Parameterizing LivSim for simulating growth of the Ghana shorthorn cattle

An important component of the farming system in Ghana is livestock production. Livestock, especially cattle production is heavily dependent on rainfall for the production of forages to feed them. Projected increase in temperature and shifts in rainfall patterns due to climate change is expected to affect the level of livestock production and livelihood of the resource poor animal herders in Ghana. To gain insight into the livestock-climate nexus, we conducted a study in Tamale in the Northern region of Ghana to parameterize the LivSim (Livestock Simulator) model for the simulation of growth of the Ghana Shorthorn cattle. The main objective was to quantify milk and calf production by the various smallholder farmers in the community. A survey of 261 households out of which 96 owned livestock was conducted to obtain observed data on milk yield, calving frequencies, among others. Other data required by LivSIM such as the minimum and maximum bodyweights of both male and female Ghana Shorthorn were obtained from the literature. The number of cattle owned by the households interviewed ranged from 2-47 with majority having a herd size less than twelve. The herd composition was estimated to be 72% female and 28% male. Preliminary simulation results showed that the herd dynamics could be well captured for an initial period of 5 years, after which there was divergence between the simulated and the observed. Further current efforts are directed to the improvement in parameter values especially those relating to the potential growth rates and the compensatory growth rate

Hyperspectral Data Can Differentiate Species and Cultivars of C3 and C4 Turf despite Measurable Diurnal Variation. Remote Sens. 2024, 16, 3142. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16173142

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Hyperspectral Data Can Classify Plant Functional Groups Within New Zealand Hill Farm Pasture

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Suitability Evaluation of Three Tropical Pasture Species (Mulato II, Gatton Panic, and Rhodes Grass) for Cultivation under a Subtropical Climate of Australia

first_pagesettingsOrder Article Reprints Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle Suitability Evaluation of Three Tropical Pasture Species (Mulato II, Gatton Panic, and Rhodes Grass) for Cultivation under a Subtropical Climate of Australia by Priyanath Jayasinghe 1,2ORCID,Daniel J. Donaghy 1ORCID,David G. Barber 3,Keith G. Pembleton 4,*ORCID andThiagarajah Ramilan 1ORCID 1 School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4440, New Zealand 2 Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture, Uva Wellassa University, Badulla 90000, Sri Lanka 3 Agri-Science Queensland, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland, University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Lawes, QLD 4343, Australia 4 Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Systems and School of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Agronomy 2022, 12(9), 2032; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12092032 Submission received: 9 July 2022 / Revised: 15 August 2022 / Accepted: 16 August 2022 / Published: 26 August 2022 (This article belongs to the Section Grassland and Pasture Science) Downloadkeyboard_arrow_down Browse Figures Versions Notes Abstract Exploring improved tropical forages is considered to be an important approach in delivering quality and consistent feed options for dairy cattle in tropical and subtropical regions. The present study aimed to study the suitability of three improved tropical grasses, Chloris gayana ‘Rhodes grass cv. Reclaimer’ (RR), Megathyrsus maximus ‘Gatton Panic’ (GP), and Brachiaria ruziziensis x B. decumbens x B. brizantha ‘Brachiaria Mulato II’ (BM) evaluating their carbon assimilation, canopy structure, herbage plant–part accumulation and quality parameters under irrigated conditions. An experiment was conducted at Gatton Research Dairy (27°54′ S, 152°33′ E, 89 m asl) Queensland, Australia, which has a predominantly subtropical climate. Photosynthesis biochemistry, canopy structure, herbage accumulation, plant part composition, and nutritive value were evaluated. Photosynthesis biochemistry differed between pasture species. Efficiency of CO2 assimilation was highest for GP and quantum efficiency was highest for BM. Pasture canopy structure was significantly affected by an interaction between pasture species and harvest. Forage biomass accumulation was highest in GP, while BM produced more leaf and less stem compared to both GP and RR. A greater leafy stratum and lower stemmy stratum depth were observed in the vertical sward structure of BM. Brachiaria Mulato II showed greater carbon partitioning to leaves, leaf: stem ratio, canopy, and leaf bulk density. It also demonstrated greater nutritive value (Total digestible nutrients (TDN), acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), neutral detergent insoluble protein (NDICP), Starch, nonfibre carbohydrates (NFC), metabolisable energy (ME), mineral profile (Mg, P, K, Fe, Zn) and dietary cation–anion difference (DCAD) for leaf, stem, and the whole plant. Greater quantum efficiency, leaf accumulation, and nutritive value of BM observed in the present study suggest BM as an attractive forage option for dairying that warrants further research in pasture-based systems in tropical and subtropical climates

