In the above article, the different classes of food crops and their production were discussed. It was also explained that crop plants can be classified into various groups using cultivation method, lifecycle method, and the use of the plant. In this article, the focus will be on pasture and forage crops.
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Concept of Pastures and Important Terms in Pasture Management
1. Forages: Plants which are consumed by livestock and are often grown primarily for that purpose.
2. Pasture: A pasture is an area of land on which forage plants are growing or are being grown. A pasture may be a natural pasture if the forage plants occur naturally on the land, or it may be a cultivated pasture if the forage plants have been specially planted and are being managed and maintained.
3. Range: Areas of the world where wild and domestic animals graze on uncultivated vegetation, i.e., natural pasture.
4. Fodder: Dried food, hay, or straw for stall-feeding of animals.
Disadvantages of Natural Pasture in Livestock Farming
i. The quality of the forage is very low
ii. Livestock have to walk across vast areas in order to obtain sufficient food
iii. The pasture is highly seasonal
Importance of Pasture in Animal Production
i. Provision of food for livestock
ii. For soil conservation: erosion control and maintenance of soil fertility
iii. Prevents wastage of land: land which is not suitable for crop production can be used for pasture.
Characteristics of a Good Pasture for Grazing Animals
i. Contains grasses, legumes and a very small quantity of local weeds.
ii. Grass only, lack of nitrogen.
iii. Legume only, too much nitrogen in the diet.
iv. Not satisfactory as the only diet, cannot withstand grazing.
v. Weeds, some are palatable and highly nutritious.
vi. Must be palatable, tasty.
vii. Must be highly nutritious, proteins, vitamins, etc.
viii. Ability to regenerate under adverse conditions.
ix. Age or succulence, must not be too fibrous or too old.
x. High leaf/stem ratio, must be very leafy.
xi. Greenish colour, more appealing.
Importance of Mixing Legumes and Grasses in Pasture Establishment
i. Both are used in feeding ruminant animals.
ii. The legumes provide or add nitrogen to the soil.
iii. The mixture improves the palatability of the pasture.
iv. Provides nutritionally balanced diet to the ruminants.
v. Economical, saves labour.
vi. Wide coverage of soil, against erosion.
vii. Better and quicker regeneration after grazing.
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Management of Cultivated Pastures in Agricultural Production
Cultivated pastures have to be established and managed just like a field of any other crop. The land is first cleared, then ploughed and harrowed. Instead of planting a single forage species on the soil, it is best to plant a mixture of grasses and legumes.
In natural pastures, it is also beneficial if a mixture of grasses and legumes is maintained. Over the years, grasses tend to dominate, while the percentage of legumes decreases.
For this reason, it is sometimes necessary to restore the balance in natural pasture by encouraging legumes growth. This is done by broadcasting legume seeds and applying phosphorus and potassium fertilisers.
Seeds for establishing a pasture are usually sown by broadcasting. In some cases, however, the seed may be drilled, i.e., planted very close together in rows. In the case of some grasses, vegetative parts such as rhizomes and stem pieces are used for propagation. In all cases, it is best to start establishing the pasture as early as possible during the rainy season.
Weeding should be done until the forage species cover the ground well. Phosphorus and potassium fertilisers may be used. There is no need for nitrogenous fertilisers. If irrigation is available, the pasture should be watered during the dry season.
Utilisation of Forage Crops for Animal Feed
Forage crops can be utilised in the following ways:
i. For grazing
ii. Soilage
iii. Silage
iv. Hay
1. Grazing as a Method of Pasture Utilisation
The livestock are allowed to go into the field and to cast the growing forage crops. This method has the advantage that the actual harvesting is done by the animals themselves. Animals feel free, and the dung deposited on the field pasture by the animals serves to enrich the soil.
However, a grazed pasture must be carefully managed. Overgrazing should be avoided, as it exposes the soil to erosion and allows weeds to grow. Under-grazing, which allows the plants to become tough and less nutritious, should also be avoided.
The best way to ensure uniform grazing is to divide the field into fenced sections or paddocks. After one section has been adequately grazed, the animals are moved to another one while the first section has time to regrow.
If the plants are growing faster than grazing is occurring, then some of the forage should be cut and preserved as silage or hay. Weed and other plants which the livestock discriminate against should be removed whenever they are seen.
2. Soilage Feeding Method in Animal Production
When forage crops are cut on the field, taken to livestock, and fed fresh to them, they are referred to as soilage. The main difference between this form of feeding and grazing is that the harvesting is not done by the animals.
3. Silage Production from Forage Crops
Silage is made by first cutting the forage into pieces. It is then packed tightly in a pit or silo (an upright metal container), so that air and external moisture are excluded.
Under these conditions, certain bacteria are able to convert some of the sugars present in the forage into acids. The reaction stops after a few days, but the acid produced preserves the forage by preventing the growth of micro-organisms that cause rotting. As long as air is excluded, the silage will remain preserved until it is fed to livestock.
4. Hay Production for Livestock Feeding
To make hay, the plants are cut on the field and left to dry there for a few days. They are then baled (gathered together into tight blocks), tied with string and stored in the dry condition. Plants should be cut for hay at about the onset of flowering. Good quality hay should be leafy, green, and free of weeds and foreign matter.
Common Grass and Legume Species Used for Pasture in West Africa
A. Grasses Used in Pasture Establishment
1. Guinea grass (Panicum maximum): Very tall and tufted with broad leaves, easily established and responds well to nitrogen fertiliser.
2. Giant star grass (Cynodon plectostachyus): Spreads rapidly through rhizomes, withstands heavy grazing and trampling, and is very leafy.
3. Carpet grass (Axonopus compressus): Easily established by seed, grows well in acidic soil and areas with low rainfall, suitable for roadsides and lawns.
4. Spear grass (Imperata cylindrica): Common in natural pastures in West Africa, difficult to eradicate, and not very palatable when mature.
5. Bahama grass (Cynodon dactylon): Common along roadsides and on lawns, low-growing, used for erosion control, and difficult to eradicate.
6. Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum): Tall-growing and high-yielding grass with broad leaves, suitable for silage and soilage.
7. Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana): Used for hay production, high-yielding and nutritious.
8. Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus): High-yielding and coarse-stemmed, grows up to 3.5 metres tall.
9. Congo grass (Brachiaria ruziziensis): Establishes easily, tolerant to drought, suitable for grazing and silage.
10. Signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens): Good for erosion control, spreading rapidly by creeping stems.
11. Para grass (Brachiaria mutica): Fast-growing, useful in wet areas, can suppress weeds.
B. Legumes Used in Pasture Establishment
1. Centro (Centrosema pubescens): A strong climber with purple flowers, tolerates shade and heavy rainfall.
2. Calopo (Calopogonium mucunoides): Rapid-growing and suitable for erosion control, thrives in moist areas.
3. Kudzu (Pueraria phaseoloides): Strong-growing legume for humid regions, excellent ground cover.
4. Stylo (Stylosanthes gracilis): Upright legume with pink flowers, tolerates drought and acid soil.
5. Lablab (Lablab purpureus): Annual legume with high protein content, suitable for hay and silage.
6. Glycine (Neonotonia wightii): Climbing and perennial legume, improves soil fertility.
7. Desmodium species: Spreading legumes used in mixed pastures, enrich soil with nitrogen.
8. Mucuna (Mucuna utilis): Used for soil improvement and weed suppression.
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