<div><strong>Background:</strong> Indian farmers are facing shortage of green and dry fodders to feed their livestock during dry period (lean period) which possess a major hurdle in improving livestock productivity. This study delineates, pelleting of green, dry fodders and concentraes in order to meet out the fodder requirement during winter/lean period, which will in turn consequently improve livestock productivity.<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> The experiments were conducted at Forage Pelleting Unit, Department of Forage Crops in Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu from December 2020 to June 2022 to identify the best suitable fodder crops for pellets production. Three laboratory experiments laid out in completely randomized block design (CRD) were conducted with three replication. Each experiment of pelletisation had different treatments, viz., experiment I with 13 different categories of green fodder, experiment II with 11 different types of dry fodders and experiment III with 9 types of concentrates.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> The observation of physical characteristics (colour and odour) and sensory characteristics (mould) were noted at regular intervals from date of pelleting, 60 days after pelleting, 120 days after pelleting and 180 days after pelleting. The mechanical characteristics such as pellet durability index (PDI) was recorded by using a tumbling can apparatus. The PDI was remained steady over the period of time. In case of pellets made from certain fodder sources, the colour was not the same and odour was not favourable when the pellets were kept for longer duration (beyond 120 DAP). Except for the agathi pellets, cumbu stover pellets and sorghum grain pellets, all other feed pellets were mold-free.</div>


<p>Effect of Storage Period on Physical, Sensory and Mechanical Characteristics of Green Fodders Pellets, Dry Fodders Pellets and Concentrates Pellets</p>


<div><strong>Background: </strong>Farmers are facing the challenges to providing adequate availability of feed and fodders to livestock during dry period (lean period) which poses a major threat in livestock productivity. This study delineates, pelleting of feed and fodder helps to meet out the fodder requirement during lean period consequently improving the livestock productivity.<br />
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<strong>Methods: </strong>The experiment was conducted at Forage Pelleting Unit, Department of Forage Crops in Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu from March 2020 to June 2022 to identify the best suitable dry fodder crops for quality pellets production. The laboratory experiment was conducted and laid out in completely randomized block design with 11 treatments and three replications. The treatment consists of D<sub>1</sub>: Rice straw, D<sub>2</sub>: Maize stover, D<sub>3</sub>: Maize husk, D<sub>4</sub>: Sorghum straw, D<sub>5</sub>: Ragi straw, D<sub>6</sub>: Pearl millet stover, D<sub>7</sub>: Wheat straw, D<sub>8</sub>: Groundnut haulms, D<sub>9</sub>: Groundnut shells, D<sub>10</sub>: Sugarcane tops, D<sub>11</sub>: Blackgram husk were selected and produced into individual dry fodders pellets. Then, the selected dry fodders were harvested with the help of fodder harvester cum chaffer. The chaffed material was then dried using a solar drier at 70&deg;C for one day to attaining the ideal moisture of 12%. Then, dried materials were grinded by fodder pulverizer and then grinding material was conveyed through conditioning with passing the steam at 60 to 70&deg;C. Then, the conditioning material was passes through a pelletizer with 6 mm die diameter.<br />
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<strong>Result: </strong>The observation on macro minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium) and micro minerals (cobalt, zinc, manganese) were analyzed by using an Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Emission Spectroscopy. The unpelleted and pelleted dry fodders showed a significant variation in the major and minor nutrients. In this regards, the calcium content recorded higher in groundnut haulms (D<sub>8</sub>) with 1.027 per cent and whereas ragi straw (D<sub>5</sub>) were recorded higher magnesium and potassium contents with 0.433 per cent and 2.178 per cent respectively. The minor nutrients like cobalt, manganese and zinc contents varied significantly due to pelleting process. From this study, rice straw (D<sub>1</sub>) recorded higher cobalt content with 0.378 per cent and whereas, ragi straw (D<sub>5</sub>) recorded higher zinc content (16.45 per cent) and while, manganese contents were registered higher in pearl millet straw (D<sub>6</sub>) with 54.88 per cent.</div>


<p>The Nutrient Dynamics of Major and Minor Nutrients on Pelleted and Unpelleted Dry Fodders</p>


