Spatio-Temporal Variability of Rainfall and Temperature and Their Effects on Pasture Variability over East Africa: Implication on the Cattle Grazing Areas

Understanding the spatiotemporal variability of climatic parameters and their effects on pasture variability is vital for pasture management interventions over East Africa. The present study aims to assess the spatial-temporal variability of rainfall, temperature and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) (which is being used to assess pasture quality and productivity) over the region, between the period of 1982 and 2019. This study used annual mean values for rainfall, temperature and NDVI which were calculated for the period mentioned above. NDVI was derived from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Global Area Cover (GAC) (NOAA-07-GAC) data. The rainfall data was acquired from the Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Station (CHIRPS) while temperature is ERA5 reanalysis data sourced from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). The study utilized the empirical orthogonal function (EOF) to identify patterns and dominant relationships between the climate variables. The correlation was calculated between rainfall, temperature and NDVI to assess the relationship among them. A non-parametric Mann-Kendall trends test was used to determine whether annual precipitation, temperature and NDVI had statistically increasing or decreasing trend. Results revealed a positive correlation between rainfall and NDVI while a negative correlation between NDVI and temperature. Positive correlation between rainfall and NDVI indicates that pasture health (quality and productivity), will improve accordingly. A negative correlation between temperature and NDVI indicates that pasture health will decrease with increase in temperature while improving with decreasing temperature. Outcome from this study suggests that changes in climatic variables influence the distribution of pasture in East Africa’s cattle grazing areas. The study hence recommends prioritisation of climatic (weather) information during pasture management over East Africa.

纪念世界第一本RANGE AND PASTURE MANAGEMENT(《草原与放牧地管理学》)教材出版100周年

1923年,美国第一本,也是世界第一本草原管理学方面的教材——RANGE AND PASTURE MANAGEMENT(《草原与放牧地管理学》)出版。本文通过对该书的作者、内容(前言、正文和索引)、对美国草原管理学教育和教材的重要影响、对我国草原管理学同类教材建设的意义进行介绍和论述,以纪念该书出版100周年。

Study on the Influence of Climatic Change on Pasture Growth in Inner Mongolia Grassland

Through analyzing statistically metrological observation data from 1971 to 2010 and pasture data from 1983 to 2012 at 6 animal husbandry meteorological testing stations of Inner Mongolia grassland, the conclusions were drawn. Those were that annual average temperature rose in a straight line in Inner Mongolia grassland, and the increase rates of annual average temperature in meadow steppe and typical steppe were 0.40 and 0.34 ℃/10 a respectively. Annual rainfall had 10-year cyclical characteristics, and precipitation in the 1990s was the most but reduced significantly after 2000. Climate experienced the cold wet -cold dry -warm wet -warm dry periods. Warm and dry climate made the average heights of pasture in meadow steppe and typical steppe of Inner Mongolia cut down 2.4 and 9.3 cm in nearly 12 years than that in the 1990s; the average coverage of herbage decreased by 11% and 13%; the average hay yields reduced by 1 019.8 and 671.4 kg/hm^2.

Predicting Levels of Crude Protein, Digestibility, Lignin and Cellulose in Temperate Pastures Using Hyperspectral Image Data

