Effects of Milled Maize Stalks on the Productive Response of Grazing Dairy Cows.

The productive response of grazing dairy cows was evaluated, using milled corn stalks in the diet. The study was developed in two different settings, in Ecuador (Costa and Sierra regions). On the coast farm (29.1 ha), cows grazed on Bermuda grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis) and Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) with several types of legumes (Lysicarpus, Centrosema, Desmodium, Galactia), supplemented with corn stalks cv. INIAP 125. The animals received 0.46 kg beginning at 3 kg, and milled maize stalks in 30 and 28-day periods, respectively (M-30 and M-28), and control without stalks for 36 days (M-0). The farm in the other region (14.2 ha) had 23 cows grazing on Kikuyo grass (P. clandestinum) and ryegrass-white clover (L. perenne and whole maize stalks and T. (60-70% ripe grain), at a rate of 18 kg green/cow/day for 48 days; and balanced supplement, at a rate of 0.5 kg/ milk liter, after the fourth kilogram, along with minerals. In both cases the forage had effects (P < 0.05) on cow response. In the Sierra area, the increase was 1.68 kg/cow, and in the coast, it was 1.1 and 2.5 kg/cow). Maize stalks served as a nutritional complement for poorly consumed grass areas in both regions; milk production/animal was increased, and the costs were reduced

Leucaena leucocephala cv Perú in Association with Graminaceae in Dryland Conditions for Final Bovine Fattening Stage

To evaluate the factors that affect efficiency in a Leucaena leucocephala cv Perú association, with pastures for bovine fattening, 22 Zebu fattening cycles were studied on a farm of the Rectangulo Livestock Company, in Camagüey, Cuba, between 2002 and 2012. The local soil is brown without carbonates. The climate is tropical humid, and the annual precipitation average is 1 183mm. The factors evaluated were food balance, duration of the fattening cycle, and quantity of animals/cycle. The daily weight gain and expenses/income per operation were also analyzed. The pasture and Leucaena percentages were determined by plant counts. Food balances were estimated. The final value of the population of Leucaena cv Perú was 93% (P <0.05), with an increase in common Bermuda grass and other pastures. Short duration tests showed much higher gains (P <0.05), with values above 1.0 kg/animal/day. The number of animal/cycle (P <0.05) produced higher gains with fewer animals. Forest-grazing in association with Leucaena leucocephala cv Perú-graminaceae under dryland conditions produced mean daily gains above 0.800 kg/animal/day in the final stage of fattening bulls, based on food balances with adequate biological and economic results. The best behavior was observed in the shortest cycles, where the highest final weight/animal values were achieved, with fewer expenses and higher income

Bio-economic Impact of Strategic Changes in Murrah River Buffalo Management

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the effects of changes in the strategy to manage the bio-economic efficiency of a Murrah Buffalo production system in the province of Camagüey, Cuba, located 21º north and 77º west, 217 meters above sea level. The climate is tropical humid (Aw) of plains. The mean annual precipitations were 1 180 mm (71% between May and October), the temperatures were between 24 and 29 °C. The soil is brown, without carbonates, and brown-red fersiallitic. The system comprises 5 100 ha and has 536 workers/year. A strategy to introduce management changes in agro-technical, food, reproductive, replacement, health, salary policy, and training was implemented as part of an innovation package with a systemic and participatory approach. The evaluation lasted eight years, and it was critical to increase dairy production in more than 200 000 kg/year in 2012, in comparison to 2004, with improvements in natality and reduction of operational expenses of the system. It was concluded that the strategy had a determining effect on the system's indicators

Algarroba Effects on Behavior and Dairy Production of Grazing Cows II. Rainy Season.

The influence of arborization with algarroba (Prosopis juliflora SW) on behavior and dairy production of grazing cows was evaluated. The trial was made in the rainy season, and six enclosures per arborization treatment were used (low arborization, with 1-7 trees/ha; mid-arborization, with 12-16 trees/ha; and high arborization, with 20-27 trees/ha). Activities were observed every ten minutes during the mornings and afternoons. The number of animals, and each animal´s activity time was recorded. The dairy production data were collected and compared through a randomized design with six repetitions (ANOVA). Significant differences were observed (P < 0.05) to more arborization in grazing (155-173 min), and the monthly values observed were similar. In fields with low arborization, the cows ate less grass, whereas fields with mid and high arborization, the cows grazed longer, and produced more milk (11.2 and 12.59 kg/c/day)

Effect of Algarroba on Grazing Cow Behavior and Milk Production. I. Dry Season.

