Feeding Systems with Legumes to Intensify Dairy Farms - cgiar

Research Recommendations
Based on results and conclusions, the group recommended additional
research on basic indicators, weeds, cattle pests, improved forages, and soil
macro-fauna. Recommendations included the following:
• Basic indicators must be defined and monitored to better understand
local dual-purpose systems and to measure future changes. The group
proposed the monitoring of a sample group of dual-purpose cattle farms
to record data on herd composition, birth and death rates, milk
production, liveweight gain, and feeding systems.
• Research on weed control in pastures should be strengthened,
especially regarding costs. Further research is needed on the effects of
periodic burning, pasture rotations, stocking rates, and pasture species
on weed composition and spread. Pasture species that help control
weeds and that can be used in livestock/pastures associated
management systems should be evaluated.
• Farmers continually invested in treatments to control parasites in
animals. The factors favoring the appearance of these pests should be
studied.
• FUNDAAM and the Ministry of Agriculture have conducted substantial
research on forage improvement. The Ministry recently distributed seed
of C. macrocarpum, P. maximum, and B. brizantha to some 200 farmers
for testing and multiplication. The goal was that each farmer would be
able to establish a protein bank. Forage species and varieties that not
only improve animal and milk outputs, but also help suppress weeds,
are resistant to drought, and are tolerant to waterlogging should also be
identified. Farmers recognized the potential value of forage legumes,
although they are attacked by pests and rodents. The group suggested
enhanced farmer participation in the testing of a “cocktail” of forage
varieties and species.
The group agreed that there is need to better understand political
decisions and the market context relevant to dual-purpose livestock
producers. The issues discussed included national research priorities and
policies, building of roads, the “Glass of Milk” program for local school
students, credit, and national policies concerning milk imports, exports, and
subsidies.
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