Legume-based pasture options for the live cattle trade from the Australian semi-arid tropics

1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 947
Author(s):  
WH Winter ◽  
RL McCown ◽  
D Zuill
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Market Demand ◽  
Beef Industry ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Native Grass ◽  
Young Cattle ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Stocking Rates

The extensive beef industry in the Northern Territory has been based almost exclusively upon native grass pastures for over a century. The recent development of an export trade for live cattle of specific age, weight and type, has increased returns over chilled manufacturing beef exports and has resulted in a demand for improved pastures that can support rapid growth of young cattle. This paper compares the potential of native grass pastures, legume ley pastures and permanent sown grass-legume pastures, in a range of configurations, to meet the market demand. Results of farming systems and sown pasture management experiments conducted at the Katherine Research Station are presented. Data from these experiments and other sources are used to explore options appropriate to the new market. Particular attention has been given to the time required for weaner steers to reach export target weights of 290-300 kg/head and the flexibility of systems to seasonal and animal variability. Permanent sown pastures are sustainable at stocking rates of about 2 steers/ha, but results indicate difficulty in maintaining legume dominance in the ley pastures, particularly if the cropping frequency is reduced. A proposal to use forage crops, rather than grain crops, to deplete soil nitrogen and reduce the incidence of weeds, is discussed. We recommend that ley pastures be retained as part of the management system, despite management difficulties, as they provide higher productivity and greater flexibility for farmers to meet the market requirements.

scholarly journals Effects of Growing-Finishing Pig Stocking Rates on Bermudagrass Ground Cover and Soil Properties

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1666
Author(s):  
Silvana Pietrosemoli ◽  
Charles Raczkowski ◽  
James T. Green ◽  
Maria Jesús Villamide
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Finishing Pigs ◽  
Finishing Pig ◽  
Stocking Rates

This study compares four stocking rates (37, 74, 111 and 148 pigs ha−1) for growing to finishing pigs (18.4 ± 0.5 kg and 118.5 ± 2.0 kg and 35.7 ± 2.1 kg and 125.7 ± 2.3 kg initial and final BW for grazing periods 1 and 2, respectively) and their effect on ground cover and soil traits in bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers) pastures, over two 14-week grazing periods (July–September and May–August). The study was conducted at the Center for Environmental Farming systems at the Cherry Research Station, Goldsboro North Carolina. A continuous stocking method was implemented to manage the pasture. The percent ground cover was estimated with a modified step point technique. Soil samples were collected in three sampling positions (center, inner and outer areas of the paddocks) and two soil sampling depths (0–30 and 30–90 cm). The experimental design was a completely randomized block with three field replicates. Data were analyzed using the PROC GLIMMIX procedure of SAS/STAT ® Version 9.4. Greater ground cover and lesser soil nutrient concentrations were registered in bermudagrass paddocks managed with 37 pigs ha−1. The results of this study also validated the existence of a spatial pattern of soil properties, which differed among sampling positions and depths.

The management of risk in a dryland environment

2011 ◽  
pp. 13-21
Author(s):  
D.I. Gray ◽  
J.I. Reid ◽  
D.J. Horne
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Market Risk ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Risk Management Strategies ◽  
Upside Risk

