IMOSTATE POLYTECHNIC UMUAGWO-OHAJI

P.M.B. 1472, OWERRI.

TERM PAPER

ON

ZERO GRAZING

PRESENTED BY

KALU LOVETH .N.

2013/ND/AHP/62693Z
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HEALTH PRODUCTION

LEVEL: ND1

COURSE TITLE: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

COURSE CODE: AHP 125

LECTURER: DR AHAOTU E. O

JULY, 2014
INTRODUCTION

Grazing is a type of feeding, in which a herbivore feeds on plants (such as

grasses), and also on other multicellular autotrophy (such as algae). Grazing

differs from true predation because the organism being eaten from is not

generally killed, and it differs from parasitism as the two organisms do not

live together, nor is the grazer necessarily so limited in what it can eat (see

generalist and specialist species).

Many small selective herbivores follow larger grazers, who skim off the

highest, tough growth of plants, exposing tender shoots. For terrestrial

animals, grazing is normally distinguished from browsing in that grazing is

eating grass or forbs, and browsing is eating woody twigs and leaves from

trees and shrubs. Grazing is important in agriculture, in which domestic

livestock are used to convert grass and other forage into meat, milk and other

products.

Water animals that feed for example on algae found on stones are called

grazers-scrapers. Grazers-scrapers feed also on microorganism and dead

organic matter on various substrates

Grazing systems In the 19th century, grazing techniques were virtually non-

existent. Pastures would be grazed for long periods of time, with no rest in

between. This led to overgrazing and it was detrimental to the land, wildlife,

and livestock producers. Today, ranchers have developed grazing systems to

help improve the forage production for livestock, while still being beneficial to

the land.

Seasonal

Seasonal grazing incorporates grazing animals on a particular area for only

part of the year. This allows the land that is not being grazed to rest and

allow for new forage to grow.

Rotational

Rotational grazing involves dividing the range into several pastures and then

grazing each in sequence throughout the grazing period. Utilizing rotational

grazing can improve livestock distribution while incorporating rest period for

new forage.
Rest rotation

Rest rotation grazing "divides the range into at least four pastures. One

pasture remains rested throughout the year and grazing is rotated amongst

the residual pastures." This grazing system can be especially beneficial when

using sensitive grass that requires time for rest and regrowth.

Deferred rotation

Deferred rotation involves at least two pastures with one not grazed until

after seed-set. By using deferred rotation, grasses can achieve maximum

growth during the period when no grazing occurs.

Patch-burn grazing

Patch-burn grazing burns a third of a pasture each year, no matter the size of

the pasture. This burned patch attracts the grazers (cattle or bison) which

graze the area heavily because of the fresh grasses that grow in. The other

patches receive little to no grazing. During the next two years the next two

patches burn consecutively and then the cycle begins anew. In this way,

patches receive two years of rest and recovery from the heavy grazing. All this

results in a diversity of habitats that different prairie plants and birds can
utilize, mimicking the effects of the pre-historical bison/fire relationship

where bison heavily graze one area and other areas have opportunity to rest.[

The Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Northeast Oklahoma is within the Flint Hills

ecosystem, and they have been patch-burn grazing with bison herds for over

ten years now. Their efforts have effectively restored the bison/fire

relationship on a large landscape scale of 30,000 acres (12,000 ha)

Riparian area grazing management

Riparian area grazing is used more towards improving wildlife and their

habitats. It uses fencing to keep livestock off ranges near streams or water

areas until after wildlife or waterfowl periods, or limiting the amount of

grazing to a short period of time.

ZERO GRAZING

Zero-grazing is an approach to animal management in which families contain

livestock in an enclosed, shaded area. Farmers carry fodder and water to them

and provide them with daily exercise instead of letting them wander in the
open where they are more likely to catch diseases or damage the

environment.

Scarce resources play a major role in the environmental problems of many

countries. Impoverished people often must make short-term choices based

solely on their desperate need for food. Many farmers have no alternative to

cutting trees for firewood or putting animals on overgrazed land practices

that can harm the earth.

Benefits of a zero-grazing pen include...

Reduced contact with disease

Easy, sanitary collection of manure

Less damage to ecosystems

Manageable breeding

Decreased mortality rate

Protection from predators

Heifer is a pioneer in combining hunger and environmental concerns. Animals

provide food and income while serving as a catalyst for many changes that

benefit the earth. Heifer believes that development must be sustainable

projects should be long-term investments in the future of people and,

ultimately, the planet. That's why Heifer teaches partners environmentally

sound farming methods.

