Farmlet A, but only one paddock of each of Farmlets B (typical management) and C (intensive rotational grazing) was renovated. Flexible rotational grazing was employed on Farmlets A and B (each of eight paddocks) while Farmlet C used intensive rotational grazing over its 17 major paddocks, which were further subdivided into 37 subpaddocks. This paper focuses on the botanical composition dynamics observed across all three farmlets and the explanatory variables associated with those changes. Eight assessments of botanical composition were carried out at approximately annual intervals across each of the 37 major paddocks distributed across the farmlets and the results for each of 49 species were aggregated into seven functional groups for analysis. The strongest correlation found was a negative curvilinear relationship between sown perennial grasses (SPG) and warm-season grasses (WSG). The most significant factors affecting the functional group changes were soil P, sowing phase, paddock and date. These factors led to significant increases in SPG and correspondingly lower levels of WSG on Farmlet A compared with Farmlet B. Farmlets B and C experienced similar, declining levels of SPG, and increasing levels of WSG suggesting that intensive rotational grazing did not lead to substantial changes in botanical composition, compared with flexible rotational grazing, in spite of the fact that intensive rotational grazing had much longer grazing rests and shorter graze periods than the other two farmlets. Soil P levels were also significantly associated with levels of cool-season annual grasses, legumes and herbs, especially on Farmlet A. In general, the largest differences in botanical composition were between Farmlet A and the other two farmlets; these differences were most closely associated with those plants categorised as sown, introduced, C3 pasture species. The levels of legume were generally low on all farmlets, due largely to the dry seasons experienced over most of the trial. Efforts to increase the legume composition on all farmlets were more successful on Farmlet A than on the other two farmlets due, presumably, to higher soil fertility on Farmlet A. Farmlet C, with its long rest periods and short graze periods, had a small proportion of legumes, due to the competitive effects of the accumulated tall grass herbage between grazings. The ‘typical’ management of Farmlet B also resulted in low levels of legume as well as increased ‘patchiness’ of the pastures and increased numbers of thistles.

scholarly journals Satellite derived evidence of whole farmlet and paddock responses to management and climate

2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (8) ◽  
pp. 699 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. E. Donald ◽  
J. M. Scott ◽  
P. J. Vickery
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Satellite Data ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Entire Area ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Spectral Class ◽  
Normalised Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Moderate Resolution

Satellite imagery was used to assess differences between three treatments in a grazing enterprise systems study of three 53-ha farmlets on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. The study involved a comparison between a typical control farmlet (B) with one with higher levels of sown pasture and soil fertility (A) and one employing intensive rotational grazing (C). Landsat thematic mapper data were used to derive normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) and spectral class images for eight dates from before the commencement of the farmlet trial (June 2000) to annual spring measurements in September–October of each year from 2000 to 2006 across all paddocks of each farmlet. The Landsat imagery taken before the commencement of the farmlet treatments (June 2000) showed only small differences between the three farmlets, confirming that the allocation of land to the farmlets had been without bias. The assessments using Landsat NDVI in spring over 7 years showed differences in green herbage resulting from the variation in rainfall received over different years as well as differences between the farmlets. The Landsat NDVI images showed increasing and significant differences in pasture greenness over time, especially between Farmlet A and Farmlets B and C. In addition, there were significant differences in pasture spectral classes between Farmlet A and Farmlets B and C, with a significant correlation with higher levels of sown perennial and annual grasses and legumes on Farmlet A. Using different statistical tools, several relationships were found between NDVI and spectral class data and explanatory variables of farmlet, paddock, sowing phase, modelled soil moisture and recent grazing activity. The moderate resolution Landsat data across the entire area of each farmlet proved to be especially useful for assessing pastures within every paddock used in this farmlet study. In addition, moderate resolution imaging spectro radiometer NDVI satellite data were collated for weekly intervals from September 2003 to December 2006 in order to assess seasonal pasture growth patterns on each of the farmlets. These patterns were significantly correlated with a growth index calculated from temperature and available soil moisture, and showed that the growth on the three farmlets was closer to a highly productive reference paddock than a low input, unsown pasture in another reference paddock. The satellite data facilitated the detection of significant differences in pasture botanical composition, soil fertility, grazing management, climate and season. The ready availability of quality remote sensed imagery, combined with the significance of the relationships established, confirms that the technology is a valuable objective tool for both farming systems research and for managing entire farms.

GRAZING SYSTEMS FOR EWES AND LAMBS

1962 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. W. Calder ◽  
J. W. G. Nicholson ◽  
H. M. Cunningham
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Period ◽  
The Other ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Creep Feeding ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Internal Parasites ◽  
Grazing Systems