A group of 24 Hawke's Bay hill country farmers are working with service providers to improve the resilience of their farming systems. An important step in the process was to undertake an inventory of their risk management strategies. Farmers were interviewed about their farming systems and risk management strategies and the data was analysed using descriptive statistics. There was considerable variation in the strategies adopted by the farmers to cope with a dryland environment. Importantly, these strategies had to cope with three types of drought and also upside risk (better than expected conditions), and so flexibility was critical. Infra-structure was important in managing a dryland environment. Farmers chose between increased scale (increasing farm size) and geographic dispersion (owning a second property in another location) through to intensification (investing in subdivision, drainage, capital fertiliser, new pasture species). The study identified that there may be scope for further investment in infra-structural elements such as drainage, deeper rooting alternative pasture species and water harvesting, along with improved management of subterranean clover to improve flexibility. Many of the farmers used forage crops and idling capacity (reduced stocking rate) to improve flexibility; others argued that maintaining pasture quality and managing upside risk was a better strategy in a dryland environment. Supplementary feed was an important strategy for some farmers, but its use was limited by contour and machinery constraints. A surprisingly large proportion of farmers run breeding cows, a policy that is much less flexible than trading stock. However, several farmers had improved their flexibility by running a high proportion of trading cattle and buffer mobs of ewe hoggets and trade lambs. To manage market risk, the majority of farmers are selling a large proportion of their lambs prime. Similarly, cattle are either sold prime or store onto the grass market when prices are at a premium. However, market risk associated with the purchase of supplements and grazing was poorly managed.

scholarly journals Identification of Economically Viable Cropping Systems for Vertisols of Northern Telangana Zone

2020 ◽  
pp. 98-106
Author(s):  
Firdoz Shahana ◽  
M. Goverdhan ◽  
S. Sridevi ◽  
B. Joseph
Keyword(s):  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Bt Cotton ◽  
Black Gram ◽  
Net Returns ◽  
Lower Productivity ◽  
Randomized Block Design

A field experiment was conducted during 2016-17 at AICRP on Integrated Farming Systems, Regional Sugarcane and Rice Research Station, Rudrur to diversify existing rice-rice cropping system with less water requiring crops under irrigated dry conditions for vertisols of Northern Telangana Zone. The experiment was laid out with twelve cropping systems as treatments in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The twelve combinations of cropping systems tested during kharif and rabi seasons were rice – rice (check), maize + soybean (2:4) – tomato, maize + soybean (2:4) - rice, maize - sunflower + chickpea (2:4), maize - chickpea, Bt cotton + soybean (1:2) on broadbed – sesame + groundnut (2:4), Bt cotton - sesame + blackgram (2:4), soybean – wheat, soybean – sunflower + chickpea (2:4), turmeric – sesame, turmeric + soybean (1:2) on flat bed – bajra and turmeric + soybean (1:2) on broadbed – sesame + blackgram (2:4). On system basis, significantly higher productivity in terms of rice equivalent yield (REY) of 23830 kg ha-1 was recorded with turmeric+soybean (1:2) BBF– sesame+blackgram (2:4) turmeric – sesame cropping sequence. However it was on par with turmeric – sesame and turmeric + soybean (1:2) on flat bed – bajra crop sequence with productivity of 23332 kg ha-1 and 21389 kg ha-1 respectively. Lower productivity was recorded with rice-rice cropping system (10725 kg ha-1). Significantly higher system net returns were recorded with Bt. cotton – sesame + black gram (2:4) on BBF (Rs222838 ha-1) closely followed by Bt Cotton + Soybean (1:2) (BBF) - Sesamum + Groundnut (2:4) (Rs221160 ha-1) and Maize+soybean (2:4)–tomato (Rs212909 ha-1). Lower system net returns were recorded in conventional rice-rice system (Rs88179 ha-1). Bt. cotton – sesame + black gram (2:4) and Bt Cotton + Soybean (1:2) (BBF)- Sesamum + Groundnut ((2:4) and Maize+soybean (2:4)–tomato were economically superior with REE of 152.71%, 150.81% and 141.45%. Rice- Rice cropping adopted by majority of farmers is less productive and economically inferior indicating wider scope of diversifying existing rice- rice cropping system with high productive, economically viable cropping systems in vertisols of Northern Telangana Zone.

scholarly journals Increase in perennial forage yields driven by climate change, at Apukka Research Station, Rovaniemi, 1980-2017

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oiva Niemeläinen ◽  
Antti Hannukkala ◽  
Lauri Jauhiainen ◽  
Kaija Hakala ◽  
Markku Niskanen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Phleum Pratense ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
The North

