INTEGRATED CROP AND SYLVAN SYSTEMS WITH SWINE

OBJECTIVES: The objectives are to examine the potential for developing organic plots by adding different mulches to dry lots in order to: a) monitor retention, accumulation and/or availability of N, P, K, Zn and Cu from swine waste for crop utilization; b) evaluate potential transfer of zoonotic diseases from swine waste composted with leaf or straw mulches. Also compare two groups of gestating sows fed either a typical corn/soy gestating ration or one where half of the intake is derived from forages to evaluate reproductive performance and potential profitability from partial substitution of forage for concentrate. And finally, examine two stocking rates of gestating sows (6/A and 18/A) in a forest environment to evaluate: a) reproductive performance of sows bred and gestating in a sylvan environment with those raised in conventional dry lots, b) rooting behavior and manure deposition of swine on forest vegetation for enhancing an existing stand or in preparing a more marketable future stand, and c) effects of swine on survival, composition and condition of understory and canopy vegetation.

APPROACH: For Objective 1, 48 Hampshire x Landrace gestating sows will be assigned to eight dry lots (six sows per 60’x60’ plot) containing a ground cover mulch consisting of leaves or straw. Four additional plots (two with leaves and two with straw) will be used for controls to measure soil characteristics, Coliform levels, and soil nutrient levels without sows. For Objective 2, 48 gestating HxL sows will be randomly assigned to two rations: one consisting of a standard corn/soy pellet and the other using a corn/soy pellet with forages substituted at a rate of 50% of the expected dry matter intake. Sows from four of the dry lot plots will have access to grazing plots for three hours/day. When grazing is not practical (too wet, limited supply) other available forages i.e. alfalfa hay or corn silage may be substituted. And for Objective 3, two stocking rates of gestating sows (2 and 6) will be randomly assigned to one of six .3A plots in an existing mixed hardwood stand. Four additional conventional dry lot plots (.3A) will contain six gestating sows each to compare sow performance and temperature differences in the sylvan and conventional environments.

PROGRESS: 1999/01 TO 1999/12

Small scale swine farmers will abandon raising hogs in NC if they don’t perceive there are alternative and profitable options to their current practices. With new State animal waste regulations enacted, even small scale producers will need to change their current practices in order to maintain a balance of nutrient inputs and outputs, assure optimum ground water quality and protect against non-point pollution from swine waste runoff. Farmers may be able to implement practices that enhance environmental stewardship and increase overall income/acre by complying with the new State regulations. A mulch/crop-residue bedding may improve both crop and animal systems by reducing: 1) labor and mechanization requirements for composting and tilling; 2) runoff of waste nutrients and soil; and 3) parasite load by providing a drier environment from the mulch bedding. In collaboration with the Arkansas Land and Farm Development Corporation, Carolina Farm Stewardship, and NC Department of Agriculture, farmers and facilitators will explore avenues to increase profitability by promoting the unique characteristics of their product as well as their production system. This project will examine: 1) potential for adding mulches on dry lots to enhance swine waste utilization in developing organic vegetable plots; 2) productivity of gestating sows fed a typical corn/soy diet or one supplemented with forages; 3) potential to improve woodlands under two stocking rates of swine; and, 4) methods for small scale producers to enhance their market share and profitability.

PUBLICATIONS: 1999/01 TO 1999/12

No publications reported this period

PROJ NO: NCX-157-5-99-120-1 AGENCY: CSRS NC.X
PROJ TYPE: EVANS-ALLEN PROJ. STATUS: NEW
START: 01 OCT 1998 TERM: 30 SEP 2001 FY: 1999

INVESTIGATOR: Talbott, C.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
ANIMAL SCIENCE
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIV
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA 27411