APL 804

APL 804
Ruminant Livestock Production Systems and
Environmental Sustainability (2 Units)

1. Land and livestock resources
2. Characteristics of ruminant production systems
3. Classification of ruminant production systems
• Traditional ruminant production systems
1. Pastoral and agro-pastoral systems
2. Mixed system in the semi-arid, sub-humid and humid zones

• Non-traditional production systems
1. Ranching systems
2. Smallholder beef and dairy systems
3. Production parameters of ruminant in non-traditional Systems – Beef and Dairy systems
4. Feed resources in ruminant production systems
• Ruminant production and climate change future impacts of climate change on the ruminant livestock industry
• Greenhouse gas emissions and their role in ruminant production systems Key features of livestock farming that relate to greenhouse gas emissions Dairy, Beef, Goats and Sheep sectors
• Research measures to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions and the potential for further adoption by the industry Measures for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, removals and measures that avoid or displace greenhouse gas emissions Carbon sensitive farming
• Organic ruminant production and climate change Management related differences in greenhouse gas emissions and differences in relation to farming system, such as organic versus conventional farming
• Definitions of farming systems. Roles of legumes in crop- livestock systems. Integration of pastures in plantation and annual crops intensive feed garden fodder bank. Enhancing dry season feeding in farming systems. Fast growing nitrogen fixing trees and browse plants. Pastures and animal production systems.