Silage Production Of Corn Intercropped With Tropical Forages In An Integrated Crop-livestock System With Lambs

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of intercropping systems between corn and tropical forages, at different cutting heights, on silage production, light interception, land use efficiency, intercropping competition factors, and pasture production. In the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 crop seasons, two cultivation modalities were evaluated in the summer/autumn - monocropped corn with residual regrowth of signal grass (Urochloa decumbens) from the soil seed bank and corn intercropped with palisade grass (U. brizantha 'Marandu') -, in a factorial arrangement with two cutting heights for silage production - 0.20 and 0.45 m. After corn silage harvest, the forages were grazed by lambs in a semi-feedlot system, in the winter/spring. Monocropped corn and 0.45-m cutting height both reduced dry matter yield for silage. Corn intercropped with palisade grass improved land use efficiency from 13 to 31% compared with monocropped crop, with land equivalent ratio greater than 1. Palisade grass showed higher light interception than signal grass over the intercrop period with corn and provided greater forage yield for lambs to graze during winter/spring. Corn intercropped with palisade grass, compared with monocropped corn, especially at the cutting height of 0.45 m, is a viable option for improving silage and pasture production, as well as land use efficiency in the integrated crop-livestock system.521546

Capacidade funcional em cavalos de salto suplementados com linhaça

The objective of this study was to evaluate the supplementation of linseed as an omega-3 fatty acid supplier on the functional capacity of jumping horses. 6 horses disposed in two 3 x 3 balanced Latin squares were used. The treatments consisted of increasing levels of linseed mixed with flour and linseed oil in a ratio of 75:25, respectively, resulting in 0g (control), 60g and 120g on a daily basis per horse. The horses were supplemented for 30 days. Physical activity was jumping at riding class level. The functional parameters measured were lameness index, stride length and joint metacarpophalangeal (MCP) biometry (circumference and flexion angle). A significant linseed supplementation effect for doses of 60 and 120g was observed on the lameness index. Feeding 120g of linseed increased stride length while trotting (P<0.05). An increment of 0.5cm on MCP circumference was found in horses that received the control diet when compared to those horses that consumed 120g of linseed. Thus, supplementation of jumping horses with 120g/day of linseed promoted greater stride length at a trot and reduced swelling in the metacarpophalangeal joint, improving their functional capabilities.Objetivou-se avaliar a suplementação com linhaça, como fonte do ácido graxo ômega-3, sobre a capacidade funcional de cavalos de salto. Foram utilizados seis equinos distribuídos em dois quadrados latinos 3x3 balanceados. Os grupos experimentais consistiram em níveis crescentes de linhaça (na forma de farinha e óleo de linhaça na proporção de 75:25, respectivamente), resultando nos tratamentos de 0 (controle), 60 e 120g/cavalo/dia de linhaça. Os cavalos foram suplementados por período de 30 dias. A atividade física consistiu em trabalho para salto no nível de equitação fundamental. As variáveis funcionais mensuradas foram índice de claudicação (IC), comprimento da passada e biometria da articulação metacarpofalangeana - MCF (circunferência e ângulo de flexão). Observou-se efeito significativo da suplementação com linhaça, independentemente da dosagem, sobre o IC. Ainda, o fornecimento de 120g de linhaça/cavalo/dia aumentou o comprimento da passada dos cavalos ao trote (P<0,05) e promoveu redução de 0,5cm na circunferência da articulação MCF (P<0,05) em comparação ao grupo controle. A suplementação de cavalos de salto com 120g/dia de linhaça promoveu maior comprimento da passada ao trote e redução de edema na articulação metacarpofalangeana, melhorando suas capacidades funcionais

Influence of feeding differentiation on the age at onset of puberty in Brazilian Bergamasca dairy ewe lambs

The objective of the study was to evaluate body growth and age at onset of puberty on lambs fed two specific diets for low and high growth rates. A herd of 20 Brazilian Bergamasca lambs was divided in two groups (n= 10) and kept confined throughout the experimental period, two animals of the same treatment/pen. Two phases were established: Phase 1, from 90 days of age until the onset of puberty; and Phase 2, from puberty onset up to 1 year old. For Phase 1, two distinct diets were formulated, being: Treatment A, which was formulated to obtain an average daily gain of approximately 150g; and Treatment B, for an average daily gain of about 250g. In Phase 2, a balanced, equal diet was provided to both groups. Every 14 days, the animals were weighed and given average daily gain, average daily dry matter intake and body condition score. From the 5th month of age on, in each group, a vasectomized male was used to detect estrus, establishing age at puberty onset and estrus interval for each lamb. Blood samples were collected every 28 days to determine plasma growth hormone concentration. Treatment B lambs gained more weight and had higher body condition score (P0.05) between treatments. It was found that both treatments showed satisfactory performances. Thus, treatment A may be indicated as a reasonable feeding system to achieve positive responses on confined ewe lambs during growth phase

Padrão de deslocamento de bovinos Nelore em sistemas integrados de produção agropecuária

