Impact of an Educational Program on a Year-Round Forage Production and Grazing Management System in Alabama

Abstract Raising animals on supplementary feeds in the lean months is economically unfeasible due to the increasingly high price of grains and commercial feeds. The objective of this study was to estimate the economic impact of educational events on year-round pasture and grazing management. A survey was introduced through SurveyMonkey to 78 trainees to collect data on a pre-structured questionnaire. A conceptual framework of production function was applied to measure the impact of the events using a before vs. after impact assessment approach. Forty-six percent of respondents completed the survey. The results revealed that the educational events had a positive impact on the cultivation of cool and warm season grasses and legumes, rotational grazing, technology adoption, multiplication of acquired knowledge and skills, changes in attitude and behavior, and household income. Reaching out to small-scale livestock farmers with need-based technological support helps them in sustaining their farms. Keywords: Educational Programs, Capacity Building, Year-Round Forage Production, Grazing Managemen

Year-Round Forage Production for Sustainable Goat Farming

Abstract Goat farming in the U.S. is based on grazing lands. Forages available for grazing throughout most of the year are essential for supplying required nutrition for goats and minimizing production costs. Most goat farmers do not have pastures productive for an extended period. This situation results in poor performing animals and high production costs. Forage availability can improve by enhancing the productivity, quality, and production duration of pastures. The inclusion of browse species in grazing systems will also improve diet variety, minimize internal parasite problems, and better utilize the soil resources. Grazing opportunity can be extended by developing a woodland grazing system. Farmers can consider establishing a silvopasture system after the first and second thinning of forests or plantations by growing suitable forages and/or combinations in spaces between trees. Such operations diversify farmers’ income opportunities and increase environmental quality and social acceptance of land resources. Keywords: Year-Round Forage Production, Forage Production, Sustainable Goat Farming, Sustainable Farming, Grazin

The Socioeconomic and Ecological Impact of Cool Season Forage Production: A Case of Black Belt Counties, Alabama

Abstract Raising livestock during the lean season of forage production has become a great challenge for small and limited resource farmers because of a high cost involved in procuring supplementary feed. This study was conducted to assess the impact of cultivating cool-season forages on the feeding costs for meat goats and cattle. Three case studies were conducted in three Black Belt Counties of Alabama, Russell, Dallas, and Bullock. The socioeconomic and ecological impacts of developing cool-season pastures were evaluated using the before versus after assessment approach. The findings revealed that all three cooperator farmers reduced costs of procuring hay and supplementary feed after establishing cool-season forages, on average $917 for two goat farms and$4,152 for a beef cattle farm. It is believed that an extensive outreach on forage production would help small and limited resource livestock farmers boost their farm income. Keywords: Socioeconomic Impact, Ecological Impact, Cool-Season Forage, Year-round Pasture, Alabama Black Bel

Sustainable Development Goals in Nepal: Prospects and challenges

Nepal has committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The country stands at a critical juncture at the moment. Nepal is looking forward to graduating from being a member of the Least Developed Country (LDC) category. This progress has been hindered first by the decade-long armed conflict between 1996 to 2006 and now as a result of the massive earthquakes in 2015. Nonetheless, Nepal has made a substantial improvement in development indicators, showing encouraging progress towards SDGs, even while these developments are unevenly distributed across various income groups, social groups, and geographical region. With the promulgation of a new Constitution in 2015, Nepal has taken significant steps towards decentralising service delivery and working towards inclusive development. It is still too early to comment on the performance of local bodies under its provisions, but the broad range of power and responsibilities enjoyed by the provincial and local governments provides a promising opportunity to make progress towards achieving the SDGs

Grazing with Goats Changed the Woodland Plant-Species Composition During Summer

Abstract Woodland grazing is a common practice in the Southeast; however, information is limited on its effects on the woodland plant-species composition. The study objective was to determine the effect of summer grazing on woodland plant-species composition. Before- and after-grazing observations were taken at the ground, mid, and high levels in three plots (1-acre each) along the pre-established transects. Kiko wethers (29, 6-8 months old, 26.8±0.67 kg body weight) were allowed to graze the plots after before-grazing observations were taken. After-grazing observations were taken immediately after the goats were moved out from the plots. Grazing showed a significant effect on the plant species diversity at the ground- and mid-level (p Keywords: Browse, Evenness index, Kiko, Species diversity, Wethe

Challenges of Stocking Small Ruminants in Grazing Plots with Dormant Browse Species

