Question

give two reasons for planning fodder production? and also state two aspects the farmer has to consider when planning fodder production?​

Answer 1

Answer:

availability of fodder is one of the limiting factors in animal husbandry. Organic husbandry should be mainly based on the fodder produced on the farm itself. As is the case with humans, there is a direct link between the food and the health of the animals.

Diverse and balanced mixture of food is a pre-condition for good animal health.

Grazing and shed feeding both have their advantages as well as disadvantages.

Fodder cultivation can be integrated into the farm without too much competition with crop production.

Overgrazing is a major threat to soil fertility.

2. Food requirements of animals

If farm animals are to be productive (milk, eggs, meat etc.), it is important that they get suitable food in sufficient quantities. If the fodder production of one's farm is limited (which usually is the case), it might be economically valid to keep less animals but supply them with sufficient food. The appropriate quantity and the mix of feed items will of course depend on the type of animal, but also on its main use (e.g. chicken for meat or egg production, cattle for milk, meat or draft etc.). In milk production for example, cows producing milk should be given fresh grass and possibly other feed items of sufficient protein content. On the same diet, draught animals would rapidly become exhausted.