Factors influencing the habitat use by ocelots in one of the last large Atlantic Forest remnants in southeastern Brazil.

Ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) are widely distributed throughout the Americas, being dependent on forested areas to survive. Although ocelot ecology is broadly studied throughout the species range distribution, studies concerning factors that may affect ocelot occupancy in the Atlantic Forest are still scarce. We used camera traps to evaluate factors influencing the probabilities of detection and occupancy of ocelots in a protected area of the Atlantic Forest, the Rio Doce State Park (RDSP), southeastern Brazil. To assess ocelot occupancy and detection probabilities, we measured the distances between sampling stations and rivers, lakes, cities, pasture, and Eucalyptus plantations. In addition, we recorded the mean rainfall levels for each sampling occasion, and native grassland areas within a 500 m-buffer around each sampling station. We found a strong and positive association between ocelot detection and the dry season, which might be due to a higher number of individuals moving through the Park during this season. Moreover, we found a strong and positive association of ocelot detection with native grassland areas around lakes, which may be related to the ocelot behavior of searching for prey in these areas. Conversely, the ocelot occupancy probability was intermediate ( Ψ ^  = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.36-0.69) and was not strongly associated with the evaluated covariates, which may be explained by the high-quality of forest habitats and water resources that are homogeneously distributed within the Park. Our study indicates that the RDSP still provides a structurally suitable forest habitat for ocelots, but because of the current worrying scenario of over fragmentation, reduction of forest cover, and weakness of the protective legislation of this biome, the long-term persistence of the species in RDSP is uncertain.

Association of the forage management practices, weaning rate, and factors that influence technological adoption in beef cattle production

The objective of this study was to verify the association of improved native grassland and winter and summer pastures on the weaning rate in beef cattle production. Subsequently, we also verified the socioeconomic and productive characteristics related to the adoption of technologies to increase the weaning rate of the farmers. The survey was conducted with 73 producers of Hereford and Braford cattle in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A data analysis was performed using the minimum ordinal squares method and the regression analysis (Tobit). The results showed that cattle farmers who adopt winter pastures have greater weaning rates, and the factors that influence this adoption are related to a greater number of employees on the farm and the use of a crop-livestock production system. In addition, farmers who receive a greater number of technical assistance visits per year are more likely to adopt winter pastures and improved native grassland. This information can be useful in the formulation of technological dissemination programs that aim at a sustainable production of beef cattle.(AU)

Vegetation composition and forage mass in grassland with a double structure under two winter grazing regimes / Composição da vegetação e massa de forragem em pastagem natural de dupla estrutura sob dois manejos no inverno

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.(AU)

Áreas remanescentes de campo nativo do bioma Pampa têm apresentado dupla estrutura acentuada. A eficiência da pecuária sobre tais condições é dependente da adoção de práticas sincronizadas às peculiaridades naturais. Objetivou-se ampliar a compreensão da mudança da composição da vegetação e da massa de forragem, durante a estação de inverno, como efeito do manejo do pastejo em uma pastagem natural, de acentuada dupla estrutura pastejada por novilhas. A unidade experimental, situada no município de Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul, consiste em dois tratamentos (pastoreios contínuo e rotativo) e duas repetições. Os dados foram obtidos no início (7/6/2016) e fim do período experimental (7/10/2016), sendo estes: frequência da composição estrutural e do estrato inferior, massa de forragem deste estrato e peso dos animais. Os dados foram analisados com métodos multivariados, regressão linear e comparação de médias. A composição da estrutura e da massa de forragem se alterou no período. Axonopus affinis e Paspalum notatum representaram o pastoreio contínuo; e Mnesithea selloana e Axonopus argentinus o pastoreio rotativo, estando esta última espécie relacionada aos maiores níveis de massa de forragem. Na estação hibernal, os métodos de manejo interferiram na composição da massa de forragem sem interferir no desempenho positivo dos animais.(AU)

Vegetation composition and forage mass in grassland with a double structure under two winter grazing regimes / Composição da vegetação e massa de forragem em pastagem natural de dupla estrutura sob dois manejos no inverno

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.

