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Agronomy
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Sustainable Forage Production in Crop–Livestock Systems
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Sustainable Forage Production in Crop–Livestock Systems

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Grassland and Pasture Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2024) | Viewed by 12083

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Renata La Guardia Nave

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
Interests: forage quality; grazing management; forage systems

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Crop and livestock systems have become increasingly specialized, and their lack of diversification has had negative economic, biological and environmental consequences. A viable alternative approach to diversifying agricultural productions is to integrate cash grain cropping with ruminant livestock production. The adoption of an integrated crop–livestock system has the potential to improve the ability of individual farmers to remain viable, enabling them to be competitive in current markets. With integrated crop–livestock systems, it is possible to produce annual grain crops and have remaining forage for animal grazing, which improves the carrying capacity of pastures, increasing food production without the need to further expand property size.

This Special Issue aims to document cutting-edge research studies that are focused on the production of sustainable forage systems, as well as integrated crop and livestock production.

We are seeking high-quality research that can contribute to the growing literature on this topic.

Dr. Renata La Guardia Nave
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainable forage
  • integrated crop–livestock systems
  • cover crops

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

4 pages, 144 KiB  
Editorial
Sustainable Forage Production in Crop–Livestock Systems
by Renata La Guardia Nave
Agronomy 2025, 15(3), 657; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15030657 - 6 Mar 2025
Viewed by 732
Abstract
This Special Issue, “Sustainable Forage Production in Crop–Livestock Systems”, explores the urgent need for diversified and sustainable farming practices, focusing on the integration of crop and livestock systems to enhance economic resilience, ecological health, and environmental sustainability [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Forage Production in Crop–Livestock Systems)

