Performance and productivity of Nellore steers on rotationally stocked palisadegrass (Brachiaria brizantha) pastures in response to herbage allowance

2011 ◽  
Vol 149 (6) ◽  
pp. 761-768 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. R. HERLING ◽  
C. G. S. PEDREIRA ◽  
P. H. DE C. LUZ ◽  
G. J. BRAGA ◽  
W. A. MARCHESIN ◽  
...  

SUMMARYHerbage allowance (HA) impacts performance of grazing cattle as well as sward structure and herbage yield. The objective of the current study was to compare average daily gain (ADG) of Nellore steers on Marandu palisadegrass (Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst ex A. Rich.) Stapf. cv. Marandu) pastures in response to HA. Treatments were applied as 5, 10, 15 and 20 kg dry matter (DM) per 100 kg live weight (LW) per day HA5, HA10, HA15 and HA20), in rotationally stocked pastures under a 35-day grazing cycle (28 days of rest and 7 days of grazing). The trial was carried out in Pirassununga, Brazil, during two summer seasons in 2003 and 2004, each divided into four grazing cycles. Individual animal (250 kg yearling steers) gain increased with HA up to HA15 (mean=0·69 kg/head per day) during each of four grazing cycles per year. The 2-year gain per area was greater for HA5 and HA10 than for HA15 and HA20 and average stocking rate was 9·6, 6·7, 5·4 and 4·6 head/ha for HA5 to HA20, respectively. In addition to the effects of HA on ADG, changes in sward structure, especially sward height, help to explain variation in daily gain in both years. The HA10 treatment provides higher gain per area without excessively reducing individual animal performance, and thus may be the level of choice for optimizing animal output in pasture-only systems.

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo José Braga ◽  
Carlos Guilherme Silveira Pedreira ◽  
Valdo Rodrigues Herling ◽  
Pedro Henrique de Cerqueira Luz ◽  
César Gonçalves de Lima

In ruminant-forage systems herbage allowance (HAL) has a major impact on grazing intensity and sward structure, affecting animals, plants, and ultimately, pasture yield. Data on HAL responses of tropical cultivated pastures are scarce and this information may be useful in optimizing pasture utilization. The objective of this study was to describe and contrast sward structure and herbage accumulation responses of 'Marandu' palisadegrass [Brachiaria brizantha (A.Rich.) Stapf] pastures to HAL during two grazing seasons (warm-rainy season of 2003 and 2004). Treatments were four daily HAL levels, 5, 10, 15 and 20 kg herbage mass per 100 kg live weight (%) in a rotational stocking system with 35 days of grazing cycle (28-day rest; 7-d grazing). Post-graze swards were shorter (~17 cm) under 5% HAL. For the other HAL levels, postgraze sward height increased throughout the experiment (21 to 50 cm). Changes in sward light interception (LI) were highly associated with height, but differed across HALs in 2004. Early in the 2003 season, HAL increases resulted in linear increase of the daily herbage accumulation rate (HAR; 47, 66, 78, and 98 kg DM ha-1 d-1 for 5, 10, 15 and 20%-HAL, respectively). For the subsequent grazing cycles of 2003 and all through 2004, HAR decreased with increasing HAL. This was associated with the excessive increase in sward height and mean forage mass, caused by lower grazing intensity. The use of lax (high) HAL to maximize animal performance, especially 10, 15 and 20%-HAL, resulted in decreased pasture performance (lower herbage accumulation, HAC) in palisadegrass pastures.


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 3861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulysses Cecato ◽  
Josmar Almeida Junior ◽  
Fabíola Cristine de Almeida Rego ◽  
Sandra Galbeiro ◽  
Wagner Paris ◽  
...  

This study aimed to assess forage production, animal performance, and the chemical composition of Tanzania grass pasture fertilized with 50, 100, 200, and 400 kg ha-1 of nitrogen. The variables analyzed were: leaf mass, daily accumulation rate, leaf/stem ratio, average daily gain, stocking rate, live weight gain per unit of area crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and in vitro dry matter digestibility of leaves. The pasture management maintained the pasture height at 50 cm by using a continuous grazing method with the adjustment of stocking rate. The experimental design was a randomized block with three replicates. The leaf mass increased linearly in response to nitrogen, with an increase of 1003 kg (34%) observed between a nitrogen content of 50 and 400 kg ha-1. Nitrogen did not affect the average daily gain, but increased the stocking rate and live weight gain ha-1. The value of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber were higher with increased nitrogen levels, whereas the leaf digestibility did not affect nitrogen use. The comparison of 50 and 400 kg ha-1 levels indicated that there was an average increase of 19.2% in the leaf crude protein. The increased application of nitrogen fertilizer in Tanzania grass improved the chemical composition and animal performance; with regard to studied variables, the dose of 200 kg ha-1 resulted in the greatest improvement.


