Summary
Farmers are faced with a complex set of options for allocating available feed resources to their livestock, particularly to multiple species livestock holdings maintained for a range of different functions. Decision making is often complicated by seasonal changes in the availability of feed resources and by trade-offs between different outputs and between immediate and future production (e.g. milk now or draught animals in good condition in 3 months time). Not only is it difficult to define the most efficient feeding strategies in these circumstances but it is also difficult to identify the priority nutrient and feed requirements and supplements to improve overall productivity.
|
|
| Primary Relevance |
Low - High |
| Feeding and Nutrition |
 |
| Animal Health |
|
| Commodities and Markets |
|
| Other Husbandry |
|
| Policy Relevance |
 |
|
| Experimentation is too time consuming and expensive for the planning of feeding strategies but the use of simulation models such as that developed by the project (FRAME) could provide a means of identifying the most appropriate options. FRAME shows considerable potential for simulating the dynamic nature of feed availability and allocation decisions and their effects on animal performance. The model has been developed and partially validated on data from field observations in Nepal . Further trials of the model are now required to assess its scope for practical application as an aid to diagnosis of feeding systems and feed requirements. Some shortcomings in the modelling approach have also been identified, in particular in relation to the simulation of nutrient partition between different maintenance and productive functions, and the longer term prediction of consequences of feed choices. A more sophisticated metabolism component may be required to be fully effective in this regard (this is not yet available in the literature).
|
