Most dairy production systems are pasture-based, usually consisting of sole grass species. This system facilitates pasture management, but results in high production costs, mainly because of nitrogen fertilizers. An alternative to making forage systems more sustainable is to introduce legumes into the pasture. Mixed pastures allow better forage distribution over time and reduce fertilization costs. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate, throughout the year, three forage systems (FS): FS1 (control) - elephant grass (EG), ryegrass (RG), and spontaneous species (SS); FS2 - EG + RG + SS + arrowleaf clover; and FS3 - EG + RG + SS + forage peanut. Elephant grass was planted in rows spaced 4 m apart. Ryegrass was sown between the EG lines, in the winter. Arrowleaf clover was sown according to the respective treatments and forage peanut was preserved. Evaluation was carried out using Holstein cows. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design, with three treatments (FS), and three repetitions (paddocks) with repeated measurements (grazing cycles). Forage mass achieved 3.46, 3.80, and 3.91 t ha-1 for the treatments FS1, FS2 and FS3, respectively. The forage systems intercropped with legumes produced the best results.

In the south of Brazil, one of the major limitations to milk production is the low forage availability during autumn and early winter. The use of dual-purpose wheat genotypes is one alternative to minimize the impact of low forage availability in addition to produce grains. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the nutritional value of two dual-purpose wheat genotypes (BRS Tarumã and BRS Umbu). Structural composition and forage nitrogen uptake were evaluated. The nutritional value of the forage was analyzed for mineral matter (MM), organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), crude protein (CP), total digestible nutrients (TDN), in situ organic matter digestibility (ISOMD) and in situ dry matter digestibility (ISDMD). Differences in NDF (49.03 vs. 46.44%), CP (24.4 vs. 27.4%), ISOMD (83.53 vs. 85.45%), ISDMD (83.59 vs. 86.65%) and TDN (75.37 vs. 78.39) for BRS Umbu and BRS Tarumã genotypes were detected, respectively. The BRS Umbu genotype had a lower leaf blade proportion and forage nitrogen uptake. The dual-purpose wheat genotype BRS Tarumã was superior in nutritive value.

ResumoObjetivou-se com esta pesquisa, avaliar o valor nutritivo de pastagens de capim elefante submetidas aos sistemas de produção orgânico e convencional. No sistema convencional, o capim elefante foi plantado em linhas afastadas a cada 1,2m. No sistema orgânico, o capim elefante foi plantado em linhas afastadas a cada 3m; no espaço entre as linhas, no período hibernal, foi semeado o azevém anual e, no período estival, permitiu-se o desenvolvimento de espécies de crescimento espontâneo. Foram utilizados 100kg de N/hacom fertilizantes químico e orgânico (esterco de bovino e chorume de suínos) para os respectivos sistemas de produção. O método de pastejo adotado foi o de lotação rotacionada, com tempo de ocupação de um ou dois dias, utilizando vacas em lactação que receberam complementação alimentar com concentrado à razão de 0,9% do peso corporal. Para a determinação da composição química (matéria mineral, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta e fibra em detergente neutro) e digestibilidade da forragem, foram retiradas amostras simulando o pastejo. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado com dois tratamentos (sistemas forrageiros), com três repetições (piquetes) e com medidas repetidas no tempo (estações do ano). Durante o período experimental, foram conduzidos oito e sete pastejos para os respectivos sistemas. Valores similares foram observados quanto à composição química e digestibilidade do capim elefante em ambos os sistemas. Tanto no sistema orgânico quanto no convencional, o valor nutritivo foi elevado, considerando-se a adubação, manejo e tempo de utilização da pastagem.

Forage-legume systems are a sustainable and competitive alternative for improving pasture yield and quality because of the symbiotic nitrogen fixation capacity and high nutritional value of legumes. This study aimed to evaluate the forage mass, nutritional value, and nutrient export rate in three forage systems (FS): FS1, with elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) (EG), annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) (AR), and spontaneous growth species (SGS); FS2, with EG + AR + SGS + arrowleaf clover (Trifolum vesiculosum); and FS3, with EG + AR + SGS + forage peanut (Arachis pintoi). The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design, with three replicates, and repeated measures over time. Results of pre-grazing forage mass were 3.5, 3.8, and 3.9 t/ha, and crude protein export were 1.4, 2.1, and 2.3 t/ha, for the treatments FS1, FS2 and FS3, respectively. Highest crude protein, in situ dry matter digestibility and total digestible nutrients, and lowest neutral detergent fiber were found in the intercropping system with forage peanut, especially in winter. Nutritional values were also better in legume-systems than the non-legume system.

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