Forage grazing system - Essay Example

Forage grazing system Forage grazing system Forage refers to any part of the plant that may be harvested for feeding or consumed directly by grazing animals (Paladines & Lascano, 2003). In broader perspective, it is any pasture, silage, hay or green-chop crops established from plants like tall fescue, alfalfa, bermudagrass, bahiagrass, and annual ryegrass among others. On the other hand, forage system refers to a collection of warm and cool season forage crops so as to meet the livestock needs or animal enterprise.

By and large, forage-based livestock production is dependent on several forage crops in the system for the continuity of forage production through the entire growing season. Naturally, livestock animals like cattle, sheep, goats and horses live by forage utilization because their digestive system allow them to gain energy and other valuable nutrients (Murphy, 2005). The most efficient way for these livestock to consume forage is to allow them to graze. Nevertheless, an appropriate grazing system is necessary for effective and efficient grazing.

Developing a rotational grazing is the most effective way to maximize forage utilization as well as consumption on a limited piece of land.Rotational/ paddock grazingAccording to W.D. Pitman (2010), paddock grazing refers to a grazing management system whereby livestock is grazed in a rotational manner in a large number of paddocks. Depending on the size of the paddock and the number of animals grazing, a paddock may be used for a number of days before animals are moved to the next paddock.Although it is very intensive, it allows the farmer to prepare adequately in and out of the season.

Routinely, rotational grazing takes up to 30 days. This allows the farmer to match the nutritional needs of the animals with the availability of feeds (forage). Rotational grazing will ensure that forage stock are not re-grazed or overgrazed on a particular cycle. This is advantageous to the farmer since it breaks the life-cycles of parasites and other pests. Farmers save a lot of money that could otherwise be used for livestock management. Rotational grazing also allows the farmer to allocate small portions of the land for conservation of grass (silage of hay) especially where growth of grass has gone beyond livestock requirements (United States.

Bureau of Land Management. Idaho State Office, 2007).Benefits of economy projectsIncreased production: - use of modern farm machinery and skills help to increase farm yields. It avails all the resources to the farmer that aids in all operations. For instance, the use of irrigations, farm machineries ensures that the farmer has a constant supply of food to his animals throughout the year. Paddock grazing will ensure that forage feeds are available all the time and livestock get enough supplements.

Quality improvement- when livestock gets enough food with balanced nutrients, the quality of their products improves as well. Forage crops that have been supplied with enough nutrients and well maintained will also improve the quality of the products. For instance, cows will produce quality milk with high butterfat contents.Changes in time and location of sale- quality products will fetch easy market as opposed to ordinary quality. This will attract even foreign markets and market will change.

If products were disposed at local markets, products would find a way to foreign markets.References Murphy, J. J. (2005). Utilisation of Grazed Grass in Temperate Animal Systems. Cork, Ireland: Wageningen Academic Pub.Paladines, O., & Lascano, C. E. (2003). Forage Germplasm Under Small-Plot Grazing: Evaluation Methodologies. CIAT.United States. Bureau of Land Management. Idaho State Office. (2007). Proposed livestock grazing management program for the Shoshone grazing area. the University of Michigan: The Office.W.D.

Pitman, A. S.-R. (2010). Tropical Forage Plants: Development and Use. CRC Press.