Download PRM 504

MANAGEMENT OF GRASSLANDS
PRM 504 (3 UNITS)
COORDINATOR: Prof. O. S . Onifade
MANAGEMENT OF GRASSLAND
• FACTORS CAUSING LOW LEVEL OF ANIMAL
PRODUCTION
• STOCKING RATE AND ANIMAL PRODUCTION
• MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES TO INCREASE
PRODUCTION : IMPROVEMENT OF SOIL
FERTILITY,
BUSH
CONTROL,
DIRECT
RESEEDING,
PROVISION
OF
WATER,
PROVISION OF DRY SEASON FEEDS,
FENCING,NOXIOUS PLANTS, DISEASES
INTRODUCTION
• DEFINITION: LAND USED PRINCIPALLY FOR
EXTENSIVE GRAZING BY DOMESTIC &WILD
ANIMALS. VEGETATION ZONES – SHRUB LAND,
GRASSLANDS & OPEN FORESTS LAND.
USUALLY UNSUITABLE FOR ARABLE FARMING.
TOO DRY, STEEP, SHALLOW, ROCKY, SANDY,
SALINE, HIGH EVAPORATION…
• AIM OF MANAGEMENT – MANAGE LAND TO
PRODUCE FORAGE &TO PROMOTE/MAINTAIN
INTRODUCTION cont.
EFFICIENT PRODUCTION OF ANIMAL PRODUCTS.
*PREVENT DESTRUCTION OF NATURAL
ECOSYSTEM- STABLE VEGETATION
*ENSURE CONTINUOUS VIGOR OF PALATABLE &
NUTRITIOUS SPP.
*PREVENT SIOL EROSION
LOW LEVEL OF ANIMAL PRODUCTION
FROM GRASSLAND, WHY?
1. LIMITATION IMPOSED BY THE ENVIRONMENT
a. CLIMATE -RAINFALL USUALLY LOW & .
SEASONALLY DISTRIBUTED. – LONG PERIOD
OF DROUGHT &LIMITED WATER SUPPLY.
b. SOIL – GENERALLY LOW IN FERTILITY N,P,Ca…
c. UNSTABLE GRASSLAND COMMUNITY –
TENDENCY FOR INGRESS OF TREES &
SHRUBS.
STOCKING RATE AND ANIMAL
PRODUCTION
• APPLIES TO SOWN AND RANGE PASTURES
• MOTT (1961) EVOLVED THE RELATIONSHIP
BASED ON A NO OF GRAZING TRIALS
• GRAZING PRESSURE; THE NO OF
ANIMAL/UNIT OF AVAILABLE FORAGE
• PRODUCT/ANIMAL DECREASES SLIGHTLY AS SR
IS INCREASED FROM LENIENT RATE TO THE
OPTIMUM RATE THAN DECREASES RAPIDLY AS
THE OPTIMUN GRAZING RATE IS EXCEEDED.
STOCKING RATE &ANIMAL
PRODUCTION cont.
• PRODUCT /HECTARE RISES VERY RAPIDLY AS
SR IS INCREASED FROM THE UNDERGRAZED
CONDITION TO THE OPT. GRAZING PRESSURE.
• MAXIMUM PRODUCT /HA WILL OCCUR AT A
SR IN EXCESS OF THE OPTIMUM…
• BEYOND THIS POINT, A VERY RAPID FALL IN
PRODUCT/HA OCCURS
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STOCKING
RATE AND ANIMAL PRODUCTION
• PRODUCTION/ANIMAL DECREASES FROM A VERY
LENIENT RATE TO THE OPTIMUM RATE AND THEN
DECREASES VERY RAPIDLY AS THE OPTIMUM
GRAZING PRESSURE (OGP) IS EXCEEDED.
• PRODUCTION/HA RISES VERY RAPIDLY AS SR IS
INCREASED FROM THE UNDERGRAZED CONDITION
TO THE OGP. MAX OUTPUT/HA OCCURRED AT A SR
IN EXCESS OF OPTIMUM SR. BEYOND THIS POINT A
VERY RAPID FALL IN PRODUCTION/HA OCCURS.
GRAZING PRESSURE, STOCKING
RATE & CARRYING CAPACITY
• GP:- THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NUMBER OF
ANIMALS PER UNIT OF AVAILABLE FORAGE.
