Agroforestry for sustainable goat farming: shade, shelter, fodder, and environmental benefits of trees.
Agroforestry for sustainable goat farming: shade, shelter, fodder, and environmental benefits of trees. Conference Paper
17th Australian Rangeland Society Biennial Conference
- Author(s): Marwan El Hassan, John Field
- Published: 2012
- Publisher: Australian Rangeland Society
Abstract: The establishment of trees on farms provides shade and shelter for grazing livestock. Many trees and shrubs are also important feed sources, especially during periods of pasture scarcity. In addition, agroforestry provides many environmental benefits to farm ecosystems. All these factors suggest a vital role for trees in sustainable farming systems, especially in the context of climate change. This research focusses on the benefits of agroforestry to goat farming in Australia, a particularly important and growing industry given the increasing global demand for goat meat and Australia’s lead role in world exports. There is significant potential for goats in silvopastoral systems, given their hardiness, adaptability, and tendency to browse on plant material that is not usually consumed by other stock. This project includes two major experiments: one investigates the effect of shelter provision on the growth and performance of newborn nursing kids (0-3 months old); and the second investigates the effects of shade provision, supplementation with fodder from acacias and willows, and potential interactions between these two factors on the productivity and performance of weaned kids (3-6 months old). Productivity parameters, such as live weight changes, control of internal parasites, and feed intake, will be used in the analysis. This study will lead to a better understanding of the roles that trees and shrubs play in sustainable goat farming, and will also result in well-tested recommendations to the goat industry, to optimally establish and design goat farms by incorporating trees and shrubs in the landscape.
- Urls: https://www.austrangesoc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Poster-4-3-Marwan-El-Hassanx.pdf , https://www.austrangesoc.com.au/biennial-conference/17th-biennial-conference-papers-2012/
- Publisher Location: Kununurra, Western Australia,