RESUMO: Áreas remanescentes de campo nativo do bioma Pampa têm apresentado dupla estrutura acentuada. A eficiência da pecuária sobre tais condições é dependente da adoção de práticas sincronizadas às peculiaridades naturais. Objetivou-se ampliar a compreensão da mudança da composição da vegetação e da massa de forragem, durante a estação de inverno, como efeito do manejo do pastejo em uma pastagem natural, de acentuada dupla estrutura pastejada por novilhas. A unidade experimental, situada no município de Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul, consiste em dois tratamentos (pastoreios contínuo e rotativo) e duas repetições. Os dados foram obtidos no início (7/6/2016) e fim do período experimental (7/10/2016), sendo estes: frequência da composição estrutural e do estrato inferior, massa de forragem deste estrato e peso dos animais. Os dados foram analisados com métodos multivariados, regressão linear e comparação de médias. A composição da estrutura e da massa de forragem se alterou no período. Axonopus affinis e Paspalum notatum representaram o pastoreio contínuo; e Mnesithea selloana e Axonopus argentinus o pastoreio rotativo, estando esta última espécie relacionada aos maiores níveis de massa de forragem. Na estação hibernal, os métodos de manejo interferiram na composição da massa de forragem sem interferir no desempenho positivo dos animais.

Effect of stocking rate and supplementation on performance of dairy cows grazing native grassland in small-scale systems in the highlands of central Mexico.

The use and management of native grassland for dairy production during the rainy season was studied on two small-scale dairy farms in the highlands of central Mexico. Two stocking rates (2 and 4 cows/ha) and two levels of supplementation with commercial concentrate (4 and 6 kg/cow/day) under grazing were given to 12 milking Holstein cows in a 4 × 4 Latin square design replicated three times in a factorial arrangement. Net herbage accumulation (NHA), sward height, chemical composition, and in vitro digestibility of organic matter were recorded for the grassland, as well as vegetation cover and herbage mass 12 weeks post experiment. Animal performance variables were milk yield and composition, live weight, and body condition score. A partial budget analysis of feeding costs, returns, and margins was calculated. There were no differences between periods for NHA and herbage height and between plots for chemical composition (P > 0.05). However, there were highly significant differences among periods (P < 0.01) for organic matter, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), and estimated metabolisable energy (eME), with highly significant plot × period interactions (P < 0.01) for NDF, IVOMD, and eME. There were no statistical differences (P > 0.05) between treatments for milk yield, chemical composition of milk, live weight, or body condition score. Post-experimental vegetation cover was 72 % for both stocking rates, indicating there was no degradation of the grassland. Lower feeding costs were for the low supplementation treatments. It is concluded that a high stocking rate in studied native grasslands of 4 cows/ha with moderate concentrate supplementation supports a mean milk yield of 11.9 kg/cow/day during the rainy season without deleterious effects on the grassland.

Compressibilidade e elasticidade de um Vertissolo afetado pela intensidade de pastejo bovino / Compressibility and elasticity of a Vertissol affected by the intensity of grazing cattle

O fornecimento de pastagem em quantidade e qualidade em áreas de campo nativo é objetivo dos agropecuaristas. Neste trabalho, avaliou-se o impacto de três intensidades de pastejo por bovinos de corte, em área de campo natural melhorado com trevo branco e trevo vermelho, na densidade do solo (Ds), pressão de pré-consolidação (σp), índice de compressão (Ic) e no índice de relaxação (Ir) de um Vertissolo derivado de basalto. A área está localizada no campo experimental pertencente ao INIA Glencoe, na região Centro-Norte do Uruguai (Latitude: 32°41'S e Longitude: 56°16'O). O solo tem profundidade de 0,92m, textura argilo-siltoso (0,58kg kg-1 de argila) e estrutura granular. A intensidade de pastoreio configurou os tratamentos: sem pastoreio (SP), pastoreio com baixa carga (que consiste no pastoreio de 20 animais por hectare de 385kg aproximadamente de peso vivo, durante 4 dias) (PCB) e pastoreio com carga alta (40 animais por hectare de 385kg aproximadamente de peso vivo durante 4 dias) (PCA). A análise estatística constou de comparações entre médias de Ds, p, Ic e Ir do solo nos três tratamentos, pelo teste t de Student a 5% de significância. O PCA não provocou aumento de Ds em relação ao SP, nem alterações significativas na ?p e no Ic, indicando que o maior volume do material orgânico na superfície do Vertissolo proporcionou alta capacidade de suporte da carga, baixa susceptibilidade à compactação e alta elasticidade do solo. O maior Ir da camada superficial em relação à subsuperficial condicionou maior capacidade de recuperação de deformação, pois o PCA não provocou alterações significativas na σp e no Ic, em relação ao SP e PCB.

