Fodder production Introduction Fodder crops are cultivated plant species that are utilized as livestock feed. Fodder refers mostly the crops which are harvested and used for stall feeding. On the other hand forages refer to the vegetative matter, fresh or preserved, utilized as feed for animals and include all fodders such as grasses, legumes, crucifers and other crops cultivated and used as hay or silage in a preserved form or utilized through grazing.
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Fodder production Introduction Fodder crops are cultivated plant species that are utilized as livestock feed. Fodder refers mostly the crops which are.
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Fodder production
Introduction
Fodder crops are cultivated plant species that are utilized as livestock feed. Fodder refers mostly the crops which are harvested and used for stall feeding.
On the other hand forages refer to the vegetative matter, fresh or preserved, utilized as feed for animals and include all fodders such as grasses, legumes, crucifers and other crops cultivated and used as hay or silage in a preserved form or utilized through grazing.
WHY GREEN FODDER?
The feeding of green fodder (grass, legume or cereal fodder) is always economical.
The feeding of concentrates or compounded feed may give high output per unit of feed may not be economically viable always for the countries like where grains, oilcakes and milling byproducts are scarce and costly.
In most of the farming situations, feeding concentrates or compounded feed will increase the cost of feeding which in turn raise the cost of production.
On the other hand, an animal yielding on average of 5-6 liters of milk per day can be comfortably maintained with feeding of green fodder only (grass or cereal fodder and legumes) without any supplementation of concentrates.
It is not economical for the farmer to have intensive dairy, sheep or goat farm without sufficient provision for green fodder or dry fodder throughout the year. If the land resource is scarce, a farmer can have suitable agroforestry models to increase the forage production per unit area.
HOW FODDERS ARE CLASSIFIED?
There are different types of classification available. However, the following two classifications are more easy to understand and adopt.
Classification of fodder on the basis of season of cultivation Kharif fodder (June – September) : Eg . Cowpea, Field bean,
Non leguminous fodders (Cereal and grass) provided much of the
required energy (carbohydrates) for livestock while legumes improve
the quality of fodders when mixed with non-leguminous fodders.
Green fodders of non-legumes are fed in bulk quantities (about 10%
of body weight of the animal) whereas that of legumes are fed in small
quantities (1-2% of body weight).
If legumes are fed in bulk, it may create problems like bloat in
animals.
Non-legumes
Non legumes refer to all grasses belonging to the family of plants, gramineae comprising 450 genera and more than 6000 species distributed throughout the world.
Grasses considerably vary in their habits, size and habitat. Some grasses are annuals, while others are perennials.
Another group of non-legumes is the Cereal fodders. They play an important role in the feeding of dairy animals.
Farmers in general are not growing cereals exclusively for fodder purpose. Rather they grow them mainly (straw / stover) is used as cattle feed. But such straw/stover are very poor in their nutritive value compared to their value as green fodder.
However there are varieties available in the cereal group exclusively meant for fodder purpose and in such a case the crop should not be allowed for grain setting.
WHICH FODDER CROP TO CHOOSE?
It is highly essential to select the right choice of crops to cultivate.
This depends on the soil type, soil fertility status, agro climatic conditions, water availability, kind and number of livestock reared etc.
However, it is advisable to grow legume as an intercrop along with grass or cereal fodder in order to make the fodder more nutritious.
Given below is the list of forage crops that are recommended for Tamil Nadu.
The other source for the livestock feed is the natural grazing resources available in the Common Property Resources.(ie. Lake, bunds, common grazing grounds, roadsides etc).
IMPROVED VARIETIES FOR FORAGE CROPS SUITABLE FOR TAMIL NADU
S. No Name of the crop Special features Cereal Forages
1 Sorghum CO FS - 29 Multicut variety (5-6 cuttings per year) Suitable for irrigated farming
3 Bajra Co – 8 (50 -55 days) Soft stem, high leaf stem ratio, highly palatable
Grasses 1 Hybrid napier Co - 1 High yield and Drought tolerant 2 Hybrid napier Co - 2 High yield and Drought tolerant 3 Hybrid napier Co - 3 High yield, High leaf stem ratio