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Grasslands and Forage Production

Course developers

Course abstract

Forage production is a system of agrotechnical measures and management with the aim to produce forage in the fields, meadows and grassland to meet the physiological needs of livestock for nutrients in summer and winter. A thorough knowledge of biological properties and growth characteristics of field crops and herbage are significant in the choice of proper forage grass production technologies and in preparation of top quality feed. Breeding of grass species, their suitability to high and quality yield performance in different locations of Latvia are discussed in the course. Considerations of breeding species and families of diverse plants in forage production, the timing of harvests, the primary treatment and storage of the harvested crop are included in the course.
The formation of natural grasslands, the ways and means of their management for the provision of feeding stuffs and the preservation of biodiversity. Production costs, differences in crop plant chemical composition, and feeding value are included for economic evaluation of diverse crop plants.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge about economically biological properties of perennial grasses, the use of high-quality forage grass facility and forage technologies.
Skills: to recognize and describe the species of perennial forage grasses, to make grass mixtures, to choose conditions appropriate forage technologies, to assess their economic feasibility.
Students are competent to evaluate forage quality and agronomic and economic assessment of forage technologies.

1. Knowledge of the economic and biological characteristics of perennial grasses and species of legumes - quiz 1
2. Skills to recognise grass species and their seeds – practical work
3. Skills to use grass species for seed mixtures – practical work
4. Knowledge of the technologies for installation of cultivated grasslands for mowing and grazing – quiz 2
4. Capable to prepare presentation and information materials on the formation and management of natural grasslands and the conservation of biodiversity, as well as the most relevant animal grazing technology – seminar presentations
5. Capable to calculate the grass forage needs for different livestock groups according to the feed ration – home work
6. Knowledge of grass feed preparation technology and is able to assess the quality of feed, as well as to justify its point of view –quiz 3
7. Knowledge of grass seed growing technologies and is able to assess the seed yield and quality – quiz 4.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Characteristics, distribution and importance of perennial grasslands. 4 h.
2. Classification of grasslands. 2 h.
3. Biological properties of meadow and pasture grasses. 2 h.
4. Biologically ecological and economic description of the most widespread grass species in meadows and pastures. 6 h.
Quiz 1 – economic and biological characteristics of perennial grasses and species of legumes
5. Natural meadows and pastures, condition and proportion of forage balance in Latvia. Classification of natural swards. 8 h.
Seminar – formation and management of natural grasslands and the conservation of biodiversity
6. Impact of ecological factors on the growth and development of herbage. 2 h.
7. Herbaceous seed properties. 4 h.
8. Compiling grass mixtures and calculation of precision rate. 4 h.
9. Compiling pasture forage balance and green conveyer. 2 h.
10. Calculation of grass forage needs for different livestock groups. 4 h.
11. Establishment of sown grasslands, care and use of it, establishment and maintenance costs. 8 h.
Quiz 2 – technologies for installation of cultivated grasslands for mowing and grazing.
12. Organization of pasture area, division into paddocks, drafting of grazing plan. 4 h.
13. Calculation of pasture establishment and maintenance costs. 2 h.
Seminar – most relevant animal grazing technology.
14. Haymaking technology, hay quality, analysis of costs. 2 h.
15. Preparation technology of silage and haylage, their quality, evaluation of preparation technology costs for preserved grass. 4 h.
Quiz 3 – grass feed preparation technology
16. Growing and preparation of papilionaceous plants and forage grasses for seeds. 4 h.
17. Analysis and arguments for seed prices. 2 h.
Quiz 4 – grass seed growing technologies.

Requirements for awarding credit points

A test with a mark consist of:
• successful tests during the semester;
• performance of practical works;
• presentation of the workshop;
• home work.
All quizzes and practical jobs must be successfully completed.
The missed practical work should be done according to the procedure defined at the LLU, failed tests should be repeated during the lecturer’s planned time.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Home work – calculation of the grass feed needs.
Presentation of the management of natural grasslands.
Presentation of the grass feed needs.
Presentation on animal grazing technologies.
Literature studies, processing and presentation of results of practical works.
Group work during practical classes.
Preparation for tests.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The assessment of the end-of-study exam depends on the cumulative assessment of the study course quizzes, homework and presentations.
Practical works must be carried out in accordance with the instructions; assessment — credited/uncredited
All quizzes and practical works must be successfully completed.

Compulsory reading

David Blakesley, Peter Buckley (2016). Grassland Restoration and Management (Conservation Handbooks) 1st Edition, Kindle Edition. Pelagic Publishing [Tiešsaiste][skatīts 22.07.2019] Pieejams: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0759SR134/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb

Further reading

Grasslands of the World: Diversity, Management and Conservation Hardcover – Import. (2018). Ed. by Victor R. Squires, Jürgen Dengler, Limin Hua, Haiying Feng. CRC Press. [Tiešsaiste][skatīts 22.07.2019] Pieejams:
CRC Press e-grāmatas [skatīts 10.09.2019.] Pieejams:
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/9781315156125

Periodicals and other sources

1. „Grassland Science in Europe”. the proceedings appear as successive volumes in the EGF series. All papers of EGF conferences are peer reviewed, edited and published as hard cover since 1996. [Tiešsaiste] [skatīts 22.07.2019] Pieejams: https://www.europeangrassland.org/en/infos/printed-matter/proceedings.html
2. “Grass and Forage Science” is the official journal of EGF, in co-operation with the British Grassland Society. More information can be found at: http://www.britishgrassland.com
and
Wiley Onlaine Library [skatīts 10.09.2019.] Pieejams: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/13652494

Notes

For students of the bachelor study programme “Sustainable Agriculture”, specialisation in Sustainable plant production, 3rd year, 6nd semester, in full-time studies in the Faculty of Agriculture