The effect of algarroba (Prosopis juliflora SW) arborization on grazing cow behavior and milk production was assessed. The trial was made in the rainy season, and six enclosures were used per arborization treatment (low arborization, 1-7 trees/ha; mid arborization, 12-16 trees/ha; high arborization, 20-27 trees/ha). Rational grazing was performed. The grass rested for 21-28 days, and sprinklers were used for irrigation. The animalsʼ activity time and the number of animals were registered. Milk production values were compared using ANOVA, following a randomized design with six replicas. No significant differences were observed in the morning grazing (118-203 min), but there were significant differences (P < 0.05) in the afternoon, in favor of more arborization (103-125 min), whereas in lands with mid and high arborization, cows ruminated longer, with higher water consumption and milk production, and values between 11.85-13.76 kg/v/day

Fodder, Nitrogen, and Energy Balances in Grasslands with Algarroba Trees (Prosopis juliflora (S.W.) DC.) under Dairy Cow Grazing

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of algarroba (Prosopis juliflora (S.W.) DC.) on fodder, nitrogen and energy contents in Ecuadoran dairy farm grasslands. The study was made at ESPAM bovine facility, 15 meters above sea level, in Manabí, 00º49’23’’, south latitude, and 80º11’01” west longitude, with 962.4 mm of annual precipitation, between September 2011 and December 2014. The stocking rate was 1.09 LU/ha. The areas were populated with 1-4 algarroba trees/ha by 2011, and 8-35 trees/ha, in 2014. Fodder, nitrogen, and energy balances depended on the arborization degree. As a result, 52 t of DM were estimated in 2014, in comparison to the 21 t produced in 2011. Nitrogen was higher with increased arborization between 2011 (60.9 kg/ha), greater nutrient intake from external sources, and 2014 (39.3 kg/ha), with less use of supplements and mineral fertilizers, and greater N2 contribution by arborization. The energy values were higher in 2014, with an increase in algarroba population/ha. The rise in trees/ha in 2014 favored forage yields, with improved N2 and energy efficiency, which was linked to the benefits acquired by the grassland, the contribution of nitrogen to the ecosystem, and the reduction in feed and fertilizer consumption, which led to energy savings

Influencia del algarrobo en la conducta y producción de leche de vacas en pastoreo. I I . Período l luvioso

Se  evaluó  la  influencia  de  la  arborización  con  algarrobo (Prosopis  juliflora  SW)  en  la  conducta  y  producción  de leche  de  vacas  en  pastoreo.   El  ensayo  se  realizó  en época  de  lluvia  y  se  utilizaron  seis  cuartones  por tratamiento  de arborización  (bajo  grado  de  arborización  con 1-7  árboles/ha;   medio  grado  de  arborización  con  1 2- 1 6  árboles/ha  y  alto  grado  de  arborización  20-27 árboles/ha.   En  la  mañana  y  en  la  tarde  se  observaban  las actividades  cada  1 0  min.   Se registró  el  tiempo  del  animal  en actividad,  el  número  de  animales .  Se  tomó  la  información  de  la  producción  de  leche/tratamiento  y  en  un  diseño  al azar  con  seis  repeticiones  se  comparó  mediante  Anava. Se  registraron  diferencias significativas  (P  <  0, 05)  a  favor  de  mayor  arborización  en  pastoreo  ( 1 55- 1 73  min)  y  los índices  tuvieron  un  comportamiento  muy  similar  por  meses.   En  potreros  con  baja  carga  arbórea  las  vacas consumen  menos  pasto,  mientras  que en  potreros  con medio  y  alto  grado  de  arborización,  las  vacas  pastaron más  tiempo  y  tuvieron  mayor  producción  de leche  con valores  entre  1 1 , 02  y  1 2, 50  kg/v/día. Effect  of  Algarroba  on  Grazing  Cow  Behavior  and  Milk  Production.  II.  Rainy  Season ABSTRACTThe  effect  of  algarroba  (Prosopis juliflora  SW)  arborization on  grazing  cow  behavior  and  milk  production  was assessed.   The  trial  was  made  in  the  rainy  season,  and six  enclosures  were  used  per  arborization  treatment  (low  arborization,  1 -7  trees/ha;  mid  arborization,  1 2- 1 6 trees/ha;  high  arborization,  20-27  trees/ha) .   The  time  of each  animal during  activity,  and  the  number  of  animals, were  registered.   Milk  production  values  were  compared using  ANOVA, following  a  randomized  design  with  six replicas.   The  significant  differences  were  registered  (P  <  0. 05)  positively toward  greater  arborization  grazing  ( 1 55- 1 73  min) ,  and  the  indexes  had  a  very  similar  behavior  for months.   In  poorly arborized  grazing  lands  cows  consumed less  pasture,  whereas  in  highly  arborized  lands,  cows stayed  longer  and  pro-duced  more  milk  ( 1 1 . 02  and  1 2. 50  kg/cow/day).

Leucaena leucocephala cv Perú asociada con gramíneas en secano para ceba final bovina