2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 537-551
Author(s):  
T.S. Brand ◽  
J. Van der Merwe ◽  
L.C. Hoffman

Canola meal (CM) is a locally produced protein source that may be less expensive than soybean meal (SBM). This study evaluated the effects of replacing 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% SBM with CM in diets for slaughter ostriches. The CM was added at the expense of SBM and other concentrates, with minor changes in other ingredients. Birds (n = 15 per treatment) were reared from 77 to 337 days old on the trial diets, which were supplied ad libitum for starter, grower, and finisher phases. Bodyweights and feed intake were measured during these phases. No differences (P >0.05) were found between treatments for live weight at the end of each phase, dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) over all the growth phases. Although no differences were observed in live weight at the end of each phase, the birds reared on the diet with 50% CM were heaviest at slaughter, and birds reared with 100% CM were lightest (P <0.05). Differences (P <0.05) between diets were observed for the weight at slaughter, weights of the liver and thyroid glands and the pH of the cold carcass. However, no differences (P >0.05) were observed between diets for fat pad weight, dressing percentage, and weights of thighs and Muscularis gastrocnemius. The results indicate that CM could replace SBM in the diets of slaughter ostriches without affecting production traits and slaughter yields.Keywords: alternative protein, average daily gain, canola, dry matter intake, feed conversion ratio, growth, ostrich nutrition, production


Author(s):  
K Garrett ◽  
M R Beck ◽  
C J Marshall ◽  
A E Fleming ◽  
C M Logan ◽  
...  

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the effect of offering animals a multi-forage choice of fresh herbages on dry matter intake (DMI), live weight gain and animal welfare, in comparison with a monotonous diet of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Twenty ram lambs [30.5 ± 0.9 kg initial live weight; mean ± standard error of the mean], were randomly allocated to either a diet consisting of diverse multi-forage choice (MF) or a single forage ryegrass (SF) diet (n = 10 per treatment) for 35 days. Both diets were fed ad libitum; however, the MF diet was composed of set dry matter ratios of: 24% chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), 30% lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), 25% plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.), and 21% ryegrass. The DMI of the MF lambs was 48% greater (P &lt; 0.01) and the within animal day-to-day coefficient of variation (CV) of intake was 26% lower (P &lt; 0.01) than the SF lambs. The average daily gain (ADG) of lambs offered the MF diet was 92% greater (P &lt; 0.01) than the lambs offered the SF diet. The within animal day-to-day CV of intake was negatively related with ADG (r = -0.59: P &lt; 0.01). The MF lamb’s urinary N concentration was 30% lower (P &lt; 0.01) than that of the SF lambs. The SF lambs spent more time (P &lt; 0.05) exhibiting stereotypic behaviors in the afternoon and spent more time observing other animals than the MF. Overall, allocating a multi-forage choice of fresh herbages as opposed to a single forage diet of ryegrass increases DMI and thereby animal performance, while potentially reducing urinary N excretion.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 296-296
Author(s):  
Peter R Doyle ◽  
Mark McGee ◽  
Aidan P Moloney ◽  
Alan K Kelly ◽  
Edward G O’Riordan

