Pasture research and Farming system

	Head of The Division Principal Scientist (Ruminant Nutrition & Agrostology) BVSc. (SL), MSc. (SL), PhD (UK)
Dr. W.M.P.B. Weerasinghe
Dr M.W.D.C Weerathunga	Research Officer BVSc. (Sri Lanka), MSc in Medical Microbiology (Sri Lanka),
Ms. U.W.G.D.N. Udagama	Research Assistant Dip. in Animal Hasbandry - Sri Lanka
Mrs. M.L.A.C. Inoka	Laboratory Assistant

The main service functions of the division are listed below

01. Laboratory Analysis.

1. Soil analysis for pH, salinity, Electronic Conductivity, Total dissolved solids, Nitrate, Available Phosphorus & Available Potassium .
2. Silage analysis for pH, Lactic Acid, Soluble Carbohydrate & Ammonia - N..
3. Water analysis for pH, Hardness, TDS, EC, salinity, Acidity, Alkalinity & Nitrate.
4. Forage seed analysis for purity, germination and viability.
5. Feed analysis for Dry matter, Ash, Crude protein, Crude Fiber, Crude fat, Natural detergent fiber & Acid detergent fiber.
6. In-victor analysis of feed samples for metabolizable energy (ME) & organic matter digestibility

02. Forage specimens, azolla and germplasms

Issue of forage specimens, azolla and germplasms for educational and research purpose.

03. Forage species and variety demonstrations.

Demonstrations and training on establishments of forage varieties.

04. Farm Advisory functions

Provision of technical guidance for forage and Azolla establishment and management.

05. Pasture preservation

Demonstration of hay and silage production and quality analysis of silage.

06. Research facilities.

In-vitro gas production system for quality analysis of ruminant feeds and forages, mineral analysis facility.