16. forage-crop-original-1.pptx.........

forage crops

1. FORAGE CROPS .

2. Identify the categories of forage crops Enumerate the different forage grasses and forage legumes Determine the advantages and disadvantages on each forage crops Determine what is silage and the materials and preparations needed OBJECTIVES : 01 02 03 04

3. INTRODUCTION Forage crops plays a vital role in supporting the livestock industry, ensuring the availability of nutritious feed, improving animal health and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Farmers are encouraged to adopt integrated forage management systems , combining pasture grazing with cut-and-carry systems, silage production and fodder conservation methods.

4. WHAT IS FORAGE CROPS? - forage crops specifically refers to plant material, such as grass, hay, or silage, that is used as feed for livestock animals. -forage is commonly consumed by ruminant animals, including cattle, sheep, and goats, which have specialized digestive systems capable of efficiently processing plant-based feeds. ?

5. Forage quality - It refers to the nutritional value and composition of the forage, including its protein content, energy density, fiber content, and mineral composition.

6. TWO CATEGORIES OF FORAGE GRASSES LEGUMES

7. FORAGE GRASSES Also known as fodder grasses or pasture grasses. a group of grass species cultivated specifically for their use as livestock feed. this grasses are highly valued for their ability to provide nutririous and palatable forage for grazing animals. this are typically fast growing , have high biomass production, and offer a range of nutrtional benefits for livestock. its common physical characteristics are ; leaf blade , stems, and inflorescence.

8. COMMON FORAGE GRASSES IN THE PHILIPPINES Napier Grass ( Pennisetum purpureum ) Guinea Grass ( Panicum maximum ) Signal Grass ( Brachiaria decumbens ) Para Grass ( Urochloa mutica ) Setaria Grass ( Setaria sphacelata) Carpet Grass ( Axonopus compressus ) Mulato II Grass ( Brachiaria ruziziensis)

9. Napier Grass ( Pennisetum purpureum) also known as elephant grass or uganda grass, a tall perennial grass native to Africa. it is valued for its high biomass production, and is primarily grown as a forage crop for livestock feed. it has long , thick stems that can reach heights of 3-4 meters and wide leaf blades the nutritional composition of Napier grass is relatively high,with good levels of protein and energy. It is rich in fiber but can be low in certain minerals. it is suitable for beef and dairy cattle, goats and sheep, carabao ,rabbits, horses, and poultry animals .

10. ADVANTAGES OF NAPIER GRASS High biomass production Nutritional value Multiple harvest Soil improvement DISADVANTAGES OF NAPIER GRASS Low mineral content Escessive fiber may cause digestive issues Water requirement Management consideration

11. Guinea Grass ( Panicum maximum ) a tropical grass that is native to Africa but is now cultivated and utilize wordwide in tropical and subtropical regions. it is valued for its high productivity , palatability, and nutritional content making it a popular choice of feeding livestock. it is suitable for cattle, goats and sheep, carabao,horses , and poultry animals.

12. ADVANTAGES OF GUINEA GRASS High productivity Nutritional value Adaptability Palatability Soil conservation DISADVANTAGES OF GUINEA GRASS Escessive fiber may cause digestive issues Maturity stage Water requirement Management consideration Nutritional imbalances

13. Signal Grass ( Brachiaria decumbens ) is one of the most cultivated species of the genus Brachiaria in South America, Asia and the South Pacific region It is a valuable forage used in permanent pastures. It is high-yielding and forms low leafy stands that do well on infertile soils. It is palatable to all classes of livestock and withstands heavy grazing suitable for various livestock species including cattle, sheep, and goats.