<p>Ensuring year-round provision of green fodder for a single adult cattle unit poses a significant challenge, especially in regions with distinct seasons. However, with careful planning and the use of a variety of forage crops including legumes, grains and perennial grasses, it is possible to maintain a consistent supply of green fodder. Factors such as cattle type, weight, activity levels and the nutritional quality of the fodder all influence the amount of green fodder required by adult cattle. Adequate green fodder intake is crucial for meeting their nutritional needs and maintaining optimal health and productivity. This underscores the importance of exploring sustainable strategies for year-round green fodder provision highlighting the vital role of forage crop diversity in meeting the dietary needs of adult cattle. The research experiment took place at the Research Farm of the Division of Agronomy, SKUAST- Jammu spanning two consecutive years from 2020-2021 to 2021-2022. The experimental layout consisted of eight treatments arranged in three staggered configurations during both kharif and rabi seasons alongside perennial fodders planted along the borders. The design employed a randomized block design (RBD) and was replicated three times. Significantly higher system productivity was recorded with Multicut Bajra + Cowpea - Berseem + Oats with Root slips of Napier planted in July. Multicut Sorghum + Cowpea - Lucerne + Oat with stem cuttings of Setaria planted in January recorded maximum land requirement for 1 ACU and 10 ACU&rsquo;s whereas minimum land requirement for 1 ACU and 10 ACU&rsquo;s was observed in Multicut Bajra + Maize - Berseem + Barley with root slips of Napier planted in July.</p>


<p>Adult Cattle Unit based Fodder Model for Supplementing Round the Year Green Fodder in Irrigated Subtropics of Jammu and Kashmir: A Review</p>


<div style="text-align: justify;">Field experiments were carried out at Mountain Livestock Research Institute (MLRI), Manasbal, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Kashmir, India to study the direct and residual effect of different rates of organic and chemical sources of nutrients on fodder sorghum-fodder oat cropping sequence during Kharif 2008, 2009 and rabi 2008-09, 2009-10. Application of FYM @ 25tonnes recorded &nbsp;higher green fodder yield of sorghum than rest of treatments. The physical optimum dose of direct+residual effect of FYM on fodder sorghum-fodder oat sequence was 25.49 t ha-1 and economic optimum dose 12.63 t ha-1. Applying 120, 80 and 30 (N, P2O5, K2O kg ha-1) &nbsp;was found superior in green fodder yield than rest of treatments. However, physical optimum dose due to direct +residual effect of N, P2O5 and K2O on fodder sorghum-fodder oat was 134.19 , 67.07 &nbsp;and 33.54 kg ha-1 &nbsp;and mean total economic optimum dose was found to be 128.0, 64.19 and 32.62 NPK kg ha-1 &nbsp;respectively.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Direct and residual effect of organic and chemical sources of nutrients on fodder sorghum-fodder oat cropping sequence</div>

<div><strong>Background</strong>: The study reported in this research is to assess the methane reduction potential of hydroponic fodders and its novel combination with anionic salts on the serum calcium level in transition cows, the period cows are prone to metabolic disorders.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> A growth trial of hydroponic fodders to assess the biomass yield and an in vitro gas production study was conducted to assess the methane production on inclusion of different hydroponic fodders with that of conventionally cultivated fodders along with paddy straw and concentrate feed. A feeding trial was also conducted in 16 transition cows (farm and field conditions) to assess the serum calcium level through feeding anionic salts viz., calcium sulphide and magnesium chloride along with hydroponic fodder bajra.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> Significantly (P&lt;0.05) lowest methane production was observed in paddy straw, hydroponic fodder bajra, concentrate feed group compared to other treatment groups. Anionic salts supplementation for three weeks prior to calving resulted in significant (P&lt;0.05) increase in the serum calcium levels. In post supplementation, average increase in serum calcium level is 0.93 mg/dl, an increase by 10.80 per cent. Further, feeding cost of anionic salts (Calcium sulphide and magnesium chloride) for three weeks (21 days) is only INR 55.65/-.&nbsp;</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</div>


