Dryland mediterranean farming systems in Australia

1992 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 801 ◽  
Author(s):  
AD Rovira
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Nutrition ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Boron Toxicity ◽  
Nutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Root Diseases ◽  
Dryland Farming

The mediterranean region of Australia extends from Geraldton in Western Australia across southern Australia into western and northern Victoria. This region experiences hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, with 300-600 mm annual rainfall. In the dryland farming zone, the cereal-livestock farming system dominates and produces 30-35% of Australia's total agricultural production. The major soils in the region are deep, coarse-textured sands and sandy loams, duplex soils with coarse-textured sands over clay (generally low in nutrients and organic matter), and fine-textured red-brown earths of low hydraulic conductivity. Major soil problems in the region include sodicity, salinity, soil structural degradation, nutrient deficiencies, boron toxicity, acidity, waterlogging, inadequate nitrogen nutrition, water-repellence, and root diseases. These problems have been exacerbated by excessive clearing of trees, increased frequency of cropping, reduced area sown to pastures, declining pasture production, and a decline in nutrient levels. With improved soil management there is potential for increased productivity from dryland farming areas of the region and improved ecological sustainability.

scholarly journals The Use of Lupin as a Source of Protein in Animal Feeding: Genomic Tools and Breeding Approaches

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleni Abraham ◽  
Ioannis Ganopoulos ◽  
Panagiotis Madesis ◽  
Athanasios Mavromatis ◽  
Photini Mylona ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Quality ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Antinutritional Factors ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Biotic And Abiotic Stress ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Alternative Source ◽  
Genomic Tools ◽  
Animal Feeding

Livestock production in the European Union EU is highly dependent on imported soybean, exposing the livestock farming system to risks related to the global trade of soybean. Lupin species could be a realistic sustainable alternative source of protein for animal feeding. Lupinus is a very diverse genus with many species. However, only four of them—namely, L. albus, L. angustifolius, L. luteus and L. mutabilis—are cultivated. Their use in livestock farming systems has many advantages in relation to economic and environmental impact. Generally, lupin grains are characterized by high protein content, while their oil content is relatively low but of high quality. On the other hand, the presence of quinolizidine alkaloids and their specific carbohydrate composition are the main antinutritional factors that prevent their use in animal feeding. This research is mainly related to L. albus and to L. angustifolius, and to a lesser extent, to L. lauteus and L. mutabilis. The breeding efforts are mostly focused on yield stabilization, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, biochemical structure associated with seed quality and late maturing. Progress is made in improving lupin with respect to the seed quality, as well as the tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress. It has to be noted that modern cultivars, mostly of L. albus and L. angustifolius, contain low levels of alkaloids. However, for future breeding efforts, the implementation of marker-assisted selection and the available genomic tools is of great importance.

Farming systems in the Australian semi-arid tropics-a recent history

1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 915 ◽  
Author(s):  
AL Chapman ◽  
JD Sturtz ◽  
AL Cogle ◽  
WS Mollah ◽  
RJ Bateman
Keyword(s):  
World War Ii ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
System Development ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Recent History ◽  
North West ◽  
Dryland Farming ◽  
History Of ◽  
Semi Arid

The recent history of dryland farming in the Australian semi-arid tropics is discussed briefly against the background of national and state policies, established following World War II, aimed at increasing the population and development of northern Australia. Some reference is also made to irrigation as a means of overcoming limitations imposed by rainfall and to complement dryland farming systems. The environmental and socio-economic constraints whch have so far limited commercial agriculture in the Australian semi-arid tropics are highlighted. Efforts, particularly in north-west Australia, to develop sustainable farming systems based on legume pasture leys and livestock production in conjunction with annual cropping, as a basis for closer settlement, are reviewed. These attempts, which began in the 1960s and stemmed from earlier post-war agricultural research in the region, initially relied on a pasture legume (Stylosanthes humilis cv. Townsville stylo) and conventional tillage. Farming system development continues today using new legume species (e.g. Stylosanthes hamata cv. Verano and Centrosema pascuorum cv. Cavalcade) and no-tillage cropping technology. This paper documents the history of agricultural and research development, and commercial practice in the Australian semi-arid tropics.

