scholarly journals Vegetation composition and forage mass in grassland with a double structure under two winter grazing regimes

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
André Alfredo Coelho ◽  
José Pedro Pereira Trindade ◽  
Leandro Bochi da Silva Volk ◽  
Clodoaldo Leites Pinheiro ◽  
Fernando Luiz Ferreira de Quadros
Keyword(s):  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Paspalum Notatum ◽  
Vegetation Composition ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Structural Composition ◽  
Double Structure ◽  
Natural Pasture ◽  
Winter Grazing

ABSTRACT: Remnant areas of Pampas grassland have a distinct double structure. Efficiency of livestock farming on these grasslands depends on practices that are synchronized with natural variation. This study examined the changes in vegetation composition and forage mass during winter to understand the effects of grazing methods in a natural pasture with a double structure that was grazed by heifers. An experimental area in the municipality of Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul, was subjected to continuous or rotational grazing treatments, with two replicates each. Frequency of the structural composition and forage mass of the lower stratum and animal weight was measured at the beginning and end of the experimental period (June 7 to October 7, 2016, respectively). Data were analysed with PCA ordination, regression and variance analysis. Both structural composition and forage mass changed during the experimental period. Axonopus affinis and Paspalum notatum were characteristic of continuous grazing, while Mnesithea selloana and Axonopus argentinus characterized rotational grazing (the latter had the highest levels of forage mass). Although, grazing methods changed the composition of forage mass in winter, they did not affect average daily gain of the animals.

scholarly journals Effects of providing artificial shade to pregnant grazing beef heifers on vaginal temperature, growth, activity, and behavior

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gleise M Silva ◽  
Lautaro R Cangiano ◽  
Thiago F. Fabris ◽  
Victoria R Merenda ◽  
Ricardo C Chebel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Paspalum Notatum ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Shade Treatment ◽  
Growth Activity ◽  
Gps Devices ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Vaginal Temperature

Abstract This experiment evaluated the effects of providing artificial shade during summer on activity, behavior, and growth performance of pregnant grazing beef heifers. Thirty-six black-hided Angus and Angus crossbred pregnant heifers [418 ± 9 kg body weight (BW); approximately 90 d of gestation] were stratified by breed, blocked by BW, and allocated to 12 ‘Pensacola’ bahiagrass pastures (Paspalum notatum Flüggé; 1.3 ha, n = 3 heifers/pasture) with or without access to artificial shade (SHADE vs. NO SHADE; 6 pastures each) for 7 wk during summer. The shade structures were composed of shade cloth (11 × 7.3 m length, 2.4 m height: 26.8 m 2 of shade per heifer). Shrunk BW was recorded on enrollment (d 0) and wk 7 (d 47), whereas full BW was obtained on wk 2 (d 14), 4 (d 28), and 6 (d 42) to assess average daily gain (ADG). Vaginal temperature was recorded for five consecutive days during wk 1, 3, 5, and 7 using an intravaginal digital thermo-logger, and individual GPS devices were used to quantify the use of shade for an 8-h period. Activity was monitored using automated monitoring devices (HR-LDn tags SCR Engineers Ltd., Netanya, Israel) through the experimental period. Vaginal temperature was lower (P < 0.01) for heifers in the SHADE compared with heifers in the NO SHADE treatment from 1200 to 1600 h and 1100 to 1900 h for wk 1 and 3, respectively. Heifers in the SHADE treatment spent 70% of the 8-h period evaluated under the shaded structure. Provision of shade increased (P < 0.01) daily lying time (11.4 ± 0.2 vs. 10.3 ± 0.2 h/d) and standing bouts per day (P < 0.01; 12.6 ± 0.4 vs. 10.8 ± 0.4 bouts/d), whereas it reduced (P < 0.01) standing bout duration (61.6 ± 3.0 vs. 82.9 ± 3.0 min/bout) relative to heifers without access to shade. The interaction between treatment and hour affected (P < 0.01) daily rumination time because heifers with access to SHADE had greater rumination between 1000 and 1200 h. Although ADG tended (P = 0.08) to be greater for the heifers in the SHADE treatment (0.20 vs. -0.02 kg, respectively), the access to shade did not (P = 0.79) affect the final BW. In conclusion, providing artificial shade during summer to pregnant grazing beef heifers was effective in reducing vaginal temperatures and exerted changes in heifer behaviors that translated into slight improvements in growth performance.

