Theme 2-3: Forage Production and Utilization--Poster Sessions

Description

In Costa Rica pasture-based grass is the basis for both dairy and beef production. The Caribbean region with a rainfall exceeding 3000 mm has four seasons: dry (Feb-May), rainy (May-Aug), less rainy (Sep-Oct) and intermediate (Oct-Feb). Many pastures are dominated by Ischaemum ciliare (“Retana”), of poor nutritional quality and permanently grazed with low stocking rates (one animal per ha). To assess the potential of combining improved grasses with rotational grazing, a trial with Urochloa hybrid cv. Cayman was implemented at the INTA research station in Guápiles, Limón province, during four years (2014 to 2018). An intensive pasture management system based on the Voisin rational grazing methodology was applied in 21 paddocks of 0.2 ha, using 10-15 Brahman or Brahman x Simbrah steers, with 2.3 days of grazing and 46 days of pasture regrowth.

For each year, the effect of growing season was determined on botanical composition, biomass production, intake and live weight gain. The botanical composition remained generally unchanged, with some encroachment of I. ciliare. Dry matter production increased during the first three years from 3.8 to 6.7 Mg, stabilizing in the fourth year; biomass availability was highest during the rainy season (6.6 Mg of DM/ha) and lowest during the dry season (4.2 Mg of DM/ha). Intake was 2.4% of live weight. Dry matter digestibility and crude protein content were 61% and 7% respectively. Average stocking rate was 2.4 Livestock Units (of 450 kg LW) per ha. The climatic seasons affected significantly LWG, which varied from 0.40 (intermediate season) to 0.82 (dry season) kg day-1 animal-1.

Intensive rotational grazing with improved grass cv. Cayman lead to superior forage availability, stocking rates and LWG. However, very humid conditions reduce daily live weight gain by 50% and ways must be sought to improve animal wellbeing during the rainy periods.

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Performance of Rotational Grazing of Urochloa Hybrid cv. Cayman in the Caribbean Region of Costa Rica

In Costa Rica pasture-based grass is the basis for both dairy and beef production. The Caribbean region with a rainfall exceeding 3000 mm has four seasons: dry (Feb-May), rainy (May-Aug), less rainy (Sep-Oct) and intermediate (Oct-Feb). Many pastures are dominated by Ischaemum ciliare (“Retana”), of poor nutritional quality and permanently grazed with low stocking rates (one animal per ha). To assess the potential of combining improved grasses with rotational grazing, a trial with Urochloa hybrid cv. Cayman was implemented at the INTA research station in Guápiles, Limón province, during four years (2014 to 2018). An intensive pasture management system based on the Voisin rational grazing methodology was applied in 21 paddocks of 0.2 ha, using 10-15 Brahman or Brahman x Simbrah steers, with 2.3 days of grazing and 46 days of pasture regrowth.

For each year, the effect of growing season was determined on botanical composition, biomass production, intake and live weight gain. The botanical composition remained generally unchanged, with some encroachment of I. ciliare. Dry matter production increased during the first three years from 3.8 to 6.7 Mg, stabilizing in the fourth year; biomass availability was highest during the rainy season (6.6 Mg of DM/ha) and lowest during the dry season (4.2 Mg of DM/ha). Intake was 2.4% of live weight. Dry matter digestibility and crude protein content were 61% and 7% respectively. Average stocking rate was 2.4 Livestock Units (of 450 kg LW) per ha. The climatic seasons affected significantly LWG, which varied from 0.40 (intermediate season) to 0.82 (dry season) kg day-1 animal-1.

Intensive rotational grazing with improved grass cv. Cayman lead to superior forage availability, stocking rates and LWG. However, very humid conditions reduce daily live weight gain by 50% and ways must be sought to improve animal wellbeing during the rainy periods.