A Mixed-Methods Study of Factors Influencing Access to and Use of Micronutrient Powders in Rwanda

The World Health Organization recommends point-of-use fortification with multiple micronutrients powder (MNP) for foods consumed by children aged 6-23 months in populations where anemia prevalence among children under 2 years or under 5 years of age is 20% or higher. In Rwanda, anemia affects 37% of children under 5 years. The MNP program was implemented to address anemia, but research on factors affecting the implementation of the MNP program is limited. We conducted a mixed-methods study to examine the factors influencing access to and use of MNP among mothers (N=379) in Rutsiro district, northwest Rwanda. Inductive content analysis was used for qualitative data. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with the use of MNP. Qualitative results indicated that the unavailability of MNP supplies and distribution issues were major barriers to accessing MNP. Factors influencing the use of MNP included mothers' perceptions of side effects and health benefits of MNP, as well as inappropriate complementary feeding practices. Mothers of older children (aged 12-23 months) were more likely to use MNP than those of younger children (aged 6-11 months) (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=3.63, P<.001). Mothers whose children participated in the supplementary food program were nearly 3 times more likely to use MNP than those whose children had never participated in the program (aOR=2.84, P=.001). Increasing household hunger score was significantly associated with lower odds of using MNP (aOR=0.80, P=.038). Mechanisms to monitor MNP supply and program implementation need to be strengthened to ensure mothers have access to the product. MNP program implementers should address gaps in complementary feeding practices and ensure mothers have access to adequate complementary foods. L'Organisation Mondiale de la Santé recommande l'enrichissement de l'alimentation à domicile (enrichissement sur le point d'utilisation) à l'aide des poudres de micronutriments multiples (PMN) pour les aliments consommés par les enfants âgés de 6 à 23 mois dans les populations où la prévalence de l'anémie chez les enfants de moins de 2 ans ou 5 ans est de 20% ou plus. Au Rwanda, l'anémie touche 37% des enfants de moins de 5 ans et le programme de PMN a été mis en œuvre pour lutter contre l'anémie. Cependant, la recherche sur les facteurs qui affectent la mise en œuvre du programme de PMN est limitée. Nous avons mené une étude par méthodes mixtes pour examiner les facteurs qui influencent l'accès des mères (n=379) à la PMN et son utilisation dans le district de Rutsiro, au nord-ouest du Rwanda. L'analyse du contenu inductif a été utilisée pour les données qualitatives. Pour déterminer les facteurs associés à l'utilisation des PMN, une régression logistique a été utilisée. Les résultats qualitatifs ont indiqué que l'indisponibilité des approvisionnements en PMN et les problèmes de distribution constituaient des obstacles majeurs à l'accès à la PMN. Les facteurs qui influencent l'utilisation des PMN comprenaient les perceptions, chez les mères, des effets secondaires et des avantages des PMN pour la santé, ainsi que des pratiques d'alimentation complémentaire inappropriées. Les mères d'enfants plus âgés (12 à 23 mois) étaient plus susceptibles d'utiliser la PMN que celles d'enfants plus jeunes (6 à 11 mois) (odds ratio ajusté [ORA]=3,63, P<0,001). Les mères des enfants qui avaient participé au programme d'alimentation complémentaire étaient près de 3 fois plus susceptibles d'utiliser la PMN que celles des enfants qui n'avaient jamais participé au programme (ORA=2,84, P=0,001). L'augmentation du score de faim dans les ménages était significativement associée à des chances plus faibles d'utiliser la PMN (ORA=0,80, P=0,038). Les mécanismes de suivi de l'approvisionnement en PMN et de la mise en œuvre du programme doivent être renforcés pour s'assurer que les mères ont accès au produit. Les responsables de la mise en œuvre du programme de PMN devraient combler les lacunes au niveau des pratiques d'alimentation complémentaire et veiller à ce que les mères aient accès à des aliments complémentaires adéquats.fals