• SR:- NUMBER OF ANIMAL PER UNIT AREA Eg. 20
BULLS/HA
• CC– THE AREA OF RANGELAND REQUIRED TO CARRY
ONE MATURE ANIMAL (MAINTENANCE AND SOME
PRODUCTION) THROUGH OUT THE YEAR. AREA
SHOULD BE MANAGED TO PREVENT ANY ADVERSE
EFFECT ON THE LAND. Eg. 1 Ha/ MATURE BEAST IN
FOREST ZONE , 3-5% MATURE BEAST IN SUBHUMID
SAVANNAH
PURPOSES OF PROPER STOCKING:
• TO MAINTAIN EFFICIENT GREEN LEAVES AND
SHOOTS FOR PHOTOSYNTHESIS
• PROVIDE AND PRESERVE THE FOOD DESERVES
STORED BY THE PLANT FOR USE IN MAKING
QUICK REGROWTH
• PERMIT SEED PRODUCTION FOR THE
MAINTAINED OF PLAST STAND
• TO PROTECT YOUNG SEEDLINGS TILL THEY
CANT DERATE GRAZING
PURPOSES OF PROPER STOCKING
Cont.:
• TO INCREASE THE BETTER PLANTS WHICH
KEEP OUT WEEDS AND POOR ANNUAL
GRASSES
• TO PROTECT THE SOIL FROM WIND AND
WATER EROSION
• TO LEAVE A VEGETATIVE COVER WHICH ACTS
AS A MULCH AND RESULTS IN INCREASED HZ0
ABSORPTION AND STORAGE IN THE SOIL.
• TO PREVENT EXTREMES IN SOIL
TEMPERATURES BY ACTING AS AN INSULATOR.
MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES
•
•
•
•
•
•
BUSH CONTROL
DIRECT RESEEDING
RANGE USE AND PROVISION OF WATER
FENCING
PROVISION OF DRY SEASON FEED
GRAZING MANAGEMENT
BUSH CONTROL
• REDUCTION IN DENSITY OF UNDESIRABLE
PLANTS BY MANUAL,MECHANICAL, CHEMICAL
, BIOLOGICAL OR OTHER MEANS.
• CLASSES OF UNDESIRABLE PLANTS :
* WEEDY: COMPETES FOR SPACE &
NUTRIENTS WITH FORAGE SPP THUS
REDUCING YIELD AND UTILIZATION. Eg
Isoberlinia doka, Cassia tora.
BUSH CONTROL Cont.
PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESSES IN ANIMAL. Eg.
Crotalaria retusa, Ricinus communis.
OBJECTIVES OF BUSH CONTROL
1. REMOVAL OF UNDESIRABLE PLANTS –
REDUCE COMPETITION FOR NUTRIENTS &
WATER TO FORAGE SPP.
2. REDUCTION OF SHRUBS- PROVIDE LARGE
SURFACE AREA FOR SEEDING, SEEDLING
ESTABLISHMENT
WEED CONTROL CONT.
* MECHANICALLY INJURIOUS: PLANTS WITH
PROJECTING APPENDAGES ( SPINES, STIPLES,
BURRS) THAT CAN PUNCTURE SKIN OF
ANIMAL, EXPOSURE TO INSECTS & DISEASES.
Eg. Acacia spp, Cenchrus biflorus
*POISONOUS PLANTS:CONTAINING TOXIC
CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS WITHIN TISSUES.
WHEN INGESTED & DIGESTED RELEASES TOXIC
BY- PRODUCTS. INTERFERES WITH
3.REMOVAL OF OBSTRUCTIVE SHRUBS- PROVIDE
PASTURE ACCESS,HANDLING OF LIVESTOCK.
4. REMOVAL OF SHRUBS – FACILITATE WATER
DRAINAGE & EROSION CONTROL.
5. REMOVAL OF SHRUBS – REDUCE FUEL
MATERIAL FOR RANGE FIRE.
6. ELIMINATION OF POISONOUS PLANTS WITH
DIRECT EFFECT ON GRAZING ANIMALS.
BUSH CONTROL METHODS
BIOLOGICAL, MECHANICAL, CHEMICAL &
BURNING.
BEST METHODS DEPEND ON :
KIND OF PLANT,DAMAGE TO EXISTING
DESIRA- BLE SPP, CHARACTER OF THE
TOPOGRAPHY & SOIL, NEED FOR SEEDBED
PREPARATION, EFFECTIVENESS & SPEED OF
THE
TREATMENT,
AVAILABILITY
OF
EQUIPMENT& MATERIALS (HERBICIDES),.