Abstract Grazing sward structure can influence animal performance in forage-only and forage plus concentrate-based production systems. The objective was to determine the effects of pre-grazing herbage mass (PGHM), post-grazing sward height (PGSH) and indoor finishing diet on performance of weaned, spring-born beef steers. Steers (n = 96, ca. 12 months of age, 396 ± 20.1 kg) previously fed grass silage only over the first winter, were assigned to one of twelve grazing groups, balanced for live weight. Grazing groups were randomly assigned to a two PGHM (1500 or 2500 kg DM/ha) × two PGSH (4 or 6 cm) factorial arrangement of treatments (n = 3 groups/treatment). Steers rotationally grazed Lolium perenne-dominant swards (not mechanically topped) for 222 days. Steers were then accommodated indoors and offered grass silage only (SO) or grass silage + 3.8 kg concentrate DM/head daily (SC) for a 146 day finishing period. Data were analysed using the mixed procedure of SAS with terms for PGHM, PGSH, finishing diet and their interactions in the model. Grazed herbage intake was unaffected by PGHM but was greater for PGSH-6 than PGSH-4 (6.94 vs. 6.18 kg DM/day; P &lt; 0.001). Steer average daily gain at pasture was greater for PGHM-1500 than PGHM-2500 (0.65 vs. 0.60 kg; P &lt; 0.05) and for PGSH-6 than PGSH-4 (0.70 vs. 0.55 kg; P &lt; 0.001). After indoor finishing, carcass weight was unaffected by PGHM, but was heavier for PGSH-6 than PGSH-4 (386 vs. 367 kg; P &lt; 0.01); carcass traits were unaffected by PGHM or PGSH. Carcasses were heavier (+43 kg), fatter (P &lt; 0.001) and more conformed (P &lt; 0.01) for SC than SO. In conclusion, both PGHM-2500 and PGSH-4 restricted animal growth at pasture; however, following an indoor finishing period, carcass weight did not differ between PGHM, but was heavier for PGSH-6 than PGSH-4.


2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 123 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. P. De Oliveira ◽  
D. R. Casagrande ◽  
L. M. A. Bertipaglia ◽  
R. P. Barbero ◽  
T. T. Berchielli ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of beef heifers on Stapf. cv. Marandu grass pastures that were managed at three herbage allowances under continuous grazing with a variable stocking rate and were provided with mineral mix supplement or supplements with energy and protein. Seventy-two test heifers and 48 put-and-take heifers were used in a randomised design in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement [three herbage allowances (1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 kg of green dry matter/kg of bodyweight, and two supplementation levels (mineral mix or 0.3% bodyweight of a mineral–protein–energy supplement)], with two replicates per treatment (paddocks), to maintain the pre-established forage allowance. No significant difference was observed in the gain per hectare as a function of the herbage allowance, but 2.5 kg green dry matter/kg bodyweight provided the greatest average daily gain of bodyweight (0.605 kg/animal/day). The energy/protein supplementation provided the greatest average daily gain compared with animals fed only the mineral mix. The supplements in the diet of beef heifers fed at 0.3% of bodyweight increased bodyweight gains without compromising the gain per hectare at different herbage allowances.


REPORTS ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 335 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-18
Author(s):  
N.N. Alibayev ◽  
A. Baimukanov ◽  
Z.T. Yessembekova ◽  
M.N. Yermakhanov ◽  
Zh. Tuleubayev ◽  
...  

The aim of the research is to determine the amount and nutritional value of pasture forage eaten by dromedary camels on saltwort pastures. As the results of the experiments showed, adult female camels consumed, on average, over three years, 19.2 kg of sagebrush-saltwort-herb pasture pasture food of the above-described saltwort pasture with an initial moisture content of 35.7% and a nutritional value of 0.44 feed units, 4.96 MJ of exchange energy , 50 g digestible protein, 2.92 g calcium, 0.73 g phosphorus and 27 mg carotene in 1 kg of pasture feed at natural moisture. Adult single female camels with live weight in the range of 530-550 kg in the indicated amount of pasture forage (19.2 kg) consumed an average of 12.29 kg of dry matter, which contained 8.45 forage units, 95.23 MJ of metabolizable energy, 960 g of digestible protein, 56.06 g of calcium, 14.01 g of phosphorus and 518.4 mg of carotene. The actual provision in digestible protein was 115.8%, as they consume 960 g at a rate of 829 g, which indicates good grazing and forage conditions of saltwort pastures. The indicated feeding level of single female camels provided the animals with the average daily gain of 670 g. On a similar type of saltwort pastures, a 1.5 year old young camel stock with an average live weight of 265 kg consumed about 11.5 kg of pasture forage, which contained 7.36 kg of dry matter, 5.06 forage units, 57.04 MJ of metabolizable energy , 575 g of digestible protein, 33.6 g of calcium, 8.4 g of phosphorus, and 310 mg of carotene. At the same time, the average daily gain of the experimental young stock for the grazing period is 620 g.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lidiane R. Eloy ◽  
Carolina Bremm ◽  
José F. P. Lobato ◽  
Luciana Pötter ◽  
Emilio A. Laca

