Decision support software has evolved in a number of disciplines to facilitate efficient allocation of resources. Such tools are especially useful where the response of complex systems to human activity are diicult to predict. Decision support systems empower managers to rapidly analyze the ecological and economic implications of alternative management strategies. The Grazingland Alternative An...

Bolinder, M. A., Angers, D. A., Bélanger, G., Michaud, R. et Laverdière, M. R. 2002. Root biomass and shoot to root ratios of perennial forage crops in eastern Canada. Can. J. Plant Sci. 82: 731–737. Shoot to root ratios (S:R) at peak standing crop are commonly used to estimate the annual crop residue C inputs to the soil from the root biomass left in the soil at harvest. However, root biomass ...

The two factors of drought conditions and export markets are focusing recent attention on nitrates and prussic acid in forages. During normal years, nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) taken up by crops is quickly converted into protein. When forages grow under drought stress, however, they tend to accumulate nitrate. Alternative forages such as sorghums and sudans tend to accumulate even higher levels, w...

A virulent Pseudomonas viridiflava-related bacterium has been identified as a new pathogen of soybean, one of the most important crops worldwide. The bacterium was recovered from forage soybean leaves with dark-reddish spots, and damage on petioles and pods was also observed. In contrast, common bean was not affected.

Field dry hay needs to be reduced from near 80% moisture to 20% or less to prevent spoilage during storage. Drying hay to safe baling moistures often takes several days. Sources of loss during forage harvest include mechanical losses such as mowing, conditioning, chopping, raking, packaging and handling as well as respiration and leaching. The general relationship between forage moisture concen...

Europe's agriculture is highly specialized, dependent on external inputs and responsible for negative environmental impacts. Legume crops are grown on less than 2% of the arable land and more than 70% of the demand for protein feed supplement is imported from overseas. The integration of legumes into cropping systems has the potential to contribute to the transition to a more resource-efficient...

California's dairies are the largest confined animal industry in the state. A major portion of these dairies, which have an average herd size of nearly 1000 animal units, are located in low-relief valleys and basins. Large amounts of liquid manure are generated and stored in these dairies. In the semi-arid climate, liquid manure is frequently applied via flood or furrow irrigation to forage cro...