Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Pastoralism, Social, Gender, And Policy Issues, Nahid Naghizadeh

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Nearly half of the Earth's land surface is classified as rangelands. Rangeland's health and productivity are directly critical to the livelihoods, cultures, and resilience of more than 500 million people worldwide, many of whom are indigenous peoples who depend on rangelands. Pastoralism is very diverse; it can be found in all continents, from the drylands of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula to the highlands of Asia and Latin America, or the tundra in the circumpolar zones, and in particular where crop cultivation is physically limited. Pastoralism supports several hundred million households worldwide and manages one billion animals, including camels, cattle, …

Ecological Science Infrastructure For Sustainability Transformations In Rangelands, Brandon T. Bestelmeyer, J. E. Herrick, J. R. Brown, D. M. Browning, B. Densambuu, E. Elias, S. E. Mccord, H. R. Peinetti, S. Spiegal, N. P. Webb, J. C. Williamson

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Sustainability transformations—deliberate and radical shifts in values, governance, and management regimes to achieve sustainability—are needed in rangelands as in other components of the Earth system. We review four concepts comprising an ecological science infrastructure to support such transformations. The foundation is standard measurement of rangeland conditions in the field, especially vegetation and soil properties that underpin the environmental aspects of sustainability. Big data resources, especially gridded spatial datasets produced by models and remote sensing, can be combined with field data and computational approaches to upscale information about rangeland conditions and produce additional indicators of ecosystem functions and services. State and …

Annual Ryegrass Pasture For Dairy Cows Receiving Total Mixed Ration, M. Civiero, L. H. Schaitz, C. P. Ferris, Henrique M. N. Ribeiro-Filho

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The inclusion of herbage in the diet of medium yielding dairy cows offered a total mixed ration (TMR) may be beneficial. This study, which involved mid lactation dairy cows, examined the effect of partial replacement of a TMR with annual temperate pasture. Treatments were ad libitum TMR (TMR₁₀₀), 75% ad libitum TMR + ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum ‘Maximus’) (TMR₇₅), and 50% ad libitum TMR + ryegrass (TMR₅₀). Twelve multiparous Holstein and F1 Jersey × Holstein cows were divided into six homogeneous groups, taking account of milk production (26.6 ± 4.5 kg/day), days in milk …

A Guava-Based Hortipasture System For Mitigating Climate Change And Sustaining Fodder & Fruit Supply In Semi-Arid Regions Of India, Kamini Gautam, Sunil Kumar, Amit Kumar Singh, Avijit Ghosh, Manjanagouda S. S., R. V. Kumar

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Hortipasture systems have huge potential to mitigate climate change via sequestering carbon along with sustaining fodder and fruit supply especially in semi-arid regions. Therefore to evaluate climate change mitigation, fruit and fodder production potential of 10 year old rainfed based Hortipasture system (Psidium guajava (Guava) + Cenchrus ciliaris + Stylosanthes hamata) established at Central Research Farm of ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (Bundelkhand region, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India), carbon stock of tree and under storey pasture components was quantified along with fruit and forage production. The experimental site is drought prone semi arid region characterized by poor …

Free-Enterprise Farming On Grasslands In Central Nsw, Australia, Des Green, Stuart Green, Ted Wolfe, Jo Richardson, Rob Eccles

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

A pathway is described in developing and improving the pastures on family-owned sheep and beef properties at sites near Blayney in central NSW. Initially, the twin approach of sowing perennial grasses, predominantly phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) with subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) plus the recommended addition of superphosphate fertiliser, was closely followed but within a decade ill-thrift in pastures and livestock occurred. Once the core problem of soil acidity was recognised, steps were taken to overcome this constraint with applications of lime. However, an additional modification involving the application of gypsum with lime had to be sorted out …

Blood Flow Restriction Training After Patellar Instability (Brains Trial), Benjamin D. Brightwell, Austin V. Stone, Xiaojuan Li, Peter A. Hardy, Katherine L. Thompson, Brian W. Noehren, Cale A. Jacobs

Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Faculty Publications

Background

Patellar instability is a common and understudied condition that disproportionally affects athletes and military personnel. The rate of post-traumatic osteoarthritis that develops following a patellar dislocation can be up to 50% of individuals 5–15 years after injury. Conservative treatment is the standard of care for patellar instability however, there are no evidence-informed rehabilitation guidelines in the scientific literature. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of blood-flow restriction training (BFRT) for patellar instability. Our hypotheses are that this strategy will improve patient-reported outcomes and accelerate restoration of symmetric strength and knee biomechanics necessary to safely return …

