Structural characteristics and forage mass of Tifton 85 pastures managed under three post-grazing residual leaf areas

The experiment was carried out on Cynodon spp cv. Tifton 85 pastures grazed by sheep under rotational stocking, with the objective of evaluating the structural characteristics as well as the forage mass of the pastures subjected to three grazing intensities in successive cycles. Treatments were composed of three residual leaf area indices (rLAI; 2.4; 1.6 and 0.8), allocated in completely randomized blocks with seven replications, totaling 21 experimental units. Tiller population density, pasture height, leaf area index, forage morphological composition and pasture forage mass were evaluated. The rLAI modified the tiller population density, which increased linearly with decrease in the rLAI of the pastures. Dry masses of leaf blade, stem and dead material were inferior when the rLAI imposed were lower, which resulted in differentiated forage production among the treatments. Tifton 85 pastures grazed by sheep in rotational stocking under tropical conditions with different rLAI show a modified sward structure over successive grazing cycles, mainly by alteration in the height and LAI of the plants at pre-grazing and by light interception post-grazing, which change the tiller population density. The residual leaf area index of 1.6 is the most suitable for pasture management for being equivalent to the heights of entrance and exit of animals on and from paddocks of 33 and 19 cm, respectively, which avoid great accumulation of dead material and excessive stem elongation, in addition to ensuring tillering in the sward.

Forage mass production and grazing loss of sorghum hybrid in response to the density of the sowing and the spacing between planting lines

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate dry matter yield and loss of grazing due to animal trampling in response to sowing density and spacing between lines in the planting. Sorghum hybrid 1P400 was submitted to six treatments, composed of three sowing density combinations (12; 16 and 20 kg/ha of seeds) and two spacing between lines (0.40 and 0.80 m). Sorghum hybrid 1P400 was sowed in two seasons, at the end of spring (December 3rd, 2005) and the other at the end of summer (March 20th, 2006). Cultivation strategies influenced plant population in the two experimental seasons. Diameter of the stem in season 1 decreased with density increase, whereas in the second season, interaction between sowing density and spacing was significant. In the first season, 0.40-m spacing promoted greater losses due to grazing stepping, that is, 891 kg/ha of DM, whereas in the second season there was no statistical difference. There was no significant difference in forage dry matter yield in sowing densities among the two studied seasons. Dry mater production of sorghum hybrids 1P400 did not increase with the increase of the sowing density in the two sowing seasons, therefore it is recommended 12 kg/ha of seeds for the sowing. Sorghum IP400 cultivated in 0.80-m spacing resulted in lower forage loss caused by grazing bovine trampling. © 2011 Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia.

Forage mass and morphological composition of Marandu palisade grass pasture under rest periods.

2016

Effects of Pasture Conditions in Spring on Seasonal Forage Productivity

Fifteen beef cow-calf producers in southern Iowa were selected based on locality, management level, historical date of grazing initiation and desire to participate in the project. In 1997 and 1998, all producers kept records of production and economic data using the Integrated Resource Management-Standardized Performance Analysis (IRM-SPA) records program. At the initiation of grazing on each farm in 1997 and 1998, Julian date, degree-days, cumulative precipitation, and soil moisture, phosphorus, and potassium concentrations were determined. Also determined were pH, temperature, and load-bearing capacity; and forage mass, sward height, morphology and dry matter concentration. Over the grazing season, forage production, measured both by cumulative mass and sward height, forage in vitro digestible dry matter concentration, and crude protein concentration were determined monthly. In the fall of 1996 the primary species in pastures on farms used in this project were cool-season grasses, which composed 76% of the live forage whereas legumes and weeds composed 8.3 and 15.3%, respectively. The average number of paddocks was 4.1, reflecting a low intensity rotational stocking system on most farms. The average dates of grazing initiation were May 5 and April 29 in 1997 and 1998, respectively, with standard deviations of 14.8 and 14.1 days. Because the average soil moisture of 23% was dry and did not differ between years, it seems that most producers delayed the initiation of grazing to avoid muddy conditions by initiating grazing at a nearly equal soil moisture. However, Julian date, degree-days, soil temperature and morphology index at grazing initiation were negatively related to seasonal forage production, measured as mass or sward height, in 1998. And forage mass and height at grazing initiation were negatively related to seasonal forage production, measured as sward height, in 1997. Moreover, the concentrations of digestible dry matter at the initiation of and during the grazing season and the concentrations of crude protein during the grazing season were lower than desired for optimal animal performance. Because the mean seasonal digestible dry matter concentration was negatively related to initial forage mass in 1997 and mean seasonal crude proteins concentrations were negatively related to the Julian date, degree-days, and morphology indeces in both years, it seems that delaying the initiation of grazing until pasture soils are not muddy, is limiting the quality as well as the quantity of pasture forage. In 1997, forage production and digestibility were positively related to the soil phosphorus concentration. Soil potassium concentration was positively related to forage digestibility in 1997 and forage production and crude protein concentration in 1998. Increasing the number of paddocks increased forage production, measured as sward height, in 1997, and forage digestible dry matter concentration in 1998. Increasing yields or the concentrations of digestible dry matter or crude protein of pasture forage reduced the costs of purchased feed per cow.

