9 0 HUSBANDARY – 9.6 - HOUSING

 

ORGANIC FARMING COURSE AGRO-ECONOMY

9 0 HUSBANDARY – 9.6 - HOUSING

The type of shed should be specific to the type of animals to be sheltered. Poultry, for instance, should be housed in sheds that do not get too hot. Contact of the animals with their faeces should be avoided as much as possible.

PLANNING SHEDS

Except for nomadic lifestyles, most farm animals are temporarily kept in sheds. The combination of animal husbandry and farm activities requires control of their movements to avoid damage to crops. For the welfare and health of the animals, sheds must be cool and aerated, and protect from rain.

They should be constructed in a way ensuring:

→ Sufficient space to lie down, stand up, move and express natural behaviour (e.g. licking, scratching etc.).

→ Sufficient light (as a rule, one should be able to read a newspaper in the shed).

→ Protection from sunlight, rain, and extreme temperatures.

→ Sufficient aeration, but no draught.

→ Appropriate beddings (see section below).

→ Elements to exercise natural behaviour (e.g. for poultry: perching rails, sand baths and secluded laying nests).

→ Sheltered pits or heaps to collect and store manure.

For economic reasons, sheds can be built with simple, locally available materials. Many countries have a rich tradition of shed constructions, and have developed the most efficient and appropriate shed systems for the conditions of the region. If techniques of this heritage are combined with the above principles, a locally adapted and at the same time animal friendly system may be obtained.

BEDDINGS

Beddings are materials used in sheds for keeping the floor soft, dry, and clean, which is important for animal health. They absorb the excrements of the animals and need to be re-placed from time to time. Beddings can be of straw, leaves, twigs, husks or other locally available material. They can be replaced daily or kept for several months while adding fresh material on top.

KOZI YA KILIMO HAI KILIMO-UCHUMI

9 0 MFUGAJI - 9.6 - MAKAZI

Aina ya banda inapaswa kuwa maalum kwa aina ya wanyama wa kuhifadhiwa. Kuku, kwa mfano, wanapaswa kuwekwa kwenye banda ambalo halipishi joto sana. Mgusano wa wanyama na kinyesi chao unapaswa kuepukwa iwezekanavyo.

BANDA ZA KUPANGA

Isipokuwa kwa maisha ya kuhamahama, wanyama wengi wa shamba huhifadhiwa kwa muda kwenye vibanda. Mchanganyiko wa ufugaji na shughuli za kilimo unahitaji udhibiti wa mienendo yao ili kuepusha uharibifu wa mazao. Kwa ajili ya ustawi na afya ya wanyama, sheds lazima baridi na aerated, na kulinda kutokana na mvua.

Wanapaswa kujengwa kwa njia ya kuhakikisha:

→ Nafasi ya kutosha ya kulala, kusimama, kusogea na kueleza tabia asilia (k.m. kulamba, kukwaruza n.k.).

→ Nuru ya kutosha (kama sheria, mtu anapaswa kuwa na uwezo wa kusoma gazeti katika kumwaga).

→ Ulinzi dhidi ya mwanga wa jua, mvua, na halijoto kali.

→ Upepo wa kutosha, lakini hakuna rasimu.

→ Vitanda vinavyofaa (tazama sehemu hapa chini).

→ Vipengele vya kutekeleza tabia asili (k.m. kwa kuku: reli za kukaa, bafu za mchanga na viota vya kuwekea vilivyotengwa).

→ Mashimo au chungu zilizohifadhiwa za kukusanya na kuhifadhi samadi.

Kwa sababu za kiuchumi, sheds zinaweza kujengwa kwa nyenzo rahisi, zinazopatikana ndani ya nchi. Nchi nyingi zina utamaduni tajiri wa ujenzi wa vibanda, na zimeunda mifumo bora zaidi na inayofaa kwa hali ya eneo hilo. Ikiwa mbinu za urithi huu zimeunganishwa na kanuni zilizo hapo juu, mfumo wa kirafiki uliobadilishwa ndani ya nchi na wakati huo huo unaweza kupatikana.

VITANDA

Matandiko ni nyenzo zinazotumika katika vibanda kwa kuweka sakafu laini, kavu na safi, ambayo ni muhimu kwa afya ya wanyama. Wananyonya kinyesi cha wanyama na wanahitaji kuwekwa tena mara kwa mara. Vitanda vinaweza kuwa vya majani, majani, matawi, maganda au nyenzo nyinginezo zinazopatikana ndani ya nchi. Wanaweza kubadilishwa kila siku au kuwekwa kwa miezi kadhaa huku wakiongeza nyenzo safi juu.

