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Second FAO Electronic Conference on Tropical Feeds
Livestock Feed Resources within Integrated Farming Systems
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Abstract of the eighteenth paper, from Guo Tingshuang and
Yang Zhenhai.

Questions that might stimulate discussion on this topic
include:

1. Do you know examples of successful large-scale adoption of
the urea treatment of roughage in other countries (Iran,
Niger, North Africa...) and do you have the related figures?

2. Do you know areas with a similar potential such as China
and where the use of crop residues is not well optimized? How
do you explain this?

3. China shows major increases of beef and small ruminants
meat production; are there good prospects for such a trend
occurring in your country through better use of crop residues?

4. Does the need to economize on feed grain also now apply to
your country? If not, do you think it will apply in the near
future?

5. Do you have any information on positive health impacts
related to the fact that animals are fed crop residues instead
of pastures (comparable to the decrease of schistosomiasis
occurrence mentioned by the author)?

6. Are there any problems of disposal of crop residues in your
country which are at the origin of the pollution of the
environment (burning...)?

7. Is supplementation (by-pass proteins) a major constraint
for successful large-scale adoption of the urea treatment of
roughage?

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NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS BASED ON CROP RESIDUES
IN CHINA

Guo Tingshuang* and Yang Zhenhai

*Bureau of Animal Production and Health, Ministry of
Agriculture, Beijing 100026, China
Tel: 86 10 64192848 Fax: 86 10 64192869
E-mail: Yangzh@moa03.arg.go.cn

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ABSTRACT

Since 1992, when livestock based on crop residues was included
in the State Agriculture Comprehensive Development Project,
significant progress has already been made.

A. A number of State-level demonstration 'counties' with
cattle-raising based on crop residues have been established.
By 1996, the number had reached 147 counties. Some
concentrated and adjoining areas have already developed into
demonstration 'prefectures'.

B. Demonstration projects expanded to include sheep-raising,
also based on crop residues. Between 1995 and 1996, the State
ratified 20 demonstration counties with sheep-raising based on
crop residues.

C. Large scale extension campaigns have been carried out on
the crop residue treatment technique. In 1995, crop residue
silage (anaerobic fermented and preserved corn or sorghum
straw whithout heads and ears) reached 75.1 million tons
nationwide and ammoniated crop residues, 21.5 million tons.
Together they saved about 19.8 million tons of feed grain. 7
million farming households adopted the ammoniated crop residue
technique.

D. There has been a large increase in beef and mutton
production. In 1995, beef production reached 4.1 million tons,
an increase of 25.1% compared to 1994, fulfilling the Eighth
Five Year Plan target by 275%, and becoming the most rapidly
growing item in livestock products. For 1996, beef production
is forecasted to exceed 5 million tons, and mutton to reach
2.6 million tons, with a continuing high growth rate.

E. Livestock systems based on crop residues provide 1 billion
tons of organic fertilizer, which can support 20 million
hectares of farmland, not only lowering grain production
costs, but also promoting the development of sustainable
agriculture.

KEY WORDS: Crop residues, cattle, sheep, straw, urea, silage,
manure, China

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FAO ELECTRONIC CONFERENCE:
LIVESTOCK FEED RESOURCES WITHIN INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEMS
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