Hyperspectral sensors provide the potential for direct estimation of pasture feed quality attributes. However, remote sensing retrieval of digestibility and fibre (lignin and cellulose) content of vegetation has proven to be challenging since tissue optical properties may not be propagated to the canopy level in mixed cover types. In this study, partial least squares regression on spectra from HyMap and Hyperion imagery were used to construct predictive models for estimation of crude protein, digestibility, lignin and cellulose concentration in temperate pastures. HyMap and Hyperion imagery and field spectra were collected over four pasture sites in southern Victoria, Australia. Co-incident field samples were analyzed with wet chemistry methods for crude protein, lignin and cellulose concentration, and digestibility was calculated from fiber determinations. Spectral data were subset based on sites and time of year of collection. Reflectance spectra were extracted from the hyperspectral imagery and collated for analysis. Six different transformations including derivatives and continuum removal were applied to the spectra to enhance absorption features sensitive to the quality attributes. The transformed reflectance spectra were then subjected to partial least squares regression, with full cross-validation “leave-one-out” technique, against the quality attributes to assess effects of the spectral transformations and post-atmospheric smoothing techniques to construct predictive models. Model performance between spectrometers, subsets and attributes were assessed using a coefficient of variation (CV), —the interquantile (IQ) range of the attribute values divided by the root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) from the models. The predictive models with the highest CVs were obtained for digestibility for all spectra types, with HyMap the highest. However, models with slightly lower CVs were obtained for crude protein, lignin and cellulose. The spectral regions for diagnostic wavelengths fell within the chlorophyll well, red edge, and 2000-2300 nm ligno-cellulose-protein regions, with some wavelengths selected between the 1600 and 1800 nm region sensitive to nitrogen, protein, lignin and cellulose. The digestibility models with the highest CV’s had confidence intervals corresponding to ±5% digestibility, which constitutes approximately 30% of the measured range. The cellulose and lignin models with the highest CV’s also had similar confidence intervals but the slopes of the prediction lines were substantially less than 1:1 indicating reduced sensitivity. The predictive relationships established here could be applied to categorizing pasture quality into range classes and to determine whether pastures are above or below for example threshold values for livestock productivity benchmarks.

Cool-season annual pastures with clovers to supplement wintering beef cows nursing calves

In December of 3 years, 87 beef cows with nursing calves （.594 ± 9.8 kg; calving season, September to November） at side were stratified by body condition score, body weight, cow age, and calf gender and divided randomly into 6 groups assigned to 1 of 6 cool-season annual pastures （0.45 ha/cow） that had been interseeded into a dormant common bermudagrass （Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers.）/bahiagrass （Paspalum notatum Flugge） sod. Pastures contained 1 of the following 3 seeding mixtures （2 pastures/mixture）： 1） wheat （Triticum aestivurn L.） and ryegrass （Lofium multiflorum Lain., WRG）, 2） wheat and ryegrass plus red clover （Trifolium pretense L, WRR）, or 3） wheat and ryegrass plus white （Trifofium repens L.） and crimson clovers （Trifolium incarnatum L., WRW）. All groups had ad libitum access to grass hay （12% crude protein; 58% total digestible nutrients）. The second week in December, cow estrous cycles were synchronized and artificially inseminated. In late December, a bull was placed with each group for 60-d. Data were analyzed with an analysis of variance using a mixed model containing treatment as the fixed effect and year as the random effect. Body weight and condition scores did not differ （P ≥ 0.27） among cows between February and June. Calf birth weights or average daily gain did not differ （P≥ 0.17） among treatments; however, calves grazing pastures with clovers did tend （P= 0.06） to weigh more than calves grazing grass only. Weaning weight per cow exposed to a bull was greater （P= 0.02） for WRR and WRW than WRG. Cows grazing winter-annual pastures containing clovers tended to wean more calf body weight per cow exposed to a bull than cows grazing the grass only pastures.

Effects of Different Grazing Intensities on Vegetation Characteristics of Cultivated Pastures in Southern China

[Objective]The paper was to study the effect of different grazing intensities on vegetation characteristics of artificial pasture by plot rota- tion grazing experiment. [Method]Grazing intensity was divided into 2 treatments of heavy grazing and light grazing,and each treatment contained 6 plots,with randomized complete block design. A blank control was set near test plot. Ninety disease-free and healthy 2-year-old Yunling Black Goats with consistent body condition were selected and divided into 2 groups： heavy grazing （ 55） and light grazing （ 35） . The goats were conduc- ted rotation grazing in 6 plots,and the average stocking rates were 12. 6 and 8 goat /hm 2 . The plant height,coverage,underground biomass and pasture plant nutrition of 2 treatments were measured,respectively. [Result]The cocksfoot height had significant difference with control under graz- ing conditions （ P 〈0. 05） ,while the heights of ryegrass and white clover in control plot had no significant difference with that in grazing plot （ P 〉 0. 05） . Grazing intensity had different effects on coverage of different plants; grazing utilization reduced the coverage of cocksfoot and ryegrass, which had little impact on coverage of white clover; viewed from the whole plant communities,the coverage in control plot was greater than that in grazing plot. The underground biomass in 0 -20 cm soil depth in grazing plot accounted for about 90%; with the increase of grazing intensity,un- derground biomass was decreased. The crude protein （ CP） and crude fat （ EE） content of forage decreased,while acid detergent fiber （ ADF） and neutral detergent fiber （ NDF） increased. [Conclusion]The research provided scientific basis for determination of suitable grazing system and sus- tainable utilization of pasture resources.