scholarly journals Beef heifers performance in natural grassland under continuous and rotational grazing in the autumn-winter

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 1859-1864 ◽  
Author(s):  
Émerson Mendes Soares ◽  
Fernando Luiz Ferreira de Quadros ◽  
Régis Maximiliano Roos de Carvalho ◽  
Leandro Bittencourt de Oliveira ◽  
Felipe Jochims ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Grassland Management ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Natural Grassland

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of beef heifers in natural grassland under continuous and rotational grazing during the autumn-winter period. The treatments were distributed in a completely randomized design and conducted using the forage mass above eight cm and 50% of the leaf blades mass of tussocks. The animals were Brangus beef heifers with initial body weight of 258kg. The variables evaluated were available forage mass (FMa), leaf blades mass of tussocks (LBMt), real forage allowance (FAr), sward height of the lower stratum (HLS), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), organic matter digestibility (OMD), total digestible nutrients (TDN), average daily gain (ADG), body condition score (BCS), reproductive tract score (RTS) and stocking rate (SR). FMa, HLS, OMD and TDN decreased while FAr, CP and NDF were similar during the experimental period. The ADG was positive only at third experimental period while BCS, RTS and SR decreased over time. The natural grassland management under continuous and rotational grazing during the autumn-winter period, using the forage mass above 8cm and 50% of the leaf blades mass of tussocks, does not allow the adequate corporal development for breeding the beef heifers at 24 months old.

A 'protein bank' of Lotus uliginosus cv. Maku as an alternative to conventional protein supplements for weaned lambs grazing on natural pastures during summer and autumn

2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
L. Piaggio ◽  
M. de J. Marichal ◽  
A. Pastorín
Keyword(s):  
Soybean Meal ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Homogeneous Groups ◽  
Protein Supplements ◽  
Natural Pasture ◽  
Performance Results ◽  
Protein Block ◽  
Lotus Uliginosus

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of restricted grazing of an improved natural pasture as an alternative to conventional protein supplements for weaned lambs grazing natural pastures during summer–autumn. Two natural pastures that differed in dry matter allowances were used as basal diets. Sixty Corriedale lambs, 3 months old, were divided into 10 homogeneous groups. For each natural pasture, one group of lambs was randomly assigned to one of the following treatments (at 10 lambs/ha): continuous grazing (control); control + protein block (150 g/lamb. day); control + soybean meal (100 g/lamb. day); control + supplemental protein obtained from grazing for 3 h/day a natural pasture improved with Lotus uliginosus cv. Maku; or same as previous, except that grazing was allowed 1 in 3 days. Performance results (final bodyweight, average daily gain, and difference between initial and final body scores) were analysed as a completely randomised block design with subsampling. Lambs grazing 3 h/day or 1 in 3 days on improved pasture or supplemented with soybean meal showed better (P < 0.05) performance than non-supplemented lambs. Lambs consuming the protein block performed similarly (P > 0.05) to control lambs. The experiment demonstrated that feeding strategies using controlled grazing of natural pastures improved with lotus Maku or soybean meal supplementation are effective to achieve target growth rates of weaned lambs grazing natural pastures in summer–autumn.

scholarly journals 158 Provision of artificial shade before weaning influences performance of Angus and Brangus cow-calf pairs

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 129-130
Author(s):  
Gleise Medeiros da Silva ◽  
Tessa M Schulmeister ◽  
Federico Podversich ◽  
Federico Tarnonsky ◽  
Maria E Zamora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Paspalum Notatum ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
The Impact