AbstractPregnancy rate is a major determinant of population dynamics of wild ungulates and of productivity of livestock systems. Allocation of feeding resources, including stocking rates, prior to and during the breeding season is a crucial determinant of this vital rate. Thus, quantification of effects and interaction among multiple factors that affect pregnancy rate is essential for management and conservation of pasture-based systems. Pregnancy rate of 2982 heifers and primiparous cows was studied as a function of animal category, average daily gain during the breeding season, stocking rate, pasture type and body weight at the beginning of the breeding season. Data were obtained from 43 experiments conducted in commercial ranches and research stations in the Pampas region between 1976 and 2015. Stocking rate ranged from 200 to 464 kg live weight/ha, which brackets values for most of the grazinglands in similar regions. Age at breeding was 14-36 months (24.6 ± 7.5 months); initial breeding weights were 129-506 kg and 194-570 kg for heifers and primiparous cows. Pregnancy rate was modeled with an apriori set of explanatory variables where proximate variables (breed, body weight at start of breeding, weight gain during breeding and category) were included first and subsequently modeled as functions of other variables (pasture type, supplementation and stocking rate). This modeling approach allowed detection of direct and indirect effects (through nutrition and body weight) of factors that affect pregnancy rate. Taurine (Bos taurus breeds, N = 1058) had higher pregnancy rate than B. Taurus x B. indicus crossbreed (N = 1924) females. Pregnancy rate of heifers and primiparous cows grazing in natural grasslands decreased with increasing stocking rate, but no effect of stocking rate was detected in cultivated and improved pastures. Pregnancy rate increased with increasing average daily gain during the breeding season. Use of cultivated or improved natural pastures promotes higher pregnancy rate, as well as allows higher in stocking rate at the regional level. Body weight at the start of the breeding season is the primary determinant of pregnancy rates in heifer and primiparous cows.


1982 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 427-429
Author(s):  
Z. Holzer ◽  
D. Levy ◽  
V. Samuel ◽  
D. Drori

ABSTRACTFour groups of 12 beef heifers were each given either straw treated with 35 g sodium hydroxide per kg (TS) or untreated straw (US) and were either supplemented with 35 mg monensin per kg (Ms) or not supplemented (Ns). The diet consisted of approximately 0·40 of a concentrate mixture that contained 12·8 MJ metabolizable energy and 243 g crude protein per kg dry matter, and 0·60 straw. Feeding was ad libitum. The average initial weight of the heifers was 207·2 kg and the experiment lasted 86 days.The average dry matter consumed was 2·3g/kg live weight. Average daily gain (±s.e.) was 505±31·6, 371±33·8, 380±26·2 and 257±32·7g/day for treatment groups TS-Ms, TS-Ns, US-Ms and US-Ns, respectively. These findings indicate that monensin may counteract some ill-effects of diets high in sodium hydroxide-treated straw and thus further research is warranted.


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 2141
Author(s):  
Ricardo Bonadimann ◽  
Eduardo Henrique Bevitori Kling de Moraes ◽  
Kamila Andreatta Kling de Moraes ◽  
Douglas Dos Santos Pina ◽  
André Soares de Oliveira ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of frequency of concentrate supplementation on the daytime feeding behavior (grazing, rumination, drinking, and idle times), production performance, and economic viability of grazing cattle in the rainy season. A total of 120 uncastrated Nellore animals with an average body weight (BW) of 382.5 ± 32.2 kg were allocated to palisadegrass (Brachiaria brizantha) paddocks for the experiment. We evaluated supplements provided in the amount of 2.0 kg/animal, supplied three times weekly (3tw) or daily (7X). Animals supplemented 3X (5.46%) spent more time (%) drinking water than those supplemented 7X (3.72%). Grazing time and animal performance were not influenced by the frequency of supplementation. Average daily gain was 1.00 and 1.02 kg/animal for the groups under 3X and 7X, respectively. Expenditures on transportation and labor are lower (43%) when animals are supplemented 3X. Supplementation provided three times per week does not affect the grazing time or the performance of beef cattle in the rainy season, but rather implies an expressive reduction of expenditures on labor and distribution of supplements.


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