Theory question 104
Pasture and Forage(a) Define the term artificial pasture as used in animal production. (b) State six advantages of grass-legume mixtures in a pasture. (c)(i) Mention three management systems used in keeping small ruminants. (ii) State three characteristics of each of the management systems mentioned in (c)(i).
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(a) Artificial pasture: land on which selected forage grasses and legumes have been planted and are managed by the farmer for grazing animals
(b) Any six: legumes fix nitrogen and improve soil fertility; feed is more balanced (legumes give protein, grasses energy); higher total yield; better palatability; better ground cover, so less erosion and weeds; grass supports climbing legumes; longer grazing season; reduces need for fertilizer
(c)(i) Extensive (free range); semi-intensive; intensive
(ii) Extensive, any three: animals roam freely to find food; little or no housing; low cost; high losses from theft, disease and accidents; low productivity. Semi-intensive, any three: animals housed part of the time and grazed in fenced paddocks; supplementary feeding; moderate cost and productivity. Intensive, any three: animals kept indoors all the time; all feed and water brought to them; high capital and labour; high productivity; easy disease control and record keeping
In (c)(ii), give three features under each system.