BUSH CONTROL METHODS
BIOLOGICAL- INTRODUCTION OF NATURAL
ENEMIES OF THE UNDESIRABLE PLANTS.
- ANIPULATING GRAZING eg MIXED GRAZING.
MECHANICAL – HAND GRUBBING, HAND
CHOPPING & SAWING. – BULLDOZING.CHAINING. – SURFACE TILLAGE
(PLOUGING,DISCING, HARROWING).MOWING & SHREDDING.
HERBICIDAL- CONTACT, SYSTEMIC
BURNING
USE OF FIRE IN MANAGING PASTURES:
- BURN OFF UNPALATABLE GROWTH FROM
PREVIOUS SEASON. – STIMULATE GROWTH
DURING SEASON OF LITTLE GREEN MATERIALS
- DESTROY PARASITES. – CONTROL INGRESS OF
UNDESIRABLE PLANTS. – PREPARE A SEEDBED
FOR PASTURE. – PROMOTE UNIFORM
DISTRIBUTION OF USEFUL HERBAGE & BETTER
DISTRIBUTION OF ANIMALS IN PASTURES.
Burning cont.
- STIMULATE GRASSES TO PRODUCE SEEDS. –
ENCOURAGE GROWTH OF NATURAL LEGUMES
FOR SOIL IMPROVEMENT.
HARMFUL EFFECTS: MAY LEAD TO DEPLETION
OF ROOT RESERVES OF PALATABLE SPP &
PROGRESSIVVE REDUCTION IN VIGOR
&COMPETITIVE ABILITY. INVASION OF
UNDESIRABLE SPP & EROSION HAZARDS
INCREASED.
DIRECT RESEEDING
• INTRODUCTION OF MORE DESIRABLE HERBAGE SPP
INTO EXISTING RANGELAND VEGETATION
• ADOPTION OF SUITABLE MANAGEMENT TO ENABLE
THEM COMPETE SUCCESSFULLY
TECHNIQUES:
(1) BROADCASTING – BY HAND OR AERIALLY LEGUME
SEED + SPP
(2) PLOUGHING WIDELY SPACED FURROWS – SEED IS
SOWN IN SUCH STRIPS, SPREAD INTO THE RANG
THROUGH WIND, ANIMALS ETC
DIRECT RESEEDING cont.
• (3) OVER DRILLING (SOD SEEDING) –
PLANTING SEED DIRECTLY INTO EXISTING
SWARD, NO PLOUGHING, USE OF DISCS,
PLANTERS (PARTIAL DISTURBANCE)
• (4) USE OF GRAZING ANIMALS. STYLO +
SORGHUM MEAL FED TO CATTLE, SEEDS IN
FAECES TO RANGELAND.
• BEST AT THE END OF DRY SEASON BURNING
TO BROADCAST STYLO + SPP
RANGE USE AND PROVISION OF
WATER
• SOURCES OF WATER – PERENNIAL STREAMS, DAMS,
SURFACE PONDS, WELLS AND BOREHOLES.
• LIVERFLUKE INFESTATION AND TSETSE FLY HABITAT
(EXCEPT BOREHOLE)
• BOREHOLE : PASTURE MORE UNIFORMLY USED OVER
THE RANGE DISEASE TRANSMISSION IS LOW
• CONCENTRATION AT WATER POINT IS REDUCED
• HIGH COST OF MAINTENANCE AND WASTAGE OF
WATER
• DAILY WATERING GIVES HIGHER LWG THAN EVERY
2ND AND 3RD DAY.
RANGE USE &PROVISION OF
WATER cont.
• 300 KG ANIMAL REQUIRE 8-10 L/DAY – RAINY
SEASON
• 16 – 20 L/DAY REQUIRED DURING DRY SEASON.
• ZONES OF PASTURE USE CLEARLY DEFINED AROUND
WATER POINTS – IN CONCENTRIC CIRCLES
• GRAZING DISTANCES FROM WATER SUPPLY – NOT TO
EXCEED 5KM (SHEEP), 10-16 KM (CATTLE).
• LONG DISTANCES, LOW PRODUCTIVITY
• USE OF TROUGHS (CONCRETE) FOR LARGE HERD
RANGE USE AND PROVISION OF
WATER cont.
• LONG DISTANCES, LOW PRODUCTIVITY
• USE OF TROUGHS (CONCRETE) FOR LARGE
HERDS
• PROVISION OF SHADE AND MINERAL LICKS
(NaCl, CaCO3, S & P COMPOUNDS) FOR
BETTER RANGE USE.