Abstract A completely randomized design study with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments evaluated the impact of artificial shade (SHADE or NO SHADE) and breed (ANGUS vs. BRANGUS) on performance of cows, nursing calves, and subsequent offspring. Twenty-four Angus and 24 Brangus black-hided pregnant cows (579 ± 8 kg BW; 6.5 yr; approximately 85 d of gestation) and their nursing calves were randomly allocated to 12 ‘Pensacola’ bahiagrass pastures (Paspalum notatum Flüggé; 1.3 ha; n = 4 pairs/pasture), with or without access to artificial shade (NO SHADE BRANGUS [NSB], NO SHADE ANGUS [NSA], SHADE BRANGUS [SB], and SHADE ANGUS [SA]) for 56 d during summer. Body condition score (BCS) of cows and BW of pairs were obtained on d -1, 0, 55, and 56 (weaning weight). Following weaning, calves were randomly allocated to 4 pens (n = 12/pen) equipped with GrowSafe feed bunks for 14 d to measure feed intake (DMI) and efficiency (G:F). A shade × breed interaction (P &lt; 0.05) was observed for average daily gain (ADG) and BCS of cows, with SB being greatest (P ≤ 0.05). Pre-weaning calf ADG tended to be greater (P = 0.10) for SHADE vs. NO SHADE. Weaning weight and BW 14-d post-weaning were lesser for NSB vs. NSA, SA, and SB, whereas no differences in DMI, ADG, or G:F were observed (P &gt; 0.11). Gestation length was greater for SHADE vs. NO SHADE cows (292 vs. 274; P = 0.02), but calf birth weight was not different. Providing artificial shade to pregnant-lactating beef cows positively impacted the growth of Brangus but not Angus cows. However, weaning BW of calves from Angus cows regardless of shade access did not differ from that of Brangus calves with shade. Further research should investigate the potential long-term effects of shade on the subsequent offspring.

PSXIII-15 Impact of forage allowance on performance and reproductive parameters in Nellore heifers

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 467-468
Author(s):  
Igor M Ferreira ◽  
Iorrano A Cidrini ◽  
Karla Oliveira ◽  
Luciana Sousa ◽  
Laura F Prados ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Treatment Effect ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Fixed Time ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Treatment Conditions ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the effects of forage allowance on the performance and pregnancy rate of Nellore heifers submitted to the fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) at 14±1 months. The experimental period was divided into the growing phase (GP; 173d) and breeding season (83d). Ninety weaned Nellore heifers [169±19 kg of body weight (BW); 210±28 days of age] were blocked by initial BW and randomly assigned to receive different forage allowance: (1) High (HFA; 7.17 kgDM/kgBW; and (2) Low (LFA; 3.27 kgDM/kgBW); and divided into 6 paddocks (2.15 to 2.4 ha each one). The grazing method used was continuous stocking with a variable stocking rate where treatment conditions were established varying the stocking rate on pasture (put-and-take). The supplement consisted of corn, soybean meal, urea, monensin, sodium chloride and minerals mix (80% TDN and 24% CP) and was provided daily (ad libitum; expected intake around 1% of BW). The final pregnancy rate was determined after two FTAI (d256). Heifers BW at the end of the GP was greater (P &lt; 0.01) for HFA vs. LFA (268 vs. 255 kg). The overall average daily gain (ADG) was greater 68 g/d for animals maintained in HFA than LFA (P &lt; 0.01; 0.713 vs. 0.645 kg/d). Supplement intake (kg/animal/d) had no treatment effect (P = 0.117). On d173, forage allowance affected (P &lt; 0.01) the backfat thickness obtained by real-time carcass ultrasound (HFA = 3.08 vs. LFA = 2.85 mm). The pregnancy rate had no treatment effect (P = 0.223; on average 61%). However, the pregnant heifers per hectare had treatment effect (P = 0.036; HFA = 3.78 vs. LFA = 2.72 pregnant heifers/ha). In conclusion, the low forage allowance reduces the animal performance and affects the carcass composition but provides a greater number of pregnant heifers per hectare.

scholarly journals Milk yield and composition, feed intake and stocking rate of crossbread cows in tropical grasses managed in a rotational grazing system

2010 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 1548-1557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelson Massaru Fukumoto ◽  
Julio Cesar Damasceno ◽  
Fermino Deresz ◽  
Carlos Eugênio Martins ◽  
Antônio Carlos Cóser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
The Body ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Panicum Maximum ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Grazing System

