Theory question 105
Pasture and Forage(a) Explain the following terms as used in pasture and range management. (i) fodder; (ii) paddocking; (iii) reseeding; (iv) stocking rate; (v) natural pasture. (b) State five factors which could affect the establishment of pasture in West Africa. (c) State five ways in which weeds are of economic importance in livestock production.
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(a)(i) Fodder: forage that is cut and carried to animals (fresh or conserved as hay or silage) instead of being grazed
(ii) Paddocking: dividing a pasture into fenced sections that are grazed in turn so each section can rest and regrow
(iii) Reseeding: sowing new seeds of good grasses/legumes on a degraded pasture to improve it
(iv) Stocking rate: the number of animals kept per unit area of pasture (e.g. per hectare) over a period
(v) Natural pasture: grassland made of grasses and legumes that grow on their own without being planted
(b) Any five: climate (rainfall, temperature); soil type and fertility; choice of suitable species; land tenure; cost of establishment/capital; pests and diseases; weeds; bush burning; labour and equipment; topography
(c) Any five: compete with forage for nutrients, water and light; reduce pasture yield; some are poisonous to animals; harbour pests and disease vectors; lower quality of produce (e.g. burrs in wool, taint in milk); increase cost of production; some are useful as feed or medicine
Define each term in one sentence.