Abstract Integration of browse species into the grazing system can increase the grazing/browsing opportunity; however, information is limited on their proper management for long-term use and persistence. The objective of the study was to determine whether it is safe to allow small ruminants to graze pastures consisting of dormant browse species. Katahdin ram lambs (9) and Kiko wethers (20) had access to the study plots containing four dormant browse species (mulberry, Morus alba; mimosa, Albizia julibrissin; white lead tree, Leucaena leucocephala; and bush indigo, Amorpha fruticosa) for two months. Type and extent of damage to the browse species were recorded once animals’ access to the study plots was stopped. The extent of damage was the highest in mulberry followed by mimosa. The results suggest that small ruminants can pose a significant damage to the dormant browse species; so, their access to such browse must be avoided. Key Words: Small Ruminants, Dormant Browse Species, Grazing/Browsing, Grazing Syste

Legume-Grass Pastures Enhanced the Growth of Yearling Kiko Does

Legumes can be beneficial in increasing pasture productivity and goat performance. This study’s objective was to evaluate the impact of legume-grass pastures on goat performance. A 50:50 mixture of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) and Marshall ryegrass (Lolium L.) or hairy vetch and rye (Secale L.) was sown on 50% of the research area and 50% with Marshall ryegrass or rye. Forage samples were collected and processed for dry matter. Yearling Kiko does (19) were divided into two groups: legume-grass mix (10 does) and grass only (9 does), both rotationally stocked in their respective plots. Animal live weight, FAMACHA score, and body condition score were collected at the beginning, fortnightly, and at the end of the study. The goat group on legume-grass pasture gained more weight (67 ± 0.9 lb.) than the group on the grass pasture (65 ± 0.9 lb.) (

Supplement Type Influenced the Performance and Resiliency Against Gastrointestinal Parasites of Nursing Lambs Raised in Woodlands

Nutrition supplementation can be one of the integrated approaches to reduce gastrointestinal parasite (GIP) infestation. The study objective was to evaluate the impact of supplement type on the performance and resiliency against GIP of nursing lambs raised in woodlands. Katahdin-St. Croix cross lambs (23) with their mothers (18) were divided into two groups; they were rotationally stocked in separate sets of woodland plots and provided with ad libitum hay. Group-1 animals were supplemented with corn, and Group-2 with soybean (0.5% of live weight). Live weight, FAMACHA score, and body condition score were measured on Day 1, fortnightly, and at the end of the study. Fecal samples were analyzed for the type and quantity of GIP on Days 1, 45, and 80. Lambs supplemented with soybeans performed better than corn-supplemented lambs (

Production Period of Different Browse Species Suitable for Grazing Small Ruminants

Abstract Browse (shrubs, trees, and vines) species are important sources of feed for small ruminants in Alabama and many other states of the U.S. Information on the production period of these species is important to prepare a year-round grazing plan to utilize them well. The objective of the study was to determine the leaf-shedding time of common browse species suitable for small ruminants. This study was conducted at the Atkins Agroforestry and Browse Research and Demonstration Site of Tuskegee University, Alabama. Ten samples of each browse species were tagged, and leaf-yellowing and leaf-fall data collected using photoplots every 14 days until all leaves were shed. Out of 31 species studied, four were early shedders and four were evergreen species. The variation in leaf-shedding time among browse species can be useful for selecting suitable species to incorporate into the grazing systems and utilizing them well. Keywords: Browse Species, Leaf-Shedding, Leaf-Yellowing, Grazing, Small Ruminant

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Lactating Kiko Does and their Kids in Woodlands with Supplements

Gastrointestinal (GI) parasites pose a major health concern in goats raised in pastures. The study objective was to evaluate GI parasites’ prevalence in lactating Kiko does and kids stocked in woodlands with supplemental grazing or feedstuffs. Seventeen lactating Kiko does, and their thirty-three kids were divided into two groups. Group 1 was supplemented with grazing in silvopastures and Group 2 with ad libitum hay and corn (0.5% of metabolic weight) along with stocking in woodland plots rotationally. Fecal samples were analyzed for type and quantity of GI parasites from animals having FAMACHA score 3 and higher. Group-1 does showed a better FAMACHA score and lower parasite infestation vs. Group-2 does. However, kids in Group 1 had a higher infestation of helminth parasites, but lower coccidia counts. This study indicated that grazing quality pastures is a better option for supplementing lactating does stocked in woodlands vs. feedstuffs