Research

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18 pages, 1492 KiB  
Article
Environment, Soil, and Digestate Interaction of Maize Silage and Biogas Production
by Vera Popović, Viliana Vasileva, Nataša Ljubičić, Nikola Rakašćan and Jela Ikanović
Agronomy 2024, 14(11), 2612; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14112612 - 5 Nov 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1497
Abstract
In this study are presented the possibilities of using maize silage for biogas production. An experiment with maize silage took place over three years (2016–2018) in two localities, Ilandža, Alibunar municipality (L1—Locality 1) and Dolovo (L2—Locality 2), Serbia, and using two variants: a [...] Read more.
In this study are presented the possibilities of using maize silage for biogas production. An experiment with maize silage took place over three years (2016–2018) in two localities, Ilandža, Alibunar municipality (L1—Locality 1) and Dolovo (L2—Locality 2), Serbia, and using two variants: a control with no digestate (C) and a variant with digestate, which was organic manure from biogas facilities (AD). In the AD variant, 50 t ha−1 of digestate was introduced into the soil just before sowing the maize. The following traits were examined: plant height (PH), biomass yield (BMY), biogas yield (BGY), and methane yield (MY). The effects of the studied factors (year, fertilization, and locality) on the biogas yield were significant (p < 0.5). The most favorable year for biogas production was 2016 (207.95 m3 ha−1), while the highest values of maize plant height, biomass, and methane yield were recorded in 2018 (2.48 m, 51.15 t ha−1 dry matter, and 258.25 m3 ha−1). The digestate exerted a significant influence (p < 0.5) on the values of all the tested maize parameters in all three experimental years. The biomass yield was positively associated with the plant height, biogas, and methane yield (r = 0.62 *; r = 0.70 *; r = 0.81 **) and positively but nonsignificantly associated with temperature (r = 0.42) and precipitation (r = 0.12). The application of the digestate before sowing improves the anaerobic digestion of maize silage and biogas production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Forage Production in Crop–Livestock Systems)
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20 pages, 2796 KiB  
Article
Native Forbs Provide Pollinator Resources and Improve Forage Nutrient Composition, Animal Performance, and Pasture Productivity
by Jessica L. Prigge, Eric Bisangwa, Jonathan D. Richwine, Virginia R. Sykes, Jennie L. Z. Ivey and Patrick D. Keyser
Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2184; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102184 - 24 Sep 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1387
Abstract
Pollinator declines and expectations for more sustainable agriculture, including pasture-based enterprises, bring attention to strategies to enhance the habitat value of grazing lands. We evaluated native warm-season grass (NWSG) pastures with (FORB) and without (CONT) interseeded native forbs in 2021–2023. An analysis was [...] Read more.
Pollinator declines and expectations for more sustainable agriculture, including pasture-based enterprises, bring attention to strategies to enhance the habitat value of grazing lands. We evaluated native warm-season grass (NWSG) pastures with (FORB) and without (CONT) interseeded native forbs in 2021–2023. An analysis was conducted using R with the significance set at p ≤ 0.05. The grass appeared to be weakened predominantly by grazing management practices. Forb density and mass had an inverse relationship in seasons two and three. Total forage mass declined in response to increased grazing days and weakened stands. The forage nutritive compositions differed, with more stable, season-long crude protein and lower fiber concentrations in late-season FORB, which supported higher bodyweight gains and season-long average daily gain. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta; BESU), lanceleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata; LCOR), and showy ticktrefoil (Desmodium canadensis; STTF) were the most abundant forbs, and BESU, LCOR, and purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea; PURC) produced long flowering windows. Cattle grazed STTF, cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum; CUPP), and oxeye sunflower (Helopsis helianthoides) the most. Under continuous stocking, a blend of BESU, LCOR, PURC, STTF, and CUPP produced acceptable cattle gains and provided pollinator resources, suggesting that this model may be a viable means to enhance the sustainability of pastures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Forage Production in Crop–Livestock Systems)
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14 pages, 10800 KiB  
Article
Relationships and Changes in Grassland Community Diversity and Biomass in the Pastoral Areas of the Two Rivers under Grazing Disturbance
by Weilong Chen, Mao Ye, Xiaoting Pan, Miaomiao Li, Guoyan Zeng, Xi Zhang, Qingzhi He, Xinchen Gu, Jiaorong Qian, Yexin Lv and Jing Che
Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1336; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061336 - 20 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1275
Abstract
Grazing affects plant community characteristics and the relationship between above-ground biomass and diversity, which has become a hot topic in grassland ecosystem research in recent years. The present study investigated grassland vegetation in the Two Rivers pastoral area based on 60 sampling points [...] Read more.
Grazing affects plant community characteristics and the relationship between above-ground biomass and diversity, which has become a hot topic in grassland ecosystem research in recent years. The present study investigated grassland vegetation in the Two Rivers pastoral area based on 60 sampling points using sampling methods. The effects of grazing on the structural characteristics of plant communities were analysed using the α-diversity index, and the relationship between species diversity and the above-ground biomass of plant communities, as well as their changes, was explored. The results showed that grazing disturbance decreased the number of family species in the grassland plant communities and the similarity between communities; grazing activities significantly decreased the above-ground biomass of the grassland plant communities; the height and cover also showed a decreasing trend (p < 0.01), but the density of the grassland plant communities improved (p < 0.01). The Margalef index, the Shannon–Wiener index, and the Simpson index of the grassland plant communities all showed different degrees of decrease after grazing, while the Alatalo index showed an increase; biomass was positively correlated with the Margalef, Shannon–Wiener, and Alatalo indices and negatively correlated with the Simpson index (p < 0.01). Therefore, in the management and maintenance of grasslands, the impact of grazing on the structural characteristics of plant communities should be taken into account, and reasonable response policies should be implemented according to the actual local situation. This study provides a theoretical basis for grassland maintenance and management and the sustainable development of ecosystems in the pastoral areas of the two river sources of the Altay Mountains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Forage Production in Crop–Livestock Systems)
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14 pages, 294 KiB  
Article
Protein and Carbohydrate Fractionation to Evaluate Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) Accessions
by Martin Gierus, Heba Sabry Attia Salama, Marc Lösche, Antje Herrmann and Friedhelm Taube
Agronomy 2024, 14(1), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14010168 - 12 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1709
Abstract
Precise information about carbohydrates and proteins in relation to their utilization in the rumen is useful for the breeding purposes of perennial ryegrass cultivars used for animal nutrition. The objective of the current study was to evaluate 20 diploid perennial ryegrass accessions from [...] Read more.
Precise information about carbohydrates and proteins in relation to their utilization in the rumen is useful for the breeding purposes of perennial ryegrass cultivars used for animal nutrition. The objective of the current study was to evaluate 20 diploid perennial ryegrass accessions from the intermediary heading stage. The ruminal kinetics of different carbohydrate and protein fractions of grasses and legumes are important for forage breeding programs. The Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) was used to provide such information. Accession-based variation can be observed after considering dynamic degradation processes. Variation among the 20 accessions was observed. Ruminally digested (RDC) and undigested (UDC) carbohydrate and ruminally degraded (RDP) and undegraded (UDP) protein contents, total carbohydrate and total protein contents, and carbohydrate and protein fractions for the first cut and annual averages show significant differences. Although the variation was smaller for the protein fractions, the calculated usable protein content (uCP, sum of UDP and amount of synthesized microbial protein in the rumen) in the small intestine is mainly influenced by decreasing the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and increasing the sugar content among cultivars. Carbohydrate and protein fractionation is suitable for characterizing perennial grass accessions as it uses parameters relevant to ruminant nutrition, allowing a step forward in forage plant breeding for forage quality. To conclude, using parameters related to ruminal degradation kinetics should favor the selection of accessions with higher amounts of ruminally digested carbohydrates (RDC). The selection of accessions based on protein quality (proportion of UDP) is less favorable for achieving a higher usable protein content. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Forage Production in Crop–Livestock Systems)
14 pages, 456 KiB  
Article
Corn (Zea mays L.) Production in Living Mulch Systems Using White Clover (Trifolium repens L.) under Different Nitrogen Fertilization Rates
by Marcia Pereira Quinby, Renata La Guardia Nave, Virginia Sykes, Gary Bates, Carl Sams and Otávio Goulart de Almeida
Agronomy 2023, 13(9), 2377; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13092377 - 13 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1954
Abstract
The use of living mulch (LM) in corn (Zea mays L.) production must be evaluated under different N fertilization levels. The objective of this study was to determine the optimum amount of N fertilization in white clover (Trifolium repens L. (WC)) [...] Read more.
The use of living mulch (LM) in corn (Zea mays L.) production must be evaluated under different N fertilization levels. The objective of this study was to determine the optimum amount of N fertilization in white clover (Trifolium repens L. (WC)) LM in corn. The study was conducted in Spring Hill, TN, from 2020 to 2021. The treatments were [C-0] no LM + no N, [C-135] no LM + 135 kg/ha N, [CLM-0] LM + no N, [CLM-45] LM + 45 kg/ha N, [CLM-90] LM + 90 kg/ha N, and [CLM-135] LM + 135 kg/ha N. We evaluated the LM mass and corn production (silage and grain). In general, the LM mass was higher with CLM-45, CLM-90, and CLM-135 during both years. Corn silage production was higher in 2020 compared with 2021 (6.8 and 2.8 Ton/ha, respectively), and showed differences among treatments. The production of corn grain showed the same response pattern with a higher value in 2020 than in 2021 (1.8 and 0.1 Ton/ha, respectively). Thus, the use of LM did not increase corn silage or grain production, even receiving a high N rate as in conventional systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Forage Production in Crop–Livestock Systems)
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Review