Evaluation of yam-based production enterprises in Nigeria

This research investigated yam based production enterprise in Nigeria to identify the ideal farming system for yam. Data were extracted from 360 respondents in selected major yam-producing States in Nigeria. Data were analysed by the use of descriptive statistics and economic analysis. The result of this investigation reveals that yam production is profitable but it requires a large capital outlay. Yam production was more profitable that other comparable crops. There are infinite cropping systems for yam in Nigeria. All the dominant cropping systems for yam are profitable. Yam/maize intercropping system is the most profitable crop system for yam in Nigeria. The key recommendations from this research are increased investment in yam production; adoption of Yam/Maize intercropping system; and the development of an appropriate yam production technique that will reduce the cost of yam and make its production more profitable

Hyperspectral Imaging Spectroscopy for Non-Destructive Determination of Grape Berry Total Soluble Solids and Titratable Acidity

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Non-destructive and on-site estimation of grape total soluble solids by field spectroscopy and stack ensemble learning

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Comparison of Nutritive Values of Tropical Pasture Species Grown in Different Environments, and Implications for Livestock Methane Production: A Meta-Analysis

The demand for dairy products is ever increasing across the world. The livestock sector is a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally. The availability of high-quality pasture is a key requirement to increase the productivity of dairy cows as well as manage enteric methane emissions. Warm-season perennial grasses are the dominant forages in tropical and subtropical regions, and thus exploring their nutritive characteristics is imperative in the effort to improve dairy productivity. Therefore, we have collated a database containing a total of 4750 records, with 1277 measurements of nutritive values representing 56 tropical pasture species and hybrid cultivars grown in 26 different locations in 16 countries; this was done in order to compare the nutritive values and GHG production across different forage species, climatic zones, and defoliation management regimes. Average edaphoclimatic (with minimum and maximum values) conditions for tropical pasture species growing environments were characterized as 22.5 °C temperature (range 17.5-29.30 °C), 1253.9 mm rainfall (range 104.5-3390.0 mm), 582.6 m elevation (range 15-2393 m), and a soil pH of 5.6 (range 4.6-7.0). The data revealed spatial variability in nutritive metrics across bioclimatic zones and between and within species. The ranges of these nutrients were as follows: neutral detergent fibre (NDF) 50.9-79.8%, acid detergent fibre (ADF) 24.7-57.4%, crude protein (CP) 2.1-21.1%, dry matter (DM) digestibility 30.2-70.1%, metabolisable energy (ME)3.4-9.7 MJ kg-1 DM, with methane (CH4) production at 132.9-133.3 g animal-1 day-1. The arid/dry zone recorded the highest DM yield, with decreased CP and high fibre components and minerals. Furthermore, the data revealed that climate, defoliation frequency and intensity, in addition to their interactions, have a significant effect on tropical pasture nutritive values and CH4 production. Overall, hybrid and newer tropical cultivars performed well across different climates, with small variations in herbage quality. The current study revealed important factors that affect pasture nutritive values and CH4 emissions, with the potential for improving tropical forage through the selection and management of pasture species

Producing Higher Value Wool through a Transition from Romney to Merino Crossbred: Constraining Sheep Feed Demand

A strategy to increase wool income for coarse wool (fibre diameter > 30 µm ) producers through a transition to higher value medium wool ( fibre diameter between 25 and 29 µm) was identified, with previous analyses allowing sheep feed demand increases to impractical levels during the transition period. This study modelled a whole flock transition from Romney breed to a 3/4Merino1/4Romney flock through crossbreeding with Merino sires, with sheep feed demand constrained between 55% and 65% of total grown feed. Transition was complete after 12 years, and the final 3/4M1/4R flock had higher COS (cash operating surplus; NZD 516/ha) than the base Romney flock (NZD 390/ha). Net present value analyses showed the transition always had an economic benefit (up to 13% higher) over the Romney flock. In a sensitivity analysis with sheep and wool sale prices changed by ±10%, higher sheep sale prices reduced the economic benefit of the transition (NPV up to 11% higher) over the Romney flock, as sheep sales comprised a higher proportion of income for the Romney flock, and higher wool sale prices increased the benefit (NPV up to 15% higher) of the transition to 3/4M1/4R over the Romney flock. This study demonstrated a whole flock transition from Romney to 3/4M1/4R breed was profitable and achievable without large variation in sheep feed demand, although the scale of benefit compared to maintaining a Romney flock was determined by changes in sheep and wool sale prices