scholarly journals The effect of residual nitrogen fertilization on the yield components, forage quality, and performance of beef cattle fed on Mombaça grass

2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 296-308
Author(s):  
Antonio Leandro Chaves Gurgel ◽  
Gelson Dos Santos Difante ◽  
Denise Baptaglin Montagner ◽  
Alexandre Romeiro de Araujo ◽  
Valeria Pacheco Batista Euclides
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilization ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Residual Effect ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Residual Nitrogen ◽  
And Performance ◽  
One Year

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of residual nitrogen (N) on pastures of Mombaça grass and its impact on pasture structure and the nutritive value and performance of beef cattle. The experiment analyzed randomized blocks subdivided into plots, with three replications. The research focused on a number of pastures having received three annual doses of N (100, 200 and 300 kg ha-1) from 2015 to 2017, with no N fertilization in 2018. The results indicated that pastures under residual effect of 300 kg ha-1 of N were characterized by higher (P<0.05) rates of forage accumulation than those under the residual effect of 100 kg ha-1 N. Furthermore, this study indicated no effect (P>0.05) on the pasture nutritive value and average daily gain (0.490 kg day-1). The stocking rate was higher (P<0.05) in pastures under the residual effect of 300 kg ha-1 of N, and lower in those at 100 kg ha-1 of N, while weight gain per area followed the trend observed in the stocking rate. The results thus suggest that the suspension of N fertilization for one year after three years of sequential fertilization was responsible for an immediate loss of 50 and 55% of the productivity of plants and animals, respectively. Highlights: Fundamental nitrogen fertilization to ensure pasture productivity. The use of nitrogen fertilization has been limited by cost, due to the extension of the areas involved and the need for frequent applications. We suspended nitrogen fertilization for one year after using the same doses of nitrogen for three years in order to evaluate a possible residual effect on plant and animal production. Suspending the N fertilization of Mombaça grass for one year after three years of sequential fertilization with the same doses leaves a residual effect on the pasture structure and performance of beef cattle. The suspension of nitrogen fertilization reduces the rate of forage accumulation by an average of 50%, causing a 55% reduction in animal productivity.

scholarly journals Genome-wide association for heifer reproduction and calf performance traits in beef cattle

Genome ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 58 (12) ◽  
pp. 549-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Everestus C. Akanno ◽  
Graham Plastow ◽  
Carolyn Fitzsimmons ◽  
Stephen P. Miller ◽  
Vern Baron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Genome Wide Association Study ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Snp Markers ◽  
Genome Wide Association ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
And Performance

The aim of this study was to identify SNP markers that associate with variation in beef heifer reproduction and performance of their calves. A genome-wide association study was performed by means of the generalized quasi-likelihood score (GQLS) method using heifer genotypes from the BovineSNP50 BeadChip and estimated breeding values for pre-breeding body weight (PBW), pregnancy rate (PR), calving difficulty (CD), age at first calving (AFC), calf birth weight (BWT), calf weaning weight (WWT), and calf pre-weaning average daily gain (ADG). Data consisted of 785 replacement heifers from three Canadian research herds, namely Brandon Research Centre, Brandon, Manitoba, University of Alberta Roy Berg Kinsella Ranch, Kinsella, Alberta, and Lacombe Research Centre, Lacombe, Alberta. After applying a false discovery rate correction at a 5% significance level, a total of 4, 3, 3, 9, 6, 2, and 1 SNPs were significantly associated with PBW, PR, CD, AFC, BWT, WWT, and ADG, respectively. These SNPs were located on chromosomes 1, 5–7, 9, 13–16, 19–21, 24, 25, and 27–29. Chromosomes 1, 5, and 24 had SNPs with pleiotropic effects. New significant SNPs that impact functional traits were detected, many of which have not been previously reported. The results of this study support quantitative genetic studies related to the inheritance of these traits, and provides new knowledge regarding beef cattle quantitative trait loci effects. The identification of these SNPs provides a starting point to identify genes affecting heifer reproduction traits and performance of their calves (BWT, WWT, and ADG). They also contribute to a better understanding of the biology underlying these traits and will be potentially useful in marker- and genome-assisted selection and management.

scholarly journals Relationship among productive and economic variables of beef cattle in Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rogério Semchechem ◽  
Simone Fernanda Nedel Pértile ◽  
Sandra Maria Simonelli ◽  
Maria Eugênia Andrighetto Canozzi ◽  
Luiz Fernando Coelho da Cunha Filho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Daily Weight Gain ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Linear Effect ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Average Weight Gain ◽  
Positive Effect

