African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6915

Full Length Research Paper

Forage intake and performance of cattle in silvo-pastoral systems and monoculture of Marandu in Pre-Amazon region

Ricardo Alves de Araújo
  • Ricardo Alves de Araújo
  • Integrated Doctoral Program in Animal Science UFC/UFRPE/UFPB, Animal Science Department, Bl 808 Pici – CEP: 60440554, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
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Rosane Cláudia Rodrigues
  • Rosane Cláudia Rodrigues
  • Federal University of Maranhão, Chapadinha- Maranhão, Brazil.
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Clésio dos Santos Costa
  • Clésio dos Santos Costa
  • Federal University of Maranhão, Chapadinha- Maranhão, Brazil.
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Rogério de Paula Lana
  • Rogério de Paula Lana
  • Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa- Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Francisco Naysson Sousa Santos
  • Francisco Naysson Sousa Santos
  • Federal University of Maranhão, Chapadinha- Maranhão, Brazil.
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Antônio José Temístocles de Lima
  • Antônio José Temístocles de Lima
  • Federal University of Maranhão, Chapadinha- Maranhão, Brazil.
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Marcônio Martins Rodrigues
  • Marcônio Martins Rodrigues
  • Federal University of Maranhão, Chapadinha- Maranhão, Brazil.
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  •  Received: 10 January 2016
  •  Accepted: 23 April 2016
  •  Published: 19 May 2016

Abstract

This work aimed to evaluate dry matter intake (DMI) and performance of F1 Nellore x Guzera with live weight (LW) of 180±15 kg (5 months) on pastures of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu in silvo-pastoral systems composed of babassu palm (Attalea speciosa) and monoculture systems in Pre-Amazonic region of Maranhão state, Brazil. Animals were evaluated in four systems: 0, 80, 131 and 160 adult palms ha-1, characterizing monoculture (MC), low density (LD), average density (AD) and high density palm trees (HD), respectively, during the rainy (RS) and dry season (DS). Comparing seasons, only DMI in MC and AD were affected. DMI was between 2.6% LW for the RS and 2.8% LW for the DS, These values are very close as suggested by NRC, which is 2.7% LW for animals in this category. Higher average daily gain per ha was observed in animals kept in pastures with LD (0.750 g.day-1 and 84.37 kg.ha-1, respectively). It was observed that animal performance was influenced by density of palm trees and the DMI by season, probably by the sward structure. Animal performance and production forage biomass were higher in 0 and 80 palm systems. This greater forage biomass allow higher stocking rate and, consequently higher animal production per ha.

Key words: Silvo-pastoral systems, pasture, season, Guzerá, Nelore, matter intake, daily gain.

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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