Extensive grazing takes energy from the animal for moving over long

distances to obtain sufficient grass. So rearing in a zero-grazing unit, with

some daily exercise provided, saves the energy for growth, meat and milk

production.

Through Heifer training, families learn how to keep their small plots of land

healthy and renew the soil for future generations by planting trees and using

natural fertilizer. Each year Heifer introduces thousands of farm families to

zero-grazing or managed grazing techniques.

Every farm is unique and requires a management system which optimises the

productive capacity of the land. Conventional winter housed/summer grazing

systems often present problems and restrict the efficiency of the unit. The

Green Forage zero grazing system using the Bonino Grazer Wagon can

provide flexible solutions on many dairy units including:

Utilization of inaccessible land

Reduced damage to soils

Extended grazing season

 Increased grass intake

The limitations of grazing swards are well understood. The reduced

performance is due to treading, poaching and fouling caused by the animals.

Research has shown that up to 30% increased efficiency can be obtained from

a cut and cart system.

Controlling feed costs is central to efficient livestock management and well

managed grass has always been central to achieving this aim. Increased input

costs are pressurizing margins like never before. Fresh grass is the cheapest

feed available. Dairy Co data shows the cost of grazed grass at 100/tonne

utilized dry matter compared to 274 for 18% dairy cake.

Feeding silage during summer months is an increasing trend. However, high

costs of silage making and feed losses in the fermentation process can be

avoided by feeding fresh grass.

Improved utilization of land means that less area is required and provides

further benefits:

Reduced conservation costs

Reduced fertilizer costs

Increasing stocking rates

 Reduced concentrate feeding

The labour and machinery required to operate a zero graze system has always

been restrictive. Mowing, picking up and feeding required more than one man

and multiple machines. With the Bonino Zero Grazing Wagon three operations

are combined with the one machine, operated by one man saving time and

money. With our machine youll be able to make the most of your grass!

Environmental

Grazing is beneficial to the ecosystem. It is advantageous towards the soil and

grasses, promoting nutrient dense soil and stimulating the growth of plant

varieties. Through grazing, livestock encourages plant growth, consequently

increasing forage production. Furthermore, the animals urine and feces

"recycle nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other plant nutrients and

return them to the soil".[10] It also acts as rations for insects and organisms

found within the soil. These organisms aid in carbon sequestration and water

filtration.[10] Nutrients and organisms, all of which are necessary for soil to be

prosperous and capable for production.

Grazing management
It is apparent that appropriate landuse and grazing management techniques

need to balance maintaining forage and livestock production, while still

maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.[14][15] Through the utilization

of grazing systems and making sure to allow proper recovery periods for

regrowth, both the livestock and ecosystem will benefit. Along with recovery

periods, producers can keep a low density on a pasture, so as not to overgraze.

Controlled burning of the land can be valuable in the regrowth of indigenous

plants, and new lush growth. Additionally, producers can increase plant and

species richness through grazing, by providing an adequate habitat. Although

grazing can be problematic for the ecosystem at times, it is clear that well-

managed grazing techniques can reverse damage and improve the land.
REFERENCES

1. Jump up ^ 'Browsing is a specialized form of grazing. 'Concise Oxford Dictionary,

1976 (6th ed) ISBN 0-19-861122-6. "Graze, verb: 2. Eat growing grass." "Browse, verb: 1. Feed
on, crop, (leaves, twigs, scanty vegetation)."

2. Jump up ^ Begon M., Townsend C., Harper J. (1990) Ecology. (Second edition).
Blackwell Science, London. ISBN 0-86542-111-0.

3. Jump up ^ "History of Public Land Livestock Grazing". Retrieved 1 Dec 2008

4. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Grazing Systems". Grasslands Conservation Council of British

Columbia. Retrieved 1 Dec 2008[dead link]

5. Jump up ^ Fuhlendorf, S. D.; Engle, D. M. (2004). "Application of the firegrazing

interaction to restore a shifting mosaic on tallgrass prairie". Journal of Applied Ecology 41
(4): 604614. doi:10.1111/j.0021-8901.2004.00937.x.

6. Jump up ^ The Nature Conservancy. (2010). Oklahoma: Tallgrass Prairie Preserve.

Retrieved from
http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/oklahoma/preserves/tallgra
ss.html

7. Jump up ^ C.Michael Hogan (2008) Aesculus californica, Globaltwitcher.com, ed. N.

Stromberg

8. Jump up ^ (1999) A. Crofts and R.G. Jefferson eds. (1999) Lowland Grassland
Management Handbook, chapter 2

9. Jump up ^ "Fact Sheet: The Environment and Cattle Production". Cattlemen's

Beefboard. Retrieved 8 Dec 2008