L.R. Humphreys - Tropical Pasture Utilization (leguminous trees)

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I just found a couple books on Amazon.com about tropical pasture management.

We're especially interested in growing leguminous trees for shade and forage

for the cows.

 

Here are the books:

 

L.R. Humphreys - Tropical Pasture Utilization $33.00

Paperback: 220 pages

Publisher: Cambridge University Press; New Ed edition (April 16, 2005)

Language: English

ISBN: 0521673410

 

Book Description

This book examines the problems involved in the utilization of tropical and

subtropical pastures and explains how they can be managed to meet the

requirements for growth and replacement of both plants and animals. Following

an overview of the livestock systems of the tropics, the effects of grazing

animals on the soil, biotic, and climatic environment of the pasture are

described. The response of the animals to the available pasture are discussed

in terms of pasture attributes of nutritive value and turf structure,

selectivity, and grazing behavior. Methods for attaining continuity of forage

supply are also described. A central objective of this work is to achieve a

synchrony between pastures available and the forage requirement of the animal.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

{{not sure what this means - it's a 2005 book -- hkdd}}

 

Book Description

Recent research suggests that the application of the old concepts of pasture

management developed in Europe, USA and South Africa have been unsuccessful in

the Tropics; in some areas under-utilisation has resulted in poor animal output

and low economic returns, whereas in other areas overgrazing has resulted in

soil erosion and weeds. This book sets out to examine the problems involved in

the utilisation of tropical and subtropical pastures and to explain how

pastures may be managed to meet the requirements of both plants and animals for

growth and replacement. Following an overview of the livestock systems of the

tropics, the effects of grazing animals on the edaphic, biotic and climatic

environment of the pasture are described. The response of the animals to the

available pasture are discussed in terms of pasture attributes of nutritive

value and sward structure, selectivity and grazing behaviour. Methods for

attaining continuity of forage supply are also described. The aut hor,

Professor L. R. Humphreys, has been involved for many years in extensive

research of tropical and subtropical pastures. A central objective of his work

has been to effect a synchrony between pasture available and the forage

requirements of the animal. This book is a culmination of much of his research

and will be invaluable to all disciplines with an interest in tropical and

subtropical agricultural practices.

 

L.R. Humphreys - Tropical Forages: Their Role in Sustainable Agriculture

(Tropical Agriculture) $134.99

Hardcover: 400 pages

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing Professional (May 1, 1995)

Language: English

ISBN: 0582078687

 

The publisher, John Wiley & Sons

Shows how forages can sustain tropical cropping systems and be used to combat

the deteriorating soils and declining crop yields that are associated with

monocropping. Demonstrates the advantages of mixed farming with crops and

animals. Shows how to manage different cropping systems and explains the

science on which such systems are based. Incorporates the latest research and

illustrates principles through case studies. Also includes a comprehensive list

of over 800 references. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable

edition of this title.

 

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These two books by L.R. Humphreys also remind me of a note that Dick Roosenberg

(the Director of Tillers International) posted on the Draft Animal Network

conference in response to a question I had:

 

******************

 

I just returned from a trip to a school called EARTH University in Costa Rica

that specializes in agriculture for the humid tropics. I saw a delightfully

successful

pasturing experiment.

 

They call it silva-pasturing. They are planting a nitrogen fixing tree each 4

meters in each direction to provide nitrogen and cooling shade for a dense

stand of grass. It is working very well in their rotational grazing plan.

They have experimented with several varieties. The scientific name of the tree

they like is Erythrina fusca and common name in Spanish is poro.

 

They prune each tree every two to three years cutting the trunk off at about 3

meters, and removing branched below 2 meters. They prune alternating rows each

year. The air temp is about 5 degree Celsius cooler than in their open

pastures. So the cattle, especially the cross-breeds, eat further into the

heat of the day.

 

 

*****************

 

So I was just wondering if anyone on the Cow conference is familiar with the

Humphreys books, or has any additional comments on good pasture management

techniques for the tropics. We know that Krsna and Balarama practiced

rotational grazing. I wonder if anyone can maintain such a practice in the

modern tropical situation.

 

 

Also, here's a favorite quote that describes how one of the greatest devotees

made extra effort to find tasty forage crops for her cows:

 

 

******************

 

It is to be understood that among all the cows of Nanda Maharaja, several of

Mother Yasoda's cows ate only grasses so flavorful that the grasses would

automatically flavor the milk. Mother Yasoda wanted to collect the milk from

these cows, make it into yogurt and churn it into butter personally, since she

thought that this child Krsna was going to the houses of neighborhood gopas and

gopis to steal butter because He did not like the milk and yogurt ordinarily

prepared.

 

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 10.9.1, SB 10.9.2, SB 10.9.1-2

 

 

*************

 

 

your servant,

 

 

Hare Krsna dasi

 

 

your servant,

 

 

Hare Krsna dasi