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Publication Date
1981
Description
The tropical savannas (cerrados) of west central Brazil contain almost 40% of the nation's cattle population. However, the low productivity and nutritive value of the native pastures is a serious limitation to cattle production. To improve the nutrition of the grazing animal, a research program has been developed with emphasis on the integrated use of cultivated pastures. The program aims (1) to select species adapted to the cerrados, (2) to determine their nutrient requirements, and (3) to develop methods of establishment and utilization. The program is being conducted at the Cerrados Agricultural Research Center (CP AC) at lat 15°S. Rainfall is 1,500 mm/yr distributed in a 5- to 6-month wet season from October to March. A systematic three-stage pasture-evaluation scheme has been implemented. In stage I, there are 900 legume and 126 grass accessions under test on the two major soils of the region. The principal genera are Srylosanthes Sw., Panicum L., Andropogon L., Brachian·a Griseb., and Melinis Beauv. Observations are made on phenology, productivity, nutritive value, seed production, animal acceptance, and tolerance to pests and diseases. Promising accessions pass to stage II, in which simple grass-legume mixtures are evaluated in small, individually grazed plots for compatibility, persistence, and productivity. Currently, 19 accessions are included in stage II. In stage III, grazing trials are conducted in which year-round animal performance is monitored on the most promising mixtures at three stocking rates. Soil fertility and plant nutrition studies are being undertaken in two stages. First, exploratory greenhouse experiments are set up with treatments arranged factorially to identify the most important soil nutrient deficiencies. Second, field experiments are designed to verify the greenhouse studies and to determine the amount and kind of fertilizer required for pasture establishment and maintenance. A comprehensive program has been initiated to develop methods of pasture establishment. These methods include investiga· tion of conventional planting techniques, undersowing of arable crops, and legume introduction into native and degraded cultivated pastures by oversowing and sod-seeding. In the cerrados, 95 % of beef producers are involved in cow-calf operations. Therefore, pasture utilization studies are designed to investigate the strategic use of new cultivated pastures for improving reproductive performance of cows, reducing age at first calving of heifers, and rearing early-weaned calves.
Citation
Thomas, D; Moore, C P.; Couto, W; De Andrade, R P.; Da Rocha, C.M C.; and Gomes, D T., "Development of a Pasture Research Program for the Tropical Savanna Region of Brazil" (1981). IGC Proceedings (1977-2023). 13.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1981/section12/13)
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Archival
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Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Development of a Pasture Research Program for the Tropical Savanna Region of Brazil
The tropical savannas (cerrados) of west central Brazil contain almost 40% of the nation's cattle population. However, the low productivity and nutritive value of the native pastures is a serious limitation to cattle production. To improve the nutrition of the grazing animal, a research program has been developed with emphasis on the integrated use of cultivated pastures. The program aims (1) to select species adapted to the cerrados, (2) to determine their nutrient requirements, and (3) to develop methods of establishment and utilization. The program is being conducted at the Cerrados Agricultural Research Center (CP AC) at lat 15°S. Rainfall is 1,500 mm/yr distributed in a 5- to 6-month wet season from October to March. A systematic three-stage pasture-evaluation scheme has been implemented. In stage I, there are 900 legume and 126 grass accessions under test on the two major soils of the region. The principal genera are Srylosanthes Sw., Panicum L., Andropogon L., Brachian·a Griseb., and Melinis Beauv. Observations are made on phenology, productivity, nutritive value, seed production, animal acceptance, and tolerance to pests and diseases. Promising accessions pass to stage II, in which simple grass-legume mixtures are evaluated in small, individually grazed plots for compatibility, persistence, and productivity. Currently, 19 accessions are included in stage II. In stage III, grazing trials are conducted in which year-round animal performance is monitored on the most promising mixtures at three stocking rates. Soil fertility and plant nutrition studies are being undertaken in two stages. First, exploratory greenhouse experiments are set up with treatments arranged factorially to identify the most important soil nutrient deficiencies. Second, field experiments are designed to verify the greenhouse studies and to determine the amount and kind of fertilizer required for pasture establishment and maintenance. A comprehensive program has been initiated to develop methods of pasture establishment. These methods include investiga· tion of conventional planting techniques, undersowing of arable crops, and legume introduction into native and degraded cultivated pastures by oversowing and sod-seeding. In the cerrados, 95 % of beef producers are involved in cow-calf operations. Therefore, pasture utilization studies are designed to investigate the strategic use of new cultivated pastures for improving reproductive performance of cows, reducing age at first calving of heifers, and rearing early-weaned calves.
