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Lecture 1 AGRO 513

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23 views

Lecture 1 AGRO 513

Uploaded by

hasanharry193
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Forage and

Fodder
Production

AGRON-513

Dr. GA SHAH
Fodder
 The term "fodder" typically refers to food that has been cut,
harvested, and processed for animals..
 It can consist of various types of plants, such as hay, straw, or silage,
as well as other feeds such as grains or supplements.
 The purpose of feeding fodder to animals is to provide them with the
necessary nutrients they need to maintain their health and
productivity.
Fodders of Pakistan
Summer Fodder Crops (Kharif) Winter Fodder Crops (Rabi)
1. Maize (Zea mays) 1.Berseem (Egyptian Clover)
(Trifolium alexandrinum)
2. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)
2.Oat (Avena sativa)
3. Millet (Pennisetum glaucum)
3.Lucerne (Alfalfa) (Medicago
4. Sudan Grass (Sorghum sudanense)
sativa)
5. Mott Grass (Pennisetum purpureum)
4.Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum)
6. Guar (Cluster Bean) (Cyamopsis
tetragonoloba) 5.Turnip (Brassica rapa)
7. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) 6.Mustard (Brassica juncea)
Newley Developed Technologies
Cereal-Legumes Fodder Mixtures

Maize-Soybean Mixture Oats-Vetch Mixture

Fababean-Wheat Intercropping
Barley-Vetch Mixture
Newley Developed Technologies

Rye Grass Napier Grass

Rhodes Grass
Mott Grass
Newley Developed Technologies
Maize-Soybean Intercropping
Types of Fodder
1. Green Fodder
• Grasses: Includes common pasture grasses like Napier grass,
Bermuda grass, and Rhodes grass. These are rich in fibers,
vitamins, and minerals.

• Legumes: High in protein, legumes like alfalfa and berseem


are often included in fodder to improve protein intake.

• Fodder Crops: Specific crops grown as fodder, like sorghum,


maize, and pearl millet, are common in agriculture for high-
yield and nutrient-dense feeding.
Types of Fodder
2. Dry Fodder
• Hay: Made from drying green fodder crops like alfalfa or
clover, hay is a rich source of fiber and can be stored for
months to feed livestock during dry or cold seasons.
• Straw: Residues from harvested cereals (e.g., wheat straw,
rice straw, and barley straw). Though low in nutrients, it’s
commonly used in combination with other supplements.
Types of Fodder
3. Silage
• Made by fermenting green fodder (like corn, sorghum, or grass) in an airtight
environment to preserve nutrients. Silage is highly digestible and energy-rich,
making it ideal for dairy cattle.

4. Crop Residues
• After harvesting grains like corn, wheat, or rice, the leftover stalks and leaves
serve as fodder. Though less nutritious, they are an economical option in many
agricultural systems.
Types of Fodder
5. Hydroponic Fodder
• Fresh fodder grown without soil using nutrient-rich water solutions, often
barley or wheat. It’s useful in areas with limited water and land resources.
FODDER PRODUCTION AND ITS IMPACT ON
LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN PAKISTAN
 In Pakistan, fodder occupied an area of 2.45 million hectares
producing 55.47 million tonnes production.
 In Punjab, fodder crops occupying third place after wheat and cotton
with average fodder yield of 21.6t/ha.
 Livestock is contributing approximately 61.9% of agriculture value
added and 14.0% to the national GDP during 2021-22.
 More than 8 million rural families are engaged in livestock production
and are deriving around 35-40% of their income from this sector.
 Gross value addition of livestock has increased from Rs 5,269 billion
(2020-21) to Rs 5,441 billion (2021-22), showing an increase of
3.26%. (Base Year 2015-16)
 However, the productivity of livestock in Pakistan is closely linked to
the availability and quality of fodder, as it directly impacts animal
health, milk production, and meat quality.
Current State of Fodder Production in
Pakistan
 Fodder production is the major limiting factor for livestock
production in our country.
 Pakistan faces a fodder shortage due to limited land availability,
water scarcity, and changing climate patterns.
 In terms of Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) we are short by
about 25.65 million tones and in terms of Digestible Protein
(DP) about 1.58 million tones.
 Fodder crops are often given lower priority compared to food
crops like wheat, rice, and cotton, leading to a consistent gap in
supply and demand.
 As a result, livestock producers struggle to meet the nutritional
requirements of their animals, particularly during off-seasons.
Impact of Fodder on Livestock Production
Milk Production: Adequate fodder is essential for high milk yield, especially
in dairy animals like cows and buffaloes. Fodder rich in nutrients, protein, and
energy contributes to increased milk production and better quality.