ABSTRACT: The present study aimed to obtain, through statistical methods, the independent variables that influence the economic and productive results of Brazilian beef cattle. Economic and productive information was collected from 106 farms in Brazil. Data collection was performed by the Instituto de Métricas Agropecuárias (Inttegra). The variable selection method used was stepwise regression followed by polynomial regression analyses. The variable beef cattle economic result showed the positive effect of disbursement per head per month and average weight gain. An average daily gain of 520 g in live weight was obtained, and this variable was influenced especially by nutrition cost. The arroba production (arroba is a unit of weight corresponding to 15kg) was influenced by the linear effect of nutrition cost and stocking rate. The variable arroba production in pasture showed a linear and positive effect of average weight gain in pasture and stocking rate in pasture. For profit per arroba, the variables nutrition cost, disbursement with pasture, and average sale price had a linear effect. The independent variables that had the greatest influence on the response variables were stocking rate, average daily weight gain, and nutrition cost. Thus, increases in investment in nutrition and stocking rate should result in higher production rates and improvements in the profitability of this activity.

scholarly journals Does the residual effect of n-fertilization applied on corn phase maintain forage production of the following pasture phase in an integrated crop-livestock system?

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Bernardon ◽  
André Brugnara Soares ◽  
Denise Adelaide Gomes Elejalde ◽  
Tangriani Simioni Assmann ◽  
Angélica Caroline Zatta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fertilization ◽  
Accumulation Rate ◽  
Lolium Multiflorum ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Residual Effect ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Canopy Height ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Summer Crop ◽  
Livestock System

Nutrient cycling represents an important nutrient source in the Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems (ICLS). In general, only the crop phase of the ICLS is fertilized, however little is known about this residual effect of nitrogen fertilization from summer crop to succeeding winter pasture. This research aimed to evaluate the forage growth dynamic and botanical composition of a mixed pasture of black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) affected by two canopy height managements (high and low) and nitrogen fertilization applied to either the summer crop (corn) or winter pasture phase of an ICLS. The experiment was established in 2012 in southern Brazil. Black oat and ryegrass were growing during winter season and corn (Zea mays L.) during summer season, being this paper related to the 2014 pasture period. Treatments were composed by two canopy heights (25 and 10 cm) and two N-Fertilization Times (N-Pasture or N-Corn) of 200 kg of N ha-1. Canopy height was regulated by beef steers grazing through continuous stocking with a variable stocking rate. Forage mass was lower in the 10 cm canopy height on average, however this forage mass was composed by greater proportion of ryegrass leaves and lower proportion of dead material in relation to the treatment with 25 cm canopy height. The N-fertilization applied directly on pasture phase (N-Pasture) increased forage mass, tiller population density, participation of ryegrass and ryegrass leaf proportion in the forage mass. Furthermore, when pasture was fertilized with N, the forage accumulation rate increased about 69%, highlighting that the corn N-fertilization did not present significant effect on forage productivity. The residual effect of corn N-fertilization was not enough to maintain high forage accumulation. Thus, the pasture N-fertilization is fundamental to keep high-productive crop-livestock system.

scholarly journals Grazing height and nitrogen fertilization strategy in black oat/maize succession

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 2539-2554
Author(s):  
Felipe Luiz Chiamulera Deifeld ◽  
◽  
André Brugnara Soares ◽  
Daniel Schmitt ◽  
Tangriani Simioni Assmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fertilization ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
N Application ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Grain Crop

This study was developed to examine the effect of combining nitrogen (N) fertilization strategies and pasture management heights on animal and grain production in an Integrated Crop-Livestock System. The experiment was carried out in the municipality of Abelardo Luz - SC, Brazil, between April 2017 and April 2018. A randomized-block design was adopted, with the treatments arranged in a 2×2 factorial arrangement with three replicates. The first factor was the height of the pasture managed under continuous grazing: high (HH, 20 cm) or low (LH, 12 cm). The second factor corresponded to the N application times: in the winter, in the pasture (NP), and in the summer, in the grain crop (NG), in a single N rate of 200 kg ha-1 as topdressing. The forage species used during the pasture phase was black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb), and the pasture was grazed by Nellore × Charolais crossbred steers with an initial body weight of 260 kg. The summer crop was maize (Zea mays). Average daily gain (ADG) and herbage allowance were higher in HH than in LH, whereas animal load was higher in HH. Between the N application times, the animal load was higher in NP. Pasture management height and N fertilization strategy did not affect the variables of number of rows per ear, number of grains per row, thousand-grain weight, or total grain yield, which overall averaged 14,090 kg ha-1. In conclusion, the inversion of nitrogen fertilization between the periods of winter pasture production and grain crop and the management height of the black oat pasture do not compromise the production of maize grains in the summer, or animal production per area. However, steer performance is greater (higher ADG) when the pasture is managed at 20 cm, whereas a high grazing intensity significantly reduces straw on the soil.

scholarly journals Supplementation for beef cattle on Marandu grass pastures with different herbage allowances

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 ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Protein Supplementation ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Protein Energy ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Daily Gain

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.