To evaluate the factors that affect efficiency in a Leucaena leucocephala cv Perú association with pastures for bovine fattening, 22 Zebu fattening cycles were studied on a farm of the Rectángulo Livestock Company, in Camagüey, Cuba, between 2002 and 2012. The local soil is brown without carbonates. The climate is tropical humid, and annual precipitation averages 1 183 mm . The factors evaluated were, food balance, duration of the fattening cycle, and quantity of animals/cycle. The daily weight gain and expenses/income per operation were also analyzed. The pasture and Leucaena percents were determined by plant counts. Food balances were made. Leucaena cv Perú reached final values of 93 % (P < 0.05) with an increase in common Bermuda grass and others. Short duration tests showed much higher gains (P < 0.05), with values above 1.0 kg/animal/day. The number of animal/cycle (P < 0.05) produced higher gains with fewer animals. Forest grazing in association with Leucaena leucocephala cv Perú-graminaeae in drylands produced mean daily gains above 0.800 kg/animal/day in the final stage of fattening bulls, according to food balances with adequate biological and economic results, and the best behavior in the shortest cycles, where the highest final weight/animal values were achieved, with fewer expenses and higher income.Con el objetivo de evaluar factores que afectan la eficiencia en una asociación de Leucaena leucocephala cv Perú con pastos para ceba final de bovinos, se analizaron desde el 2002 al 2012, 22 ciclos de ceba de toros Cebú en una finca de la Empresa Pecuaria Rectángulo de ceba en Camagüey, Cuba. El suelo es Pardo sin Carbonatos. El clima es tropical húmedo (Aw) y precipitación anual de 1 183 mm . Los factores evaluados fueron: balance alimentario, duración de ciclo de ceba y cantidad de animales/ciclo. Se analizaron índices de ganancia diaria de peso, gastos e ingresos por operación. Se determinaron los por cientos de pastos y Leucaena por conteo de plantas. Se realizaron balances alimentarios. Leucaena cv Perú alcanzó valores finales del 93 % (P < 0,05) en su población, con incremento de Guinea común y otros pastos. Las pruebas de corta duración logran ganancias muy superiores (P < 0,05) con valores por encima de 1,0 kg/animal/día. El número de animales/ciclo afectó (P < 0,05) por mayores ganancias con menos animales. La tecnología de silvopastoreo con asociación de Leucaena leucocephala cv Perú-gramíneas en secano, permitió obtener ganancias medias diarias por encima de 0,800 kg/animal/día en toros de ceba final evaluadas por balances alimentarios con resultados biológicos y económicos muy adecuados y el mejor comportamiento para los ciclos más cortos, donde se obtuvieron los mayores pesos finales/animal, con menos gastos por suplementos y mayores ingresos

Efecto de la inclusión del forraje de maíz molido en la respuesta productiva de vacas lecheras en pastoreo.

Se evaluó la respuesta productiva de vacas lecheras en pastoreo al incluir forraje de maíz molido en su dieta. El estudio se realizó en dos ambientes diferentes de Ecuador (Región Costa y Sierra). En la costa, en una finca de 29,1 ha,las vacas pastaron asociaciones de estrella (Cynodon nlemfuensis) y saboya (Panicum máximum) con leguminosas devarios géneros como Alysicarpus, Centrosema, Desmodium, Galactia, suple-mentadas con forraje de maíz cv. INIAP 125. Los animales recibieron 0,46 kg a partir del tercer kilogramo, y forraje de maíz molido en períodos de 30 y 28 días, respectivamente (M-30 y M-28) y control sin forraje por 36 días (M-0). En la otra región, la propiedad tenía 14,2 ha y 23 vacas en ordeño; estas pastaron asociaciones de kikuyo (P. clandestinum) y ryegra-sstrébol blanco (L. perenne y T. repens) y forraje de maíz planta completa (60 a 70 % grano maduro), a razón de 18 kg verde/vaca/día durante 48 días, y balanceado a razón de 0,5 kg/l de leche después del cuarto kilogramo y minerales. El forraje influyó en ambos casos (P < 0,05) en la respuesta de las vacas; para la zona de la sierra el incremento fue de 1,68 kg/vaca de aumento en la leche y en la costa el aumento fue entre 1,1 y 2,5 kg/vaca. El forraje de maíz complementó nutri-cionalmente las asociaciones bajo pastoreo en ambas regiones, incrementó el rendimiento lechero/animal y redujo los costos.Effect of Ground CornStalks on the Productive Response of Dairy Grazing Cows ABSTRACTThe productive response of dairy grazing cows using ground cornstalks was assessed. The study was developed in two different Ecuadoran settings (Costa Region and Sierra). At the Costa, on a 29.1 ha farm, the cows grazed on star clusters (Cynodon nlemfuensis) and panic grass(Panicum máximum), with legumes of different genera, such as Alysicarpus, Centrosema, Desmodium, Galactia, supplemented with corn stalks, cv. INIAP 125. The animals received 0.46 kg from the third kg onward, and ground corn stalks in 30- and 28- day periods, respectively (M-30 and M-28), and a control group without stalks for 36 days (M-0). In another region, the estate had 14.2 ha and 23 milking cows, grazing on clusters of West African pennisetum (P. clandestinum) and ryegrass white clover (L. perenne and T. repens) and whole corn stalks (60 -70 % ripe grain), at a ratio of 18 kg green/cow/day for 48 days and balanced at a ratio of 0.5 kg/l of milk following the fourth kilogram, and minerals. In both cases, stalks effected (P < 0.05) on cow response. In the Sierra region, the milk yield increase observed was 1.68 kg/cow, and in the Costa region, it was between 1.1 and 2.5 kg/cow. Corn stalks meant nutritional supplementation to grazing clusters in both regions, increased milk/animal yields, and cost reductions