TRADITIONAL SIMPLE SHEDS IN SENEGAL (CATTLE SHED, GOAT SHED, CHICKEN SHED)

9 0 HUSBANDARY- 9.3 - MAKING A DECISSION ON ANIMAL HUSBANDARY

 

ORGANIC FARMING COURSE AGRO-ECONOMY

9 0 HUSBANDARY- 9.3 - MAKING A DECISSION ON ANIMAL HUSBANDARY

There are several reasons for taking up animal husbandry as a part of your farming activities or even as the main one. There are also several critical aspects to be taken into consideration. In order to decide on whether and how to get involved in animal husbandry, you should ask yourself a number of questions:

IS MY FARM SUITABLE?

Do I have enough space for shedding and grazing, enough fodder or by-products to feed, enough know-how on keeping, feeding, and treating the specific kind of animals?

WILL THE ANIMAL BENEFIT MY FARM?

Can I use the dung in a suitable way? Will I get products for my own consumption or sales? Will the animals somehow affect my crops?

CAN I GET THE NECESSARY INPUTS?

Is enough labour available within or outside my farm? Is enough fodder and water of good quality available throughout the year? Will remedies and veterinary support be available, if needed? Can I get suitable breeds of animals?

WILL I FIND A MARKET FOR THE PRODUCTS?

Does anyone want to buy my milk, eggs, meat etc.? Is the price worth the effort? Am I able to compete with other farmers?

WHAT DO ANAIMALS NEED?

Organic farmers try to achieve healthy farm animals which can produce satisfyingly over a long period of time. To achieve this goal, various needs of farm animals must be considered:

→ Fodder in adequate quality and quantity; for non-ruminants: diversity in fodder is usually required.

→ Sufficient access to clean drinking water.

→ Clean sheds of enough size and with adequate light and fresh air.

→ Sufficient freedom to move around and perform their natural behaviour.

→ Healthy conditions and veterinary follow-up, when needed.

→ Sufficient contact with other animals, but no stress due to overcrowding.

→ For herd animals: an appropriate age and sex distribution within the herd.

 

Organic animal husbandry means not only feeding organic food and avoiding synthetic food additives and synthetic medicines (e.g. antibiotics, grow hormones), but also focusing on satisfying the various needs of the farm animals. Good health and welfare of the animals are among the main objectives. Suffering due to mutilations, permanent tethering or isolation of herd animals must be avoided as much as possible. For various reasons, landless animal husbandry (i.e. fodder purchased from outside the farm, no grazing land) is not permitted in organic farming.

 

HOW MANY ANIMALS TO KEEP?

In order to identify the appropriate number for a specific kind of animal on a farm, the following points should be considered:

→ Availability of fodder on the farm, especially in periods of scarcity

     (e.g. dry season).

→ Carrying capacity of pastures.

→ Size of existing or planned sheds.

→ Maximum amount of manure the fields can bear.

→ Availability of labour for looking after the animals.

 

In tropical countries, farm animals are frequently found to be underfed. When defining the number of farm animals, keep in mind that the economic benefit will be higher when fewer animals are kept, but fed well. Not only the amount, but also the quality of the available food must be taken into consideration.

 

 

 

TIPS of the picture:

·         Habits: enough move

·         Fodder: diverse, enough quantities

·         Health: hygienic conditions

·         Treatment if needed

·         Contact: no isolation, now crowding

·         Sheds: enough, space and light

·         Water: enough and clean

·         Herds: appropriate age and sex distribution

 

WHAT FARM ANIMALS NEED –

FOR EXAMPLE, CHICKENS HAVE VARIOUS NEEDS WHICH SHOULD BE FULFILLED SIMULTANEOUSLY

 

KOZI YA KILIMO HAI KILIMO-UCHUMI

9 0 UFUGAJI- 9.3 - KUFANYA UAMUZI KUHUSU UFUGAJI WA MNYAMA

 

Kuna sababu kadhaa za kuchukua ufugaji kama sehemu ya shughuli zako za kilimo au hata kama moja kuu. Pia kuna vipengele kadhaa muhimu kuzingatiwa. Ili kuamua ikiwa na jinsi ya kushiriki katika ufugaji, unapaswa kujiuliza maswali kadhaa:

 

SHAMBA LANGU LINAFAA?

