Swine production simulation model: LIFE SIM

Supported by the CGIAR Systemwide Livestock ProgrammeNon-ruminant animals are essential in many resource-poor production systems, particularly in Asia. The feeding strategies are as varied as the different agro ecosystems, thus increasing the challenge faced by researchers and extension agents in the search for appropriate solutions to feeding limitations. Systems analysis provides a unique opportunity to translate existing knowledge into process-based models that can be used to assess year-round feeding strategies at the farm level. Although livestock models have been developed to address similar situations for ruminant animals, swine are seldom included. The present work describes a swine model that analyzes the bioeconomic response to feeding strategies in different production systems. This swine model has been incorporated into the software Livestock Feeding Strategies Simulation Model (LIFE-SIM) complementing the existing models for ruminant species: Dairy, Beef, Goat, and Buffalo (León-Velarde et al., 2006) The model simulates a confined group of animals (at least two females or males) with a weight ranging from 15 to 120 kg, under either an ad libitum or controlled feeding regime with a feed value characterized in terms of dry matter (%), metabolizable energy (ME/kg), crude fiber (%), lysine (%), methionine + cystine (%), threonine (%), and tryptophan (%). The model can store a number of different rations and their prices allowing a comparison during a defined fattening period. Weight gain and the bioeconomic performance of each ration can then be estimated and analyzed

Poverty dynamics and the role of livestock in the Peruvian Andes

Livestock play an important role for poor rural households in regions such as the Peruvian Andes. Research methods leading to a better understanding of the role of livestock in household poverty dynamics, and what better targeted policies and interventions may enhance that role, however, are not readily available. We utilized multiple methods, including Stages-of-Progress and household surveys, which gave us a combination of qualitative and quantitative results. We examined how over the last 10 and 25 years households have moved into and out of poverty in 40 rural communities in two different highland regions of Peru. We also examined the role played in these movements by different livestock assets and strategies. We found a significant number of households had escaped poverty, while at the same time many households have fallen into poverty. The reasons for movements up versus down are not the same, with different strategies and policies needed to address escapes versus descents. Diversification of income through livestock and intensification of livestock activities through improved breeds has helped many households escape poverty and this method allowed us to explore what exactly this means in the diverse areas studied. These findings can contribute to better targeted livestock-related research and development strategies and policies, not only in Peru, but in other regions where similar livelihood strategies are being pursued

Feed, food and fuel: Competition and potential impacts on small-scale crop-livestock-energy farming systems

CGIAR System-wide Livestock Programm

Income effects of fodder and herd management on small-scale milk producers in the northern Peruvian Andes

A linear programming model was used to analyze the effects of different herd and fodder management levels on agricultural income of small-scale mountain dairy farmers in northern Peru. Results demonstrate that fodder and herd management strongly impact farm profits. There exists considerable potential to improve this situation, as many farmers in the study region are deficient in their fodder and herd management. When moving from average to high management levels, farmers could double their farm profits. In general, high mortality rates, long calving intervals, and inefficient fodder storage practices depress farmers' incomes most. Because of feeding deficiencies, especially in the dry season, recommended extension activities primarily must emphasize fodder storage and improved pasture management, to subsequently also enhance better herd management practices

Crop-livestock systems research in the Andean region: ecoregional approach, methods and procedures

Increased population, low agricultural productivity, pressure on land and overexploitation of natural resources, are current problems in the Andean ecoregion. Knowledge of the region is vast, but results from site-specific research have seldom been integrated. A holistic ecoregional research approach is required to solve the problems and contribute to regional development. To this end, the appropriate definition of the term ecoregion and the proper use of methods and procedures to generate and adapt technology are necessary for sustainable development. This paper aims to present the integration and management of knowledge in a holistic way for the effective application of systems analysis research in an ecoregional context

Livestock, ethics, quality of life and development in Latin America

Latin America is well endowed with natural resources, yet poverty is wide-spread, wealth is distributed unequally and natural resoruces in marginal areas are deteriorating. The region can be broken down into several sub-regions according to geographic and ethnic characteristics, relative level of human Development and/or political organization. These differences must be recognized if efforts to solve common problems are to be targeted effectively. In spite of the region's relative wealth, nutritional deficits, especially in the consumption of calories and animal protein, are widespread. Problems of poverty, environmental degradation and equity are most acute in the Andean ecoregion and the tropical forest margins, especially in the rural areas. Livestock play a critical role in providing both food and non-food products for an ever-increasing population, and in ensuring the livelihood of impoverished smallholder farmers. Development of the livestock sector could help improve the economic and nutritional status of the poorest sectors of the population and promote equity and environmental protection. Many policies applied in the past have worked against these Development goals. This chapter provides examples of international and national policies that have had negative effects on livestock and rural Development and suggests ways in which policies and institutional arrangements might be improved. Development problems will be solved only through the application of better policies, the use of appropriate technologies and interinstitutional cooperation. Achieving this requires implementation of holistic and participatory approaches that link research and Development efforts. The aim of this chapter is to highlight some of the physical and socio-economic characteristics of the Latin American region; to discuss the economic, social and environmental importance of the livestock sector as a means of overcoming poverty, malnutrition and degradation of natural resources; to review ongoing economic and policy trends, how they affect the livestock sector and the implications for equity in access to resources, services and benefits; and to propose specific research and Development approaches to address some of the major economic, social and envrionmental challenges to livestock agriculture

Sustainability concerns of livestock-based livelihoods in the Andes

The Andean region in South America is a wide mountainous area covering approximately 1.4 million sq. km. Most of the estimated population of more than 113 million depend on agriuclture for their livelihood. The majority of the farming systems in the high Andes are mixed crop-livestock systems. Livestock production plays an important role in the sustainability of these heterogenous farming systems and is less susceptible to sidespread climatic risks than crops. Animals take on a number of different and important roles with the mixed system: food supply, feed bank, work source of energy in the system, source of fertiliser and link to local markets. The livestock production is directly associated with soil erosion and affects the supply and quality of the water used downstream; when the soil is covered by grass soil erosion is less than with crops alone. This paper describes how the challenge of the constraints faced in the Andes can be met by adopting a holistic approach. Topics of discussion include, biological, economic and social indicators; the Development of livestock production systems in the Andean region; and modelling the sustainability of crop-livestock produciton systems