Relation between some variations of soil and surface vegetation and desertization in agriculture-pasture interlacing zone——An example from Kangbao County, North Hebei, China

The studied agriculture\|pasture interlacing zone has its specific natural conditions, at which the natural systems are unstable, their self\|regulation capability is low and the equilibrium is easily broken, and hence the habitat is fairly vulnerable. During last 20 years the increasing population and livestock, over\|reclamation, over\|pasturing, over\|deforesting, and other intensified negative human activities in the zone resulted in coarsening of surface soil, decrease of organic mater content in soil, reduction of vegetation coverage, variation and degradation of flora structure, and hence in desertization of the land, although average of gales and sandstorms some decreased and the climate tended to be better in the region. However, the frequent sandstorms occurring in the springs of last and present years has attracted much attention. Investigations confirmed that the main cause for the phenomena is the unreasonable human activities rather than the natural factors.

A Little Thought for Pasture Informatization Construction

Dairy industry is an indispensable component of modem agriculture. How to improve informatization level and technology content of dairy industry and progress informationalization construction process of pastures has been one of the most popular topics in development of dairy industry in China. Compared with the countries with developed dairy industry worldwide, dairy industry in China is featured by not high informationization level and backward modernization level at the present stage. However, development and maturity of related technologies for pasture informatization construction provides a significant opportunity for transformation and upgrading and leaping development of dairy industry in China.

Metabolic Adaptations Due to the Inclusion of Pasture in the Diet of Dairy Cows Fed Total Mixed Ration during Early Lactation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the metabolic adaptations due to the inclusion of pasture in the diet of dairy cows fed on a total mixed ration (TMR) ad libitum during early lactation. Multiparous cows (n=18) were used in a randomized complete block design and were randomly assigned according to parity, BW and BCS to one of two feeding strategies from calving to 60 DIM: 1) cows fed TMR ad libitum (without access to pasture;100% TMR) and 2) cows fed on a mixed system with pasture grazing (6 h of access to paddock in one grazing session, 8:00 to 14:00 h) and supplemented with 50% of ad libitum TMR (Pasture Group, PG). At 61DIM, TMR fed cows were assigned without an adjustment period to a similar feeding and management routine than PG group (Post-TMR), while PG cows remained in their original routine throughout the experiment. Thus, at 61DIM and thereafter, both, PG and Post-TMR cows grazed a second-year pasture and were supplemented with 50% TMR (DM basis). Milk production was determined daily until 80 DIM, and cow BCS and BW were registered and blood samples and liver biopsies were obtained one week before and one week after dietary change (-1 to +1 wk;+55 and +69 DIM). Milk yield, BW and BCS did not differ between treatments but decreased or tended to decreased from -1 to +1 wk only in Post-TMR cows. Serum IGF-1 tended to increase in Post-TMR cows. Hepatic expression of IGFBP5 and IGFBP6 mRNA, were greater while IGF1 and IGFBP3 mRNA tended to be greater for Post-TMR than PG cows. Hepatic expression of IGF1, IGFBP5 and IGFBP6 mRNA increased from -1 to +1 wk only in Post-TMR cows. Expression of ACADVL and PDH1A mRNA had a 2-fold increase in both groups from wks -1 to +1. The results confirm that changes in feeding strategy without an adaptation period modified animal metabolism. The inclusion of grazing to cows that were fed TMR during early lactation, increased IGF-1 concentrations and modified hepatic expression of genes related with IGF system and fatty acid metabolism indicating redistribution of nutrients and energy towards maintenance requirements (increased due to walking and grazing activity) in detriment of milk production.