Pasture Conditions at the Initiation of Grazing to Optimize Forage Productivity: A Progress Report

To determine environmental, soil, and sward effects at the initiation of cattle grazing in the spring on seasonal (forage accumulated during the grazing season) and cumulative (seasonal + initial forage mass) forage accumulation (FA), 15 commercial cow-calf producers from southern Iowa were selected by historical initial grazing date. At grazing initiation, twelve .25-m2 samples were hand-clipped from each pasture and sward heights (SH) measured with a falling plane meter (4.8 kg/m2) to determine initial forage mass. At each location, soil temperature and load bearing capacity (LBC) were measured and a soil sample was collected to measure pH and moisture, P, and K concentrations. Cumulative degree-days (base=3.85°C) and precipitation at grazing initiation were calculated from NOAA records. At the beginning of each month, at least three grazing exclosures were placed on each grazed pasture to determine monthly FA. SH in each exclosure was recorded, and a .25-m2 forage sample was hand-clipped proximate to each exclosure. At the end of each month, SH was recorded and .25-m2 hand-clipped forage samples from inside exclosures were obtained. In linear regressions, cumulative and seasonal SH increased with greater soil P (r2=.5049 and .5417), soil K (r2=.4675 and .4397), and initial forage mass (r2=.1984 and .2801). Seasonal SH increased with earlier initial grazing dates (r2=.1996) and less accumulated degree-days (r2=.2364). Cumulative and seasonal FA increased with earlier initial grazing dates (r2=.2106 and .3744), lower soil temperatures (r2=.2617 and.2874), and greater soil P (r2=.3489 and .2598). Cumulative FA increased with greater soil K (r2=.4675). In quadratic regressions, cumulative and seasonal SH were correlated to soil P (r2=.6310 and .5310) and soil K (r2=.5095 and.4401). Cumulative and seasonal FA were correlated to degree days (r2=.3630 and.4013) and initial grazing date (r2=.3425 and .4088). Cumulative FA was correlated to soil P (r2=.3539), and seasonal FA was correlated to soil moisture (r2=.3688).

Efeitos da aplicação de manganês no crescimento, na nutrição e na produção de matéria seca de plantas de Brachiaria brizantha (cv. MG4) em condições de casa de vegetação

A adubação com micronutrientes, como o manganês em gramíneas forrageiras tropicais, contribui para o atendimento das exigências nutricionais tanto das plantas quanto dos animais. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, estudar os efeitos da aplicação de manganês no crescimento, na nutrição e na produção de matéria seca de plantas de Brachiaria brizantha, em condições de casa de vegetação. Para isto, realizou-se um experimento em casa de vegetação da FCAV/UNESP, Campus de Jaboticabal, com Brachiaria brizantha (cv. MG4), em vasos com 3,5 dm³ preenchidos com amostras de um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico (Mn = 0,6 mg dm-3). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos, que corresponderam às doses de manganês (0, 15, 30, 60 e 120 mg dm-3), e quatro repetições. Avaliaram-se, nos dois cortes da forrageira (primeiro corte, 35 dias após o transplantio e, segundo, 30 dias após o primeiro), as variáveis de crescimento, produção de massa de forragem, teor e acúmulo de Mn na parte aérea. As doses de manganês aplicadas aumentaram a concentração deste micronutriente no solo e nas plantas e a produção de massa de forragem no primeiro corte. A Brachiaria brizantha cv. MG4 apresenta alta tolerância ao manganês, atingindo elevados teores de Mn na parte aérea, mesmo sem provocar sintomas visuais de toxicidade.