scholarly journals Situation Analysis of Ticks and Seroprevalence of Theileria Parva in Two Farming Systems in Two Districts of Uganda.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Kwesiga ◽  
Joseph Okello-Onen ◽  
Simon Ogwal Byenek ◽  
William Otim-Nape
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Theileria Parva ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Local Composition ◽  
Percentage Positivity ◽  
System P ◽  
Mixed Crop ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background: In Uganda, livestock supports the livelihoods of poor people, fulfilling multiple-economic, social, and risk management functions. However, its productivity is constrained by ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBDs), more importantly, East Cost Fever (ECF) whose epidemiology is not well known and understood in the cattle corridor. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out in pastoral and mixed crop-livestock farming systems in Nakaseke and Nakasongola districts to understand the; local composition of ticks, the prevalence of Theileria parva and management of ECF and ticks. A structured closed-ended questionnaire was administered in (189) pastoral and (197) mixed-crop livestock households which were randomly selected, and a total of 384 calves were sampled. The tick challenge was assessed in situ on one side of the animal body considering different predilection sites. The prevalence of ECF was assessed by collecting whole blood in Ethylene Diamine Tetra acetic Acid (EDTA) tubes following veni-puncture. Thin and thick blood smears were made and serum samples were collected for determination of seroprevalence of ECF, using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Results/Discussion: From a sample of 384 cattle surveyed, 316 (82.3%) were found to be infested with ticks of different species at their preferential predilection sites. Rhipicephalus. appendiculatus was the most abundant tick species (88.2%), followed by Ambryomma. variegatum (7.5%) and lastly Rhipicephalus. evertsi evertsi (4.3%). 80.7% of respondents believe that there was a tick infestation problem severe and ticks were managed on regular basis mainly by using acaricides (65.3%). In the pastoral farming system, no ticks were found on calves below 6 months old. The seroprevalence of T. parva was below 20% percentage positivity (pp)in calves below 4 months old, thereafter rising to 65% at 5 months, and then dropping to 20% from the age of 6 to 9 months. In mixed crop-livestock farming system, all age groups of cattle were exposed to tick challenge. The prevalence of T. parva increased from 1-month old calf reaching a peak in 2-3 months old calves but drastically dropped in calves 4 months old. Thereafter, it gradually built up to 70% in animals 7 months old. There was a moderate correlation between the mean number of R. appendiculatus ticks and seroprevalence of T. parva (r =0.47) and there was no significant difference between age category and percentage positivity of T. parva (p = 0.969). However, there was a relationship between mean number of ticks and farming system (p = 0.019) as well as percentage positivity of T. parva and farming system (p = 0.007)Conclusion: ECF was prevalent in the two farming systems albeit frequent application of acaricides on animals as reported by most of the respondents. Further longitudinal studies required to assess seasonal variations of TTBDs, prevalence of other tick-borne diseases and acaricide resistance status.

scholarly journals Limitations to pasture production and choice of species

1985 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 9-15
Author(s):  
D. Scott ◽  
J.M. Keoghan ◽  
G.G. Cossens ◽  
L.A. Maunsell ◽  
M.J.S. Floate ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
The South ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
European Settlement ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Choice Of Species ◽  
Natural Grassland

The South Island hill and high country is defined as those areas which were in natural grassland at the time of early European settlement. This includes the major geographical regions of dry hill and high country of Marlborough, Canterbury and North Otago, and the wet acid tussock grasslands of Otago and Southland. To define the most appropriate pasture species for farming in these areas, it is first necessary to define the appropriate environmental factors since they largely determine the types of farming systems possible. Once this has been done, it will be found that there are only one or two pasture species which are the best option in each environment or farming system.

