ABSTRACT. The experiment aimed at evaluating leaf biomass flow, intensity and frequency of defoliation of Alexandergrass (Urochloa plantaginea (Link) Hitch) by beef heifers exclusively on pasture or that grazed and received protein salt. A completely randomized experimental design was used with repeated measures over time, two treatments and two area replications, with three Angus test heifers by paddock. Leaf blade intake flow is 18% superior for heifers exclusively on pasture. Grazing intensity (59.8%) is similar when heifers receive protein salt or not. Heifers receiving protein salt reduce by one day the defoliation frequency of tillers. The supply of protein salt for beef heifers grazing Alexandergrass affects the herbivore-plant relationship, decreasing intake flow and leaf blade defoliation frequency.Keywords: defoliation frequency, defoliation intensity, morphogenesis, Urochloa plantaginea.Fluxos de biomassa e padrões de desfolhação em papuã pastejado por bezerras recebendo ou não sal proteinado RESUMO. O experimento foi conduzido para avaliar os fluxos de biomassa foliar, intensidade e frequência de desfolhação em papuã (Urochloa plantaginea (Link) Hitch), pastejado por bezerras de corte exclusivamente em pastejo ou em pastejo e recebendo sal proteinado. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado, com medidas repetidas no tempo, dois tratamentos e duas repetições de área, com três bezerras testes da raça Angus por piquete. O fluxo de consumo de lâminas foliares é 18% superior quando as bezerras permanecem exclusivamente em pastejo. A intensidade de pastejo (59,8%) é semelhante quando as bezerras recebem sal proteinado ou não. Bezerras que recebem suplemento reduzem em um dia a frequência de desfolhação dos perfilhos. O fornecimento de sal proteinado para bezerras de corte em pastejo em papuã resulta em alterações na relação herbívoro-planta reduzindo o fluxo de consumo e a frequência de desfolhação de lâminas foliares.Palavras-chave: frequência de desfolhação, intensidade de desfolhação, morfogênese, Urochloa plantagine.

The objective was to evaluate the development and reproductive performance of beef cows of different body weights at calving were evaluated. Milk yield and calf production efficiency were assessed in secundiparous Braford cows classified at calving according to weight as Light (325.2±3.7 kg), Moderate (347.7±4.0 kg), and Heavy (384.2±4.1 kg). Heavy cows had higher total milk yield than Light cows, but did not differ from Moderate, reflecting in calves weighing at weaning 82.1, 76.6, and 76.9 kg, respectively. Differences on pregnancy rates for Light (90.0%, 18 pregnant cows/2 of eligible cows), Moderate (70.2%, 12 pregnant cows/5 of eligible cows), and Heavy (62.5%, 10 pregnant cows/6 of eligible cows) were not detected. Light cows were more productive and efficient when production performance was adjusted for the pregnancy rates than Moderate and Heavy cows. Production of kilograms of calves adjusted for pregnancy was 20.5, 16.2±0.5, and 14.0±0.5 kg for the Light, Moderate, and Heavy cows, respectively. Heavy and Moderate cows were less efficient as compared with the Light ones for production of calves adjusted for their calving interval. Light cows produce more kilograms of calf/cow, requiring the same amount of milk to produce one kilogram of calf. Light cows also have higher efficiency converting milk into calf weight than Moderate and Heavy cows. The productivity and efficiency of breeding herds should be evaluated by the combination of pregnancy rate and kilograms of weaned calves per cow exposed to breeding.

