Pastures and Forage Conservation

Base Knowledge

Biology I and II

Plant Physiology

Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition

Animal Anatomy and Physiology

Teaching Methodologies

– Expository methodology for the presentation of theoretical concepts

– Permanent monitoring of practical cases that illustrate the subjects presented and allow students to perceive the effective application of the concepts outlined

– Analysis of scientific and dissemination articles, viewing of videos/slideshows, consultation, case studies and research of elements and comparative data

– Contact with the areas of pastures and forage crops of the ESAC agricultural holding and other holdings allows for the consolidation of the programmatic contents exposed

Learning Results

1. Relate the specific definitions related to pastures and forages with their relevance in the feeding of herbivorous animals and in the rotation of crops in organic production;

2. Know the general characteristics of the main pratense and forage species and the elementary procedures for their installation.

3. Relate the physiology of pratense species with the management to be adopted in pastures;

4. Adapt the principles involved in the forage transformation processes to the elaboration of specific work programs.

Program

MODULE I – PASTURE AND FORAGE IN ORGANIC PRODUCTION

1 – Designations relating to different types of pasture and forage

2 – Production and quality of pratense and forage crops

3 – Advantages of pastures and forages in organic production and in crop rotations

4 – Physiological adaptation of species to the Mediterranean climate

5 – Characteristics of the main pratense and forage species

6 – Implementation of pastures and grazing systems

7 – Various actions in pasture management

MODULE II – FORAGE CONSERVATION

1 – Processes: haymaking, silage, hay-silage and dehydration

2 – Drying mechanisms: loss of water after cutting

3 – Action of silage microorganisms and forage characteristics

4 – Conduction of conservation processes

5 – Operational chains for conservation programs

6 – Losses in the conservation process and quality of the final product.

Curricular Unit Teachers

Internship(s)

NAO

Bibliography

CAÑEQUE, M.; SANCHA, S. – Ensilado de forrajes y su empleo en la alimentation de rumiantes. Ed. Mundi-Prensa, Madrid, 1998

CARVALHO, M. – O papel da pastagem na recuperação do solo no montado. Pastagens e forragens, vol. 35/38, 2018

CRESPO, D. – Sistemas Forrageiros Extensivos, Ciclo de Seminários, INIA- EAN-DEEESA, 2003

CRESPO, D. – Biodiversidade e produtividade nas pastagens e forragens mediterrânicas. Estratégias e limitações. Pastagens e Forragens, vol. 29/30, 2008/2009.

CUNHA, M. J.; CASAU, F.; AMARO, R.; OLIVEIRA, A. – Tecnologias Limpas em Agro-Pecuária. SPI, Porto, 2005

MOREIRA, N. – Agronomia das pastagens e forragens. Vila Real, 2002

MUSLERA, P.; RATERA, G. – Praderas y forrajes: producción y aprovechamiento. 2ª ed. Madrid, 1991

SERRANO, E. – Pastagens do Alentejo. Univ. de Évora – ICAM, 2006

SOLTNER, D. – Les grandes productions végétales: Phytotechnie spéciale. 15e édition. Angers, 1987

TAVARES, R. – Pastagens de altitude – Caracterização de uma exploração na região da Guarda. Dissertação para a obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Agronómica, Ramo Agro-pecuária. Universidade de Lisboa, 2014.

TRINDADE, H. – Identificação de espécies pratenses e forrageiras. Vila Real, 1992

VIGNAU-LOUSTAU, L.; HUYGHE, C. – Stratégies fourragères – pâturage – ensilage – foin. Ed. France Agricole, 2008. ISBN 13 198-2-85557-153-9.