Forage Systems To Optimize Agronomic And Economic Performance In Organic Dairy Systems, S. Ray Smith, G. Pighetti, D. M. Butler, Kenneth H. Burdine, Krista Lea, K. Mercier, K. Payne, J. Allison, Gary E. Bates, N. Colton, A. Rius, P. Krawczel, E. Eckelkamp

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Organic dairy production in the USA is growing, but most forage systems research focuses on conventional production practices. As a result, organic dairy producers have limited science-based information to assist with farm and livestock management. The objective of this project was to use a multi-faceted approach to determine the ideal species mixtures for organic dairy production as well as document forage quality, forage yield, soil characteristics, milk production and milk quality during the grazing season. The forages studied ranged from a single species monoculture to a four species mixture of warm and cool season grasses and legumes. Nine distinct forage …

Fodder Crop Adoption Through Push-Pull Technology (Ppt) For Fall Armyworm (Faw) Control In Cereals Cropping Systems, Michael N. Njunie, E. N. Muthiani, A. Mzingirwa, N. F. Pole, B. M. Muli, A. O. Esilaba

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

There is an urgent need to increase grain yields and animal products due to increasing human population in Africa. Push-pull technology (PPT) is a conservation agriculture intercrop technology which protects and enhances natural resources productivity and ecosystem services in mixed farming systems. The technology involves growing of a cereal crop with a repellent intercrop, Desmodium genus (silverleaf, D. uncinatum and greenleaf, D. intortum) with grass such as Pennisetum purpureum or Brachiaria spp. planted as a border around the cereal-legume intercrop. The plants accompanying the cereal crop are typically valuable high quality fodder thus integrating crop-livestock production. The PPT was …

Evaluation Of The Chemical And Biological Characteristics Of Sake Lees, S. Katsumata, S. Yamanaka, M. Yamauchi, H. Hirooka, H. Kumagai

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Sake lees (SLs), produced from brewing Japanese Sake and known to be rich in yeast, is expected to be an alternative of feed protein sources for ruminants. Previous studies showed that yeast improved the digestibility of fibers in ruminants. However, the nutrient composition and the numbers of live and dead yeast in the SLs, have large diversity because of the different brewing materials and processes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical and biological characteristics of SLs with diverse brewing processes and storing periods (0-23 weeks). Seven types of SLs (SLs 1-7) were collected from two breweries. …

Effect Of High-Intensity, Short-Duration Grazing On Species Density And Botanical Composition Of Arid Rangelands, Mounir Louhaichi, Mouldi Gamoun, Fethi Gouhis, Ezzeddine Belfekih, Mohamed Abdelkader

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Rangelands are the mainstay of pastoral and agropastoral livelihoods worldwide. They have provided forage for livestock and wildlife for centuries, but steady degradation of rangelands is causing increasing concern. Many rangeland managers believe exclusion of livestock grazing for extended periods would allow degraded rangelands to recover. The purpose of this current ongoing research is to evaluate the effect of high-intensity short-duration grazing on plant density, species richness and botanical composition on arid rangelands during favorable years. The site, which is protected for two years in southern Tunisia and covers an area of 6 ha, was grazed by a flock of …

Economics Of Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Strategies In A North-Eastern Brazilian Beef Production System, K. Agethen, Rogerio M. Mauricio, C. Deblitz

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The state of Maranhão, Brazil, has been among the country’s fastest-growing cattle regions in recent years and it now faces important conflicts for beef production. Pasture degradation, low cattle productivity, and land-use changes due to agriculture and forestry expansion are key challenges. Additionally, beef production systems are a focus for emissions reduction, particularly in the context of increasing deforestation and its impact on global warming. A sustainable intensification of currently used pastures, enhancing economic viability and reducing environmental effects of beef production can help to mitigate the climate impact. Since economics is an important incentive in the decision-making processes of …

Rangeland Degradation In Mongolia – Using State And Transition Models To Help Understand Rangeland Dynamics, S. Sainnemekh, B. Densambuu, B. Bestelmeyer, I. C. Barrio, A. L. Aradóttir

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Rangeland degradation and soil erosion pose constant challenges to the management of natural resources in Mongolia. Large increases in livestock numbers since the early 1990s, together with increasing temperatures and higher frequency of extreme weather events have led to widespread degradation of rangeland resources, to the extent that today, nearly 57% of rangelands in Mongolia are considered degraded to some degree. New ways of understanding the dynamics of rangeland ecosystems and guidelines to conserve healthy and productive rangelands are urgently needed. The application of State and Transition Models (STMs) in ecosystem management has shown promise to understand the mechanistic processes …

