Papers presented at a conference held at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, UK, 5 March 1997.

Current pressures to maximise the use of forages in ruminant diets have renewed interest in fast, inexpensive methods for the estimation of their nutritional value. As a result, a wide variety of biological and physiochemical procedures have recently been investigated for this purpose.This book is the single definitive reference volume on the current status of research in this areaCovers all forages eaten by ruminant animals

The INRA Feeding System for Ruminants has been renewed to better address emerging challenges for animal nutrition: prevision of productive responses, product quality, animal health and emissions to the environment, in a larger extent of breeding contexts. The new system is mainly built from meta-analyses of large data bases, and modelling. The dietary supply model accounts for digestive interactions and flows of individual nutrients, so that feed values depend on the final ration. Animal requirements account for variability in metabolic efficiency. Various productive and non-productive animal responses to diets are quantified. This book presents the whole system for dairy and meat, large and small ruminant production, including specificities for tropical and Mediterranean areas. The first two sections present biological concepts and equations (with their field of application and statistical accuracy) used to predict intake (including at grazing) and nutrient supply (Section 1), animal’s requirements and multiple responses to diets (Section 2). They apply to net energy, metabolisable protein and amino acids, water, minerals and vitamins. Section 3 presents the use of concepts and equations in rationing with two purposes: (1) diet calculation for a given performance objective; and (2) prediction of the multiple responses of animal to diet changes. Section 4 displays the tables of feed values, and their prevision. All the equations and concepts are embedded in the fifth version of INRAtion® software for practical use.

Using vivid images and detailed explanations, Gerrish takes graziers step by step through the MiG system. He begins from the ground up with the soil, and advances through the management of pastures and animals. Written for those new to MiG grazing, Gerrish's insight and personal experience can help experienced graziers fine tune their grazing operations for added income.

Livestock production systems are generally considered to have various negative environmental impacts, including nutrient leaching, and a significant contribution to global warming. In this respect, the reduction of gas or ammonia emissions can be achieved through improved efficiency in the choice of feedstuffs. The use of alternative feeds or additives can contribute to a more energy-efficient ration with lower emissions. Such strategies can contribute to improved animal production and health status. Studies have reported that feed additives such as nitrogen-containing compounds, probiotics, prebiotics, and plant extracts significantly reduce ruminant methane. Moreover, research suggested that fruit pomaces could be a low-cost fibre source in poultry nutrition, and that the inclusion of orange pulp in pigs’ diets can reduce the potential ammonia and methane emissions. To properly evaluate the most adequate reuse strategy it is necessary a specific life cycle assessment for each co-product.

The book discusses up-to-date and detailed information about the nutritional quality of forage in the biodiversity-rich Himalayan region and their potential in livestock feeding. • Provides a comprehensive discussion on the prospects of Himalayan forages. • Collates findings and data based on more than two decades of research on nutritional quality of different temperate grasses, fodder trees, legumes and non-conventional forage resources. • Includes information on different forage resources, nutritional quality of forages, niche based nutritive forage species, varietal improvement of different species for nutritionally rich forages, non-conventional forages and modern biotechnological intervention for quality improvement of forages. • Offers a valuable resource of information on forages for researchers and policymakers • Include information oriented toward livestock feeding, influencing their health, production and productivity affecting economic status of farmers. • Presents exhaustive information on forage species along with pictorial presentations. The target audience will be researchers and scientists in public and private institutions (e.g. government, academia, dairy industry), policy planners, animal nutritionists and students. The monograph is relevant for the readers interested in understanding forage quality for livestock feeding and suggest models for quality improvement of forages worldwide, in similar topographies. It is also relevant to the researchers studying forage improvement and biofortification for nutritional enhancement for improving livestock health and productivity

Management Strategies for Sustainable Cattle Production in Southern Pastures is a practical resource for scientists, students, and stakeholders who want to understand the relationships between soil-plant interactions and pasture management strategies, and the resultant performance of cow-calf and stocker cattle. This book illustrates the importance of matching cattle breed types and plant hardiness zones to optimize cattle production from forages and pastures. It explains the biologic and economic implications of grazing management decisions made to improve sustainability of pastures and cattle production while being compliant with present and future environmental concerns and cattle welfare programs. - Documents the effects of cattle grazing on greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprints - Discusses strategies to enhance soil fertility, soil health, and nutrient cycling in pastures - Provides information on the use of stocking rates, stocking strategies and grazing systems to optimize cow-calf production of weaned calves and stockers. - Presents innovations in cattle supplementation and watering systems to minimize negative impacts on water and soil health - Includes methods for weed control to maintain pasture condition and ecosystem stability - Describes management strategies to integrate cattle operations with wildlife sustainability

Greenhouse gas emissions by the livestock sector could be cut by as much as 30 percent through the wider use of existing best practices and technologies. FAO conducted a detailed analysis of GHG emissions at multiple stages of various livestock supply chains, including the production and transport of animal feed, on-farm energy use, emissions from animal digestion and manure decay, as well as the post-slaughter transport, refrigeration and packaging of animal products. This report represents the most comprehensive estimate made to-date of livestocks contribution to global warming as well as the sectors potential to help tackle the problem. This publication is aimed at professionals in food and agriculture as well as policy makers.

First published in 1966, Lockhart and Wiseman's Crop Husbandry Including Grassland has established itself as the standard crop husbandry text for students and practitioners alike. Radically revised and expanded, and with a new team of authors, the eighth edition confirms and extends its reputation.Part one looks at the basic conditions for crop growth with chapters on plant structure and growth, soil analysis and management, and the use of fertilisers and manures. There is also a new chapter on the influence of climate and weather. Part two surveys general aspects of crop husbandry. As well as a discussion of cropping techniques, there are new chapters on the important new areas of integrated crop management and organic crop husbandry, as well as discussion of seed selection and production. Part three then looks at how these general techniques are applied to particular crops, with chapters on cereals, root crops, fresh harvested crops, forage crops and combinable break crops. Part four considers the use of grassland with chapters on classification, sowing and management, grazing and conservation for winter feed.Lockhart and Wiseman's Crop Husbandry Including Grassland remains the standard text for general agriculture, land management and agri-business courses, and is a valuable practical reference for the farming industry. - The eighth edition has been widely expanded and remains the standard text for general agriculture, land management and agri-business courses - Includes new chapters on cropping techniques, integrated crop management and quality assurance, seed production and selection and the influence of climate - Discusses basic conditions for crop growth, how techniques are applied to particular crops, the influence of weather and the use of grassland