FORAGE SYSTEMS AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

General Module

Course Sheet

Academic Year of enrolment:

2020/2021

Type of Course:

Characterising

Optional/Mandatory:

Compulsory

Degree:

Master's Degree Programme in FOREST AND ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS

Disciplinary Sector:

Agronomy and Herbaceous Cultivation

Is part of:

FORAGE AND LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

SEDDAIU Giovanna

Obligatory attendance:

Yes

Minimum hours of attendance:

Hours of classroom activity:

Prerequisites:

Agronomy

AF code:

A001691

Teaching period

Second semester

Objectives

The objective of the course is to provide students with in-depth knowledge on the main forage crops with particular reference to the agro-silvopastoral systems. Other objective is to facilitate learning of the tools for the analysis and the implementation of cropping systems for livestock farming under Mediterranean conditions. To acquire skills for the interpretation of complex situations related to the agronomic elements of the livestock farming systems, in order to identify and select among diverse management strategies and options.

Contents

1. INTRODUCTION. Typologies and classification of forage crops. Utilization modalities. Forage systems and forage chains.
2. ANNUAL FORAGE CROPS. Role in the forage systems. Classification. The forage cereals: oats, barley, triticale, maize. Legumes: vetch, annual clovers, Italian ryegrass.
3. PASTURE. Definitions and classification. The pasture improvement techniques. Sowing pasture species. The Mediterranean pasture species.
4. MOWN AND MOWN and GRAZED GRASSLANDS. Definitions and classification. Role in the forage systems. Establishment and management. The perennial grasses: Dactylis, Festuca. Perennial legumes: Alfalfa, white clover, red clover, sulla.
5. Elements of forage systems planning. Methodologies to quantify the stocking rate. Analysis of the vegetation and of the grassland productivity. Pastoral value.
6. Agro-silvopastoral systems.

Recommended Bibliography

R.BALDONI-L.GIARDINI. Coltivazioni erbacee-Foraggere e tappeti erbosi. Patron Editore Bologna 2002
F.BONCIARELLI-U.BONCIARELLI. Coltivazioni erbacee. Calderini Edagricole-Bologna 2001.
Pearson CJ Ison RL. Agronomy of grassland systems. Cambridge Univ. Press.
Specific teaching material will be provided to the students throughout the course.

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FORAGE SYSTEMS AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT