Morphological and structural characteristics of Urochloa decumbens Stapf. deferred pasture grazed by heifers under two periods of protein-energy supplementation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological and structural characteristics of deferred Urochloa decumbens Stapf. ‘Basilisk’ grazed by Nellore heifers under two periods of protein and energy supplementation (PES). The experiment was carried out from Jun 21 to Nov 15, 2016, under a completely randomized design and two PES periods (55 [P55] and 147 [P147] days). Forage mass (FM), leaf blade dry mass (LBDM), stem dry mass (SDM), dead material dry mass (DMDM), canopy height (CH), and forage bulk density (FBD) were evaluated. Data were analyzed by the SAS® PROC MIXED procedure and treatment means were compared with the Student's t test (p < 0.05). LBDM was higher for P147 heifers after 21, 84, and 126 days of grazing, similar to those observed after 63 days, and was higher for P55 heifers at 42, 105, and 147 days of grazing. SDM was lower for P147 heifers after 21, 42, 105, and 126 days, and similar in the other grazing periods. Protein and energy supplementation for heifers over 147 days resulted in a lower stem mass of U. decumbens Stapf. ‘Basilisk’ deferred pastures.

Morphological and structural characteristics of Urochloa decumbens Stapf. deferred pasture grazed by heifers under two periods of protein-energy supplementation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological and structural characteristics of deferred Urochloa decumbens Stapf. ‘Basilisk grazed by Nellore heifers under two periods of protein and energy supplementation (PES). The experiment was carried out from Jun 21 to Nov 15, 2016, under a completely randomized design and two PES periods (55 [P55] and 147 [P147] days). Forage mass (FM), leaf blade dry mass (LBDM), stem dry mass (SDM), dead material dry mass (DMDM), canopy height (CH), and forage bulk density (FBD) were evaluated. Data were analyzed by the SAS® PROC MIXED procedure and treatment means were compared with the Student's t test (p < 0.05). LBDM was higher for P147 heifers after 21, 84, and 126 days of grazing, similar to those observed after 63 days, and was higher for P55 heifers at 42, 105, and 147 days of grazing. SDM was lower for P147 heifers after 21, 42, 105, and 126 days, and similar in the other grazing periods. Protein and energy supplementation for heifers over 147 days resulted in a lower stem mass of U. decumbens Stapf. ‘Basilisk deferred pastures.(AU)

Desempenho e comportamento de caprinos em pastagem de capim-Andropógon sob diferentes ofertas de forragem / Performance and goats behavior in pasture of Andropogon grass under different forage allowances

Objetivou-se avaliar o comportamento em pastejo e o desempenho de caprinos em pastos de capim Andropogon gayanus Kunth var. Bisquamulatus (Hochst) Hack. cv. Planaltina, submetidos a três ofertas de forragem: 11, 15 e 19% do PV/dia, sob lotação contínua. O delineamento experimental para avaliação do comportamento em pastejo foi em blocos ao acaso (dois), em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com cinco repetições dentro do bloco. Nas parcelas, avaliou-se o efeito das ofertas de forragens e, nas subparcelas, os meses: maio e junho. Para avaliação do desempenho animal, utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos ao acaso (dois) com três tratamentos (ofertas) com cinco repetições dentro do bloco. As diferentes ofertas de forragem não ocasionaram mudanças estruturais no pasto, exceto na altura. No entanto, observou-se aumento de material morto, relação folha/colmo e redução da altura, durante os períodos de pastejo. As variáveis comportamentais não foram influenciadas pelas ofertas de forragem, exceto para o tempo de deslocamento, pelo qual os caprinos gastaram mais tempo nos pastos com oferta de 11% de PV. Os caprinos permaneceram maior parte do tempo pastejando e em ócio, correspondendo a 89% e 5% do tempo de avaliação, respectivamente. Maior taxa de bocado foi observada em junho, como também nas ofertas de 15 e 19% do PV. O comportamento em pastejo e ingestivo de caprinos é alterado pelo acúmulo de material morto e de colmo em pasto de capim-andropógon durante o período chuvoso. A oferta de forragem 11% do PV aumenta o tempo de deslocamento dos caprinos em pastagemde capim-andropógon. O manejo de pastejo de capim-andropógon com oferta de forragem entre 11 e 19% do PV não influencia no ganho de peso de caprinos no período chuvoso.(AU)