Je, nina nafasi ya kutosha kwa ajili ya kumwaga na kuchungia malisho, malisho ya kutosha au mazao ya ziada ya kulisha, ujuzi wa kutosha juu ya kufuga, kulisha, na kutibu aina mahususi ya wanyama?

 

JE, MNYAMA ATAFAIDA SHAMBA LANGU?

Je, ninaweza kutumia kinyesi kwa njia inayofaa? Je, nitapata bidhaa kwa matumizi yangu au mauzo? Je, wanyama kwa namna fulani wataathiri mazao yangu?

 

JE, NAWEZA KUPATA PEMBEJEO MUHIMU?

Je, kazi ya kutosha inapatikana ndani au nje ya shamba langu? Je, lishe ya kutosha na maji yenye ubora mzuri yanapatikana kwa mwaka mzima? Je, tiba na usaidizi wa mifugo utapatikana, ikiwa inahitajika? Je, ninaweza kupata mifugo inayofaa ya wanyama?

 

JE, NITAPATA SOKO LA BIDHAA?

Je, kuna mtu anataka kununua maziwa yangu, mayai, nyama n.k.? Je, bei hiyo inafaa kujitahidi? Je, ninaweza kushindana na wakulima wengine?

 

WANYAMA WANAHITAJI NINI?

Wakulima wa kilimo-hai hujaribu kupata mifugo yenye afya bora ambayo inaweza kuzalisha kwa kuridhisha kwa muda mrefu. Ili kufikia lengo hili, mahitaji mbalimbali ya wanyama wa shamba lazima izingatiwe:

→ Lishe katika ubora na wingi wa kutosha; kwa wasiocheua: utofauti wa malisho kwa kawaida huhitajika.

→ Upatikanaji wa kutosha wa maji safi ya kunywa.

→ Safisha shehena za ukubwa wa kutosha na zenye mwanga wa kutosha na hewa safi.

→ Uhuru wa kutosha wa kuzunguka na kufanya tabia zao za asili.

→ Hali ya afya na ufuatiliaji wa mifugo, inapohitajika.

→ Mgusano wa kutosha na wanyama wengine, lakini hakuna mkazo kutokana na msongamano.

→ Kwa wanyama wa mifugo: umri unaofaa na mgawanyo wa jinsia ndani ya kundi.

 

Ufugaji wa wanyama haimaanishi tu kulisha chakula cha kikaboni na kuepuka viungio vya chakula na dawa za sanisi (k.m. antibiotics, homoni za kukua), lakini pia kuzingatia kutosheleza mahitaji mbalimbali ya wanyama wa shambani. Afya njema na ustawi wa wanyama ni miongoni mwa malengo makuu. Kuteseka kwa sababu ya ukeketaji, kufungwa kwa kudumu au kutengwa kwa mifugo lazima kuepukwe iwezekanavyo. Kwa sababu mbalimbali, ufugaji wa wanyama bila ardhi (yaani lishe iliyonunuliwa kutoka nje ya shamba, hakuna ardhi ya malisho) hairuhusiwi katika kilimo hai.

 

UFUGE WANYAMA WANGAPI?

Ili kutambua nambari inayofaa kwa aina maalum ya mnyama kwenye shamba, mambo yafuatayo yanapaswa kuzingatiwa:

→ Upatikanaji wa malisho shambani, hasa nyakati za uhaba

     (k.m. kiangazi).

→ Kubeba uwezo wa malisho.

→ Ukubwa wa sheds zilizopo au zilizopangwa.

→ Kiwango cha juu cha samadi shamba linaweza kuzaa.

→ Uwepo wa vibarua kwa ajili ya kuchunga wanyama.

 

Katika nchi za tropiki, wanyama wa shambani mara nyingi hupatikana wakiwa na lishe duni. Wakati wa kufafanua idadi ya wanyama wa shamba, kumbuka kwamba faida ya kiuchumi itakuwa ya juu wakati wanyama wachache wanahifadhiwa, lakini kulishwa vizuri. Si tu kiasi, lakini pia ubora wa chakula inapatikana lazima kuzingatiwa.

 

TIPS za picha:

• Mazoea: hoja ya kutosha

• Lishe: aina mbalimbali, kiasi cha kutosha

• Afya: hali ya usafi

• Matibabu ikihitajika

• Mawasiliano: hakuna kutengwa, sasa kunasongamana

• Mabanda: ya kutosha, nafasi na mwanga

• Maji: ya kutosha na safi

• Mifugo: umri unaofaa na usambazaji wa jinsia

NINI WANYAMA WA SHAMBANI WANAHITAJI -KWA

9 0 HUSBANDARY – 9.5 - ANIMAL FEEDING

  

ORGANIC FARMING COURSE AGRO-ECONOMY

9 0 HUSBANDARY – 9.5 - ANIMAL FEEDING

 

The availability of fodder is one of the limiting factors in animal husbandry. Unlike landless systems in conventional farming, 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 quantity and composition of the food and the health status of the animals.

