Enhancing Forage Selection and Animal Nutrition Worldwide
Two open-access systems, SoFT and Feedipedia, provide comprehensive information on forages for livestock production. SoFT 2 addresses the need for updated forage technology and IT advances, emphasizing the importance of forages in natural resource management. The synergies between SoFT and Feedipedia offer detailed nutritional information and improved selection tools for identifying suitable forages and germplasm sources for different environments and production systems.
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Presentation Transcript
Selection of Forages for the Tropics (SoFT) website and database SoFT 2
Background Two open-access systems for various parts of the world: SoFT Livestock important; forages important in livestock production Working with huge diversity of genetic material and need selection capability to expedite distribution People who know forages are becoming fewer Unique expert system compiled by 70 international forage experts, developed between 2000-2005 provides detailed information on 176 tropical and subtropical forage species Selection tool based on use and environment to species and accessions Successful for education and selection, development programs Funders: ACIAR, DFID, GTZ
Background continued Feedipedia Better feed information for better animal production Unique reference-based worldwide encyclopedia. Gathers and filters scattered information on feeds. Compiled by 25 INRA and 2 CIRAD experts and AFZ staff (2 engineers) Started in 2009, on-going program Provides detailed information on 522 forage plants for tropical, subtropical, Mediterranean and temperate climates (190 completed) Feedipedia is not a selection tool but it provides detailed information on nutritive values, recommendations of feeding for main animal species Funders: INRA, CIRAD, AFZ, FAO
Rationale for SoFT 2 SoFT addresses increasing recognition of forages, not only as livestock feed but also in natural resource management and environmental protection The current version of SoFT needs updating in relation to forage technology and IT advances Need link to seed sources (Genebank) - current system needs streamlining and making use of core collections. Use synergy between SoFT and Feedipedia Need for universality (translation)
Synergies SoFT will get more detailed information on the nutritional value of forages and feeding recommendations in relation to animal species/physiological stage/end-product Feedipedia will get benefit of the selection tool in identifying appropriate forage and finding sources of germplasm for specific environments and production systems
Objectives Provide efficient decision tool to R&D agencies, extension staff and end-users, for the selection of suitable forages for specific agro-ecological conditions and production systems Provide comprehensive feeding information to be used as a capacity-building and education tool To link with genebanks to facilitate movement of elite germplasm to end-users Extend target audience in West and Central Africa, LAC, through translation into French, Spanish,
Timing Activity Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Identify elite germplasm X x x Synchronize lists of SoFT & Feedipedia entries X IT software assessment X Websites design X x x IT software design and upgrades X X Update factsheets X X X Plan congresses (IGC 2017, EAAP 2017) Workshops X X X Search for and building links with germplasm sources X X Testing the selection tool X (old) X (new) Translation X X Delivery X
Impact Much wider range of forages will be used for increased livestock productivity and for environmental protection in more countries More efficient and effective delivery of elite germplasm Greater understanding of adaptation and use of germplasm for agriculture and NRM More effective application of germplasm diversity conserved in the genebanks More people better trained in forage research for agricultural development and extension
Beneficiaries Genebanks R & D agencies Extension services Education institutions Feed manufacturers and other agribusiness Agricultural and NRM networks Policy makers Farmers
Scope Tropics and subtropics Recognized forage species (herbs, shrubs and trees) End-users: commercial and smallholders Uses: extensive/intensive Topics as in SoFT1 plus: nutritional value, animal responses, species (expanded) Natural resource management (e.g.: soil protection, carbon accumulation)
Innovative ideas (as compared to SoFT1) Uses and applications: Forage, NRM Others: e.g. amenity Improve user friendliness (IT innovations, more recent technologies (GPS), big data Soil/ Climate) Interactivity, feedback on forage performance, additions of forage options Nutritional analysis for missing forages Link with genebanks (ICRAF, . . .) Maintain open access
Proposed Institutions Leading institution: CIAT Participating institutions: SoFT: ILRI (), ICRAF (), QDAFF () Feedipedia: AFZ (), FAO (), INRA, CIRAD IP and ownership: CSIRO, Experts Consultants: Bruce Cook, Bruce Pengelly, Rainer Schultze-Kraft, Stuart Brown,
Relation to CRP/VC Integral to contribution to value chains in L&F CRP 3.7 and Genebank CRP 11
Budget size US$ 2.5 million
