scholarly journals Grazing height targets for Alexandergrass pastures under continuous stocking in integrated crop-livestock system

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
André Brugnara Soares ◽  
Daniel Schmitt ◽  
Francisco Migliorini ◽  
Tangriani Simioni Assmann ◽  
Alceu Luís Assmann
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crop ◽  
Soil Cover ◽  
Accumulation Rate ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Leaf Lamina ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Livestock System

ABSTRACT: The aim of this experiment was to identify grazing height targets for Alexandergrass pastures under continuous stocking in integrated crop-livestock system (ICLS). For this purpose, twelve pastures were cultivated into an ICLS area, and maintained at 10, 20, 30, or 40 cm using grazing goats. The following variables were analyzed: leaf and herbage mass, accumulation rate, and allowance; leaf:stem ratio; chemical composition of hand-plucked samples; stocking rate; average daily gain and gain per area. The data were submitted to regression and correlation analysis. Significance was set at 5% (P≤0.05). The main results were: i) herbage and leaf lamina mass increased linearly with grazing height, and pastures maintained at 20 cm already presented the minimum amount recommended for soil cover in ICLS; ii) animal performance achieved an upper asymptotic plateau in pastures maintained around 30-40 cm and it was highly correlated with both grazing height and forage availability (mass and allowance). Alexandergrass pastures under continuous stocking in ICLS should be maintained between 30-40 cm to improve both cover crop biomass and animal performance.

scholarly journals 6 Animal performance in grass monoculture or silvopasture systems using tree legumes

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 18-19
Author(s):  
Izabela Aline Gomes da Silva ◽  
Jose Carlos Batista Dubeux ◽  
Alexandre C Leão de Mello ◽  
Márcio Vieira da Cunha ◽  
Mércia Ferreira dos Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Experimental Design ◽  
Accumulation Rate ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Gliricidia Sepium ◽  
Tropical Region ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Management Option ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract Silvopasture systems (SPS) area management option to enhance delivery of ecosystem services and diversification of income. This study evaluated productive responses of signalgrass (UrochloadecumbensStapf.) in monoculture or in SPS in the sub-humid tropical region of Brazil during six months of the rainy season. The experimental design was randomized complete block with three replications. Treatments were signalgrass + Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth. (SPS-Mimosa); signalgrass + Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) (SPS-Gliricidia); and signalgrass monoculture. Cattle were managed under continuous stocking with variable stocking rate. Response variables included herbage mass (HM), herbage accumulation (HA), stocking rate (SR), average daily gain (ADG), and gain per area (GPA). Herbage mass (HM) was greater (P < 0.0001) on signal grass monoculture (2045 kg DM/ha) than in SPS (1370 kg DM/ha, average for both SPS). Herbage accumulation rate was similar for signalgrass in monoculture and SPS-Gliricidia (avg. 61 kg DM ha-1 d-1), and both were greater than SPS-Mimosa (37 kg DM ha-1 d-1). Average daily gain was greater(P < 0.0001) for SPS-Gliricidia (1.1 kg head-1 d-1), followed by signalgrass in monoculture (0.9 kg head-1 d-1), and SPS-Mimosa (0.3 kg head-1 d-1). Stocking rate ranged from 0.6 animal units (1AU = 450-kg animal) per ha in April to 2.2 AUha-1 in June. Stocking rate and animal performance per area were similar for signalgrass in monoculture and SPS-Gliricidia, and both greater than SPS-Mimosa. Gliricidia enhanced animal performance and provided ecosystem services. Mimosa, however, reduced animal performance likely due to the competition with signalgrass. Mimosa trees, however, are an important source of income (timber used for fence posts) and that might overcome the losses in animal performance.

scholarly journals 5 Animal performance in grass monoculture or silvopasture systems using tree legumes