 

FOOD REQUIREMENTS OF ANIMALS

If farm animals are to be productive (milk, eggs, meat etc.), it is important that they get suitable food in enough 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 enough protein content. On the same diet, draught animals would rapidly become exhausted.

A balanced diet will keep an animal healthy and productive. Whether or not a farm animal receives the appropriate amount and kind of fodder usually can be seen by the shine of its hair or feathers. For ruminants, a majority of the fodder should consist of roughage (grass, leaves). If concentrates or supplements are used (e.g. agricultural by-products and wastes), they should not contain growth promoters and other synthetic substances. Instead of buying expensive concentrates, there are a variety of leguminous plants rich in protein which can be grown in the farm as cover crop, hedges or trees. If mineral content in the available fodder is not sufficient to satisfy the animal‘s requirements, mineral salt bricks or similar feed supplements can be used as long as they do not contain synthetic additives.

 

TIPS of the pictur

A variety of fodder grasses, both for shed feeding and pasturing

Leaves and twigs of leguminous trees are rich in protein and available also in dry season

VARIETIES OF FODDER GRASSES AND LEGUMINOUS TREE PLANTS USED AS FODDER FOR CATTLE AND GOATS

 

KOZI YA KILIMO HAI KILIMO-UCHUMI

9 0 UFUGAJI – 9.5 - KULISHA WANYAMA

 

Upatikanaji wa malisho ni mojawapo ya mambo yanayokwamisha ufugaji. Tofauti na mifumo isiyo na ardhi katika kilimo cha kawaida, ufugaji wa kikaboni unapaswa kutegemea lishe inayozalishwa kwenye shamba lenyewe. Kama ilivyo kwa wanadamu, kuna uhusiano wa moja kwa moja kati ya wingi na muundo wa chakula na hali ya afya ya wanyama.

 

MAHITAJI YA CHAKULA KWA WANYAMA

Ili wanyama wa shambani wawe na tija (maziwa, mayai, nyama n.k.), ni muhimu wapate chakula kinachofaa kwa wingi wa kutosha. Ikiwa uzalishaji wa malisho ya shamba la mtu ni mdogo (ambayo kwa kawaida ni hivyo), inaweza kuwa halali kiuchumi kufuga wanyama wachache lakini kuwapa chakula cha kutosha.

Kiasi kinachofaa na mchanganyiko wa vitu vya malisho bila shaka itategemea aina ya mnyama, lakini pia juu ya matumizi yake kuu (k.m. kuku kwa ajili ya uzalishaji wa nyama au yai, ng'ombe kwa maziwa, nyama au rasimu nk). Katika uzalishaji wa maziwa kwa mfano, ng'ombe wanaotoa maziwa wanapaswa kupewa nyasi safi na ikiwezekana malisho mengine yenye maudhui ya protini ya kutosha. Katika mlo huo huo, wanyama wanaovuta ndege wangechoka haraka.

Lishe yenye usawa itaweka mnyama mwenye afya na tija. Iwapo mnyama wa shambani anapokea au la kiasi kinachofaa na aina ya lishe inaweza kuonekana kwa kung'aa kwa nywele au manyoya yake. Kwa wanyama wanaocheua, sehemu kubwa ya lishe inapaswa kuwa na ukali (nyasi, majani). Ikiwa mkusanyiko au virutubisho vinatumika (k.m. bidhaa za kilimo na taka), haipaswi kuwa na vikuza ukuaji na vitu vingine vya syntetisk. Badala ya kununua vikolezo vya bei ghali, kuna aina mbalimbali za mimea ya jamii ya kunde yenye protini nyingi ambayo inaweza kukuzwa shambani kama mazao ya kufunika, ua au miti. Ikiwa maudhui ya madini katika malisho yanayopatikana hayatoshi kukidhi mahitaji ya mnyama, matofali ya chumvi ya madini au virutubisho sawa vya malisho vinaweza kutumika mradi tu havina viambajengo vya sintetiki.