This study was accomplished to evaluate the behavior and performance of goats in to grazing on grass Andropogon gayanus Kunth var. Bisquamulatus (Hochst) Hack. cv. Planaltina submitted to three forage allowances: 11, 15 and 19% BW/day, under continuous grazing. The experimental design to assess the grazing behaviour was randomized blocks in a split-plot with five replicates within the block. In the plots, we evaluated the effect of forage allowances and in the subplots, the months May and June. While for evaluation of animal performance was in complete block design with five replicates within the block. The different forage allowance did not cause structural changes in the pasture, except in height. However, there was an increase of dead material, leaf/stem ratio and reducing of height during the grazing period. The behavioral variables were not affected by forage allowance, except for the time of displacement, whereby goats spent more time in pastures with offer of 11% BW. The goats remained most part of the time in grazing and idle, corresponding to 89% and 5% of the evaluation time, respectively. Higher bit rate was observed in June, among the offerings, and 15 and 19% BW. The ingestive and grazing behaviour in goats is changed by the accumulation of dead material and stem in pasture from Andropogon grass during at rainy season. The forage supply 11% of BW increases the time of displacement of goats grazing on Andropogon grass. The management of grazing Andropogon grass with forage allowance being 11 and 19% of BW provides low weight gains in goats during the rainy season.(AU)

Desempenho e comportamento de caprinos em pastagem de capim-Andropógon sob diferentes ofertas de forragem / Performance and goats behavior in pasture of Andropogon grass under different forage allowances

Objetivou-se avaliar o comportamento em pastejo e o desempenho de caprinos em pastos de capim Andropogon gayanus Kunth var. Bisquamulatus (Hochst) Hack. cv. Planaltina, submetidos a três ofertas de forragem: 11, 15 e 19% do PV/dia, sob lotação contínua. O delineamento experimental para avaliação do comportamento em pastejo foi em blocos ao acaso (dois), em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com cinco repetições dentro do bloco. Nas parcelas, avaliou-se o efeito das ofertas de forragens e, nas subparcelas, os meses: maio e junho. Para avaliação do desempenho animal, utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos ao acaso (dois) com três tratamentos (ofertas) com cinco repetições dentro do bloco. As diferentes ofertas de forragem não ocasionaram mudanças estruturais no pasto, exceto na altura. No entanto, observou-se aumento de material morto, relação folha/colmo e redução da altura, durante os períodos de pastejo. As variáveis comportamentais não foram influenciadas pelas ofertas de forragem, exceto para o tempo de deslocamento, pelo qual os caprinos gastaram mais tempo nos pastos com oferta de 11% de PV. Os caprinos permaneceram maior parte do tempo pastejando e em ócio, correspondendo a 89% e 5% do tempo de avaliação, respectivamente. Maior taxa de bocado foi observada em junho, como também nas ofertas de 15 e 19% do PV. O comportamento em pastejo e ingestivo de caprinos é alterado pelo acúmulo de material morto e de colmo em pasto de capim-andropógon durante o período chuvoso. A oferta de forragem 11% do PV aumenta o tempo de deslocamento dos caprinos em pastagemde capim-andropógon. O manejo de pastejo de capim-andropógon com oferta de forragem entre 11 e 19% do PV não influencia no ganho de peso de caprinos no período chuvoso.

This study was accomplished to evaluate the behavior and performance of goats in to grazing on grass Andropogon gayanus Kunth var. Bisquamulatus (Hochst) Hack. cv. Planaltina submitted to three forage allowances: 11, 15 and 19% BW/day, under continuous grazing. The experimental design to assess the grazing behaviour was randomized blocks in a split-plot with five replicates within the block. In the plots, we evaluated the effect of forage allowances and in the subplots, the months May and June. While for evaluation of animal performance was in complete block design with five replicates within the block. The different forage allowance did not cause structural changes in the pasture, except in height. However, there was an increase of dead material, leaf/stem ratio and reducing of height during the grazing period. The behavioral variables were not affected by forage allowance, except for the time of displacement, whereby goats spent more time in pastures with offer of 11% BW. The goats remained most part of the time in grazing and idle, corresponding to 89% and 5% of the evaluation time, respectively. Higher bit rate was observed in June, among the offerings, and 15 and 19% BW. The ingestive and grazing behaviour in goats is changed by the accumulation of dead material and stem in pasture from Andropogon grass during at rainy season. The forage supply 11% of BW increases the time of displacement of goats grazing on Andropogon grass. The management of grazing Andropogon grass with forage allowance being 11 and 19% of BW provides low weight gains in goats during the rainy season.