UNIVERSITY OF SARGODHA

DEPARTMENT OF AGRONOMY, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE

COURSE OUTLINE                                                                                         SPRING 2020

Course Title: Forage and fodder production                   Course Code: AGRO-6912                                    Credit Hours: 3(2-1)

Instructor: Dr. Muhammad Asif       

Email: [email protected]

This course consists of different aspects of forage and fodder production and provides the students theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to production of different fodder crops and identify their characteristics. This consist of sowing methods, fertilizer application methods, weed management strategies, plant protection measures and harvesting methods of fodder crops, pasture management. Fodders also have some poisonous compounds at specific stages of plant growth. Techniques for preservation of fodder crops are also discussed in this course.

After the completion of this course students will be practically trained to fodder varieties, land preparation, sowing methods of fodder crops. Students will be skilled in pasture management by studying different factors affecting pasture productivity. Fodder preservation is a technique and very sensitive process many factors may deteriorate the product quality during preservation so students will be skillful in conservation of fodder in the form of silage, hay and haylage after studying this course.  

THEORY

1. Importance and characteristics of forages and fodders
2. Critical period of fodder scarcity.
3. Factors influencing productivity and quality
4. Methods of increasing biomass production
5. Factors affecting chemical composition and nutritive value of forages
6. Preservation of fodders and forages (silage and hay making)
7. Toxicity due to chemicals and poisonous plants
8. Establishment of grasses and legumes in range lands
9. Constraints in fodder production and remedies.

PRACTICAL

1. Identification of forage, fodder crops and poisonous plants
2. Estimation of sprout density
3. Carrying capacity
4. Preparation of fodder calendar
5. Measurement of cover frequency
6. Preparation of silage and hay

1 Balasubramaniyan, P.O. and S.P. Polanippan. 2001. Principles and Practices of Agronomy. Agrobios, India,

2. Annonymous. 1996.Fodder Production in Pakistan. Proc. National Conf. Improvement, Production and Utilization of Fodder Crops in Pakistan, NARC. March 25-27, 1996, Islamabad.

3. Khalil, I.A. and A. Jan. 2006. Cropping Technology. National Book Foundation, Islamabad.

4. Reddy, D.V. 2006. Fodder Production and Grassland Management for Veterinarians. Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi.

5. Singh, S.S. 2004. Crop Management. Kalyani Publishers, New Delhi.

6. Stuart, P. 2002. The Forage Book. 2nd Ed. Pacific Seeds Pty Ltd., Toowoomba, Australia.

7. George, C. Thomas. 2008. Forage crop production in the tropics. Kalyani Publishers, India.

8. Singh, A.K. 2011.forage and fodder. Daya Publishing House Delhi, India.

PRACTICAL

1. Identification of forage, fodder crops and poisonous plants
2. Estimation of sprout density
3. Carrying capacity
4. Preparation of fodder calendar
5. Measurement of cover frequency
6. Preparation of silage and hay

       Assessment Criteria

            Quizzes and test:                                  02

Attendance:                                         02

Assignments and presentations:         04

Mid-term:                                             12

End term:                                             20

Practical:                                              20

Time Table

Monday                             12:10 - 1:00

Tuesday                           10:30 - 11:00

 Thursday                         9:40 - 11:20

Key Dates

Mid term Exam.               April 27- May 4, 2020

Final Exam.                    Jun 22 -26, 2020

Result Decleration        July 3, 2020