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 27-28
Author(s):  
Izabela Aline Gomes da Silva ◽  
Jose Carlos Batista Dubeux ◽  
Alexandre C Leão de Mello ◽  
Márcio Vieira da Cunha ◽  
Mércia Ferreira dos Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Experimental Design ◽  
Accumulation Rate ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Gliricidia Sepium ◽  
Tropical Region ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Management Option ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract Silvopasture systems (SPS) area management option to enhance delivery of ecosystem services and diversification of income. This study evaluated productive responses of signalgrass (Urochloadecumbens Stapf.) in monoculture or in SPS in the sub-humid tropical region of Brazil during six months of the rainy season. The experimental design was randomized complete block with three replications. Treatments were signalgrass + Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth. (SPS-Mimosa); signalgrass + Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) (SPS-Gliricidia); and signalgrass monoculture. Cattle were managed under continuous stocking with variable stocking rate. Response variables included herbage mass (HM), herbage accumulation (HA), stocking rate (SR), average daily gain (ADG), and gain per area (GPA). Herbage mass (HM) was greater (P < 0.0001) on signal grass monoculture (2045 kg DM/ha) than in SPS (1370 kg DM/ha, average for both SPS). Herbage accumulation rate was similar for signalgrass in monoculture and SPS-Gliricidia (avg. 61 kg DM ha-1 d-1), and both were greater than SPS-Mimosa (37 kg DM ha-1 d-1). Average daily gain was greater(P < 0.0001) for SPS-Gliricidia (1.1 kg head-1 d-1), followed by signalgrass in monoculture (0.9 kg head-1 d-1), and SPS-Mimosa (0.3 kg head-1 d-1). Stocking rate ranged from 0.6 animal units (1AU = 450-kg animal) per ha in April to 2.2 AUha-1 in June. Stocking rate and animal performance per area were similar for signalgrass in monoculture and SPS-Gliricidia, and both greater than SPS-Mimosa. Gliricidia enhanced animal performance and provided ecosystem services. Mimosa, however, reduced animal performance likely due to the competition with signalgrass. Mimosa trees, however, are an important source of income (timber used for fence posts) and that might overcome the losses in animal performance.

scholarly journals Animal performance and sward characteristics of Mombaça guineagrass pastures subjected to two grazing frequencies

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristiane A.F. Alvarenga ◽  
Valéria P.B. Euclides ◽  
Denise B. Montagner ◽  
André F. Sbrissia ◽  
Rodrigo A. Barbosa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Accumulation Rate ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Incident Light ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Panicum Maximum ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Daily Gain

The aim of this work was to compare grazing management practices of Mombaça guineagrass (Megathyrsus maximus syn. Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça) based on the sward incident light interception (LI) concept. We tested, when the regrowth period in rotationally stocked Mombaça guineagrass ended, if LI (90 or 95%) affected forage accumulation, sward characteristics and animal performance. Both treatments had a common post-grazing canopy height of 50 cm and were replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design. Pastures were sampled pre- and post-grazing to determine forage mass, morphological composition and forage accumulation rate (FAR). Nutritive value (NV) was estimated in pre-grazing samples. Stocking rate was adjusted twice a week, and animals were weighed every 28 days. Pre-grazing conditions of 90 and 95% LI were reached at pasture heights of approximately 80 and 90 cm, respectively. FAR, sward structure and NV were similar for pastures grazed at 90 and 95% LI. Consequently, stocking rate, average daily gain and liveweight gain/ha were similar for both LI treatments. Data suggest that Mombaça guineagrass can be grazed at pre-grazing heights of 80–90 cm (90–95% LI) without compromising pasture structure and animal performance provided moderate defoliation severity is employed. Further testing of this grazing strategy over longer periods should be carried out with this species as well as other tropical grasses.

scholarly journals Animal performance, production, and quality of Tanzania grass fertilized with nitrogen

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 3861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulysses Cecato ◽  
Josmar Almeida Junior ◽  
Fabíola Cristine de Almeida Rego ◽  
Sandra Galbeiro ◽  
Wagner Paris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Daily Gain

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.

Steer performance on Panicum maximum (cv. Mombaça) pastures under two grazing intensities

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (11) ◽  
pp. 1849 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valéria Pacheco Batista Euclides ◽  
Flávia da Conceição Lopes ◽  
Domicio do Nascimento Junior ◽  
Sila Carneiro da Silva ◽  
Gelson dos Santos Difante ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Accumulation Rate ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
Panicum Maximum ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Grazing Intensities ◽  
Dead Material ◽  
Daily Gain