14. ADVANTAGES OF SIGNAL GRASS primarily used for grazing hay production silage production pasture improvement soil conservation drought tolerance adaptable to tropical and sub tropical climate high productivity and nutritional value DISADVANTAGES OF SIGNAL GRASS Allelopathic properties potential toxicity invasive potential

15. Para Grass ( Urochloa mutica ) is a semi-aquatic plant native to tropical Africa i s a stoloniferous grass, generally around 1 m tall It can form pure stands in low-lying, seasonally-flooded wetlands When growing along the banks of deep waterways it has stems that float over the water surface Para grass has a variable nutritional value, with a protein content of 10.2% and 23.6% crude fiber in fresh grass. the grass is use as green fodder, soiling and even for dry hay

16. ADVANTAGES OF PARA GRASS high productivity adaptability nutritional value grazing tolerance source of energy fiber and mineral content DISADVANTAGES OF PARA GRASS nutritional limitation prussic acid potential mineral imbalances

17. Setaria Grass ( Setaria sphacelata) a tall tufted perennial, without elongated rhizomes and has widely varying vegetative characteristics. it is widely grown for grazing by dairy and beef cattle, but high oxalate levels make it undesirable for horses and donkeys. the inflorescence structure is a cylindrical spike-like panicle 8-25 cm long and 7-8 mm wide, varying in colour from purplish brown to brown.

18. ADVANTAGES OF SETARIA GRASS high forage production nutritional value drought tolerance adaptability DISADVANTAGES OF SETARIA GRASS nitrate accumulation prussic acid poisoning risk palatability and digestability high oxalate level

19. Carpet Grass ( Axonopus compressus ) Carpetgrass, commonly known as flat grass, is a perennial warm-season grass. Native to the tropical and subtropical regions of America, this creeping grass tolerates low soil fertility and high soil moisture suitable for grazing system

20. ADVANTAGES OF CARPET GRASS Adaptability shade tolerance grazing tolerance high energy content palatability and digestibility moderate protein content DISADVANTAGES OF CARPET GRASS requires supplementation reduced digestability during maturing

21. Mulato II Grass ( Brachiaria ruziziensis) Mulato II is a semi-erect perennial apomictic grass that can grow up to 9 ft tall. It is established by seed, although it could be propagated vegetatively with stem segments, if necessary. It produces vigorous cylindrical stems (some with a semi-prostrate habit) capable of rooting at the nodes when they so il

22. ADVANTAGES OF MULATO ll GRASS more meat and milk for its nutritional quality. increase weight gain enhance reproductive performance balanced diet cost free DISADVANTAGES OF MULATO ll GRASS nutritional deficiency prussic acid content oxalate content availability

23. FORAGE LEGUMES Forage crops are a group of plants that beling to the legume family Fabaceae and are primarily grown for their value as livstock forage. They are known for their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen through a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen fixing bacteria that reside in their root nodules. are cultivated in agricultural system as a source of high quality feed for grazing animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats. the characteristics vary from their growth habit , leaf structure and stem structure

24. COMMON FORAGE LEGUMES IN THE PHILIPPINES CENTROSEMA (Centrosema pubescens) STYLOSANTHES (Stylosanthes guianensis) DESMODIUM ( Desmodium spp.) HYACINTH BEAN (Lablab purpureus) IPIL-IPIL ( Leucaena leucocephala) AZOLLA ( Mosquito fern) SOYBEAN (Glycine max) MORINGA (Moringa oleifera)

25. CENTROSEMA (Centrosema pubescens) it is highly regarded as a forage plant due to its nutritive value and ability to thrive in tropical and subtropical regions also known as centro or butterfly pea they are rich in protein, avaeraging around 20-25% protein content which is considrably higher than other tropical legumes it also offers good digestibility, allowing animals to extract nutrients from the plant material a twining or climbing herbaceous vine, annual or perennial, with alternate leaves, and compound trifoliate with broad oval leaflets and long petioles.

26. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES High protein content improved animal growth enhanced milk production palatability nutrient digestibility grazing persistance soil fertility improvement cause photosensitivity on cattle , sheep and horses when largely consumed bloating estrogenic effect

27. STYLOSANTHES (Stylosanthes guianensis) are herbaceaous or semi-woody perennial plants with a sprawling or upright growth habit the color of the flower can be yellow and orange to red or purple It is usually grown as a cover crop, which is cut every 2 to 3 months. It effectively suppresses weeds and is a good feed supplement for most animals, including chickens, pigs and fish

28. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES contains protein,minerals,vitamins and carbohydrate improved weight gain and milk production drought tolerance nitrogen fixation erosion control bloating oxalate toxicity limited palatability allergic reactions

29. DESMODIUM ( Desmodium spp.) are herbaceaous or semi-woody perennial plants with a sprawling or upright growth habit the color of the flower can be yellow and orange to red or purple also known as tick clover or tick trefoil It is usually grown as a cover crop, which is cut every 2 to 3 months. It effectively suppresses weeds and is a good feed supplement for most animals, including chickens, pigs and fish

30. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES oxalate content bitterness and palatability potential toxicity allergenic reactions rich in protein, vitamins and minerals improved digestion parasite control nitrogen fixation soil conservation drought tolerance

31. HYACINTH BEAN (Lablab purpureus) is a twining vine with purplish stems and can be grown as an annual vine in the home garden for the ornamental flowers and bean pods. it has a high protein content and is grown as a nutritious food crop for human consumption as well as animal fodder The flower sprays resemble sweet peas, range from purple to pink to white in color, and are slightly fragrant. The pods can grow up to 14 cm long, may be straight or curved, and are a glossy purple or green. Seeds are oblong, and can be white, reddish-brown, or black.

32. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES anti-nutritional factor might contain cyanogenic glycosides digestive upset allergies and sensitivities limited availability good source of energy contains significant amount of protein digestibility nitrogen fixation palatable when young and tender

33. IPIL-IPIL ( Leucaena leucocephala) The legume provides an excellent source of high-protein cattle fodder the fodder contains mimosine, a toxic amino acid. Horses and donkeys which are fed it lose their hair. Probably introduced by the Spanish conquistadores who carried leucaena feed and seed on their galleons to the Philippines to feed their stock.

34. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES cotains toxic compound like mimosine anti-nutritional factors digestive disorder high protein content ranging from 20% to 30% improve weight gain to meat producing animal increase milk production source of vitamins and minerals drought tolerance cost free

35. AZOLLA ( Mosquito fern) leaves are tiny, lacy-looking, and closely overlapping. The leaves can be green or rusty red. American waterfern is a small, floating plant with green or rusty-red leaves. The most remarkable characteristic of azolla is its symbiotic relationship with the nitrogen-fixing blue-green alga (cyanobacterium) Anabaena azollae. It can be given directly or mixed with concentrates to cattle, poultry, sheep, goats, pigs and rabbits

36. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES may cause bloating or diarrhea to swine not applicable to dry area potential contamination during production of azola high nutritional value has a protein content ranging from 20% to 35% easily digestible contains carbohydrate and lipids providing good source of energy environmental benefit contains flavonoids and phenolics

37. SOYBEAN (Glycine max) . By the early 1940s, soybeans were harvested at various stages of growth, and cured and fed as high protein hay, which was considered to be similar in nutritional value to alfalfa The best stage to harvest soybeans for silage is near maturity, before any leaf loss. At this point, soluble carbohydrates required for proper ensiling are low.

38. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES contains trypsin inhibitors, lectins and phytates allergenic potential contains estrogenic compounds like phoestrogens that affect reproductive performance high protein content well balanced amino acid source of energy rich in essential mineral contain bio-active compound such as isoflavones

39. MORINGA (Moringa oleifera) is a multipurpose tropical tree. It is mainly used for food and has numerous industrial, medicinal and agricultural uses, including animal feeding. It has been dubbed the "miracle tree" or "tree of life" by the media Moringa leaves are a valuable source of protein for ruminants but they have a moderate palatability. They are used in smallholder rabbit farming in several African countries. Using moringa leaves for feeding poultry, pigs and fish is feasible but only in limited amounts due to the presence of fibre and antinutritional factors. Moringa oil seed cake, the by-product of oil extraction, is not very palatable to livestock and mainly used as green manure or a flocculating agent in water purification. Moringa seeds appear to be toxic to rabbits.

40. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES excessive intake may cause digestive issues contains anti-nutritional factor such as tannins, phytates, and oxalates unpalatability thyroid function toxicity risk high nutritional value aids in muscle development enhance milk production increased weight gain immune system support digestive health antiparasitic properties environmental benefits

41. SILAGE MATERIALS AND PREPARATIONS

42. WHAT IS SILAGE? silage is a type of preserved forage that is made by fermentig and storing high-moisture crops under anaerobic conditions it is commonly used as feed for livestock, providing them with a source of nutrient especially during periods when frsh forage is scarce or at lower quality

43. MATERIALS NEEDED FORAGE CROP -Select the appropriate forage crops based on local availability and livestock requirements. HARVESTER OR CHOPPER -A specialized machine such as a forage harvester or chopper equipped wit sharp knives is needed to cut the forage crops into small pieces

44. MATERIALS NEEDED PACKING EQUIPMENT -It will be used for packing the chopped forage into the storage structure.It has to compress the forage tightly. SILO OR STORAGE STRUCTURE -it required to store the packed forage. This can be silo or airtight containers like silage bags or bales wrapped with plastic

45. MATERIALS NEEDED PLASTIC COVERING -to exclude oxygen and create anaerobic conditions. gen barrier films or oxygen-limiting barriers can also be used to enhance fermentation and preserve the silage quality WEIGHTS AND TIRES -the plastic covering needs to be secured and weighed down to prevent air entry. Use heavy weights, such as tires or sandbags, to hold tic inplace and create an airtight seal.

46. MATERIALS NEEDED THERMOMETER -to monitor the temperature of the silage during fermentation. Temperature spikes can indicate issues such as spoilage or inefficient fermentation WATER (if necessary) - in certain situation where the forage is low mosture content, you may need to add water during packing process to achieve the desired moisture level for proper fermentation

47. MATERIALS NEEDED PH METER is commonly used in silage production to monitor and assess the fermentation and the quality of silage. it provides valuable information about its presevation, nutritional value and potential silage.

48. 7 STEPS ON FERMENTING SILAGE

49. 1. PREPARING SILAGE MATERIALS AND CHOOSING CROPS -choose your desired crops for silage that meets the needed nutrient requirement of your livestock 2. HARVESTING THE CROPS - silage crops should be harvested at the proper stage of maturity. This is typically when the crops have reached a good balance between yield and nutrient content -the ideal moisture content for ensiling varies depending on the crop. Generally, forage crops should have a moisture content between 60% and 70% 3. CHOPPING -after harvesting the silage crops, it needs to be chopped into small pieces to promote packing and facilitate fermentation - around 1-3 centimeters in length. 4. PACKING -the chopped forage needs to be tightly packed into a silo or airtight container to exclude oxygen. This prevents the growth of anaerobic microorganisms.

50. 5. SEALING - it needs to be sealed to maintain the anaerobic conditions. -different methods can be used for sealing, such as plastic sheetsxygen barrier films , or a combination of both , to cover the surface of the silage tightly. -the edges of the cover should be weighted down or secured to prevent air entry 6 . FERMENTATION -after sealing, fermentation begins as the naturally occuring lactic acid bacteria converts sugars into lactic acid,lowering the pH and preserving the forage. -the process typically takes several weeks, during which the pH drops to around 4,0 to 4.5 7. FEEDING -once the silage has undergone sufficient fermentation, it can be fed to livestock. -proper management of silage feedout is essential to minimize spoilsge and maintain feed quality.

51. t hank you!