An Approach To Evaluate Soils Influence On Floristic Composition Of Natural Grasslands, F. L. F. De Quadros, R. M. R. De Carvalho, R. Farenzena, L. Marin, P. L. Nascimento

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

This trial aims to evaluate floristic composition of most abundant species in three soil typical of Pampa biome on Brazil. The survey was held at Maronna Fundation located on southern Alegrete municipality, on Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil’s state. Regional climate belongs to Koeppen’s Cfa class. Soil types were shallow basalt (Psamments e Orthents), deep basalt (Vertisols) and sandy soil (Acrisols or Ultisols). Floristic composition were evaluated by visual ranking of aerial biomass of the major species (transformed to kg of dry matter per hectare), calibrated by cuts at ground level, according to field procedures of BOTANAL method. Grasses were …

Interindividual Differences And Their Consistency In Grazing Cattle Behavior Across Seasons, H. Anzai, M. Shitajikkoku, K. Hani, N. Yamada, M. Hirata

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Interindividual differences and their consistency in behavior were investigated for cattle (Bos taurus) grazing a bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) and centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) dominated pasture as a herd of about 30 breeding cows with their calves. Behavior of the cows was monitored directly by observers and also using GPS and accelerometer data loggers attached to focal cows for a period of 1–5 days every month during the grazing seasons (from May to October) in 2018 and 2019. The data were converted into behavioral variables (e.g. time spent grazing, ruminating and resting, time spent in particular …

Biodiversity Assessment And Conservation Of Threatened Plant Species Belonging To The Unique Steppe With Trees In Tunisian Drylands, Jamila Msadek, Mohamed Tarhouni

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Biodiversity conservation from heavy grazing impacts, through the creation of national parks, is usually considered to sustain higher ecosystem resilience and to protect the natural plant cover as well as the threatened species. The study was carried out in Bou Hedma national park, a biosphere reserve containing the unique Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne subsp. raddiana (Savi) Brenan steppe with trees in Tunisia. Several functional traits of seven (7) rare and threatened plant species are used to highlight their adaptive strategies in order to understand the evolution of plant communities and the overall ecosystems functioning inside the park. Such results may …

Grass Species Density And Biomass Of South African Communal Property Association Farms Differing In Soil Properties, K. E. Ravhuhali, B. Moyo

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Attempts to monitor and mitigate rangeland deterioration in Communal Property Associations projects require some understanding of the knowledge of species composition and distribution. The study was conducted to compare the herbaceous in three selected CPAs projects (Mashung Matlala - Sandy loam, Mawela - clay loam, and Bela-Bela - clay) in South Africa. Mawela and Mashung Matlala CPAs were overgrazed. For species density, basal strike, and biomass, three transects (500m), which served as replicates, were established at two camps of each of the selected CPAs. Variation in herbaceous vegetation parameters was explored through SAS software. Clay soil type had better (P …

Vegetation Response To Grazing Pressure In The Puna Flat, Nw Argentina, M. Quiroga Mendiola, A. Tálamo

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Puna grasslands are located at a high‐altitude flat plateau in the Northwest of Argentina. It is an arid territory (100 to 300 mm rainfall/year) at 3,000 to 4,000 m a.s.l. The vegetation is scarce, where Andean pastoralist communities produce meat and wool, specialized in llama (Lama glama) and sheep‐breeding, although they do breed multi‐species herds that may also include goats and cattle. There are erosion processes in the Puna, where shepherds and their animals could be synergetic factors with natural very hard climatic conditions. In this work we assess the effect of ovine and lama grazing on the …

Path Integral Complexity And Kasner Singularities, Pawel Caputa, Diptarka Das, Sumit R. Das

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We explore properties of path integral complexity in field theories on time dependent backgrounds using its dual description in terms of Hartle-Hawking wavefunctions. In particular, we consider boundary theories with time dependent couplings which are dual to Kasner-AdS metrics in the bulk with a time dependent dilaton. We show that holographic path integral complexity decreases as we approach the singularity, consistent with earlier results from holographic complexity conjectures. Furthermore, we find examples where the complexity becomes universal i.e., independent of the Kasner exponents, but the properties of the path integral tensor networks depend sensitively on this data.