<p>Methane Reduction Potential of Hydroponic Fodders and Combination of Hydroponic Fodder Bajra with Anionic Salts in Increasing Serum Calcium Level of Transition Cows</p>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> Cowpea (<em>Vigna unguiculata</em>) is one of the most important legume crops cultivated throughout the world. Cowpea is used as food, feed, forage, fodder, green manuring and vegetable. It&rsquo;s seed is a nutritious component in the human diet, as well as for livestock. Seed hardening and pelleting are seed enhancement&nbsp;techniques used to improve seed&nbsp;germination&nbsp;and seedling vigour and growth by altering the physiological&nbsp;state of the seed. This alteration may improve the vigor or the physiology of the seed by enhancing uniformity of germination. Seed enhancement techniques like hardening and priming include use of chemicals that trigger systemic acquired resistance or improve stress tolerance whereas the pelleting treatments improve seed handling and planting. They also enhance nutrient availability or provide inoculates by delivering materials needed during sowing, germination and seedling establishment. Hence in order to study the combined effect of seed hardening and pelleting on growth, yield and resultant seed quality of cowpea under natural saline conditions, the present study was taken up.<br />
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<strong>Methods: </strong>The present field and laboratory investigations were carried out to study the effect of seed hardening, seed pelleting and their combined effect on growth, physiology, yield and resultant seed quality of cowpea under natural saline conditions. The fresh seeds of cowpea seeds cv. CO (CP) 7 were hardened with KCl @ 1%, CaCl2 @ 1% and both KCl and CaCl2 @ 1% and then the hardened seeds were further pelleted with pungam leaf powder @ 100, 150 and 200 g kg-1 of seed. Then the treated seeds were evaluated for their seed productivity and resultant seed qualities using untreated seeds as control. Observations on growth, leaf chlorophyll content, gas exchange parameters, yield and resultant seed quality parameters were recorded.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> The experimental results revealed that among the treatments, seeds hardened with KCl @ 1 % + CaCl2 @ 1 % and pelleted with pungam leaf powder @ 200 g per kg recorded higher growth, yield parameters, leaf chlorophyll content, gas exchange parameters and resultant seed quality when compared to control and other treatments.</div>


<div>Effect of Seed Hardening and Pelleting on Growth, Yield, Physiology and Resultant Seed Quality of Cowpea under Natural Saline Conditions</div>


<div><strong>Background: </strong>The huge decline in grazing resources and many fold increase in stocking rate has made goat farming unsustainable and uneconomic under extensive system, therefore, it has become essential to explore and develop alternative and strategic goat production system. The present study was undertaken to compare the performance of male barbari goats fed with and without green fodder under stallfed system to develop a goat farming model for peri urban/ rainfed region where availability of green fodder is exclusive and costly.<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> Twelve Barbari male kids of average body weight 13.49&plusmn;0.54 kg at 4 months of age were randomly divided into two equal groups (Gr 1 and Gr 2) of 6 animals each. The animals of Gr 1 was fed with concentrate pellet (16% crude protein), green and dry fodder while kids in Gr 2 were fed with concentrate pellet, dry fodder and no green fodder for a period of 150 days (up to 9 month of their age). Growth parameters, carcass parameters and cost benefit analysis were carried out.<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> Average slaughter weight, daily weight gain (g), empty body weight, carcass weight and dressing % was 26.31&plusmn;1.99 kg, 85.53&plusmn;8.17 g, 22.09 kg, 13.18 kg and 49.13% in group-I and 25.8&plusmn;1.16 kg, 82.0&plusmn;4.13 g, 21.91 kg, 12.91 kg and 48.88% respectively in group-II. Differences between kids of both the groups for above growth and carcass parameters were non-significant. Net profit per kid fed with green and without green fodder when sold at Rs. 250/kg live weight was Rs. 2381.17 and Rs. 2347.72 respectively and Rs 3696.67 in Gr 1 and Rs 3637.72 in Gr 2 if sold @ Rs. 300/kg live weight. Present study concluded that the Barbari growing kids could be profitably raised for mutton production exclusively on concentrate and dry fodder without deteriorating slaughter weight and carcass quality. This model of goat farming is technically and economically viable for commercial goat farming and also benefits resource poor traditional goat farmers in big way by making goat based self-help groups.</div>


<div>Growth, Carcass and Economic Evaluation of Barbari Kids Reared with and Without Green Fodder under Stall-feeding in Semi-arid Region of India</div>


