Modelling cattle grazing in napier grass strips over corn
1998
Macandog, D.B.M. | Predo, C.D. | Menz, K.M. | Calub, A.D. (SEAMEO Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, College, Laguna 4031 (Philippines))
Bioeconomic modelling was done using the SCUAF or Soil Changes Under Agroforestry. It is a model which can predict the rate of soil erosion, soil depth, and other aspects of soil fertility and their effects on crop productivity based on information of the initial soil characteristics, climate, and soil conservation technologies under consideration (Young and Muraya, 1990). Napier grass strips over corn at Claveria, Misamis Oriental [Philippines] were considered to assess three alternative uses either as (1) mulch, (2) animal fodder sold off-farm or (3) fodder fed to cattle on-farm and applying back the manure in the corn hedgerow system. Farmers were interviewed to obtain costs and returns associated with corn and cattle production. SCUAF predictions showed corn yields declining continually over the 25 years period of analysis from an annual yield of 2.91 t/ha in all three systems using grass cuttings as mulch or fodder for cattle, with manure applied back to the systems resulted in smaller decline in corn yield compared to that in which napier is cut and sold as fodder. The highest annual net returns are realized from the system where napier grass is fed to animal(s) on-farm, especially when manure is returned to the field. Selling napier gives higher net economic returns than applying it as mulch up to year 10. From years 10 to 15, annual net returns are similar for the two systems. Beyond 15 years, the beneficial effects of mulching on corn yield outweighted the value of selling napier
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