Understory-Vegetation Biomass in Woodlands Increased by Cutting Non-Timber Plants

Strategically cutting the non-pine (non-timber) plants to maintain their canopy within the reach of small ruminants increased both photosynthetically-active radiation (PAR) influx to the woodland floor (360-2223%) and the understory vegetation biomass significantly (36-107%) (p<0.0001). The control area, which was highly dense with woody plants, received the least PAR reaching to the floor (37-47 μmol m^-2 s^-1) and produced the least understory biomass (940 kg/ha). These results suggest that cutting of non-pine plants and maintaining their canopy within the comfortable reach of small ruminants significantly promote the understory vegetation biomass production and utilization, which ultimately increases the carrying capacity of the woodland grazing system. Greater growth and better utilization of understory vegetation by small ruminants, as found in the current study, present a great potential of using woodland resources for supporting small ruminant production. Defoliation of understory vegetation by grazing animals may also enhance the growth of timber present in the system because of the reduced competition from non-timber species. More information about this study is available at this link: https://doi.org/10.35251/gjaas.2020.003 

Understory vegetation in woodland, Tuskegee, AL, USA.

Tuskegee University Master Goat Training 2020 - Virtual

Tuskegee University Master goat producer's certification training VIRTUAL, August 3-7, 2020; more information is available at this link: https://www.tuskegee.edu/programs-courses/colleges-schools/caens/conferences-workshops/master-goat-training

Forest Management Techniques: Use of Fire, Herbicide, and Small Ruminants

Kiko goats utilizing the understory vegetation in woodlands,
Tuskegee, AL, USA

Katahdin rams in southern-pine forest, Tuskegee, AL, USA

Forests are predominantly used for timber production. Presence and growth of non-timber species in the system compete with timber species and add to the forest-fuel build up, which increases potential fire hazards. Common techniques practiced to control the non-timber (or unwanted) species are prescribed burning, use of herbicides, and grazing with small ruminants. Alabama Forest Owners' Association has live talks available on these methods, which can be very useful to farmers and landowners, and are listed below:

• Vegetation Management: Prescribed Fire  Uses and Landowner Training
• Vegetation Management: Herbicides
       Site Preparation for Planting, Road & Trail Maintenance
• Vegetation Management: Grazing
       Reduce Fire Hazards, Clean Up Land
• Oil & Gas Resources
        Prospects in Alabama, Services of the Oil & Gas Board

Corona Pandemic: Stay Safe and Safeguard Others Including Your Pets and Farm Animals

Corona pandemic is causing havoc in the USA and rest of the world. To stay safe and help protect others, it is utmost important to follow the safety guidelines issued by the Center of Disease Control (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

Understanding how this COVID-19 (disease caused by the new corona virus) impact our body and cause the death of those who have weak immune system or other pre-existing health conditions is important. An article “Corona Virus: What It Does To The Body”: (https://www.bbc.com/news/health-51214864) published recently by British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is very informative.

For those of us, who have pets or farm animals or both, the news on the novel corona virus affecting the tiger in the Bronx Zoo is alarming (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/06/science/tiger-cats-coronavirus.html). When animals are infected, there are two important aspects: 1) they may be sick and show symptoms of the disease, which eventually affect the health and performance of animals; 2) they may serve as the disease (corona virus) carrier and transmit the virus to numerous other susceptible animals and humans. Therefore, developing and implementing the biosafety protocol to our homes and farms has become more important than ever before.

PREVENTION is the best strategy to stay safe and help save others – both human and animals at this critical moment!

Cool-Season Grazing for Small Ruminants

Figure 1. Cool-season forages (legume-grass mix) ready for grazing.

Cool-season grazing works well for small ruminants (goats and sheep) in silvopastures and open-pastures (no-tree production) when suitable forages are planted and grown forages are managed well. Few tips are below for sustainably using the whole production systems.

1. Grazing should begin when forages complete most of their vegetative growth, but prior to the reproductive growth, which is basically flowering and seeding (Figure 1). Follow the recommended grazing height for the type of forages in your pastures. Such information is available in the grazing handbook (https://www.tuskegee.edu/Content/Uploads/Tuskegee/files/CAENS/TUCEP/Livestock%20program/Year-RoundPasture_Handbook(1).pdf) or Alabama Grazing Stick.

2. Practice rotational grazing system: It requires developing 4 to 8 paddocks out of the whole pastures. Stock the entire herd or flock of animals in one paddock at a time and move animals to the next paddock once 40-50% of forage leaf volume is eaten. This is important to allow enough photosynthesis in the left-over portion of forages to support the vigorous regrowth for the next rotation. Rotational grazing system is better than the continuous grazing system in open-pastures (Figure 2) and required in silvopastures (Figure 3). 

Figure 2. Goats on cool-season pastures (legume-grass mix). 

3. Target stubble height (the height of the leftover forages after grazing) for small ruminants to 4-5 inches above the ground surface. This is important to minimize the chance of eating gastrointestinal parasite, including barberpole worm - the number one killer of small ruminants in the Southeast, larvae by animals. The parasite larvae usually reside within 2-3 inches from the ground. If the recommended stubble height is higher than 4-5 inches, then go with the former.

4. Once the first rotational grazing is over in all paddock, repeat the rotational sequence among the paddocks to supply required nutrition to animals throughout the season.

5. Make sure to provide loose minerals recommended for the species of animal (goat minerals for goats and sheep minerals for sheep), clean drinking water, and shelters at all times.

6. Good fence to contain animals in the desired paddock and provision of guardian animals to safeguard animals from predator attack are necessary.

Figure 3. A flock of sheep enjoying the cool-season forages
grown in pine silvopature.

7. It is always essential to keep a close eye on your animals and facilities. Checking their FAMACHA (anemic condition cause by barberpole worm), body condition, live weight, hair coat, and other physical indicators of health every week or every other week is important to provide needed care and management on time and minimize the potential loss.

8. Plan to sell animals that you do not need for breeding when the desired live weight and condition are achieved, and sale price is satisfactory. This way you can feed and care for the remaining animals well.