The official variety trials at Rovaniemi, Finland (66.58°N, 26.01°E) in 1980–2017 show a substantial increase in dry matter yields (DMY) of timothy (Phleum pratense), meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), coinciding with a 156 °Cd increase in the average growing season Tsum and a 461 °Cd decrease in the average winter frost sum for the same period. The annual DMY of timothy was 3128, 4668, 8385 and 9352 kg ha-1 in the periods (P) 1980–1989 (P1), 1990–1999 (P2), 2000–2009 (P3), and 2010–2017 (P4). The first cut yielded 1792, 2166, 4008 and 4473, and the second cut 1337, 2503, 4378 and 4879 kg ha-1, respectively. Yields of meadow fescue followed a similar pattern. The first cut was about ten days and the second cut about one week earlier on P4 than on P1. Shorter snow cover period, milder winters, higher live ground cover of timothy in spring, and higher temperature sum during the growing season were most likely responsible for the yield increase. The results indicate a strong impact of climate change on DMY of perennial forage crops in the north.

scholarly journals SMALLHOLDER FARMERS’ RESOURCE ALLOCATION DECISIONS IN A MAIZE-FARMING SYSTEM UNDER CLIMATE RISKS IN MALAWI

AGROFOR ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth MAGRETA ◽  
Henderson NG’ONG’OLA ◽  
Julius MANGISONI ◽  
Kennedy MACHILA ◽  
Sika GBEGBELEGBE
Keyword(s):  
Resource Allocation ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
The Body ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Climatic Data ◽  
Climatic Risk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Allocation Decisions ◽  
Resource Allocation Decisions

Using household data from Lilongwe districts, along with crop phenology, agronomic management and climatic data from Chitedze Research Station, the Target-MOTAD and DSSAT-CSM models examined the resource allocation decisions of smallholder farmers in maize farming systems under climate risk in Malawi. Specific aims were to evaluate the ability of DSSAT to predict and collate DTM and non-DTM yields under climatic risk and to use a bio-economic procedure developed using DSSAT and Target-MOTAD to explore the impact of climatic risk on allocation of resources to DTM and non-DTM production. The paper argues that higher average yields observed from DTM varieties make it the most optimal maize production plan, in maximizing household incomes, food security, and minimizing deviations from the mean while meeting the set target incomes of farmers compared to non-DTM varieties. The multidisciplinary nature of this paper has contributed to the body of research by providing a powerful analytical procedure of modelling farmers’ resource allocation decisions in maize based farming systems in Malawi. This study necessitates the use of a combination of biophysical and economic procedures when evaluating promising lines prior to variety release in order to identify the high yielding variety that will continuously bring sustained profits to the farmers amidst climate change.

scholarly journals Efficiency of pasture and supplement management in high producing dairy herds

2003 ◽  
pp. 105-110
Author(s):  
P.V. Salles ◽  
J. Hodgson ◽  
P.N.P. Matthews ◽  
C.W. Holmes ◽  
N.M. Shadbolt
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Feeding Management ◽  
Dairy Systems ◽  
Supplementary Feed