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.

COMPARISON OF SILAGES FROM DENSELY SEEDED AND CONVENTIONALLY SEEDED CORN FOR BEEF STEERS

1986 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 431-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. G. NICHOLSON ◽  
G. BELANGER ◽  
P. L. BURGESS
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Productivity Loss ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Vitamin Supplement ◽  
Seeding Rate ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Daily Gain

Corn for silage was planted at two seeding rates (60 000 and 200 000 kernels ha−1) in three consecutive years and evaluated by determining yields, digestibility by sheep and performance of growing-fattening beef cattle fed the ensiled crops. Plant populations at harvest ranged over years from 53 000 to 63 000 plants ha−1 for conventional seeding and from 94 000 to 151 000 plants ha−1 for the dense seeding rate. Dense seeding increased whole-plant dry matter yield each year. Only in 1 year (1979) did dense seeding reduce the yield of dry matter in the whole ear or grain (P < 0.01). In the same crop year (1979) dense seeding reduced the dry matter and crude protein contents of the silage (P < 0.01) and the digestibilities by sheep of the dry matter and nitrogen were lower (P < 0.01) than for the conventionally seeded crop. In 2 years (1978 and 1979), when the silages were fed ad libitum with only a protein-mineral-vitamin supplement, the daily silage dry matter intake by beef cattle was lower (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) and in 1979 the average daily gain (1.06 vs. 1.14 kg d−1) was lower (P < 0.01) with silage from the dense seeding. There were no significant differences in beef performance parameters (silage dry matter intake, daily gain, and efficiency of silage conversion to daily gain) in the third year when the silages were fed with ground barley. Dense seeding of corn for silage resulted in more beef production per hectare and provides a means of reducing productivity loss due to birds feeding on the ripening ears of corn. Key words: Corn, silage, beef, dense seeding, seeding rate

scholarly journals Canopy structure and forage nutritive value of elephantgrass subjected to different stocking rate and N fertilization in the “Mata Seca” ecoregion of Pernambuco

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Loiola Dourado ◽  
José Carlos Batista Dubeux Junior ◽  
Alexandre Carneiro Leão de Mello ◽  
Mércia Virginia Ferreira dos Santos ◽  
Mário de Andrade Lira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Canopy Structure ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Stocking Rate

scholarly journals Supplementation strategies for grazing beef cattle during the rainy-dry transition period

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Henrique Bevitori Kling de Moraes ◽  
Mário Fonseca Paulino ◽  
Kamila Andreatta Kling de Moraes ◽  
Sebastião De Campos Valadares Filho ◽  
Edenio Detmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Mineral Supplement ◽  
Feed Supplementation ◽  
Concentrate Supplementation ◽  
Urochloa Decumbens ◽  
Nellore Cattle ◽  
And Performance

An experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of supplementation strategies on intake, digestibility, and performance of Nellore cattle on pasture (Urochloa decumbens) during the rainy-dry transition period. The evaluated strategies were mineral supplementation (MS), self-feed supplementation (SF), and infrequent concentrate supplementation. Supplementation frequencies were three times per week (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays - 3tw) and daily (7tw). Animals receiving concentrate supplementation had higher pasture DM and TDN intakes than those fed MS. There was no difference (P > 0.10) between concentrate supplementation strategies. Average pasture DM intake was 7.89, 8.09, and 8.10 kg day?1 for SF, 3tw, and 7tw, respectively. No effects were found (P > 0.10) between SF and infrequent supplementation, or for the supplementation frequencies tested. The lowest average daily gain (ADG) (P < 0.10) was found for animals fed MS, and there was no difference between concentrate supplementation strategies for this variable. Average daily gains for MS, SC, 3tw, and 7tw were 661.4, 812.7, 811.5 and 819.2 g/animal, respectively. During the rainy-dry transition period, grazing beef cattle receiving concentrate supplementation have higher pasture and TDN intakes and better performance than animals fed mineral supplement only. Self-feed supplementation or supplementation provided three days per week do not compromise pasture and TDN intakes, nutrient digestibility, or performance of grazing beef cattle.

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.

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