 

VIDOKEZO vya picha

• Aina mbalimbali za nyasi za malisho, kwa ajili ya kulishia na kulisha mifugo

• Majani na matawi ya miti ya jamii ya kunde yana protini nyingi na hupatikana pia wakati wa kiangazi

 AINA ZA NYASI ZA LISHE NA MIMEA YA MITI KUNDE INAYOTUMIWA KAMA RISHA KWA NG’OMBE NA MBUZI.

9 0 HUSABANDARY – 9.6 - GRAZING VERSUS SHED FEEDING

 

ORGANIC FARMING COURSE AGRO-ECONOMY

9 0 HUSABANDARY – 9.6 - GRAZING VERSUS SHED FEEDING

 

In many regions of the tropics, favourable periods with abundant fodder alternate with less favourable periods when there is almost nothing to feed to the animals. However, keeping animals means providing fodder throughout the year. Fodder can be produced on the farm as grazing land or as grass or tree crops used for cutting.

While grazing requires less labour than shed feeding, more land is needed and appropriate measures to keep the animals away from other crops must be undertaken. Grazing may lead to a lower productivity (milk, meat) but usually is the more favourable option concerning health and welfare of the animals.

Shed keeping, however, has the advantage that the dung can be easily collected, stored, or composted and applied to the crops. Whether grazing or shed feeding is the more suitable option will mainly depend on the agro-climatic conditions, the cropping system, and the availability of land. A combination of shed feeding and grazing in a fenced area may be an ideal combination of high productivity and animal friendly husbandry. In extensive grass lands of semi-arid areas, however, grazing may be the only suitable option.

 

 

       TIPS of the picture:

Combinate grazing and shed feeding as an ideal solution?

 

Grazing:

·         less labour

·         More land required

·         Lower productivity

·         More move / exercise

·         Dung is spread on the pasture

 

SHED FEEDING

·         More labour

·         Less land required

·         Higher productivity

·         Less move / exercise

·         Dung can be collected easily

 

KOZI YA KILIMO HAI KILIMO-UCHUMI

9 0 HUSABANDARI – 9.6 - MALISHO DHIDI YA ULISHAJI WA MADINI

 

Katika maeneo mengi ya tropiki, vipindi vyema vya lishe ya mifugo kwa wingi hubadilishana na vipindi visivyofaa wakati karibu hakuna chochote cha kulisha wanyama. Hata hivyo, kufuga wanyama kunamaanisha kutoa lishe kwa mwaka mzima. Lishe inaweza kuzalishwa shambani kama shamba la malisho au kama mimea ya nyasi au miti inayotumika kukata.

Ingawa malisho huhitaji kazi kidogo kuliko kulisha banda, ardhi zaidi inahitajika na hatua zinazofaa za kuwaweka wanyama mbali na mazao mengine lazima zichukuliwe. Malisho yanaweza kusababisha tija ya chini (maziwa, nyama) lakini kwa kawaida ni chaguo linalofaa zaidi kuhusu afya na ustawi wa wanyama.

Utunzaji wa banda, hata hivyo, una faida kwamba kinyesi kinaweza kukusanywa kwa urahisi, kuhifadhiwa au kutengenezwa mboji na kupakwa kwenye mazao. Iwapo malisho ya malisho au mabanda ndiyo chaguo linalofaa zaidi itategemea zaidi hali ya hali ya hewa ya kilimo, mfumo wa upandaji mazao, na upatikanaji wa ardhi. Mchanganyiko wa malisho ya banda na malisho katika eneo lenye uzio unaweza kuwa mchanganyiko bora wa tija ya juu na ufugaji rafiki wa wanyama. Hata hivyo, katika nyasi nyingi za maeneo yenye ukame, malisho yanaweza kuwa chaguo pekee linalofaa.

 

       TIPS za picha:

Je, unachanganya malisho na ulishaji wa banda kama suluhisho bora?

 

Malisho:

• kazi kidogo

• Ardhi zaidi inahitajika

• Uzalishaji mdogo

• Hoja/zoezi zaidi

• Kinyesi hutawanywa kwenye malisho

 

KULISHA MWAGA

• Kazi zaidi

• Ardhi kidogo inayohitajika

• Uzalishaji wa juu

• Kusonga kidogo / mazoezi

• Kinyesi kinaweza kukusanywa kwa urahisi

9 0 HUSBANDARY – 9.7 - INTEGRATED FODDER CULTIVATION IN THE FARM

 ORGANIC FARMING COURSE AGRO-ECONOMY

9 0 HUSBANDARY – 9.7 - INTEGRATED FODDER CULTIVATION IN THE FARM

In most smallholder farms, fodder cultivation will compete for space with the cultivation of crops. Whether fodder cultivation (and thus animal husbandry) is economically more beneficial compared with crop production must be assessed case by case. However, there are some options for integrating fodder crops in farms without sacrificing much land. Below are some examples:

→ Grass or leguminous cover crops in tree plantations

→ Hedges of suitable shrubs

→ Shade or support trees

→ Grass on bunds against soil erosion

→ Grass fallows or green manures in the crop rotation

→ Crops with by-products such as paddy straw or pea leaves

 

MANAGEMENT OF PASTURES

The management of pastures is crucial for a good herd management. It is also important to practice appropriate management throughout the year. There are many different types of grasses, and every climatic region has grasses which are specifically adapted to the conditions. In some cases it may be worth considering to till the grazing site and sow grass varieties that are more appropriate to the animal‘s needs.

Overgrazing is probably the most significant threat to grass land. Once the protective grass cover is destroyed, the topsoil is prone to erosion. Degraded pastures or land with little plant cover is difficult to re-cultivate. Therefore, it is important that the use and intensity of grazing on a piece of land is appropriate to its production capacity. Enough time must be given to a pasture to recover after intensive grazing. 

Fencing off areas and rotation of the grazing animals on several pieces of land is the best option for managing the farm and the overall landscape. Creating “grazing cells” restores overgrazed pastures, reduce the incidence of intestinal parasites encountered while the animals graze, and increase land productivity.  The intensity and timing of grazing, as well as the cutting of the grass, will influence the varieties of plants growing in the pasture:

 

 

KOZI YA KILIMO HAI KILIMO-UCHUMI

9 0 UFUGAJI – 9.7 - KILIMO SHIRIKISHO CHA RISHE KATIKA SHAMBA

Katika mashamba mengi ya wakulima wadogo, kilimo cha malisho kitashindana kwa nafasi na kilimo cha mazao. Kama kilimo cha malisho (na hivyo ufugaji) kina manufaa zaidi kiuchumi ikilinganishwa na uzalishaji wa mazao lazima kutathminiwe kila moja. Hata hivyo, kuna baadhi ya chaguzi za kuunganisha mazao ya lishe katika mashamba bila kutoa ardhi nyingi. Ifuatayo ni baadhi ya mifano:

→ Mazao ya kufunika nyasi au kunde katika mashamba ya miti

→ Ua wa vichaka vinavyofaa

→ Weka kivuli au saidia miti

→ Nyasi kwenye vifundo dhidi ya mmomonyoko wa udongo

→ Makonde ya nyasi au mbolea ya kijani katika mzunguko wa mazao

→ Mazao yenye mazao ya ziada kama vile majani ya mpunga au majani ya njegere

 

USIMAMIZI WA MALISHO

Usimamizi wa malisho ni muhimu kwa usimamizi mzuri wa mifugo. Pia ni muhimu kufanya usimamizi ufaao mwaka mzima. Kuna aina nyingi tofauti za nyasi, na kila eneo la hali ya hewa lina nyasi ambazo hubadilishwa mahsusi kulingana na hali hiyo. Katika baadhi ya matukio inaweza kuwa vyema kuzingatia kulima eneo la malisho na kupanda aina za nyasi ambazo zinafaa zaidi kwa mahitaji ya mnyama.

Ufugaji wa mifugo kupita kiasi ndio tishio kubwa zaidi kwa ardhi ya nyasi. Mara baada ya kifuniko cha nyasi ya kinga kuharibiwa, udongo wa juu unakabiliwa na mmomonyoko. Malisho yaliyoharibiwa au ardhi yenye vifuniko kidogo vya mimea ni vigumu kulima tena. Kwa hiyo, ni muhimu kwamba matumizi na ukubwa wa malisho kwenye kipande cha ardhi ni sawa na uwezo wake wa uzalishaji. Ni lazima muda wa kutosha utolewe kwa malisho ili kupata nafuu baada ya malisho makubwa.

Kuzingira uzio wa maeneo na mzunguko wa wanyama wa malisho kwenye vipande kadhaa vya ardhi ni chaguo bora zaidi la kusimamia shamba na mandhari ya jumla. Kuunda "seli za malisho" hurejesha malisho ya mifugo kupita kiasi, kupunguza matukio ya vimelea vya matumbo yanayotokea wakati wanyama wanalisha, na kuongeza uzalishaji wa ardhi. Nguvu na muda wa malisho, pamoja na kukata nyasi, itaathiri aina za mimea inayokua katika malisho: