Effects of Growing-Finishing Pig Stocking Rates on Bermudagrass Ground Cover and Soil Properties

Abstract

This study compares four stocking rates (37, 74, 111 and 148 pigs ha−1) for growing to finishing pigs (18.4 ± 0.5 kg and 118.5 ± 2.0 kg and 35.7 ± 2.1 kg and 125.7 ± 2.3 kg initial and final BW for grazing periods 1 and 2, respectively) and their effect on ground cover and soil traits in bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers) pastures, over two 14-week grazing periods (July–September and May–August). The study was conducted at the Center for Environmental Farming systems at the Cherry Research Station, Goldsboro North Carolina. A continuous stocking method was implemented to manage the pasture. The percent ground cover was estimated with a modified step point technique. Soil samples were collected in three sampling positions (center, inner and outer areas of the paddocks) and two soil sampling depths (0–30 and 30–90 cm). The experimental design was a completely randomized block with three field replicates. Data were analyzed using the PROC GLIMMIX procedure of SAS/STAT ® Version 9.4. Greater ground cover and lesser soil nutrient concentrations were registered in bermudagrass paddocks managed with 37 pigs ha−1. The results of this study also validated the existence of a spatial pattern of soil properties, which differed among sampling positions and depths.

Quality of Pork Meat Fed with Acorns (Quercus spp.)

“…The environmental and economic importance of dehesas is due to their use in extensive free range and also to their characteristic high biodiversity [45]. This makes sense when the use of a site is done in a controlled manner, especially when it is already known that grazing can have different effects on soil fertility and the communities of microorganisms, plants, and animals that develop from these soils depend on the local climate, topography, and physicochemical properties of the parent soil material [46], affecting soil fertility thought trampling and dung generating an easily litter degradation [47,48]. The animals also remove the plant biomass, encouraging fast-growing species with high content of nutrients on their leaves and palatability [49].…”

Manejo agroecológico sostenible de la producción porcina en el trópico

“…Procurar mantener la cubierta con tapiz vegetal, y la persistencia evita la erosión (Barlocco, 2011;Bell y Cracco, 2011;Campagna et al, 2011;Pietrosemoli et al, 2020).…”

Cerdos a campo abierto, herramienta de transformación productiva para suelos de altillanura colombiana

“…Además, las concentraciones de nitrato aumentaron 7 veces y potasio (K), magnesio (Mg), azufre (S) y zinc (Zn) el doble. Pietrosemoli et al (2020) compararon los efectos de cuatro densidades de cerdos (37, 74, 111 o 148 cerdos/ha) durante dos períodos de pastoreo de 14 semanas, sobre la cobertura vegetal y las propiedades del suelo. Encontrando que este sistema mejora características físicas del suelo como la densidad y genera aportes significativos de nitrógeno y fósforo, siendo mayores con mayor carga animal y en el segundo ciclo de engorde.…”