Opportunities for plant improvement to increase the value of forage shrubs on low-rainfall mixed farms

2014 ◽  
Vol 65 (10) ◽  
pp. 1057 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Monjardino ◽  
A. Bathgate ◽  
R. Llewellyn
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Agricultural System ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Economic Returns ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Small Areas ◽  
Feed Quality ◽  
Livestock Farming System ◽  
Feed Value

Plantings of forage shrubs such as saltbush (Atriplex spp.) in the drier part of the crop–livestock zone of southern Australia have the potential to help fill feed autumn gaps, provide valuable feed during drought periods, and provide year-round groundcover, shelter for livestock and options for management of saline soils. However, the proportion of farms with forage shrub plantings and the extent of those plantings remain relatively low, with the rate of new plantings slowing over the past decade. Development of new forage-shrub options has been occurring with the aim of improving the feed value and adoption of forage shrubs. Using a whole-farm bio-economic optimisation model for a crop–livestock farming system in the low-rainfall Mallee region of southern Australia (Mallee MIDAS—model of an integrated dryland agricultural system), we explored how key attributes of forage-shrub plantings and the associated pasture understorey, such as biomass growth, digestibility and ease of establishment, can make forage shrub plantings economically more attractive to farmers. We found that saltbush types and forage-shrub options with improved feed quality characteristics will offer the opportunity for improved economic returns and increased profitability from larger plantings compared with existing options. Improving feed quality was more important than increasing the growth rates of saltbush plants. Results still indicate only a niche role in farming systems, with profit typically being greatest when using relatively small areas (<10% of farm area) on the less productive soils of the farm. The results suggest that the profitability of forage shrubs will be greatest for those growers with larger areas of marginal cropping soils and greater reliance on livestock than cropping. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that, if cereal prices or yields fall significantly and/or lamb prices rise, the value of a forage shrub planting can increase substantially. The principles revealed have wide application beyond the region, although these need to be adapted on-farm and widely disseminated before potential contribution to Australian agriculture can be realised.

scholarly journals Future Prospects of Smallholder Dairy Production: Pragmatic Evidence from Crop-Livestock Farming Systems of an Economically Transforming State in India

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (84) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thirunavukkarasu D ◽  
Narmatha N ◽  
Doraisamy K.A. ◽  
RAMESH SARAVANAKUMAR V. ◽  
SAKTHIVEL K.M.
Keyword(s):  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Livestock Farming Systems ◽  
Market Opportunities ◽  
Tamil Nadu State ◽  
Milk Marketing

In the context of structural transformation of Indian economy, we examined the patterns of income, migration, milk marketing, dairy trends and future plans at the household level in Tamil Nadu state in south India. The study finds that majority of the dairy households in various farming systems have poor landholdings; belong to low or middle income classes; have one migrant in their families, and diversified sources of income. Given this backdrop, continuing dairy activity in the near future differed based on farming system and market opportunities. The majority were not willing to motivate the next generation to take up dairying as a profession.

scholarly journals Nutritive attributes of Sesbania parchycapa fodder in a crop-livestock farming system

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 306-312
Author(s):  
J. A. Akinlade ◽  
A. Larbi ◽  
A. A. Awojide ◽  
I. O. Adekunle ◽  
O. O. Ojebiyi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
N Balance ◽  
Panicum Maximum ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Livestock Farming System ◽  
Agro Forestry ◽  
Small Holder

Two experiments were conducted to investigate and compare the nutritive attributes of Sesbania parchycapa (SP) in a crop-livestock farming system. In Experiment 1, the feeding attributes of Sesbania parchycapa (SP) fodder was investigated with 15 West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep, by feeding Panicum maximum (PM) alone and P. maximum supplemented with S. parchycapa (SP) in the ratio of 70:30. The study lasted 28 days, during which feed intake was monitored daily. In Experiment 2, the nutritive value of SP was investigated with WAD sheep and goats by feeding them as sole diets. The study lasted 15 days consisting of 10 days adjustment and 5 days of data collection using 5 each of bucks and rams in a completely randomised design. In the first trial, DM intake (99.5g/kgBW0.75) was higher for the control PM and least (72.8g/kgBW0.75) for SP. Total DM intake followed similar trend. In the second trial, DM (185g/kgBW0.75), CP (40%) and NDF (645g/kgBW0.75) intakes were generally higher (p<0.05). for sheep than for goats. DAM (562), CP (421) and NDF 680g/kg digestibility coefficients were also higher (p<0.05)for sheep than for goats. The N balance and retention (g/h/d) was higher in sheep. Results indicated that intake, digestibility and N- utilisation of S. parcyhcapa by sheep is better than goats although both had a positive N-balance. It could be concluded that apart from the well known positive impact of S. Parchycapa in agro forestry and alley farming systems, it can effectively serve as protein supplement in a small holder crop-livestock farming system.

