title: Performance of Nellore heifers, forage mass, and structural and nutritional characteristics of Brachiaria brizantha grass in integrated production systems.
abstract: Our objective was to evaluate production, nutritive value and carrying capacity of piatã grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Piatã), and performance of Nellore heifers in agrosilvopastoral systems (ASPS) with three eucalyptus (Eucalyptus urograndis) tree densities, during winter, spring, summer, and fall. Three integrated systems were evaluated: ASPS-1 (357 trees ha(-1)), ASPS-2 (227 trees ha(-1)), and CON (5 trees ha(-1)). In each system, two sward heights were evaluated: short and tall. A total of 80 11-month-old Nellore heifers were randomly allocated in a randomized split-plot block, 3 × 2 factorial. Greater dry matter availability was observed on CON pastures during the fall season. Greater percentage of leaf lamina was detected on ASPS-1 with short sward height and greater during summer, compared with other seasons. A greater forage production was observed between tree rows and for tall sward height. Spring was the season with less forage nutritive value. Average daily gain was greater during summer and fall. Gain per hectare and stocking rate were greater on CON system and on ASPS-2. Pastures with short sward height had greater gain per hectare and stocking rate. Agrosilvopastoral systems with intermediate tree density seem to be a good choice for producers willing to diversify their revenue sources without decreasing animal production.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Rodovia MGT 367 km 583, 5000, Alto da Jacuba, Diamantina, MG, 39100-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Caroline Carvalho
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Severino Delmar Junqueira
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Villela
authors.forename: Roberto Giolo
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: de Almeida
authors.forename: Fabiana Villa
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Behling-Neto
authors.forename: Paulo Gustavo Macedo de Almeida
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Martins
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D035201:Brachiaria / Q000737:chemistry*; D001938:Brazil; D002417:Cattle / Q000254:growth & development*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D005052:Eucalyptus / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development; D005260:Female; D009753:Nutritive Value; D006109:Poaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D011897:Random Allocation; D012621:Seasons; D015430:Weight Gain