The objective of this study was to evaluate milk yield and composition, dry matter intake, and stocking rate in pastures with tanzania grass (Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia), star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis cv. Estrela-Africana), and marandu grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu). The grasses were managed in a rotational grazing system with Holstein x Zebu crossbreed cows, with a 30-day resting period and three days of paddock occupation. The pastures were fertilized with 1,000 kg/ha/year using the 20:05:20 (NPK) formula, split in three applications during the rainy season. It was used a complete random block experimental design with three factors being studied and two replications. In the experiment, four cows/paddock were used and, when it was necessary, regulator animals were added in order to obtain a supply of 7% body weight green forage dry matter. The animals were individually fed concentrate at 2 kg/day during the experimental period. Milk yield did not differ among the three grasses, with values of 9.1; 9.1; and 8.7 kg/cow/day for pastures with tanzania grass, star grass and marandu grass, respectively. Similarly, grass did not affect milk chemical composition. Stocking rate was similar among the three grasses, with values of 4.6; 4.5 and 5.0 UA/ha for tanzania grass, star grass and marandu grass, respectively. The highest dry matter intake was observed for tanzania grass with 2.6% of the body weight while stargrass (2.3%) and marandu grass (2.4%) did not differ among each other. The highest dry matter intake on tanzania grass pasture was not reflected on milk yield per animal. Milk yield and composition and stocking rate are similar among the evaluated grasses.

scholarly journals Effect of colistin and tylosin used as feed additives on the performance, diarrhea incidence, and immune response of nursery pigs

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 1947 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly Mazutti ◽  
Leandro Batista Costa ◽  
Lígia Valéria Nascimento ◽  
Tobias Fernandes Filho ◽  
Breno Castello Branco Beirão ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Feed Additives ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Nursery Pigs ◽  
Diarrhea Incidence

For the last several decades, antimicrobial compounds have been used as feed additives to promote piglet growth at weaning, through the prevention of subclinical and clinical disease. However, few studies have assessed the influence of these antibiotics on the immune response of nursery pigs, as well as the relation between performance, health, and immunity of animals that receive feed additives. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of colistin and tylosin when used as feed additives on the performance, incidence of diarrhea, and immune response of nursery pigs. In this study, 72 weaned pigs (average age, 28 days) were allotted into one of three treatment groups: a control group (feed with no antibiotics), tylosin group (feed containing 22 ppm tylosin), and colistin group (feed containing 20 ppm colistin). Weekly, during a five week period, the average daily feed intake, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio of the pigs were evaluated. Stools were scored daily, in accordance with a fecal texture scale. Blood samples were collected on the day of housing (d0) and on d7, d21, d28, and d35 for immune cell phenotyping. The results of this study showed that piglets in both the colistin and tylosin groups exhibited a significantly higher average daily feed intake, resulting in a higher body weight at the end of the experimental period (d35) when compared with piglets from the control group. Colistin and tylosin also significantly reduced the incidence of diarrhea. Colistin and tylosin modulated the piglets’ immune responses, particularly on d28, by changing the percentage of circulating B lymphocytes, CD4+CD8+ T cells, and the CD4:CD8 ratio.

Rotational grazing management of forage peanut

2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 495-505
Author(s):  
Lucas da Rocha Carvalho ◽  
Lilian Elgalise Techio Pereira ◽  
Sila Carneiro Da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Period ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Dry Matter Accumulation ◽  
Adaptation Period ◽  
Forage Grasses ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Grazing Tolerance ◽  
Tropical Forage

AbstractThe perennial forage peanut is a stoloniferous, perennial tropical legume with potential for use in pastures. Based on the hypothesis that under intermittent stocking herbage accumulation would follow a similar pattern to that described for tropical forage grasses, the objective of this study was to evaluate canopy characteristics and herbage accumulation of forage peanut subjected to strategies of rotational grazing management. Treatments corresponded to all possible combinations of two grazing frequencies (regrowth interrupted at 95% and maximum canopy light interception – LI95% and LIMax) and two grazing severities (post-grazing canopy heights (CHs) equivalent to 40 and 60% of the pre-grazing heights). Treatments were imposed to experimental units during an adaptation period (from November 2014 to January 2015) and the subsequent experimental period lasted from February 2015 to April 2016, comprising two consecutive pasture growing seasons with no interruption between them (summer I to summer II). The pre-grazing targets of LI95% and LIMax corresponded to CHs of 13 and 18 cm, respectively. Forage peanut showed high grazing tolerance as pre-grazing leaf area index (except during summer I and autumn/winter), total herbage, and leaflet dry matter accumulation varied only with seasons. Higher rates of herbage production were recorded during summer I and summer II, followed by those during late and early spring and autumn/winter. Since there was no difference in the pattern of herbage accumulation between LI95% and LIMax and stolons predominated at the bottom of the canopies, forage peanut may be rotationally grazed with greater flexibility than most tropical forage grasses. Recommended pre-grazing CHs are within 13 and 18 cm, and post-grazing heights between 40 and 60% of the pre-grazing height.

