Mineral Composition of \u3cem\u3eBrachiaria brizantha\u3c/em\u3e cv. MG5 Irrigated and Non-Irrigated Subjected to Grazing

Brachiaria brizantha cv. MG5 is an important component of pastures in Brazil. Past studies (Corsi and Marta Jr. (1998), Maya (2003)) have shown significant pasture and animal production increases can be obtained through irrigation and associated grazing management. Such systems can significantly increase economic viability of production systems based on these pastures (Cedeño 2003). However, past studies have not measured possible differences in mineral composition of such pastures throughout the year with and without irrigation. Such differences, if present, may have implication for animal productivity. This study had the objective of evaluating the mineral composition of Brachiaria brizantha cv. MG5 with and without irrigation in different times of the year

Effects of Irrigation and Season on Performance of Grazed Pastures of \u3cem\u3eBrachiaria brizantha\u3c/em\u3e cv. MG5

In Brazil, livestock production is based primarily on systems with continuously grazed natural or cultivated pastures (FAO 2009). Intensifying animal breeding, handling and knowledge strategies is necessary to obtain improvements in production indices for economically feasible and sustainable grazing systems (Cedeño et al. 2003). Beef cattle breeding on irrigated pasture, like all forms of intensive grazing, requires the use of forage species with high potential for production and quality, and Brachiaria brizantha cv. MG5 is considered a good option. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of irrigation on the performance of B. brizantha cv. MG5 grazed rotationally by beef cattle at different times of the year