Pasture Production and Sheep Behavior in Mixed or Adjacent Monocultures Swards in Different Seasons of the Year

Traditionally,forage is grown in mixed(Mi)or monoculture(Mo)pastures.However,there is currently no evaluation of the advantages of these production systems under tropical conditions.The aim of this study was to evaluate forage production and animal behavior in Mi and Mo pastures containing white clover(Trifolium repens L.),African star(Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst)and Taiwan Napier(Pennisetum purpureum Schumach),using a completely randomized design with two treatments(Mo and Mi)and three repetitions during the four seasons of the year.For each repetition and season,three sheep were evaluated for 8 h/d during three consecutive days.The forage produced in Mo and Mi pastures was similar(p>0.05)during the four seasons of the year.Sheep displayed higher(p<0.01)average daily weight gains(ADG)when grazed on Mi than Mo pastures,particularly during summer,autumn and winter,seasons that corresponded to the higher dry matter intake(DMI)(p<0.05),even though sheep spent more time(p<0.01)grazing on Mo pastures,when compared with spring.It was concluded that there is no advantage in forage production when associations of white clover and two tropical grasses are grown in Mo or Mi pastures.However,heavier sheep are obtained from the later as a result of an increase in forage consumption.

Status of Mountain Pastures, Including Geobotanical Description of the Main Vegetation Associations in Western Pamir-Alay

The article gives a brief description of the vegetation cover of the Western Pamir-Alai range, as well as a method of describing the phytocenosis of the vegetation of the studied region.

Improvement of Native Pasture Productivity through Introduction of Various Types of Palatable Species on Dry Lands in Timor

This research was aimed to evaluate the productivity of native pasture in Timor Island by introducing various palatable species.The study was carried out on native pasture in Tuatuka,Timor Island for seven months.The study was performed by using randomized block design(RBD)with eight treatments(S0:no introduction,S1:Cynodon dactilon,S2:Dicanthium aristatum,S3:C.plectotachyus,S4:Brachiaria decumbens,S5:Desmanthus virgatus,S6:Macroptilium atropurpureum,S7:Clitoria ternatea)with four replications.Procedures on this study include trial plots preparation,tillers preparation for each species,introduction of species in trial plots,maintenance and observation of the productivity.Variables observed were forage production(fresh and dry matter(DM)in ton/ha),nutrient content(%)and stock capacity(animal unit(AU)/ha).Data were analyzed for variance based on RBD and followed by Duncan’s test.Analysis of variance showed that introduction of species had a very significant effect(p<0.01)on all observed variables.The introduction of M.atropurpureum produced the highest fresh forage(2.1 t/ha)and DM production(0.69 t/ha).M.atropurpureum also had the highest DM content(43.61%),nitrogen free extract(52.52%)and stock capacity(1.06 AU/ha).The highest crude protein and crude fiber content were found in D.virgatus(4.31%and 36.62%).The highest extract ether was observed in D.aristatum(1.48%).No introduction had the lowest productivity,but demonstrated the highest ash content.The introduction of palatable species increased the productivity of native pasture in Timor and M.atropupureum was the best introduced species.

Rumen Degradability and Post-ruminal Digestion of Nitrogen and Amino acids by Cows Grazing Temperate Pasture

This experiment was conducted to evaluate nutrient digestion in the rumen and flow to the duodenum of steers grazed on orchardgrass( Dactylis glomerata L.,OG) or meadowfescue( Festuca pratensis Huds.,MF.) pastures located on northern part of Japan without supplement. Fifty-two digestion trials were carried out grazing Holstein steers fitted with cannulas in the rumen,duodenum and distal ileum in the three years. The pastures were divided into several paddocks,and the steers grazed each paddock for a day and allowed double of dry requirements the grazing cattle. The pre-grazing herbage mass did not significantly differ between pastures but the crude protein( N × 6. 25) content of herbage ranged from 19. 3% to 27. 5% on OG pasture and from 20. 0% to 32. 8% on MF pasture. Total N and AA-N intake did not differ but the degradability of dietary nitrogen in the rumen( RDN) was higher in MF than in OG pasture. The ratio of RDN to OM truly digested in the rumen was negatively related to the apparent N absorption in the rumen,and it was suggested that the amount of apparent N absorption in the rumen would be positive when the ratio was above 25 g / kg. Non-ammonia nitrogen( NAN) and AA-N flows to the duodenum of steers were lower in MF than in OG pasture. Duodenal AA flows were more linked to duodenal NAN flows and accounted for approximately 60% of duodenal NAN flows. The proportion of methionine and lysine slightly increased in the duodenal flows compared with the consumed AA,but a comparison between the essential AA composition of milk and the lean tissue indicated that duodenal digesta was most limiting in methionine,lysine,arginine,and histidine,and that deficiencies of arginine and histidine for milk production were relatively small.