scholarly journals Jaringan dan Sistem Sosial dalam Distribusi Komoditas Pertanian Lahan Kering

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 123
Author(s):  
Fadly Husain ◽  
Gunawan Gunawan ◽  
Thriwaty Arsal ◽  
Asma Luthfi ◽  
Hartati Sulistyo Rini
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Distribution Network ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Network System ◽  
Central Java ◽  
Dryland Farming ◽  
Palm Sugar ◽  
The Village

Farming systems in the highlands have special typologies, as the development of dryland farming systems in the form of “tegalan” or gardens. This farming system also exists in several regions in Central Java. The aim of the study is to understand the distribution network system of local commodities (coffee, cocoa, and sugar palm at the local level). This study used qualitative research methods. The subjects in this study were the community (farmers) in Medono Village, Boja District, Kendal Regency. The results showed that the coffee and palm sugar distribution network system is carried out by collectors who come from local people and vendors or entrepreneurs from outside the village.

An approach to crop yield improvement through diagnostic systems research in a winter-dominant rainfall environment

2014 ◽  
Vol 65 (9) ◽  
pp. 922 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. K. Anderson ◽  
R. M. McTaggart ◽  
N. C. McQuade ◽  
D. Carter ◽  
T. Overheu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Diagnostic Systems ◽  
Potential Yield ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Yield Responses

Crop production in the high-rainfall zone of Western Australia (>450 mm average annual rainfall) is an increasing proportion of the state’s total farming system since the 1990s, when the profitability of animal production based on improved pastures was threatened. However, the yields of the dominant crops barley, canola and oats have often been insufficient to maintain whole-farm productivity in the changed system. The aim of this study was to test the diagnostic approach to agronomic research as a means of increasing crop yields. Experiments were conducted at two farm sites over 5 years with treatments applied according to an initial diagnosis of the factors that may have been limiting production. The diagnosis of limiting factors was based on soil physical and chemical tests, plant tissue analyses and the observations of the farmers. The diagnostic tests were assessed against agreed standards. The highest yields in each year were compared with an estimate of the rainfall-limited potential yields. In both experiments, more than one factor was considered likely to be limiting crop and pasture production; therefore, factorial combinations of treatments were used, including deep-placed lime, deep-placed potassium and claying at one site, and deep ripping, raised beds and gypsum at the other. Split doses of nitrogen were applied to half of the plots after waterlogging events in some years. The yield responses to the treatments changed each year but the highest yields were close to the calculated potential yield after taking account of estimated losses of water. Interactions between the factors were not often significant. That is, the responses were additive and independent, so they can be applied sequentially. No single factor could be identified as the most limiting at either site over the 5 years. However, the results suggested a hierarchy of measures that could be taken according to the least cost or the most profit principle, or according to farmer preference and convenience.

Managing local breeds: a dynamic connected to livestock farming systems that concerns different levels of organization

2015 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
pp. 119-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Lauvie ◽  
J.C. Paoli ◽  
C.H. Moulin
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Genetic Management ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Local Breed ◽  
Resources Management ◽  
Livestock Farming Systems ◽  
Genetic Resources Management ◽  
Farm Scale ◽  
Different Levels

SummaryManagement of local breeds is closely linked to the global challenges involved in genetic resources management. However, it cannot be reduced to this genetic dimension alone and is an integral part of the entire farming system of which it is a part. The aim of this paper is to show why it is essential to have an approach to local breed management that takes the dynamics of livestock farming systems (LFS) into account. After a presentation of the LFS approach, we show how genetic management is strongly linked to other dimensions of farming systems, at the farm scale as well as at more comprehensive scales. We illustrate our claim with different examples of the management of local breeds of different species.

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