Considerations for the Successful Establishment of Fodder Banks as a Source of Crude Protein and

Energy for Ruminant Production

B. H. LawrenceJamaica Dairy Development Board

Introduction

• Ruminant performance constrained by poor quality in the dry season• Dry season duration in Jamaica – 8 mth or more • Outcome – poor quality forage: CP and Energy declining below levels needed to

maintain efficient rumen function – poor nutrition• Traditional response of livestock farmers• More practical options – establishment of fodder bank• Fodder Bank – defined

– Cultivation of nutrient dense fodder species to augment fodder availability under conditions of drought.

• Factors determining spp. incorporation into fodder bank - biomass yield; CP content: Energy content; adaptability to farming system

• Preferred spp.– Legumes (CP): Mulberry, Gliricidia, Stylosanthes– Energy : Pennisetum spp., Panicum spp., Brachiaria spp., Sugar cane

Establishment

• Land Preparation

– Fodder banks are valuable crops that support productive farming system – managed intensively.

– Thorough site preparation should be done– Use method practiced locally for other high valued crops– Objective being to have selected area completely devoid of weeds– As with all crop planting activities fodder bank activities should coincide with

the season when precipitation is at its highest.

Planting Material

• Selection of spp.– Characteristics of spp. that make excellent fodder bank components.

a. Establish readilyb. Grow fastc. Outcompete weedsd. Produce high quality foddere. Remain productive during dry seasonf. Survive on poor sites (soil)

Planting Material (cont’d.)

•Direct Seeding /Cuttings

-Direct seeding is usually required for fodder bank establishment.-Where necessary seeds maybe treated to enhance germination.-Use sowing method that is locally applicable for similar type of seeds-Certain spp. will require cuttings, e.g. Erythrina, Mulberry, Gliricidia, and

the high biomass content species (Pennisetum, Sugar cane).

Spacing and Design

• To maximize dry season production, fodder banks should be dense, nearly pure stands – rationale.

• Choice of spacing depends on management objectives• Total biomass yield increase at higher densities• Closer spacing maximizes fodder production but may restrict access for harvesting

difficult.• Row establishment should conform to site geography.• Fencing is prerequisite to successful management of a fodder bank• Size of the fodder bank

Size of the Fodder Bank and Forage Requirements

This will be determined by the following:• The type and number of animals targeted (species, age, sex female vs. male,• The objective of production (dairy vs. meat, weight vs. maintenance etc.),• Climate and environmental conditions,• Farm type and size,• Availability of existing forage resources in terms of quantity and quality at different

seasons,• The type of feed supplement proposed, with estimates of its yield and quality.

* These are details that need to be known before undertaking efforts to establish fodder banks.

Management

• Age at first harvest– Should be delayed until approx. 15 mth.– Actual age : function of environmental cond. and bank

growth,– Biomass production and long-term production increase

when first harvest is delayed.• Grazing − Not usually recommended – loss and wastage of forage

material.

Management (contd.)

• Cut and Carry− Most fodder banks are manged through a cut and carry system,− Decreases fodder waste,

Important management considerations for this system:− Cutting height,− Cutting frequency,− Dry season management.

Fertilizer Application

• Fodder banks are long term crops that must be maintained to continue high productivity, hence the need for fertilizer application.

Proximate Analysis of Forages

Forages DM % CP % NDF % TDN % DDM %Panicum spp. 92 7 66 45 54 √ (mombasssa) 10-14 56Pennisetum spp. 83 8 66 48 56Brachiaria spp. 93 7 58 52 59 √ (mulato 11) 80 9 37 55 61Sugar cane 98 * 45 * 68Legumes:Stylosanthes 81 20 40 40 51Mucuna 84 16 38 57 62Mulberry 35 18 30 71 72

Rooting System – Mulato II

Considerations for Feeding Whole Sugarcane

• Correct supplementation is the key to animal productivity on sugarcane. The principles are based on:

− satisfying the need for rumen microbes for fermentable nitrogen, trace minerals and vitamins and the physical attributes of an efficient rumen ecosystem (small amount of fermentable fibre) − feeding by-pass protein.

Conclusion

• Fodder banks can provide high protein , high energy forage supplement for ruminant livestock. They are readily adaptable to the need and circumstances to small and medium sized livestock farms.

• The methodology to the establishment of fodder banks is not universal and will depend on the ecology of the area, topography and adaptability of the component species, and the need for certain amount of special considerations, as the need arise.