Feeding Systems with Legumes to Intensify Dairy Farms - cgiar
Feeding Systems with Legumes to Intensify Dairy Farms - cgiar
Feeding Systems with Legumes to Intensify Dairy Farms - cgiar
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argentea (taking in<strong>to</strong> account cutting, carrying, and chopping) and ensiled<br />
C. argentea (preparation).<br />
Table 5 shows that, although gross income was higher when the<br />
concentrate was used (US$3.13) compared <strong>with</strong> fresh or ensiled Cratylia<br />
(US$3.10 and US$3.05, respectively), costs were also higher and the net<br />
income was US$0.84. When fresh Cratylia was used in the diet, net income<br />
was US$1.26 and <strong>with</strong> ensiled Cratylia it was US$1.16.<br />
In addition <strong>to</strong> the economic benefit, the use of the legume is<br />
environmentally beneficial in terms of nutrient recycling and sustainability<br />
of the system.<br />
Table 5. Daily income and expenditures (US$/cow per day) obtained <strong>with</strong><br />
test diets (ECAG, Costa Rica).<br />
Treatment Income Expenditures Difference<br />
Concentrate 3.13 2.30 0.84<br />
Fresh Cratylia 3.10 1.83 1.26<br />
Ensiled Cratylia 3.05 1.89 1.16<br />
Conclusions<br />
The results of this study indicated the following: (1) fresh C. argentea,<br />
at 3 months regrowth, is a good alternative <strong>to</strong> feed milking cows; (2) under<br />
ECAG conditions, Cratylia should be harvested at 3 months regrowth <strong>to</strong><br />
prepare silage because the leaf:stem ratio is best then; and (3) fresh or<br />
ensiled C. argentea can replace the use of a commercial concentrate in dairy<br />
cows of intermediate milk production during the dry season.<br />
References<br />
Argel, P. J.; Lobo, M. B.; Romero, F.; González, J.; Lascano, C. L.; Kerridge,<br />
P. C.; and Holmann, F. 1999. The shrub Cratylia argentea as a dry season<br />
feeding alternative in Costa Rica. Paper presented at the workshop<br />
“Working <strong>with</strong> Farmers: the Key <strong>to</strong> Adoption of Forage Technologies”, held<br />
in Cagayan de Oro, Northern Mindanao, Philippines, 12-15 Oc<strong>to</strong>ber 1999.<br />
6 p.<br />
Lascano, C. E. 1995. Calidad nutritiva y utilización de Cratylia argentea. In:<br />
Pizarro, E. A. and Coradin, L. (eds.). Potencial del género Cratylia como<br />
leguminosa forrajera. Proceedings of the Cratylia Workshop, held 19 and<br />
20 July 1995. Brasilia, DF, Brazil. EMBRAPA, CENARGEN, CPAC, CIAT.<br />
p. 83-97.<br />
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