In 1998 a three-year dairy farm monitoring programme funded by AGMARDT (Agricultural Marketing and Research Development Trust) was established on twelve dairy farms in the southern North Island of New Zealand where policy had changed from a focus on high production per ha through high stocking rate to a management based on reduced stocking rate and strategic use of supplements to enhance both production per cow and per ha. The project involved a detailed three-year data collection which included measurements of the quantity and composition of pasture and supplements consumed as well as animal performance. Analysis of the results of the third year (2000/2001) on nine of these farms with complete data sets identified a range of metabolisable energy (ME) intake (50669 - 70135 MJ ME/cow/yr). Supplementary feed represented on average 24% (21 - 27 %) of the total intake of ME, the main supplements being pasture silage (summer to winter), turnips (summer) and maize silage (autumn and winter) consumed by lactating cows, and grazing off by dry stock. There was a range of milksolids (MS) production per cow (372 - 424 kg/year) and per hectare (921 - 1264 kg/year). The average economic farm surplus per hectare of NZ$3077 (NZ$2425 - NZ$3867) for the case-study farms was approximately 43% higher than the top 25% farms in the Manawatu region. Mean values of return on assets for the case-study farms (12.9%) and top 25% farms in Manawatu (13.0%) were similar. Good pasture management based on controlled preand post-grazing herbage mass targets (mean 2650 and 1900 kg DM/ha, respectively), strategic use of supplementary feed to control pasture deficits, and moderate stocking rates (overall mean 2.7 cows/ha), provided high allowances of high quality herbage (organic matter digestibility ranging from 742 to 845 g/kg DM) and maintained high levels of milk production (411 kg MS/cow and 1100kg MS/ha). The comparison with industry data showed that the casestudy farms were highly productive and profitable dairy systems, at least under the conditions of the 2000/2001 season. However, the result indicated the need to improve management skills to limit feed wastage under generous feeding management, and also the limitation of conventional procedures for monitoring pasture consumption in farming systems. Keywords: animal performance, dairy systems, energy intak e, herbage quality, pasture management, profitability

scholarly journals The challenges facing legumes in a dryland environment - a consultant's view

2003 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 7-12
Author(s):  
C.D. Brown ◽  
R.B. Green
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Perennial Species ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Feed Quality ◽  
Dryland Farming ◽  
High Feed ◽  
Stocking Rates

The dryland regions of New Zealand suffer from summer moisture deficits in the majority of years. These dryland regions have been developed along the same basis as other farming regions, with increasing fertiliser usage leading to more subdivision and higher stocking rates. Given the exposure to droughts, the production per head of these regions has been extremely variable. Historically, dryland farming systems have been based around breeding ewe systems with all lambs finished if the season allowed. Since the removal of all Government support during adverse events, in the early 1990s, farm systems have become considerably more diverse. Irrigation areas have doubled between 1985 and 1999 to approximately 500 000 hectares. Both sub clover and lucerne have been used extensively in dryland areas, but the main legume is still white clover. Farmers recognise the significant limitations in the ability of white clovers to cope with summer droughts, but have not been able to efficiently utilise other legumes, which require unique management to perform. There are a number of reasons for this. Looking forward, the five key roles that legumes have in dryland farming systems are, to persist within a general purpose pasture, to produce nitrogen, to improve summer feed quality, to improve year round quality feed through specialist crops and pastures and to provide specialist composite feeds (i.e. condensed tannins). With the increased diversity in farming systems, growers require a more diverse range of legumes from perennial species to annuals that will fit a short-term high feed quality niche.

Forage production for dairy farming in terms of the Research Station “Poyma”

2021 ◽  
pp. 8-16
Author(s):  
А.А. Анисимов ◽  
П.И. Комахин ◽  
В.Н. Золотарев
Keyword(s):  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Animal Product ◽  
Advanced Experience ◽  
Stable Production ◽  
Annual Grasses ◽  
Silage Production