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to characterize the displacement patterns of Nellore cattle in areas of crop livestock and crop livestock forest integration systems with density of 196 and 448 eucalyptus ha-1. Paddock maps were drawn from satellite images of the experimental area. In each evaluated system there was one trained observer, that on the paddock map recorded the place the animals stayed every 10 minutes. The exploration of the area by the animals was observed for 12 hours, starting at 6 a.m. and ending at 6 p.m. The displacement of the animals in the ILP system during the evaluation was bigger than the ILPFs systems, resulting in greater exploration of the area, this fact was due the presence of trees that, for the animals resembled fences, limiting the exploration of the paddock in ILPFs. In the ILPF with higher density of trees, this behavior was more evident. In the period from 10:10 a.m. to 14:00 p.m. the displacement of the animals was decrease by the high temperatures in all systems, although it was more effective in the ILP system. It is concluded that the displacement of cattle is influenced by the presence and density of arboreal component integrated crop livestock system

Lamb Production Responses To Grass Grazing In A Companion Crop System With Corn Silage And Oversowing Of Yellow Oat In A Tropical Region

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Integrated crop-livestock systems in regions with dry winters could be a viable option to increase food production during periods of irregular rain and reduced pasture availability. A corn (Zea mays L.) silage production system with cover crops of (a) the weedy growth of signal grass [Urochloa decumbens (Stapf) R. Webster “Basilisk”] and (b) palisade grass [Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R. Webster ‘Marandu’ and ‘Piatã’], both with a 0.20- and 0.45-m silage cutting height, was employed in the summer and autumn. Yellow oat (Avena byzantina cv. São Carlos) was oversown in these systems in the winter and spring. The pasture production, the daily ration intake, the performance and carcass characteristics of lambs (Ovis aries) grazing these pastures in a semi-feedlot system (supplemented with silage and concentrate), and the revenue were investigated. The experiment was repeated in the same location for two growing seasons (2010–2011 and 2011–2012) on a Typic Haplorthox in Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil. Analyzing the system as a whole, intercropping corn silage with palisade grass cv. Marandu (followed by palisade grass cv. Piatã) with a cutting height of 0.45 m combined with yellow oat oversowing was the most robust option for enhancing productivity. The pasture formation for lamb finishing in a semi-feedlot system, the reduction of silage and concentrate intake, and greater live weight and carcass gains per hectare were key attributes for improving the economic viability of this integrated crop-livestock system. Thus, these crop systems were a viable option for the diversification of agricultural activities in tropical regions. © 2016 Elsevier B.V.1511112010/12992-0, FAPESP, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo2011/03662-9, FAPESP, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo2011/12155-3, FAPESP, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo2012/04458-9, FAPESP, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São PauloFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Introdução e avaliação de clones de capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) em Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ Introduction and evaluation of clones of elephant grass (Pennisetun purpureum Schum.) in Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ

Quinze novos clones de capim-elefante e duas cultivares-testemunhas foram avaliados em um delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. O experimento foi realizado no Setor de Forragicultura do LZNA/CCTA da Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, no período de fevereiro de 1995 a dezembro de 1997, totalizando 12 cortes. Avaliaram-se produção de matéria seca (MS), em kg/ha/corte, média de 12 cortes; produção de MS da época da seca, em kg/ha; participação da produção da época da seca em relação ao total anual, proporção de folhas na planta, altura das plantas (m), diâmetro do colmo na base (mm) e número de perfilhos por metro linear. Com exceção dos clones CNPGL 91: F28-1, F01-2, F13-2 e F10-2 e da cultivar Mineiro, todos os demais destacaram-se quanto à produção de MS por corte, enquanto as variáveis produção de MS da época da seca, participação da produção da época da seca em relação ao total anual e proporção de folhas na planta (com base em MS) não apresentaram diferenças significativas entre os clones avaliados. A análise multivariada demonstrou a superioridade dos clones dos grupos 2 (Pioneiro e CNPGL 91 F27-5) e 5 (CNPGL 91 F25-3 e CNPGL 91 F06-3) para produção de matéria seca, constituindo-se em grupos contrastantes e altamente adaptados às condições edafoclimáticas de Campos dos Goytacazes. As variáveis diâmetro do colmo, altura das plantas no corte na época das águas e altura das plantas no corte na época da seca foram consideradas as mais importantes para explicar a dispersão dos clones no plano bidimensional.<br>Fifteen intra specific hybrids and two cultivars of elephant grass were evaluated in a randomized block design with four replicates. The experiment was carried out at the Forage Production Section of LZNA/CCTA of Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, from February/95 to December/97, resulting on 12 harvests. The materials were evaluated for total dry matter (DM) production, dry season production, contribution of dry season to total annual production, percentage of leaves, height (m), diameter of stem at the base (mm) and number of tillers per meter. Except for clones CNPGL 91: F28-1, F01-2, F13-2, F10-2 and the Mineiro cultivar, all of them were satisfactory for total dry matter (DM) production, while DM production during the dry season, contribution of dry season to total annual production and percentage of leaves, presented no significant differences among clones. Multivariate analysis indicated the superiority of group 2 (Pioneiro e CNPGL 91 F27-5) and 5 (CNPGL 91 F25-3 e CNPGL 91 F06-3) to total DM production, consisting on divergent and highly adapted groups in Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ. The variables: diameter of stem, plant height in cutting at wet season and plant height in cutting an dry season were the most important in order to explain the dispersion of clones in bidimensional space