...::: Three issues of sustainable management :::...
 
 
Drought
STRATEGIES

  • Climatological analysis

    Intensity-duration-frequency relations are shown in Table 1.

  • Herd management

    • The herd size should be reduced to a number that can be supported with the available resources.

    • The minimum number of heifers should be retained, and the rest should be sold.

    • Segregating animals gives each class a better chance of getting needed feed supplies. Vulnerable classes can be segregated and given preferential treatment. The older dry cows can be moved to the poorer forage fields.

    • Use of a drought-affected paddock can be optimized by providing local water facilities and supplemental hand feeding.

  • Conservation practices

    • Water retention and detention structures capture storm-water runoff which can be used for a variety of purposes.

    • Windbreaks and shelterbelts help in reducing wind velocity and therefore, evaporation and evapotranspiration.

    • Rainwater harvesting can be accomplished for immediate or eventual use in irrigation or drinking water for livestock.

    • Landscape contouring and terracing can be implemented where feasible to reduce runoff and direct excess moisture into areas planted with trees, shrubs, and grass (Fig. 1).
 
 

...::: Ojos Negros Valley, Baja California :::...