<p>An experiment consisting of four phosphorus levels (0, 40, 60 and 80 kg/ha P2O5) and five zinc levels (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 kg/ha ZnSO4) was laid out in &nbsp;randomized block design in factorial mode to find out the effect on yield and quality of fodder cowpea [Vigna Unguiculata (L.)Walp.]. Growth parameters viz. plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, leaf length, leaf width and leaf stem ratio were improved with the application of &nbsp;60 kg/ha P2O5 and 20 kg/ha ZnSO4. Application of 60 kg/ha phosphorus recorded 27.64 t/ha yield, which was 7.50 and 55.6 % higher than 40 kg/ha and no phosphorus application, respectively. Application of zinc in the form of ZnSO4 @ 20 kg/ha increased significantly the green fodder yield (25.89 t/ha). Interaction effect of phosphorus and zinc application was found significant with respect to green fodder, dry matter yield and nutrient uptake. Yield, phosphorus and zinc uptake in cowpea fodder were showing declining trend at combination of application rate more than 60 kg/ha P2O5 and 20 kg/ha ZnSO4.</p>


<p>Effect of phosphorus and zinc nutrition on growth and yield of fodder cowpea</p>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> In India, agriculture and animal husbandry are inextricably linked and are essential for livelihood security. Despite the fact that India has the world&rsquo;s largest livestock population, feed and fodder supply is under huge strain, especially as area accessible for fodder cultivation has been shrinking. During the months of March-May and November-February are known as lean periods of fodder production, the supply of green fodder is limited throughout the year in a rainfed condition. Fodder crops develop swiftly and cover the ground surface quickly, even in low-rainfall conditions, producing a significant amount of green fodder while also providing vegetative cover over the land, resulting in resource conserving&nbsp; as well as increased productivity. In this context, the current study was conducted to evaluate various fodder crops, assess their productivity and quality and make appropriate recommendations for semi-arid tropics of India.<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> Field experiments were carried out for three years from 2015-16 to 2017-18 at the Agricultural Research Station, Ananthapuramu andhra Pradesh, India, which is located between 14&deg;41&#39;N Latitude and 77&deg;40&#39;E Longitude and an altitude of 350 m. above mean sea level, which falls under the Semi-Arid Tropics. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with nine treatments (fodder crops) and three replications. The treatments comprised of different fodder crops <em>viz</em>., fodder sorghum, fodder maize, fodder bajra, clusterbean, fodder cowpea, field bean, brown top millet, horse gram and sunhemp.<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> The current study concludes that fodder bajra, fodder sorghum and fodder maize are potential forage cereals because they can produce more quantity and quality fodder while also ensuring net monetary returns and fodder cowpea and sunhemp are the next best suitable forage legumes under late-sown conditions in the semi-arid tropics of India.</div>


<p>Productivity and Quality of Fodder Crops under Late-sown Conditions in Semi-arid Tropics of India</p>


<div style="text-align: justify;">Voluntary intake and plane of nutrition of adult sheep fed six varieties of hydroponic fodder i.e. Sorghum Sudan Grass, cowpea, horse gram, maize, jowar and barley as a sole feed was evaluated using four Nellore Jodipi rams. &nbsp;The average yield of fodder &nbsp;after 7 days of sprouting &nbsp;from 1 kg of seed was higher (P&lt;0.01) from maize and barley &nbsp;than from jowar seeds and it was 7.17, 8.07, 7.10, 9.13, 5.38 and 8.22 respectively from Sorghum Sudan Grass, cowpea, horse gram, maize, jowar and barley. &nbsp; The DM was 10.2 to 12.5 % among the fodder varieties with the CP and CF content ranging from 13.7 to 41.0% and 16 to 24%, respectively. The NFE was lower in cowpea and horse gram fodder and it was higher, 61.94% in maize fodder. Sorghum Sudan Grass fodder contained lower lignin of 3.03% while it was higher in cowpea, 10.94%. The &nbsp;DMI (% body weight) was 0.34, 1.11, 0.70,1.31,0.41 and 1.06 from &nbsp;barley, maize, cowpea, horse gram, jowar and Sorghum Sudan Grass, respectively and was lower than the recommended 2.6 to 2.8 % of body weight for maintenance of adult sheep. The DCP was 9.98, 34.49, 23.9, 9.34, 17.91 and 12.73 while the TDN was 45.83, 75.79, 68.08, 77.57, 64.07 and 77.63 % in Sorghum Sudan Grass, cowpea, horse gram, maize, jowar and barley fodder, respectively. The nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balance of sheep was negative in all varieties. &nbsp;It was concluded that economic fodder production was possible with maize and hydroponic fodder as a sole feed did not meet maintenance requirements.&nbsp;</div>