Impacts of limestone and nitrogen top dressing application on the potassium content in the soil profile and marandu-grass leaf concentration

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos de nitrogênio (0, 100, 200, 300 e 400 kg/ha.ano), com ou sem aplicação de calcário dolomítico em cobertura, sobre o teor de potássio (K) do solo nas profundidades de 0 a 5; 5 a 10; e 10 a 20 cm e a concentração de potássio na planta. O experimento foi realizado em Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico de relevo suavemente ondulado, disposto em esquema fatorial 5 × 2, em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. A adubação nitrogenada promoveu aumento linear na concentração de potássio na planta e no teor desse mineral na camada de 0 a 5 cm do solo. Ocorreu efeito de inibição competitiva entre a absorção de potássio e cálcio e entre potássio e magnésio. Embora uma fração significativa de potássio retorne à camada superficial do solo pelo resíduo de forragem, em decorrência da maior produção de massa, o aumento da concentração de potássio na planta nas mais altas doses de nitrogênio comprova a importância do suprimento de potássio para a planta, por intensificar a massa de forragem.

Concentração de nitrogênio uréico plasmático (NUP) e produção de leite de vacas mestiças mantidas em gramíneas tropicais sob pastejo rotacionado

O trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de estudar os níveis de nitrogênio uréico plasmático (NUP) de vacas mestiças leiteiras mantidas em duas áreas de pastejo rotacionado, uma de capim-elefante cv. Guaçu (Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Guaçu) e outra de capim-Tanzânia (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzânia). Foram avaliadas a produção de forragem e as frações colmo, folha e material morto, com base na matéria seca (MS), bem como os teores de proteína bruta (PB) e fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) nas amostras de forragem. O sangue foi coletado em quatro épocas, utilizando-se 16 vacas por espécie de capim. A média da massa de forragem pré-pastejo foi de 5.321 e 5.384 kg de MS/ha por ciclo de pastejo para o capim-elefante e capim-Tanzânia, respectivamente. A forragem desaparecida pós-pastejo, referente à folha, ao colmo e ao material morto foi de 1.400, 620 e 443 kg de MS/ha para o capim-elefante e de 1.586, 736 e 132 kg de MS/ha para o capim-Tanzânia, por ciclo de pastejo. As médias de quatro ciclos de pastejo de PB e FDN nas amostras da planta inteira, colmo, folha, material morto e resíduo foram de 8,4; 78,5; 6,9; 77,1; 12,5; 76,3; 5,3; 82,6; 6,5; 80,2, respectivamente, para o capim-elefante, e de 9,3; 81,6; 7,4; 82,4; 14,3; 80,4; 6,3; 82,9; 7,6; 81,6, respectivamente, para o capim-Tanzânia. Foi encontrada diferença significativa nos níveis de NUP das vacas alimentadas nas diferentes espécies de capim e por época de amostragem do sangue. As médias de NUP foram 9,8 mg/dL para as vacas mantidas no capim-elefante e 10,6 mg/dL para as vacas mantidas no capim-Tanzânia. Os baixos níveis de NUP encontrados refletem a baixa ingestão de proteína bruta por vacas manejadas em pastagens tropicais.

Uso de herbicidas no consórcio de milho safrinha com Brachiaria ruziziensis

O trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho de Brachiaria ruziziensis cultivada em consórcio com milho safrinha, mediante a utilização dos herbicidas atrazine (1.760 g i.a. ha-1), mesotrione (60 g i.a. ha-1), mesotrione + atrazine (1.760 e 60 g i.a. ha-1) e nicosulfuron (8 e 16 g i.a. ha-1), aplicados aos 14 e 24 dias após a emergência das plantas de braquiária. O milho foi semeado mecanicamente no dia 7/3/2008 em linhas de 0,90 m, com uma linha intercalar de B. ruziziensis. O atrazine não causou sinais visíveis de toxicidade nas folhas de B. ruziziensis, enquanto o mesotrione causou branqueamento das pontas das folhas, mas proporcionou retomada rápida do crescimento. O nicosulfuron provocou clorose foliar, com necrose e redução do crescimento, sem recuperação total das plantas de B. ruziziensis durante o crescimento do milho, ocasionando baixo rendimento de massa da forrageira. Os colmos velhos, crescidos durante o cultivo do milho, são responsáveis pelo maior rendimento de massa da braquiária e são pouco afetados pelo atrazine e mesotrione, que podem ser utilizados no cultivo consorciado. O rendimento de grãos do milho safrinha não foi alterado significativamente pelos tratamentos.