Detection of Chrysops divaricatus(Diptera:Tabanidae)in Flat Pastures of the Central Yakutia Russian Federation

In Central Yakutia of the Russian Federation 21 species and subspecies of horseflies of two genera are revealed:Chrysops(6 species)and Hybomitra(15 species and 1 subspecies).There are two marked species(dark forms):H.bimaculata var.bisignata and H.montana var.flaviceps.The most numerous species being the main center of population on pastures are 6:Hybomitra montana montana,H.lundbecki lundbecki,H.ciureai,H.arpadi,H.nitidifrons nitidifrons,H.nigricornis(in the amount of 81.46%fees).On the plain pastures Chrysops divaricatus is specified for the first time.

Present State of Pasture Types of the Central Kyzylkum

The modern state of desert pastures of the Central Kyzylkum has been studied. The pasture territories of the Central Kyzylkum are distributed on sandy soils (14%), salt marshes (6%), gravellyloamy gray-brown soils (75%) and riparian nature-territorial complexes (5%). The main (75%) areas of pasture are occupied by the gravelly-loamy gray-brown soils which are dominated by species of sagebrushes. There are formed of 8 pasture types depending on the properties of natural complexes. The main type of pasture is sagebrushes (Mixto artemisieta), which occupy 60% of the pasture area, and then follow Peganeta harmala, Mixto calligoneta, Halocnemeta strobilacei, Tamariceta varia, Haloxyleta aphylli, Convolvuleta hamadae and Mixshrubs pasture types. The share of fodder plants is high (an average of 83%) in the flora of the study area. According to seasonal grazing, pastures of the Central Kyzylkum can be divided 5 groups: year-round, spring, spring-summer, autumn-winter and unsuitable pastures for grazing. Among them are prevail year-round grazing pastures. The numbers of annual plants and abundance venomous plants in the flora are indicators of pasture degradation in the study area. Annual plants may occupy 55% of composition of plant communities on degraded sites, besides the pasture types which formed under the influence of anthropogenic factors. In Central Kyzylkum newly formed and transformed pasture types occupy 25% of pastures.

Application of Marine Pasture Environmental Resource Monitoring System

China’s current research and construction of marine pastures have begun to get on the right track.At the same time,China has paid more and more attention to the monitoring of environmental resources of marine pastures.Therefore,the construction of marine pasture environmental resource monitoring system has attracted more and more attention.Based on this situation,this paper studies the construction of marine pasture environmental resource monitoring system,and hopes to play a certain role in the monitoring of marine pasture environmental resources.

An Emergy-Based Approach to Assess and Valuate Ecosystem Services of Tropical Wetland Pastures in Brazil

Wetland grasslands are important ecosystems for raising beef cattle, because they are highly productive and present forages with high quality. Most of these ecosystems are threatened by overgrazing or by being replaced by exotic pastures. Emergy synthesis approach was used to assess and value the services provided by native pastures wetland under three conservation status and also to compare them to exotic pastures on wetlands. The ecosystem service that was assessed included forage provision for calves production estimated from grazing capacity of cow with calf at the foot. Habitat maintenance to plant diversity and wild herbivores were also evaluated. The results showed that natural wetland pastures with better conservation status provided valuable ecosystem services and are highly renewable. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) showed that regardless of the conservation state of the natural pastures, wet native grasslands were more efficient than wet exotic grasslands. Replacing native pastures by exotic ones may reduce plant diversity and the renewability of the system. The proposed method has a holistic approach to pasture ecosystems and is able to help decision-makers to define sustainable management practices and to subsidise public policies when it comes to payments regarding ecosystem services.

