Selection of (changes in) livestock management patterns: Multiple cropping

Abstract

It is clear from much grazing literature and rangeland literature that grass species suitable for livestock may be found sole or in grass/grass and grass/legumes association pastures (e.g. Lebed et al. 2004) as well as in large numbers of silvopastoral agroforestry systems for grazing and browsing (e.g. Gutteridge and Shelton 1998∼2004; WCA 2004). However, in a very different mode, for example in Niger, with early rains, a china beans or feed-grade groundnuts relay crop (in millet) can produce quality forage at the end of the long enough growing season (Kleschenko et al. 2004). As in monocropping (see Sect. III.2.1.(e)), degradation aspects may influence livestock and fodder management (DFID 2002), but depending on the type of associations often differ very much in character for multiple cropping, that has appreciably more components that support sustainability. In all systems the service role of the trees in providing shade and shelter must also be taken into account as this aspect is often undervalued in assessing the productivity of agroforestry systems (e.g. Gutteridge and Shelton 1998∼2004) © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.