The Type And Quantity Of Plant Litter Influences The Plant Functional Group Growth In An Alpine Meadow, Zhouwen Ma, Fujiang Hou

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Plant functional group (PFG) diversity in a grassland is an important measure of productivity and health. Litter is known to be major driving factors of soil-grass feedbacks in natural grassland. The shift in PFG composition is a significant change that can result many ecological consequences such as litter composition and dynamics (Dong et al., 2019). Decomposition of litter can affect the nutrient and allelochemicals cycling of soil, which affects seed germination and establishment of seedlings (Yuan et al., 2015). Furthermore, PFG characteristics can vary via inputs of the quality or quantity of litter (Galvánek & Lepš, 2012). These compositional changes …

The Functional Importance Of Forbs In Grassland Ecosystems, F. Siebert, C. Morris, S. Chamane, N. Ntuli, S. J. Siebert

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Herbaceous vegetation in grassland ecosystems is characterised by grass dominance in a species-rich forb-grass mixture. Forbs (i.e. the non-graminoid herbaceous component) represent the largest proportion of total species- and functional richness, which secure important ecosystem functions. Although grasses remain the most important forage source, certain forb species provide nutritious food sources for herbivores. Moreover, forbs provide food- and habitat sources to enhance invertebrate diversity and hence, agricultural food security through the maintenance of healthy pollinator communities. Important food and medicinal sources for human livelihoods in developing countries are also largely contributed by forbs. However, the dynamics and ecology of forb …

The Effects Of Chemical And Mechanical Control Of Woody Plants On Resprouting And Seedling Production In Communal Rangelands, P. Monegi, N. R. Mkhize, T. J. Tjelele, D. Ward, Z. Tsvuura

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

In many African countries, communal rangelands are threatened by woody plant encroachment. We sought to explore potential solutions for communal ranchers that would be cost-effective. We conducted two field experiments to determine (1) the effects of various tree removal treatments (10%, 20%, 50%, 75% and 100%), and herbicide application on resprouting ability and vigour of several woody plant species; and (2) the effectiveness of Tree Poppers® (a weed wrench) as a low-cost mechanical control tool to physically uproot seedlings and saplings of woody species. In the first experiment, we examined 12 plant species from 20 plots (30 m x 30 …

‘Cachena’, A Bovine Rustic Portuguese Extensively Reared Autochthonous Breed: Meat Texture Analysis, M. E. Potes, S. Ricardo-Rodrigues, M. Laranjo, A. C. Agulheiro-Santos, M. Elias

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

‘Cachena’ is one of the world’s smallest bovine breeds. Extremely rustic and wild, they are extensively reared, and fed with natural pastures. Meat valorisation is essential to preserve this breed, with a limited livestock.

‘Cachena’’s meat is tender, juicy, low-fat, and highly appreciated due to the association of animal, terroir and producer, balanced by the ecosystem’s sustainability.

The aim of this study was to increase the weight of Longissimus dorsi (LD) and Psoas major (PM) muscles, without depreciating their sensory quality.

Two groups of 16 animals were slaughtered: (A) 9-17 months old animals with 140-225 kg slaughter live weight (SLW); …

Assessing Feed Gaps On Smallholder Livestock Farms In Limpopo: Production System And Coping Strategies, S. A. Lamega, M. Komainda, M. P. Hoffmann, J. J. Odhiambo, K. K. Ayisi, J. Isselstein

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Smallholder farms in southern Africa are predominantly mixed crop-livestock systems and often characterized by low productivity. Therefore, providing sufficient forage becomes a challenge that results first in feed gaps, i.e. the difference between the demand for and supply of forage, and secondly, in nutrient mining of the soil due to the overuse of the resources. However, the availability of forage follows potentially seasonal patterns. Hence, a key entry point for any intervention strategies for improvement is an assessment of forage quantity and quality throughout the year. Against this background, we investigated six locations, smallholders’ cattle production systems and their adaptation …

Forage Yield Of Oat On The Four Altitude Regions Of The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, H. B. Zhang, C. T. Liu, J. Q. Deng, X. L. Yang

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Forage oat (Avena sativa L.) for livestock in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau may be used biomass under widely different altitude conditions. To assess the effect of altitude on the biomass of oats, we conducted an experiment to explore the adaptability of forage oat Jiayan No. 2 in different altitudes for better agronomic traits and higher forage yield. Four regions included Hezheng county (2207 m a.s.l) and Tianzhu county (2407 m a.s.l), Gansu province, Haiyan county (3042 m a.s.l), Qinghai province and Hongyuan county (3460 m a.s.l), Sichuan province were selected, and agronomic data as well as dry matter yield were determined. …

Forage Quality Of Cereal–Common Vetch At Different Age And Proportions, J. L. Zaragoza-Ramirez, P. A. Martinez-Hernandez, Ma. De L. Reyes-Medel

