Developments in nutrition for pasture-based cattle and sheep systems in Ireland

Abstract

For ruminant production systems, the requirement to meet specific nutrient targets in the animal’s diet must be balanced with the aim of achieving high utilisation of forage in the overall feed budget. A focus of research and extension in an Irish industry context has been to meet these objectives using grazed pasture as the predominant forage source. This has prompted investigation to improve understanding of the components defining forage nutritive value, as well as the management factors affecting its intake and utilisation by animals. Similarly, quantifying the animal performance responses to varying type, rate and timing of dietary supplementation has been an important area of investigation. This review summarises some of the principal outcomes and developments over recent years across beef, sheep and dairy production systems. In addition, ruminant production systems are increasingly challenged to reduce potential environmental impacts by mitigating nutrient and gaseous emissions across their production cycles. Current and emerging research with regard to this issue, and enteric methane production in particular, is discussed.

Vitaminas e minerais na nutrição de bovinos

“…No entanto, os altos custos dos insumos, como milho e farelo de soja, amplamente utilizados na alimentação animal, aumentam os custos de produção, sendo estimados em valores acima de 70% dos custos operacionais na produção de ruminantes em confinamento (2). Assim, definir a produção, utilização e diferentes estratégias de alimentação dos animais, ainda é o grande desafio da nutrição animal, principalmente, levando-se em consideração as exigências nutricionais de diferentes categorias de ruminantes e seus respectivos estágios fisiológicos (3).…”

Comparative Effect of Spent Mushroom Compost and NPK Fertilizer on the Growth of Sorghum bicolor L. Moench and Zea mays L. Using Fodder Hydroponics Techniques

“…There are some arguments about the sprouting grains for convenience of green forage production in hydroponics system to compensate the feed resources for animals [18]. According to [19,20] there was increase in the degradation rates of fodder when compared to other concentrates, suggesting a possible increase in total milk production due to higher feed intakes over time. In fact, the only species which is designed to eat grains is birds because they have a sprouting unit in their body called crop.…”