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18 pages, 1594 KiB  
Review
Ruminant Grazing Lands in the Tropics: Silvopastoral Systems and Tithonia diversifolia as Tools with Potential to Promote Sustainability
by Ana Maria Krüger, Paulo de Mello Tavares Lima, Vagner Ovani, Simón Pérez-Marquéz, Helder Louvandini and Adibe Luiz Abdalla
Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1386; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14071386 - 27 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2604
Abstract
Food security, sustainability of food production, and greenhouse gas (GHG) production of ruminant livestock are topics that generate scrutiny and debates worldwide. In a scenario of increasing human population and concerns with climate change, it is necessary to increase animal-derived food in sustainable [...] Read more.
Food security, sustainability of food production, and greenhouse gas (GHG) production of ruminant livestock are topics that generate scrutiny and debates worldwide. In a scenario of increasing human population and concerns with climate change, it is necessary to increase animal-derived food in sustainable operations. Grazing systems are crucial for ruminant production worldwide, and in the tropics, well-managed grasslands can provide sustainable intensification of this activity. In these regions, production often relies on grass monoculture managed extensively, a practice that commonly has led to the occurrence of degraded soils, limited animal productivity, and increased intensity of GHG emissions. Silvopastoralism is a practice that promotes several ecosystem services, showing potential to maintain soil quality while reducing the environmental impacts of ruminant production. These systems also have the potential to improve animal productive performance and reduce GHG emissions. The review was guided by a search in the Web of Science database using population terms and refined by document type (Article) and language (English OR Portuguese) following PRISMA protocol. Infographics were created using the Bibliometrix package in R software (version 4.3.2), and a specific topic on Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray was explored to demonstrate the importance of this forage resource for tropical silvopastoral systems and its potential contribution to food security. The T. diversifolia shrub is widely distributed in Latin America and tropical regions and presents several characteristics that make it a good option for silvopastoral systems. Focusing on the tropics, our objectives were to present one literature review addressing the role of grazing ruminant production towards the current climate change and food security challenges. Additionally, we aimed to explore the state of knowledge on silvopastoral systems and the use of T. diversifolia, presenting their potential to cope with this scenario of increased concerns with the sustainability of human activities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Forage Production in Crop–Livestock Systems)
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