Comparison of Acidity Parameters for Soils under Perennial and Annual Pastures in Victoria

There are about 5 million ha of strongly acid soils (pH < 4.8 in 0.01 mol·L -1 CaCl 2 ) in Victoria and about 11 million ha of mildly acid soils (pH 4.8～5.5) that are considered susceptible to further acidification under current agricultural use. However, there appear to be differences in the rate of acidification, as measured by soil pH change, between soils under perennial pastures in the higher rainfall areas of southern Victoria and soils under annual pastures in the sheep-wheat areas of the north-east. Measurements made on representative soils from both regions showed that the southern soils generally had a higher pH buffer capacity, which was primarily determined by the organic carbon content. There was a consistent relationship between the short-term buffer capacity (measured by titration) and the long-term buffer capacity (measured by incubation), irrespective of the origin of the soils. Exchangeable Al, measured in 0.01 mol·L -1 CaCl 2 , was strongly negatively correlated with pH and the relationship for all soils suggested that Al was adsorbed as a cation with an average charge of 1.2

Effects of Enclosure on Grassland Ecological and Economic Benefits in Northern China

Grasslands in northern China serve the country as both an ecological barrier and a livestock production base.There,installing enclosures has been becoming the major grassland restoration measure adopted by many local governments.However,the effects of restoration on both ecological and production benefits of grassland remain unclear for implemented grassland restoration policies.Therefore,a representative rangeland in northern China,the Maodeng pasture in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region was selected as the study area,and remote sensing monitoring analyses were carried out to quantify the ecological benefits and economic benefits from 2015 to 2021.The results showed that:1) in terms of ecological benefits,the grassland area with a grassland coverage rate of more than 60% accounts for 32.3% of the regional area,and 86.4% of its grassland grew significantly better than the same period in2015,showing a significant improvement in grassland growth.Using the average amount of carbon per unit area as the ecological benefit evaluation index,it increased by 27.1% to 32.48Tg C/yr from 2015 to 2021.2) In terms of economic benefits,both theoretical grass production and livestock carrying capacity increased from 2015 to 2021.Compared to 2015,the theoretical grass production in 2021 increased by 24.8% to 71 900 t.The livestock carrying capacity reached 52 100 sheep units in 2021,nearly 11 000 sheep units more than that in 2015.During the study period,multiple economic indicators(on a per capita basis of permanent residents) for the pastoral area of Xilinhot City to which the Maodeng pasture belongs,have grown steadily.Per capita total income rose from 29 630 yuan(RMB) in2015 to 62 859 yuan(RMB) in 2021.Relying on grassland resources to develop the pastoral ecology also broadens the potential economic development space.Overall,the establishment of the reserve and the experiment of implanting an enclosure policy have had a significant and positive impact on Maodeng pasture’s development from both an ecological and economic perspective.With the support of scientific evidence,enclosure policy can be extended to more than 110 000 km~2 of grasslands in northern China with similar precipitation and temperature conditions,enhancing the productive and ecological potential of grasslands.The above research results will contribute to the scientific formulation of grassland pasture quality improvement plans in northern China.

Adaptation strategies to pasture degradation： Gap between government and local nomads in the eastern Tibetan Plateau

In the last decade, there has been increasing interest in climate change, pasture degradation and its driving forces, and innovations in nomadic pastoralism on the Tibetan Plateau. However, little is known of indigenous strategies of adaptation to pasture degradation, which limits the effectiveness of adaptation strategies planned by local government. This paper analyzes nomads＇ strategies of adaptation to pasture degradation on the basis of a field survey of three townships of Dalag County in the source regions of the Yangtze and Yellow rivers. Pastures there have evidently degraded, with pastures in Wasai mainly in a state of slight or medium degradation and those in Manzhang and Jianshe in a state of medium or severe degradation. With the degradation of pasture, the grazing time is reduced, which af- fects the livelihoods of nomads. Although the Four-Package Project has commenced in this region, there is still severe fodder shortage in winter and spring. The traditional hay storage strategy does not work because of pasture degradation, and few nomads establish fenced and artificial pastures. Therefore, nomads have employed other strategies, such as renting pasture, providing supplementary feed, and diversifying their livelihoods. Local strategies taken by nomads can provide valuable insights into ecological restoration and livelihood improvement in the region and suggest changes to means promoted by local government. It is necessary to seek new means that combine the best aspects of nomadic pastoralism with modern stockbreeding technologies to help nomads adapt to pasture degeneration and improve their livelihoods.