SS2 Second Term Animal Husbandry Lesson Note – Pasture and Range Management

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WEEK 1: Revision of last term work.

WEEK 2

PASTURE AND RANGE MANAGEMENT

MEANING OF PASTURE, FODDER AND FORAGE CROPS

Pasture is a piece of land on which grasses and/or legume crops are naturally found or deliberately grown for feeding livestock. Another definition, pasture refers to an area of land covered with forage crops which are usually grasses and legumes that are grazed or fed on by livestock such as goat, sheep and cattle.

FORAGE CROPS are plants cultivated for their vegetative portions and used in fresh or preserved forms for feeding livestock. Forage may therefore be growing grass, legumes, shrubs, hay or silage. FODDER is any coarsely chopped grass or legume in dry or fresh form that is cut, carried and fed to farm animals usually cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, camels, donkeys, horses etc.

Importance of pastures

1. Source of feed for ruminant animals
2. Conservation of soil moisture
3. Legumes serves as cover crops to prevent erosion

Qualities of a good pasture

1. Ability to regeneration
2. Ability to withstand trampling effects of the grazing animals
3. High nutritive value.
4. Moderate moisture and high dry matter.

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