Abstract #M124
Section: Forages and Pastures
Session: Forages and Pastures: Silages and forages in dairy production systems
Format: Poster
Day/Time: Monday 7:30 AM–9:30 AM
Location: Gatlin Ballroom
Session: Forages and Pastures: Silages and forages in dairy production systems
Format: Poster
Day/Time: Monday 7:30 AM–9:30 AM
Location: Gatlin Ballroom
# M124
Productive performance and morphological composition of two genotypes of Brachiaria grazed by dairy calves in Mexico’s Central Highlands.
Francisca Avilés Nova*1, Sandra A. Vencez González1, Octavio A. Castelán Ortega2, José M. Castro Salas3, Luis M. Ríos García1, 1Centro Universitario UAEM-Temascaltepec, Temascaltepec, Estado de México, México, 2Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia de la UAEM, Toluca, Estado de México, México, 3Unidad Académica de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Ambientales. Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Iguala de la Independencia, Estado de Guerrero, México.
Key Words: Brachiaria, pasture
Productive performance and morphological composition of two genotypes of Brachiaria grazed by dairy calves in Mexico’s Central Highlands.
Francisca Avilés Nova*1, Sandra A. Vencez González1, Octavio A. Castelán Ortega2, José M. Castro Salas3, Luis M. Ríos García1, 1Centro Universitario UAEM-Temascaltepec, Temascaltepec, Estado de México, México, 2Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia de la UAEM, Toluca, Estado de México, México, 3Unidad Académica de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Ambientales. Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Iguala de la Independencia, Estado de Guerrero, México.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the production and morphological characteristics of Insurgente (Brachiaria brizantha), and Mulato II (hybrid Brachiaria) forages, when grazed by dairy calves during the rainy season in Mexico’s Central Highlands. The variables net herbage accumulation (NHA), leaf proportion and appearance of stems was evaluated in 3 periods consisting of 21 d each, between July and September 2014. The pasture used was composed of 16 plots (15 m × 4 m), with 4 plots per species and were fertilized with vermicompost (10 t·ha−1). The pasture was grazed continually by 4 dairy calves, aged 12 ± 4 mo, weight of 250 ± 35 kg. Sixteen exclusion cages (1m × 1m) and a metal quadrant measuring 0.16 m2 (0.40 m × 0.40 m) were used. Leaf proportion was measured for each period, with a 100 g sample taken randomly from each plot. In the appearance of stems was identified the number of plants for each plot by m2, and selected a single plant randomly. At the beginning of each period the initial population of stems was measured for each plant, and marked with a plastic yellow ring. Then, new stems were counted every 15 d and marked with a ring of another color. The design was based on plots divided at random, with larger plots (species) and smaller plots (time periods). A variance analysis was conducted, using MINITAB, and measurements were compared using the Tukey’s test (P < 0.05). Significant differences (P < 0.015) in the NHA were noted in the Insurgente and Mulato II species and in the interaction (P < 0.001). Higher NHA was found in Mulato II forage (10,584 kg DM·ha−1). In both species the highest NHA was found in P2 and P3 2,662 and 3,858 kg DM·ha−1, respectively (P < 0.05). Also, 11% more leaf appearance was found in Mulato II. The greatest appearance of stems was found in Mulato II forage (240 stems/m2; P < 0.001). Insurgente and Mulato II demonstrated different growth behaviors under continuous grazing during the rainy season. Mulato II showed better performance, had higher net herbage accumulation, leaf proportion and appearance of stems.
Key Words: Brachiaria, pasture