Produção de ovinos em pastagem de capim-massai suplementados na estação seca

The low quality of tropical pastures in the dry season justifies the use of dietary supplements to meet the nutritional needs of sheep to meat production. Therefore, the objective of this experiment was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics of massaigrass in the dry season and the effect of protein supplements in the performance and productivity of sheep to meat production grazing. The protein supplements evaluated were: soybean meal, Leucena hay, Gliricidia hay and multiple mixture. The animals were managed in massaigrass pastures under rotational stocking and supplemented daily. Were used 24 sheep ½ Santa Inês x ½ SPRD (without defined breed), males uncastrated, mean age 90 days in a completely randomized design. Performance of sheep was evaluated for average daily gain of live weight gain per area and stocking rate (animals of 25 kg/ha). The pasture was evaluated for forage mass of pre and post-grazing, the percentages of participation of morphological constituents and their nutritional values and rates of herbage accumulation. The total herbage mass decreased throughout the dry season. Crude protein and in vitro digestibility of organic matter of the leaf were higher in the upper 15 cm of the canopy stratum. The average daily weight gain of the animals supplemented with legume hay was similar to that gained by animals supplemented with soybean meal in the four grazing cycles. The total live weight gain of animals supplemented with legume hay was higher than the animals supplemented only with multiple mixing the first two grazing cycles. Hays of Leucena and Gliricidia can be given for supplementation of sheep maintained on pasture

Estrutura do dossel e acúmulo de forragem dos capins piatã e marandu sob pastejo com ovinos

The objective of this scientific work was to evaluate the tillering and mass production of Brachiaria brizantha Piatã and Marandu grasses with two statures of post-grazing. The experimental lineation was in factorial arrangement (2 pastures x 2 residue stature) with subplots (grazing cycle). The experimental period was from March to October of 2012. The target stature on pre-grazing was 50 cm and on post-grazing 15 and 25 for each cultivar. The following variables were analyzed: tiller population density, forage mass, morphological components, accumulation and accumulation rate. Three grazing cycles were obtained. Marandu grass presented larger forage mass on pre-grazing and lower stem production than piatã grass. No difference was observed between the two cultivars regarding the leaf blade production. There was no difference on forage mass, leaf blade, stem, and dead material production between the two statures of post-grazing. The pastures managed at 25 cm presented accumulation rate compared to those with 15 cm. Concerning the accumulation rate on the two cultivars, piatã and marandu grasses, Marandu grass presented higher amount than the piatã grass, and also presented higher values on the rate of basal tiller appearing on 15 cm stature post-pasture feature. Piatã grass managed at 25 cm developed smaller tiller amount on the second generation and greater tiller amount on the third generation than marandu grass. The greater tiller population density was observed on 25cm post-grazing pastures. There was no statistical difference of density between the two cultivars and between the cycles. Accordingly, it is concluded that piatã and marandu cultivars can be managed with 15cm and 25 cm post-grazing statures

Desempenho de novilhos alimentados com dieta suplementar em pastos de capim-mombaça

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of supplements feeding on growth of calves grazing a Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça pasture during the dry season. The experimental design was a randomized blocks with three treatments and three replications. The treatments were: mineral salt ad libidum; multiple mixture (MM) fed at 0.2% of live weight (PV); and, concentrate feed (SC) fed at 0.7% of PV. Thirty six weaned calves averaging eight months and 192 kg of initial live weight were utilized. The masses and pasture components, nutritive value and rate of forage growth were evaluated. Animal performance was measured as average daily gain (ADG) and live weight gain (LWG). The supplemental feeding was adjusted after weighing. There was no difference between periods for forage mass and leaf: stem ratio. The highest values for forage green mass, leaf blades mass and stem percentage were observed in the first trial period. The canopy height and the available forage on offer did not differ among treatments. The percentage of dead was higher for the last periods of evaluation. The leaf: stem ratio and the leaf percentage were greater in the second period. There was significant difference (p<0,05) among treatments for the ADG and were 250, 460 and 770 g/day for salt, MM and SC, respectively. The biggest LWG was observed in the treatment SC. contents of PB, DIVMO, NDF and LDA on leaf blades, thatched roofs and dead material dead not differ among treatments. The highest GPV was observed in the SC treatment. The contents of PB, DIVMO, NDF and LDA for leaf blades stem and dead material did not differ among treatments. Independent of the use supplements , it is possible to keep steers gaining weight, during dry season, since the stocking rate is appropriately adjusted