• ADD SOLUBLE MINERALS TO DRINKING WATER
MORE PRACTICAL THAN THROUGH HERBAGE
(FERTILIZER)
PROVISION OF DRY SEASON FEEDS
• TO MINIMIZE/PREVENT LOSS OF WEIGHT
• PASTURE LEGUMES (FODDER BANK)
• GROWING OF PASTURE LEGUMES FIELDS/STRIPS
FOR RATION GRAZING
• ADJACENT TO THE RANGELAND (SUPPLEMENT)
• S. guianensis, S. hamata WITH ABOUT 9-10% CP,
GRAZED AT NIGHT, LOSSES IN WEIGHTS WERE NOT
RECORDED
• HIGHER YIELDS IN SECOND YEAR
• PROTECTION FROM DRY SEASON FIRE IS ESSENTIAL.
PROVISION OF DRY SEASON FEEDS
• LEGUME HAY
• PROVISION
OF
HAY
MADE
FROM
GROUNDNUT, MUCUNA, COWPEA, LABLAB,
SOYBEAN ETC FROM SUITABLE SITES.
• MORE COSTLY THAN PASTURE LEGUMES
• USED FOR GROWING ANIMALS/FATTENING
MAINLY
USE OF ARABLE BY-PRODUCTS
• CROP RESIDUES – SORGHUM, MILLET, CORN &
RICE. NEED TO ADD PROTEIN RICH
SUPPLEMENTS:GROUNDNUT
HAULMS,
STYLO, ETC FOR WEIGHT GAINS IN THE DRY
SEASON.
• TREATMENT WITH UREA TO INCREASE N
INTAKE.
• IS IT WORTH SACRIFICING STANDING HAY FOR
SMALLER QUANTITY OR BETTER QUALITY FEED?
• BUSH BURNING VS PROTECTION IN SEMI ARID
ZONES?
Roughage
Concentrate
(Kg/day)
Sorghum
0.90 (every 2
residue
days)
Grass hay –
0.90
savanna
Maize silage
0.45
Elephant
0.45
grass silage
stylo
0.45
Stall fed
Grazing
LWG (Kg/day)
+0.12
+0.42
+0.06
+0.09
-0.09
-0.07
+0.03
-
-
+0.43
USE OF BROWSE PLANT
• RICH IN PROTEIN & MINERALS WHEN
GRASSES ARE DEFICIENT IN THESE ATTRIBUTES
• PODS, TWIGS & LEAVES ARE VERY IMPORTANT
• C. cajan, L. leucocephala, G. sepium (SOWN)
• USE OF COTTON SEED AND GROUNDNUT
CAKES
• FED IN ADDITION TO RANGE GRAZING
→WEIGHT GAINS
• AMOUNT/HD VARIES WITH PRODUCTION
EXPECTED
STIMULATING GROWTH AND
UTILIZATION OF REGROWTH.
• CONTROLLED BURNING – LATE DRY SEASON
• REMOVE DRY & UNPALATABLE OLD
VEGETATION
• STIMULATE REGROWTH OF HERBAGE WITH
1ST RAINS
• Acacia spp Gmelina arborea, Piliostigma spp,
Khaya senegalensis (mahogany)
• WHEN CLEARING LAND, SOME SHOULD BE
RETAINED
FADAMA GRAZING
•AVAILABLE IN DRY SEASON WHEN FLOOD PLAINS ARE
EXPOSED DUE TO LOW LEVELS OF RIVER/STREAMS
•YIELD & QUANTITY OF FEED CAN BE IMPROVED
THROUGH SPP INTRODUCTION
•AREAS CAN ALSO BE SET ASIDE FOR IRRIGATING
FORAGE CROPS.
IRRIGATION
•FOUND IN LAKE CHAD, TIGA DAM, KADAWA
•INCLUSION OF FORAGE SPP IN CROPPING SCHEMES
WILL ENHANCE FINISHING OF ANIMALS FROM
RANGE TO THE MARKET.
d. INCIDENCE OF DISEASES & INSECTS –
UNDER UTILIZATION OF GRAZING LAND AS A
RESULT OF TSETSE FLY INFESTATION.
PRODUCTION & QUALITY OF GRASS ARE LOW
& UNEVENLY DISTRIBUTED WITHIN THE YEAR
LEADING TO SEASONAL VARIATION IN
CARRYING CAPACITY.
2. SOCIOLOGICAL CAUSES.
a. NOMADISM -