RESUMOO consumo de forragem fo i avaliado em novilhas de corte exclusivamente em pastagem de azevém (Lolium multijlorum Lam.) ou recebendo farelo de arroz integral (FAI) com ou sem adição de ionóforo. Foi usado o óxido de cromo como indicador da produção fecal. O delineamento experimental fo i o inteiramente casualizado, com medidas repetidas no tempo, com três tratamentos e três repetições de área. Os animais foram considerados as unidades experimentais nas avaliações de consumo. O consumo de pasto pelas novilhas fo i similar nos diferentes sistemas alimentares, ocasionando taxa de lotação semelhante. O fornecimento de farelo de arroz integral, com ou sem monensina, aumenta o consumo de matéria seca total. A adição de ionóforo ao FAI aumenta o desempenho individual das novilhas, sendo o seu uso recomendado quando existe o objetivo de reduzir a sua idade ao primeiro acasalamento. Palavras-chave: Angus, Lolium multiflorum Lam., monensina, óxido de cromo. ABSTRACTThe forage intake was evaluated in beef heifers exclusively in Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) pasture or receiving rice bran with or without addition o f ionophore. Chromic oxide was used as a fecal production indicator. The experimental design was completely randomized with repeated measures on time, three treatments and three area replicates. The animals were considered experimental units fo r intake evaluations. The pasture intake by heifers was similar at different feeding systems causing similar stocking rate. The supply o f rice bran with or without monensin increased the total dry matter intake. The individual heifers performance was increased with ionophore addition to rice bran. Ionophore is recommended when there is a goal to reduce the age o f beef heifers at their first mating. INTRODUÇÃOO consumo voluntário de forragem é o principal fator que influencia a produtividade dos sistemas em pastejo, sendo influenciado por características relacionadas ao animal, à planta, ao suplemento fornecido, ao ambiente e ao manejo imposto ao pasto. O consumo total de matéria seca é menor em ruminantes mantidos exclusivamente em pastejo, em relação aos que recebem suplementos, e é esperado melhor desempenho de bovinos de alta produção quando há inclusão de suplementos em sua dieta, permitindo que esses expressem seu potencial genético. ROSA et al. (2013), no entanto, não observaram mudança na ingestão total de matéria seca, independente do estádio de desenvolvimento do pasto, quando novilhas receberam grão de milho ou gordura extrusada em pastagem de azevém (Lolium multiflorum Lam.).Dentre os suplementos que podem ser utilizados para animais em pastejo em azevém, destaca-se o farelo de arroz integral (FAI), por sua abundância regional. No Rio Grande do Sul, na safra 2011/12, estima-se que tenham sido produzidas aproximadamente 680 mil toneladas desse subproduto. Respostas anteriores, obtidas com o uso do FAI na recria de novilhas de corte, em pastagem de inverno, mostram que, quando associado à polpa cítrica (1:1), proporcionou incrementos de 21,92% ...

Pregnancy rate is a major determinant of population dynamics of wild ungulates and of productivity of livestock systems. Allocation of feeding resources, including stocking rates, prior to and during the breeding season is a crucial determinant of this vital rate. Thus, quantification of effects and interaction among multiple factors that affect pregnancy rate is essential for management and conservation of pasture-based systems. Pregnancy rate of 2982 heifers and primiparous cows was studied as a function of animal category, average daily gain during the breeding season, stocking rate, pasture type and body weight at the beginning of the breeding season. Data were obtained from 43 experiments conducted in commercial ranches and research stations in the Pampas region between 1976 and 2015. Stocking rate ranged from 200 to 464 kg live weight ha-1, which brackets values for most of the grazinglands in similar regions. Age at breeding was 14–36 months (24.6±7.5 months); initial breeding weights were 129–506 kg and 194–570 kg for heifers and primiparous cows. Pregnancy rate was modeled with an apriori set of explanatory variables where proximate variables (breed, body weight at start of breeding, weight gain during breeding and category) were included first and subsequently modeled as functions of other variables (pasture type, supplementation and stocking rate). This modeling approach allowed detection of direct and indirect effects (through nutrition and body weight) of factors that affect pregnancy rate. Bos taurus breeds (N = 1058) had higher pregnancy rate than B. Taurus x B. indicus crossbreed (N = 1924) females. Pregnancy rate of heifers and primiparous cows grazing in natural grasslands decreased with increasing stocking rate, but no effect of stocking rate was detected in cultivated and improved pastures. Pregnancy rate increased with increasing average daily gain during the breeding season. Use of cultivated or improved natural pastures promotes higher pregnancy rate, as well as allows an increase in stocking rate at the regional level. Body weight at the start of the breeding season is the primary determinant of pregnancy rates in heifer and primiparous cows.