The objective of this study was to evaluate animal performance in Mombaça guineagrass (Panicum maximum Jacq.) pastures under intermittent grazing associated with two post-grazing heights (30 and 50 cm) and a pre-grazing height of 90 cm. A completely randomised block experimental design was employed, with two treatments and three replicates. The pastures were evaluated pre- and post-grazing grazing, to determine the herbage mass, percentage of leaf, stem and dead material and nutritive value. The stocking rate (expressed in animal unit, AU = 450 kg liveweight) was adjusted twice a week, and the animals were weighed every 28 days. The average grazing frequencies were 33 and 40 days, respectively, for 50 cm and 30 cm of residue pastures to reach the pre-grazing target (90 cm). The forage accumulation rate and pre-grazing herbage mass were similar for pastures with post-grazing heights of 30 and 50 cm. However, 50 cm of residue in the pasture resulted in greater pre-grazing leaf percentage and nutritive value and a lower percentage of dead material than did 30 cm of residue, and, consequently, a greater herbage intake (2.6 and 2.0 kg of dry matter/100 kg liveweight, respectively). The stocking rate was greater in the pastures with 30 cm of residue (6.7 AU/ ha) than in those with 50 cm (5.1 AU/ha). However, the average daily gain was greater for the 50-cm (655 g/steer.day) than for the 30-cm (390 g/steer.day) post-grazing height, resulting in a greater animal production of 1070 versus 635 kg/ha, respectively. Thus, under intermittent grazing, Mombaça guineagrass should be managed using a 50-cm post-grazing height.

scholarly journals 147 Renovating toxic-infected tall fescue pastures for profitability, animal performance, and soil health

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 37-38
Author(s):  
Sam Ingram ◽  
Matthew H Poore ◽  
Daniel H Poole
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Agronomic Performance ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Grazing Period ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract Renovating toxic-infected tall fescue (TF) pastures to non-toxic infected tall fescue (NE) for profitability, animal and agronomic performance without compromising soil health is needed to transition to NE in the southeast U.S. Three renovation strategies were evaluated for impact on soil health, profitability, and animal and agronomic performance in a replicated field trial located in Bahama, NC. Strategies included: 1) control (C), 2) renovation to NE after one season of a single specie cover crop (1-SM), 3) renovation to NE after three seasons of a single specie cover crop (3-SM), and 4) renovation to NE after three seasons of a multi-specie cover crop (3-CM). Soil samples were taken prior to renovation to establish baseline soil health measurements for each strategy. Data were analyzed using proc GLM of SAS v9.4. Thirty-two Angus and Angus cross steers (initial BW 425 ± 27) were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to one of four treatments during the first season of renovation. Average daily gain for cattle grazing the first season of cover crops was greatest (P < 0.001) with 3-CM (0.8 kg/d), 3-SM (0.8 kg/d), in comparison to C and 1-SM (-0.1 kg/d). Gain per hectare differed among treatments (P < 0.001) with 3-SM and 3-CM being greater than C and 1-SM (179, 154, -24, -43 kg/ha, respectively). Within the two-month grazing period, yield different during the month of August (P < 0.001), with 3-SM being the highest (4511 kg/ha) in comparison to 3-CM (3275 kg/ha), 1-SM (2922 kg/ha), and C (2644 kg/ha), while yield was highest (P < 0.001) for 3-CM in September (2931 kg/ha) in comparison to all other treatments. Data suggests agronomic and animal performance for 3-CM and 3-SM were improved compared to C and could partially alleviate initial renovation costs.

scholarly journals 24 Renovating toxic-infected tall fescue pastures for profitability, animal performance, and soil health