scholarly journals Productive performance of Nellore steers on rotational grazing on Marandu grass and Convert HD 364 grass

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 1627
Author(s):  
André Felipe Borges Krinchev ◽  
Valter Harry Bumbieris Junior ◽  
José Renato Silva Gonçalves ◽  
Laísse Garcia Lima ◽  
Ana Maria Bridi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Leaf Blade ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat Thickness ◽  
Fat Thickness ◽  
Daily Gain

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Brachiaria spp. Cv. Mulato II (Convert) on performance, meat quality and carcass characteristics of castrated Nellore steers in the growing and finishing phases, in rotational grazing system, compared to Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, under the same conditions. The experimental area was divided into two treatments: Marandu and Convert with 20 hectares each, splited in four replications per treatment, composed of five paddocks of one hectare each. Animals were managed based on the availability of leaf blade dry matter (6.19% body weight) in rotational grazing with 7 days of occupation and 28 days of rest. Ten animals were used in each replicate (testers), as well as regulatory animals whenever necessary. Animals were managed based on the availability of leaf blade dry matter (6.19% body weight) in rotational grazing with 7 days of occupation and 28 days of rest. Ten animals were used in each replicate (testers), as well as regulatory animals whenever necessary. For performance analysis, 10 animals of each replicate were used, while for carcass and meat analyses, only six of each replicate. Production and chemial characteristics of the two grasses were evaluated. The experimental design was completely randomized with two treatments and four replicates; data were tested by analysis of variance using the R software. Animals fed on Convert grass were superior than those fed on Marandu grass, with higher average daily gain (0.682 kg vs. 0.605 kg), slaughter weight (470.45 kg vs. 451.43 kg), hot carcass weight (239.93 kg vs. 232.36 kg). The study also showed the possibility of finishing castrated young steers (up to 30 months) and with subcutaneous fat thickness required by industry (3 mm) in both pastures.

scholarly journals ASSESSING LIVESTOCK WATER PRODUCTIVITY IN MIXED FARMING SYSTEMS OF GUMARA WATERSHED, ETHIOPIA

2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 684-698
Author(s):  
MENGISTU ALEMAYEHU ◽  
TILAHUN AMEDE ◽  
DON PEDEN ◽  
TESFAYE KUMSA ◽  
MICHAEL H. BÖHME ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Water Productivity ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Lower Altitude ◽  
Mixed Farming ◽  
Natural Pasture ◽  
Gumara Watershed

SUMMARYA monitoring study was carried out in Gumara watershed, upper Blue Nile basin, with the objective of evaluating livestock water productivity (LWP) using a life cycle assessment method. Sixty two smallholder farmers were selected for the study implemented between November 2006 and February 2008. Data on crop and livestock production were collected to allow assessment of livestock water productivity. Study sites were situated in three different rainfed mixed crop/livestock farming systems; barley/potato based system (BPS), tef/finger-millet based system (TMS), and rice/noug based system (RNS). LWP was found to be significantly lower (p < 0.01) in RNS (0.057 USD m−3 water) than in TMS (0.066 USD m−3 water) or in BPS (0.066 USD m−3 water). Notably, water requirement per kg live weight of cattle increased towards the lower altitude area (in RNS) mainly because of increased evapo-transpiration. As a result, 20% more water was required per kg live weight of cattle in the low ground RNS compared to BPS situated in the upstream parts of the study area. Cattle herd management that involved early offtake increased LWP by 28% over the practice of late offtake. Crop water productivity expressed in monetary units (0.39 USD m−3 water) was higher than LWP (0.063 USD m−3 water) across the mixed farming systems of Gumara watershed. Strategies for improving LWP, from its present low level, could include keeping only the more productive animals, increasing pasture productivity and linking production to marketing. These strategies would also ease the imbalance between the existing high livestock population and the declining carrying capacity of natural pasture.

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