The supply of pasture quantity and quality in areas of native grassland is goal of ranchers. In this study we evaluated the impact of three grazing intensities by beef cattle in an area of unspoilt countryside with improved white clover and red cloveron soil bulk density (Bd), pre-consolidation pressure (sp), compression index (Ci) and the relaxation index (Ri) in a Vertisol derived from basalt. The experiment was conducted in an area of unspoilt countryside with improved white clover and red clover, subjected to three intensities of grazing, located in the experimental field of INIA Glencoe, in the Centre-North of Uruguay (Latitude: 32°41'S and Longitude: 56°16'W). The soil has a depth of 0.92m, clayey silt (0.58kg kg-1 clay) and has granular structure. The intensity of grazing configured the treatments: no grazing (SP), grazing with low load (consisting of grazing animals per hectare from 20 to approximately 385kg of body weight, during 4 days) (PCB) and grazing with high load (40 animals per hectare of approximately 385kg live weight, during 4 days) (PCA). Statistical analysis consisted of comparing averages of Bd, sp, Ci and Ri in the three soil treatments by Student's t test at 5% of significance. PCA caused no increase in relation to the Ds SP nor significant changes ?p and Ic, indicating that the bulk of the organic material provided on the surface of Vertisoil high load bearing capacity, low compaction susceptibility and high elasticity of the soil. The most superficial layer of Ri with respect to subsurface conditioned more resilient deformation, because the PCA were no significant changes in σp and Ic against the SP and PCB.

Compressibilidade e elasticidade de um Vertissolo afetado pela intensidade de pastejo bovino / Compressibility and elasticity of a Vertissol affected by the intensity of grazing cattle

O fornecimento de pastagem em quantidade e qualidade em áreas de campo nativo é objetivo dos agropecuaristas. Neste trabalho, avaliou-se o impacto de três intensidades de pastejo por bovinos de corte, em área de campo natural melhorado com trevo branco e trevo vermelho, na densidade do solo (Ds), pressão de pré-consolidação (σp), índice de compressão (Ic) e no índice de relaxação (Ir) de um Vertissolo derivado de basalto. A área está localizada no campo experimental pertencente ao INIA Glencoe, na região Centro-Norte do Uruguai (Latitude: 32°41'S e Longitude: 56°16'O). O solo tem profundidade de 0,92m, textura argilo-siltoso (0,58kg kg-1 de argila) e estrutura granular. A intensidade de pastoreio configurou os tratamentos: sem pastoreio (SP), pastoreio com baixa carga (que consiste no pastoreio de 20 animais por hectare de 385kg aproximadamente de peso vivo, durante 4 dias) (PCB) e pastoreio com carga alta (40 animais por hectare de 385kg aproximadamente de peso vivo durante 4 dias) (PCA). A análise estatística constou de comparações entre médias de Ds, p, Ic e Ir do solo nos três tratamentos, pelo teste t de Student a 5% de significância. O PCA não provocou aumento de Ds em relação ao SP, nem alterações significativas na ?p e no Ic, indicando que o maior volume do material orgânico na superfície do Vertissolo proporcionou alta capacidade de suporte da carga, baixa susceptibilidade à compactação e alta elasticidade do solo. O maior Ir da camada superficial em relação à subsuperficial condicionou maior capacidade de recuperação de deformação, pois o PCA não provocou alterações significativas na σp e no Ic, em relação ao SP e PCB.(AU)

The supply of pasture quantity and quality in areas of native grassland is goal of ranchers. In this study we evaluated the impact of three grazing intensities by beef cattle in an area of unspoilt countryside with improved white clover and red cloveron soil bulk density (Bd), pre-consolidation pressure (sp), compression index (Ci) and the relaxation index (Ri) in a Vertisol derived from basalt. The experiment was conducted in an area of unspoilt countryside with improved white clover and red clover, subjected to three intensities of grazing, located in the experimental field of INIA Glencoe, in the Centre-North of Uruguay (Latitude: 32°41'S and Longitude: 56°16'W). The soil has a depth of 0.92m, clayey silt (0.58kg kg-1 clay) and has granular structure. The intensity of grazing configured the treatments: no grazing (SP), grazing with low load (consisting of grazing animals per hectare from 20 to approximately 385kg of body weight, during 4 days) (PCB) and grazing with high load (40 animals per hectare of approximately 385kg live weight, during 4 days) (PCA). Statistical analysis consisted of comparing averages of Bd, sp, Ci and Ri in the three soil treatments by Student's t test at 5% of significance. PCA caused no increase in relation to the Ds SP nor significant changes ?p and Ic, indicating that the bulk of the organic material provided on the surface of Vertisoil high load bearing capacity, low compaction susceptibility and high elasticity of the soil. The most superficial layer of Ri with respect to subsurface conditioned more resilient deformation, because the PCA were no significant changes in σp and Ic against the SP and PCB.(AU)

