Manejo de pastagem natural em pastoreio rotativo utilizando duas soma térmica como intervalo de descanso

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of a thermal sum rest period on natural grassland as a grazing management, these grazing intervals has been used since 2009. During April 2013 to April 2014, we evaluated the effect of this grazing management on vegetation and its consequences in the performance, grazing behavior and dry matter intake of beef heifers on Pampa biome (southern Brazil). A complete randomized block design experiment with two treatments and three replications was conducted with Angus heifers. The treatments were two thermal sums: 375 and 750 degrees-days (DD) determined by the intervals between rotational grazing periods, the 375 DD treatment favors prostrate species (Axonopus affinis and Paspalum notatum) and the 750 DD treatment favors tussock species (Aristida laevis and Saccharum angustifolius). The 23 ha experimental area was divided into six experimental units, which housed two treatments and three replications. The experiment was conducted with beef cattle heifers testers with average age of 7 months old and initial weight of 150.5 ± 5 kg. Every heifers received whole rice bran supplement at a rate of 1.0% of body weight per day during cool season (April to September) and had free access to mineral supplement. Treatments had no differences on vegetation, average daily weight, dry matter intake, grazing behavior variables and beef production. Thermal sum rest intervals could be a valuable grazing management tool to improved animal production per area and forage quality, besides high animal stocking rate.