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 20-20
Author(s):  
Sam Ingram ◽  
Matthew H Poore ◽  
Daniel H Poole
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Agronomic Performance ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Grazing Period ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract Renovating toxic-infected tall fescue (TF) pastures to non-toxic infected tall fescue (NE) for profitability, animal and agronomic performance without compromising soil health is needed to transition to NE in the southeast U.S. Three renovation strategies were evaluated for impact on soil health, profitability, and animal and agronomic performance in a replicated field trial located in Bahama, NC. Strategies included: 1) control (C), 2) renovation to NE after one season of a single specie cover crop (1-SM), 3) renovation to NE after three seasons of a single specie cover crop (3-SM), and 4) renovation to NE after three seasons of a multi-specie cover crop (3-CM). Soil samples were taken prior to renovation to establish baseline soil health measurements for each strategy. Data were analyzed using proc GLM of SAS v9.4. Thirty-two Angus and Angus cross steers (initial BW 425 ± 27) were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to one of four treatments during the first season of renovation. Average daily gain for cattle grazing the first season of cover crops was greatest (P < 0.001) with 3-CM (0.8 kg/d), 3-SM (0.8 kg/d), in comparison to C and 1-SM (-0.1 kg/d). Gain per hectare differed among treatments (P < 0.001) with 3-SM and 3-CM being greater than C and 1-SM (179, 154, -24, -43 kg/ha, respectively). Within the two-month grazing period, yield different during the month of August (P < 0.001), with 3-SM being the highest (4511 kg/ha) in comparison to 3-CM (3275 kg/ha), 1-SM (2922 kg/ha), and C (2644 kg/ha), while yield was highest (P <0.001) for 3-CM in September (2931 kg/ha) in comparison to all other treatments. Data suggest agronomic and animal performance for 3-CM and 3-SM were improved compared to C and could partially alleviate initial renovation costs.

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 Frequência de suplementação proteico-energética sobre o desempenho e comportamento ingestivo de bezerros Nelore mantidos em pastagem tropical na estação seca

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 2555
Author(s):  
Gumercindo Loriano Franco ◽  
Marcelo Vedovatto ◽  
Marcella Cândia D'Oliveira ◽  
Ibrahim Miranda Cortada Neto ◽  
Maria Da Graça Morais ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Ingestive Behavior ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Urochloa Brizantha ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Average Body ◽  
Average Body Weight

With the objective to evaluate different frequencies of supplementation on the performance and ingestive behavior of Nellore calves kept on Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu pasture, 56 animals with initial average body weight (BW) of 174.5 kg were submitted to the following treatments: no supplement and 1x, 3x, and 7x supplementation per week. The supplement was provided in the amount of 3.5 g kg-1 of BW day-1. BW and evaluation of behavior were assessed every 28 days. The randomized block's design with two repetitions was used. The analyses of variance were carried out by the GLM procedure in the SAS software, and the means were compared by the Tukey’s test at 5% significance. The supplementation increased the average daily gain (ADG; P ? 0.05); however, it did not differ between frequencies (0.005, 0.190, 0.183, and 0.177 kg head-1 day for the no supplement treatment and 1x, 3x, and 7x per week, respectively). The animals in the no supplement treatment showed longer grazing time (P ? 0.05) compared to those receiving the supplement. However, results did not differ between frequencies (10.44, 8.57, 8.32, and 8.59 hours day-1 for no supplement treatments and 1x, 3x, and 7x per week, respectively). Thus, the frequency of supplementation can be reduced to once a week without reducing animal performance.

A COMPARISON OF FOUR SYSTEMS OF MANAGING YEARLING BEEF STEERS ON ROTATIONALLY GRAZED, BROMEGRASS-ALFALFA PASTURE

1979 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 519-529
Author(s):  
J. A. ROBERTSON ◽  
D. A. COOKE ◽  
S. E. BEACOM
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Dry Matter Production ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Animal Management ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Selection Of

Four systems of animal management were applied to a rotationally grazed mixed sward of bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) and alfalfa (Medicago media Pers.) for a period of 7 yr using yearling beef steers. The systems included (i) put and take stocking; (ii) set stocking at 2.5 steers/ha with surplus herbage conserved as silage and fed later in the season; (iii) set stocking at 3.7 steers/ha, pasture herbage supplemented with oat soilage and (iv) set stocking as in (iii), pasture herbage supplemented with dry-rolled barley. Nitrogen, at the rate of 90 kg N/ha, was applied each spring during the last 4 yr of the experiment. Forage dry matter production varied from 1760 to 5750 kg/ha between years and was highly correlated with precipitation during the growing season. Average daily gains were similar for treatments i–iii at 1.03 kg/head. Feeding supplementary barley increased rate of gain to 1.19 kg (P < 0.01), produced an additional 20 kg liveweight per steer per season and was utilized with an average efficiency of 6.6 kg dry matter per kilogram gain. Average daily gain varied significantly (P < 0.01) between years and was inversely related to dry matter production. The feeding of oat soilage or barley and the harvesting and feeding of silage reduced the variation in gain both within and between seasons compared to the put and take stocking system. Factors affecting the selection of the most appropriate management system by a producer are discussed.

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