Trees on Pasture and Milk Production

Can trees on pasture enhance milk production? Trees restrict pasture growth but can improve soil conditions and pasture quality, provide fruits as fodder in the dry season and shade for animal's resting. Matiguas region in central Nicaragua has a large number of trees on pasture. Local farmers, who are engaged in extensive cattle production, know the value of trees: timber, fruits, watersheds protection, fodder in the dry season, etc. But the question is whether the trees on pasture increase milk production as well? This study attempted to solve the question by multivariable analysis on satellite images and farm land use/production data. The book describes extensive literature reviews on pasture and cattle production, data selection and standardization of the complex system, and multivariable analyses by regression and principal component regression. This book can provide a good reference for PhD students/researchers who are planning to carry out complex multidisciplinary research in the field science.