Meat Quality: Properly fed livestock have higher growth rates and better
body condition, which translates into higher-quality meat. Protein-rich fodder
also leads to leaner meat with improved texture.

Animal Health and Welfare: A balanced diet through diverse fodder sources
strengthens immune systems, reduces disease prevalence, and improves
reproductive performance in livestock.

Cost of Production: Fodder is one of the biggest expenses in livestock


production. Efficient fodder management helps reduce feed costs and makes
livestock farming more profitable for small farmers.
Challenges in Fodder Production
Limited Land and Water Resources: Fodder crops are often relegated to
marginal lands, and water scarcity hinders optimal growth.

Climate Change: Rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall impact crop


growth, especially for water-intensive fodder crops like berseem.

Low Priority for Fodder Crops: Farmers prioritize food crops over fodder,
affecting availability and diversity in animal feed.

Lack of Awareness and Resources: Smallholder farmers often lack


knowledge on high-yield fodder varieties and efficient crop management
practices.
Strategies toIntercropping:
Crop Rotation and Improve FodderIntegrating Production
fodder crops with
food crops in rotation or intercrops can increase yield per unit area
and maintain soil fertility.

Improved Varieties: Development and use of drought-resistant,


high-yield fodder varieties can help combat climate-related
challenges.

Conservation Practices: Techniques like silage and hay-making


help store excess fodder during peak seasons for use during lean
periods.

Government and Institutional Support: Policies and programs


promoting fodder crop research, subsidies for fodder seed, and
water-efficient irrigation methods can boost production.
Forage
 Animal forage refers to plant material that livestock graze on directly in
pastures.
 It can include grasses, legumes, shrubs, and trees, as well as other crops that
are grown specifically for animal consumption, such as alfalfa, clover, and
corn.
 Forage is an essential component of a healthy animal diet and plays a critical
role in maintaining the health and productivity of livestock.
 It is also an important source of nutrients for wild animals in natural
ecosystems.
Animals grazing
on rice stubbles
Types of Forage Crops in
Pakistan
Summer (Kharif) Forage
Crops: Winter (Rabi) Forage Crops:
•Maize (Zea mays) •Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum)
•Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) •Oat (Avena sativa)
•Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) •Lucerne (Medicago sativa)
•Sudan Grass (Sorghum •Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum)
sudanense)
Importance of Forage for
Livestock Production
Milk Production: Higher forage quality = Higher milk yield
and quality.

Meat Quality: Forage-fed animals provide leaner meat.

Animal Health: Good forage improves immunity, reduces


diseases.

Economic Value: Cost-effective feeding option for smallholder


farmers.
Current State of Forage
Production in Pakistan
Area under Cultivation: Limited due to preference for food crops.

Forage Deficit: Shortfall of forage throughout the year.

Seasonal Availability: Inadequate feed in lean seasons (dry and cold


months).
Challenges in Forage
Land and Water Scarcity: Production
Limited resources for forage
cultivation.

Climate Change: Unpredictable weather affecting crop


yields.

Low Prioritization: Farmers often prioritize food crops over


forage.

Lack of Awareness: Limited knowledge of high-yield forage


varieties.
Strategies to Improve
Forage and
Intercropping Production
Crop Rotation: Integrating forage with food crops.

Drought-Resistant Varieties: Developing varieties suited to Pakistan’s


climate.

Forage Preservation: Techniques like silage and hay-making for off-


season feeding.

Government Support: Policies to encourage forage cultivation and farmer


training.
Benefits of Improving Forage
Production
Enhanced Livestock Productivity: Higher yields in milk and
meat.

Improved Livelihoods: More profitable livestock farming.

Sustainable Agriculture: Balances land use, increases soil


fertility.

Economic Impact: Strengthens Pakistan’s agriculture-based


economy.

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