Características de carcaça e composição tecidual dos cortes comerciais de caprinos e ovinos terminados em caatinga enriquecida com capim-buffel (Cenchrus ciliaris L. CV. Biloela) e submetidos a duas estratégias de suplementação

O experimento foi com o objetivo de avaliar dois tipos de suplementação (energética e proteico-energética) nas características de carcaça e na composição tecidual dos cortes comerciais de caprinos F1 (Boer x SRD) e ovinos Santa Inês terminados em Caatinga raleada e enriquecida com capim-buffel (Cenchrus ciliaris L. cv. biloela). Foram utilizados 12 caprinos mestiços F1 (Boer x SRD) e 12 ovinos Santa Inês machos, não castrados, com peso corporal de 24,28 ± 2,93 kg e 24,31 ± 1,84 kg, respectivamente. O manejo alimentar consistiu de pastejo em Caatinga nativa enriquecida com capim-buffel e dois tipos de suplementação alimentar: energética a base de farelo de milho e núcleo mineral e proteico-energética constituída de farelo de soja, farelo de milho e núcleo mineral. A dieta foi fornecida na proporção de 10 g/kg do peso corporal animal, a fim de obter um ganho de peso de 150 g/dia. O abate foi realizado aos 90 dias de experimento e foram avaliadas a morfometria, conformação e o estado de adiposidade. A carcaça foi seccionada ao meio e a meia carcaça esquerda foi dividida nos cinco cortes comerciais: pescoço, paleta, costilhar, lombo e perna, que foram dissecados em gordura subcutânea, gordura intermuscular, osso e músculo. As gorduras subcutânea e intermuscular foram somadas para quantificar o total de gordura em cada corte. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado, com esquema fatorial de 2x2 (2 espécies animais e 2 estratégias de suplementação). A utilização da suplementação proteico-energética proporcionou melhores índices morfométricos, maior peso da meia carcaça e dos cortes comerciais e uma maior quantidade de músculos nos cortes pescoço, paleta, lombo e perna independentemente da espécie animal e melhor conformação para os ovinos. Os caprinos F1 Boer x SRD apresentam maior peso e rendimento de paleta e maior quantidade de músculos em todos os cortes comerciais e os ovinos Santa Inês apresentam carcaças com melhor acabamento e maior rendimento de perna, além de maior quantidade de gordura no pescoço, costilhar, lombo e perna. Os resultados apresentados pelos animais desse estudo se encontram dentro do padrão exigido pelo consumidor com adequada quantidade de músculo e gordura, dessa forma, recomenda-se o uso da suplementação proteico-energética.

The experiment was conducted in order to evaluate two types of supplementation (energetic and proteic-energetic) on carcass characteristics of goats and sheep finished in Caatinga thinned and enriched with buffel-grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L. cv. biloela). It was used 12 goats crossbred F1 (Boer x SRD) and 12 Santa Inês sheep males, not castrated, live weight of 24,28 ± 2,93 kg and 24,31 ± 1,84 kg, respectively. The feeding system consisted of grazing on native Caatinga enriched with buffel-grass and two types of supplementary feeding: energetic based in meal and mineral mixture and energetic-proteic consisting of soybean meal, corn meal and mineral mixture. The diet was fed at a rate of 10 g/kg of live weight, to obtain a weight gain of 150 g/day. The slaughter was carried out at 90 days of the experiment and were evaluated for morphology, conformation and adiposity status. The carcass was split in half and left half carcass was divided into five commercial cuts: neck, shoulder, ribs, loin and leg, which was dissected into subcutaneous fat, inside muscular fat, bone and muscle. The subcutaneous and inside muscular fat was added to quantify the total fat in each slice. The design was completely randomized with a factorial 2x2 (two animal species and two supplementation strategies). The use of energetic-proteic supplementation provided better morphometric indices, the greater weight of the half carcass and commercial cuts and more cuts in the amount of neck muscles, shoulder, loin and leg, independently of animal species and better conformation for sheep. The F1 Boer x SRD goats have higher weight and yield of shoulder and greater amount of muscle in all commercial cuts and Santa Inês sheep have carcasses with better finishing and higher yield of leg and greater amount of fat in the neck, rib, loin and leg. The results presented by this animal study are within the standard required by the consumer with adequate amount of muscle and fat, thus, it is recommended the use of supplemental protein-energy.