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Cereal plant age at harvesting and the proportion of vetch in the harvested forage from cereal-common vetch mixtures might influence total forage quality. The objectives were to determine forage of a forage mixture cereal-vetch, from cereal harvested at two development stages and vetch at different proportion. Cereals were oats and triticale, cultivars: Chihuahua, Bicentenario and Siglo XXI, the last two were triticale; cereal development stages at harvest were: 50% flowering and hard grain. Vetch was harvested at two development stages: 100% flowering and pod formation, while vetch proportions in the forage mix were: 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0. Forage …

Forage Accumulation And Quality Of Three Contrasting Ecotypes Of Tall Fescue (Schedonorus Arundinaceus) Managed Under Frequent Defoliation, J. Mattera, O. Scheneiter, I. Cattoni, E. Pacente, P. Barletta, O. Bertín

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

In the past, tall fescue ecotypes were compared under intermediate management defoliation frequency, but now has station, Argentina (-33 ° 56 'S, -60 ° 33' W) in autumn 2016, on a typical Argiudoll soil. The treatments were cultivars representing three ecotypes of tall fescue: (i) - Mediterranean (cv. Flecha), (ii) - Intermediate (cv. Royal Q 100) and (iii) - Continental (cv. Lujan INTA). Each plot consisted of 7 rows 6.0 m long, 0.2 m apart (8.4m² plot size) arranged in a randomized complete block design with 4 replicates. The first cut was done at the end of September when …

Forage Production And Grazing Behaviour Of Beef Cattle In Agrosilvopastoral Systems In Brazil During The Dry Season, M. Pereira, P. Zawada, J. Werner, M. M. Macedo, R. G. Almeida, U. Dickhoefer

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

We aimed at evaluating the microclimate, canopy structure, and grazing behaviour of cattle on Brachiaria sp. pastures within continuous pasture (CON), integrated crop-livestock (ICL), and crop-livestock-forestry (ICLF) systems in Brazilian dry season. Forage accumulation was monthly assessed in four paddocks per system from May to August 2019. To characterize the microclimate, air temperature and relative humidity were measured every hour and temperature-humidity index calculated. Grazing behaviour of 12 Nellore heifers per system (mean bodyweight 355 standard deviation±32.6 kg) was recorded by chewing sensors on nine continuous days (1 d adaptation + 8 d measurement) of three 15-d periods. Four animals …

Farmers’ Perceptions On Different Forage Types In Southern Highlands Of Tanzania, B. Nzogela, S. W. Mwendia, A. J. Mwilawa, J. Kizima, J. Bwire, A. O. Notenbaert

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Feed and forages take the bulk of inputs required in livestock production. Inadequate forages in quality and quantity in sub-Saharan Africa is responsible for low livestock productivity. Addressing livestock feed requirements presents quick wins in livestock productivity compared to breeding and health. In a Climate Smart Dairy project implemented in Tanzania, we demontrated several forage options to farmers including, two cultivars of Pennisetum purpureum, two Urochloa hybrids, Chrloris gayana and Tripsacum andersonii (control). Where applicable, the grasses were intercropped with either one of the following forage legume, Desmodium intortum, Lablab purpureus or Stylosanthes guiyanensis. Fourteen forage treaments …

Examining The Impact Of Patch Burning On Livestock Grazing Patterns In Edwards Plateau, Texas, W. G. Gao, J. P. A. Angerer, X. B. W. Wu, D. T. Tolleson

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Production of sheep, goat, and cattle are major agricultural enterprises on West Texas rangelands, especially in the Edwards Plateau. In this region, the use of fire as a management tool was suppressed until recently. Although previous studies have been conducted to evaluate cattle use of burned versus unburned patches, there has been a lack of studies where combinations of livestock species grazing together on patch burned areas have been evaluated. The objective of this study is to examine grazing patterns of cattle, sheep and goats, both spatially and temporally, on areas where patch burning has been implemented. The study site …

Evaluation Of Morphogenesis And Yield Of Three Pennisetum Purpureum Varieties In South-West, Nigeria, Victoria O. A. Ojo, T. A. Adeyemi, D. K. Oyaniran, G. A. Akinade, Olufemi S. Onifade

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

This experiment, conducted at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria evaluated the morphogenesis of three varieties of Pennisetum purpureum used in this study, which were the local, purple, and FI variety at different stages of growth. The plants were established through vegetative plant parts (stems) sourced from a previously established plot and planted using 1 m × 1 m spacing on plots measuring 4 m × 5 m. The plants were fertilized with split doses of poultry manure at 4 t/ha (equivalent to 120 kg N/ha). The experiment was laid out as a Randomized Complete Block Design. Data on …