Performance of dairy heifers in a silvopastoral system

Paciullo, Domingos Sávio Campos; Castro, C. R.; Gomide, Carlos Augusto de Miranda; Maurício, Rogério Martins; Pires, Maria de Fátima Ávila; Müller, Marcelo Dias; Xavier, Deise Ferreira

doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2011.05.012

Cited by 78 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Similar results have been reported in previous comparisons of SPS with OP (Kallenbach et al, 2006;Paciullo et al, 2011). Sousa et al (2010) reported the same values of NDF and ADF for pastures submitted to shade or in full-sun condition.…”

Section: Nutritive Valuesupporting

confidence: 89%

“…Previous studies have shown that shade in the SPS can increase pasture CP content (Yamamoto et al, 2007;Sousa et al, 2010;Paciullo et al, 2011), and several hypotheses have been advanced to explain this effect. Wilson (1996) attributed this phenomenon to increasing organic matter degradation and nitrogen recycling in the soil under shady conditions.…”

Section: Nutritive Valuementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several authors have suggested that one option for improving dairy system efficiency is the integration of pastures with tree species, including legume trees, in silvopastoral systems (SPS, Yamamoto et al, 2007;Sousa et al, 2010;Paciullo et al, 2011). These systems have the potential to increase soil fertility, improve forage quality and animal production, promote animal thermal comfort and provide income diversification for the producer (Rozados-Lorenzo et al, 2007;Paciullo et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These systems have the potential to increase soil fertility, improve forage quality and animal production, promote animal thermal comfort and provide income diversification for the producer (Rozados-Lorenzo et al, 2007;Paciullo et al, 2011). There are also environmental benefits, such as biodiversity conservation (Murgueitio et al, 2011) and increase of the potential for sequestration of carbon, compared with treeless pastures (Andrade et al, 2008;Schoeneberger, 2009;Soto-Pinto et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The higher nutritional value of forage grass under tree shade, resulting mainly from a higher CP content and decrease in lignification, contributes to improved animal performance (Yamamoto et al, 2007;Bocquier and González-García, 2010;Sousa et al, 2010;Paciullo et al, 2011). The use of herbaceous legumes in animal production systems may improve dietary quality and increase animal production while decreasing the input of external nitrogen fertiliser (Coates et al, 1997;Tudsri et al, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sward characteristics and performance of dairy cows in organic grass–legume pastures shaded by tropical trees

Paciullo

Pires

Aroeira

et al. 2014

Animal

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The silvopastoral system (SPS) has been suggested to ensure sustainability in animal production systems in tropical ecosystems. The objective of this study was to evaluate pasture characteristics, herbage intake, grazing activity and milk yield of Holstein × Zebu cows managed in two grazing systems (treatments): SPS dominated by a graminaceous forage (Brachiaria decumbens) intercropped with different leguminous herbaceous forages (Stylosanthes spp., Pueraria phaseoloides and Calopogonium mucunoides) and legume trees (Acacia mangium, Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala), and open pasture (OP) of B. decumbens intercropped only with Stylosanthes spp. Pastures were managed according to the rules for organic cattle production. The study was carried out by following a switch back format with 12 cows, 6 for each treatment, over 3 experimental years. Herbage mass was similar ( P > 0.05) for both treatments, supporting an average stocking rate of 1.23 AU/ha. Daily dry matter intake did not vary ( P > 0.05) between treatments (average of 11.3 ± 1.02 kg/cow per day, corresponding to 2.23 ± 0.2% BW). Milk yield was higher ( P < 0.05; 10.4 ± 0.06 kg/cow per day) in the SPS than in the OP (9.5 ± 0.06 kg/cow per day) during the 1 st year, but did not significantly differ ( P > 0.05) in subsequent years. The highest ( P < 0.05) values for herbage mass and milk yield were observed during the 3 rd year. In the SPS, with moderate shade (19% shade relative to a full-sun condition), the grass CP was higher ( P < 0.05) than in the OP, although the NDF content and digestibility coefficient were not modified. The animals spent more time ( P < 0.05) idling in the SPS than in OP. The higher legume proportion in the SPS was associated with the higher CP level in B. decumbens relative to the OP, which could explain the better ( P < 0.05) performance of the cows in silvopastoral areas during the 1 st year. However, during the 2 nd and 3 rd years, similarities in the legume percentages of both systems resulted in similar ( P > 0.05) milk yields. Low persistence of Stylosanthes guianensis was observed over the experimental period, indicating that the persistence of forage legumes under grazing could be improved using adapted cultivars that have higher annual seed production. The SPS and a diversified botanical composition of the pasture using legume species mixed with grasses are recommended for organic milk production.

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Section: Nutritive Valuesupporting

confidence: 89%