Composição físico-química e potencial para ensilagem do sorgo-de-guiné gigante em seis épocas de semeadura

A ausência de culturas alternativas para o cultivo de outono-inverno é um entrave nos sistemas de produção agrícola, principalmente em regiões de inverno seco. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produção de forragem, o potencial para ensilagem e a composição química do sorgo-de-guiné gigante (Sorghum bicolor subsp. bicolor raça guinea), de acordo com a época de semeadura. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições e seis épocas de semeadura. Verificou-se antecipação dos estádios de desenvolvimento da planta, à medida que houve atraso na semeadura, em virtude de a espécie apresentar sensibilidade ao fotoperíodo. Semeaduras tardias, apesar de menor produtividade, proporcionaram forragem com características químico-bromatológicas melhores. Diante da boa produção de matéria seca e seu potencial para ensilagem, esse genótipo é uma boa opção a ser utilizada.

Atributos estruturais e produtivos de capim-marandu em resposta à suplementação alimentar de bovinos e a ciclos de pastejo

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as alterações estruturais e produtivas de capim-marandu (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu) em resposta à suplementação alimentar de bovinos e a ciclos de pastejo. Os níveis de suplementação com concentrado à base de polpa cítrica, milho, farelo de soja e ureia foram 0,2, 0,6 e 1% do peso vivo. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso, com arranjo em parcelas subdivididas no tempo, com os níveis de suplementação nas parcelas e os ciclos de pastejo nas subparcelas. Os efeitos da suplementação alimentar dos animais sobre o pasto foram detectados sobre o índice de área foliar, interceptação luminosa e relação folha/colmo, em pré-pastejo. Os menores valores foram observados na suplementação de 0,2% do peso vivo. No pós-pastejo, a massa de folhas e a relação folha/colmo foram menores com a menor suplementação (0,2%). Os ciclos de pastejo afetaram as características produtivas e estruturais do pasto, bem como os índices morfogênicos do capim-marandu. Apenas a massa de material morto aumentou, enquanto o número e o peso de perfilhos não foi afetado pelos ciclos de pastejo. O pasto de capim-marandu foi influenciado pela suplementação alimentar dos bovinos. Com o suceder dos ciclos de pastejo, do verão para o outono, há redução do crescimento do pasto, com prejuízos à sua estrutura.

Respostas do híbrido de sorgo-sudão às adubações nitrogenada e potássica: características estruturais e produtivas

A pesquisa foi instalada no Setor de Forragicultura da FCAV/UNESP-Jaboticabal, para avaliar o híbrido de sorgo-sudão AG 2501C no outono e inverno. O manejo da pastagem foi conduzido, simulando o sistema de lotação intermitente. O experimento foi desenvolvido de março a setembro de 2002. A forrageira foi submetida a nove tratamentos: três doses de N (100, 200 e 300 kg/ha) e três doses de K (0, 80 e 160 kg/ha de K2O), em delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados com três repetições em esquema de parcelas subdivididas. As características estudadas foram massas, secas, inicial de planta inteira, folha e colmo e massa seca residual; relação lâmina/colmo; índice de área foliar (IAF); interceptação da radiação fotossinteticamente ativa (RFA) e coeficiente de extinção luminosa. Os tratamentos não influenciaram a massa seca inicial (MSI) e residual (MSR) da planta inteira, folha e colmo e massa seca residual. Os resultados médios para MSI, MSR, folha e colmo foram 2801,2; 964,7; 1462,8 e 1085,2 kg/ha de MS, por ciclo de pastejo, respectivamente. Houve redução da relação lâmina/colmo e da porcentagem de folhas, enquanto a porcentagem de colmos aumentou. Houve interação entre N e K para IAF, interceptação de luz e coeficiente de extinção.