ANU 302: Fodder Production and Pasture Management
Credit Hours: 3 (2+1)
Full Marks: 75 (Theory: 50, Practical: 25)
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand fodder production and cultivation practices for major fodder and pasture species.
- Identify and manage common annual and perennial grasses, legumes, and pasture species.
- Apply knowledge of pasture establishment, nutrition of grazing animals, and fodder preservation techniques.
I. Syllabus Overview
- Terminology related to fodder and pastures.
- Climate, soil, and edaphic factors affecting fodder production.
- Factors affecting chemical composition and nutritive value of fodder.
- Growth, development, morphology, and yield of fodder plants.
- Cultivation practices for annual and perennial fodder grasses and legumes.
- Common pasture species and their management.
- Nutrition of grazing animals.
- Preservation and conservation of fodder (hay and silage).
II. Course Outline
A. Theory (30 Lectures)
| S.N. | Topic | No. of Lectures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction; feeds and feeding situation in Nepal | 1 |
| 1.2 | Common terminology of fodder and pasture | 1 |
| 2.1 | Edaphic factors affecting pasture and fodder crops: Climate | 1 |
| 2.2 | Edaphic factors: Soil types | 1 |
| 2.2.1 | Factors associated with fodder production: Chemical composition & nutritive value | 2 |
| 2.2.2 | Species and varietal differences | 2 |
| 3.1 | Fodder plant growth, development and yield | 1 |
| 3.2 | Morphology of forage grasses (vegetative and reproductive growth) | 1 |
| 4 | Cultivation practices of common annual and perennial fodder grasses | 7 |
| 5 | Cultivation practices of common annual and perennial fodder legumes | 4 |
| 6 | Cultivation, establishment and yield of common pasture species | 5 |
| 7.1 | Pasture establishment; seed quality, sowing, soil environment | 1 |
| 7.2 | Cultivated seed beds and management; Nutrition of grazing animals | 1 |
| 8.1 | Preservation and conservation of fodder: Hay making | 1 |
| 8.2 | Preservation and conservation of fodder: Silage making | 1 |
| Total | 30 |
B. Practical (15 Sessions)
| S.N. | Practical Activities | No. of Practicals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Common features used in identifying vegetative grasses | 1 |
| 2 | Identification of seasonal fodders (grasses and legumes) | 1 |
| 3 | Identification of common pasture grasses | 2 |
| 4 | Identification of common fodder trees | 1 |
| 5 | Preparation of herbarium sheet | 1 |
| 6 | Cultivation of seasonal fodder (winter and summer seasons) | 2 |
| 7 | Forage/fodder sampling | 2 |
| 8 | Proximate analysis of fodder | 3 |
| 9 | Determination of green and dry matter yield | 1 |
| 10 | Estimating botanical composition of the pasture mass | 1 |
| Total | 15 |
References
- Banarjee, G.C. (1986). A Text Book of Animal Nutrition, Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd.
- Bayer, W. & A.W. Bayer (1998). Tropical Agriculture: Forage Husbandry, ICAR, MacMillan.
- Devkota, N.R. (2005). A Practical Manual on Basics of Pasture Research and Study, Kathmandu, Nepal.
- Pandey, R.S. (1997). Fodder and Pasture Development in Nepal, Udaya R.D. Service, Kathmandu.
- Pandey, K.K. (1982). Fodder Tree and Tree Fodder in Nepal, Swiss Federal Institute of Forestry Research.
- Pathak, N.N. & R.C. Jakhmila (1983). Forage and Livestock Production, Bikash Publishing House, New Delhi.