Two experiments were conducted to compare forward creep grazing of lambs with other grazing management systems for ewes and lambs. In the first experiment, forward creep grazing with and without creep feeding of concentrates was compared with rotational grazing, using 7 ewes with single lambs per plot of [Formula: see text] acres. The first lambs reached market weight by the 57th day of the experiment, at which time the average lamb gains were higher on the creep grazed-creep fed groups, but there was no difference in the gains on the other two systems. The experiment was continued for 35 days and during this period the lamb gains on the creep grazed plots were higher than on the rotationally grazed areas. This later period coincided with a period of reduced herbage growth due to below normal precipitation. The average daily gains for the entire experimental period were.45,.51 and.57 pounds for rotational, creep, and creep fed-creep grazed systems respectively.In the second experiment, forward creep grazing was compared with rotational grazing and free range grazing, using a higher stocking rate of 8 ewes and 10 lambs per plot. The average daily gains for the experiment were.38,.40 and.34 pounds for rotational, creep grazed, and free range systems respectively. The differences between grazing systems were not statistically significant at P = 0.05. Both the ewe and lamb gains were lower on the free-range system than on the other systems. The ewe gains were higher on the rotationally grazed areas than the forward creep grazed areas in both experiments. This indicates that forward creep grazing of lambs can be advantageous under conditions where herbage is abundant.Evidence obtained from helminth ova counts on fecal samples, and examination of representative digestive tracts of the lambs marketed, indicated that the forward creep grazing of lambs reduced but did not prevent a build-up of internal parasites.

scholarly journals WINTER GRAZING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS BASED ON INCORRECT PASTURE GROWTH RATES

1988 ◽  
pp. 15-20
Author(s):  
P.N.P. Matthews ◽  
P.D. Kemp ◽  
G.C. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Management System ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Minimum Level ◽  
Rotation Length ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Winter Grazing

Comparisons were made between three winter grazing management systems based on different pasture growth rate predictions. Management systems were chosen to restrict ewes to their budgeted intakes while at the same time reaching a target of 1500 kg DM/ha average pasture cover at lambing. Two of the three farmlets failed to meet their planned objectives. Changes in average pasture mver were frequently the result of an interaction between pasture growth rate and herbage intake. It was concluded that rotation length alone gave insufficient control over the management system and for a farmer to be able to make appropriate adjustments a minimum level of monitoring would be to estimate animal intake rate and average pasture cover.

Dingo baiting did not reduce fetal/calf loss in beef cattle in northern South Australia

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greg Campbell ◽  
Andrew Coffey ◽  
Heather Miller ◽  
John L. Read ◽  
Anthony Brook ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Explanatory Factors ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Normalised Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Beef Herds ◽  
Arid Rangelands ◽  
Time Of Year ◽  
Livestock Diseases

Beef cattle production is the major agricultural pursuit in the arid rangelands of Australia. Dingo predation is often considered a significant threat to production in rangeland beef herds, but there is a need for improved understanding of the effects of dingo baiting on reproductive wastage. We experimentally compared fetal/calf loss on baited and non-baited treatment areas within three northern South Australian beef herds over a 2–4-year period. At re-musters, lactation was used to determine the outcomes of known pregnancies. Potential explanatory factors for fetal/calf loss (dingo baiting, dingo activity, summer heat, cow age, seasonal conditions, activity of dingo prey and selected livestock diseases) were investigated. From 3145 tracked pregnancies, fetal/calf loss averaged 18.6%, with no overall significant effect of baiting. Fetal/calf loss averaged 27.3% for primiparous (first pregnancy) heifers and 16.8% for multiparous (2nd or later calf) cows. On average, dingo-activity indices were 59.3% lower in baited treatments than in controls, although background site differences in habitat, weather and previous dingo control could have contributed to these lower indices. The overall scale and timing of fetal/calf loss was not correlated with dingo activity, time of year, a satellite-derived measure of landscape greenness (normalised difference vegetation index), or activity of alternative dingo prey. Limited blood testing suggested that successful pregnancy outcomes, especially in primiparous heifers, may have been reduced by the livestock diseases pestivirus and leptospirosis. The percentage occurrence of cattle hair in dingo scats was higher when seasonal conditions were poorer and alternative prey less common, but lack of association between fetal/calf loss and normalised difference vegetation index suggests that carrion feeding, rather than calf predation, was the more likely cause. Nevertheless, during the fair to excellent prevailing seasons, there were direct observations of calf predation. It is likely that ground baiting, as applied, was ineffective in protecting calves, or that site effects, variable cow age and disease confounded our results.

Growth and Performance of Agriculture Sector in India

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naresh Singla ◽  
Mamandeep Kaur
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Capital Formation ◽  
The Other ◽  
Agricultural Credit ◽  
Agricultural Growth ◽  
Indian Economy ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
Food Grain ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Agricultural Labourers

The growth of agriculture and allied sectors is critical for the Indian economy as about 49 percent of the population is directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture. During the last decade and so, the agriculture sector has undergone profound changes resulting in sharp deceleration in its growth. The study has attempted to analyze growth and performance of the agriculture sector in India since 1980-81 and tries to comprehend some of the factors responsible for the deceleration in growth. The study has shown that agriculture sector has been able to show tremendous improvement in expansion of area and production of food grain and non-food grain crops. However, there are so many underlying factors responsible for slowdown of the agricultural growth. Some of the factors identified include: Increase in area under non-agriculture uses, excessive dependence on rain fed farming, increase in number of agricultural labourers, reducing size of the operation holdings, over use of agri-inputs, inequity in the distribution of agriculture credit along with sharp deceleration in public gross capital formation in agriculture etc. The study pointed in order to achieve higher growth rate, there is a need to enhance the gross capital formation in agriculture sector particularly on irrigation so that more area can be brought under assured irrigation. Bringing equity in distribution of agricultural credit coupled with judicious and need-based agricultural inputs are some of the other recommendations drawn based upon the study.

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