Важнейшей проблемой продовольственной безопасности страны является уровень обеспеченности населения молочными продуктами. В связи с этим большое значение имеет опыт работы передовых хозяйств такого профиля в определённых почвенно-климатических и природно-экологических условиях. ФГБУ «Опытная станция «Пойма» является одним из наиболее эффективных хозяйств в Московской области по производству молока. Общая площадь сельскохозяйственных угодий составляет 6135 га, из них 2000 га пашни. В структуре посевных площадей 95% и более занимают кормовые культуры, в том числе 12–14% — однолетние травы, 68–70% — многолетние травы и природные кормовые угодья, 15–16% — кукуруза на силос. Основное производство кормов сосредоточено на высокоплодородных пойменных землях, на долю которых приходится 84% кормовых угодий. В статье изложены результаты системного применения достижений науки и передового опыта по стабильному производству высококачественных объёмистых кормов. Проведён анализ состояния кормопроизводства и животноводства хозяйства с 1982 по 2020 год, освещены научные подходы к увеличению производства кормов и животноводческой продукции. Системное освоение передовых научных разработок по созданию высокопродуктивных кормовых посевов и стабильному производству высококачественных объёмистых кормов, их рациональному хранению и использованию, техническая модернизация позволили увеличить среднегодовой надой на корову с 4079 до 9708 кг, или более чем в 2,3 раза, при одновременном снижении расхода кормов на 1 кг молока с 1,37 до 0,90 корм. ед. при повышении рентабельности с 16 до 28%. Food safety of the country is highly affected by the availability of milk products. Therefore, the experience of leading farms is of great importance under certain environmental conditions. The Research Station “Poyma” is one of the leading milk producers in the Moscow region. Its fields occupy around 6135 ha. The proportion of forage crops amounts to 95% including 12–14% of annual grasses, 68–70% of perennial grasses and natural forage lands as well as 15–16% of maize for silage production. 84% of the total cultivation area are high-fertile floodlands. This article focuses on the application of the latest scientific findings and advanced experience for stable production of high-quality bulk fodder. The efficiency of forage production and Animal Husbandry was analyzed in the period from 1982 to 2020. The methods and practices were reviewed to optimize forage and animal product resources. Average annual milk yield was improved from 4079 to 9708 kg per cow, or by more than 2.3 times due to the introduction of the latest findings into the production process including the cultivation of high-productive forage crops, stabilization of bulk fodder supplies, feed effective storage and use. Forage consumption dropped from 1.37 to 0.90 feed units for the production of 1 kg of milk, payback increased from 16 to 28%.

Beef Cattle Production and Trade

2014 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Cattle Production ◽  
Beef Industry ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Beef Cattle Production ◽  
Australian Experience

Beef Cattle Production and Trade covers all aspects of the beef industry from paddock to plate. It is an international text with an emphasis on Australian beef production, written by experts in the field. The book begins with an overview of the historical evolution of world beef consumption and introductory chapters on carcass and meat quality, market preparation and world beef production. North America, Brazil, China, South-East Asia and Japan are discussed in separate chapters, followed by Australian beef production, including feed lotting and live export. The remaining chapters summarise R&D, emphasising the Australian experience, and look at different production systems and aspects of animal husbandry such as health, reproduction, grazing, feeding and finishing, genetics and breeding, production efficiency, environmental management and business management. The final chapter examines various case studies in northern and southern Australia, covering feed demand and supply, supplements, pasture management, heifer and weaner management, and management of internal and external parasites.

Small Cattle for Small Farms

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margo Hayes
Keyword(s):  
Prior Experience ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Small Farms ◽  
Small Farm ◽  
Beef Industry ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Many ◽  
Stocking Rates

There are more small farms in Australia than there are large, and this trend continues as an increasing number of larger farms are subdivided into smaller parcels. A growing demand for lifestyle blocks, in Australia and overseas, is fuelling an interest in the quieter, smaller breeds of cattle which have particular appeal as they are more manageable to control and maintain. Small Cattle for Small Farms is ideal for those people considering buying a small farm for lifestyle or commercial purposes. Written in response to the many questions the author was asked by those seeking to purchase small cattle, this practical and easy to understand guide provides an excellent introduction to small farming. The book assumes no prior experience with cattle, and covers all the basics to help you set up your small farm, including: types of cattle available, how to select your stock and care for them, stocking rates, fencing needs, vaccination requirements, methods of identification, and government requirements for land and stockowners. For those wishing to show their cattle, there is a chapter explaining how to prepare for competitions. A section on marketing details how to make a successful entry into the commercial beef industry, and a list of cattle organisations directs readers to more specific information for their chosen breeds.

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