Stocking method effects on forage accumulation, canopy attributes, and nutritive value of grazed Mulato II brachiariagrass pastures

Abstract

Rotational stocking (RS) is generally associated with the intensification of pasture‐based animal production systems, although many studies have shown little advantage over continuous stocking (CS). The objective of this research was to describe and explain the effects of two average canopy heights (20 and 30 cm) and three stocking methods (CS; rotational stocking with lenient defoliation, RSL; and rotational stocking with moderate defoliation, RSM) on forage accumulation (FA), vertical distribution of plant‐part components, and nutritive value of ‘Mulato II’ hybrid brachiariagrass (Brachiaria spp. syn. Urochloa spp.) during two summer rainy seasons in Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. Pastures were maintained at average canopy height of 20 and 30 cm under CS, and treatments under RSL and RSM were imposed by variations of ±20 and 30% of the average canopy heights, representing defoliation intensities of 33 and 47% of the pre‐graze heights, respectively. The FA was not affected by CS, RSL, RSM stocking methods, averaging 8090 kg DM ha−1 year−1. Canopy bulk density and distribution of plant‐part components in the canopy profile were better at the average canopy height of 20 cm, accompanied by the greater nutritive value. The leaf bulk density was generally greater in RSM compared to CS. Pastures under CS had greater crude protein and in vitro digestible matter, and lesser neutral detergent fibre concentrations. Mulato II brachiariagrass should be managed at an average height of 20 cm under CS.

Association of tropical forage grasses in pastures: interactions between sward characteristics and grazing animals

“…Regardless of treatment, it was observed that the upper half of the swards was composed predominantly of leaves, and the proportion of stems and dead material increased substantially towards the base of the canopy (Figure 2a), as reported previously for other tropical (Almeida et al, 2023; and temperate species (Brink and Soder, 2011;Gregorini et al, 2009). Despite the greater percentage of stems and seedheads at the top of the swards during Autumn, Andropogon gambagrass showed smaller percentage of these components relative to the remaining treatments, maintaining greater percentage of leaves in the upper strata of the canopy.…”

Effects of different combinations of pre‐ and post‐grazing heights on herbage mass and nutrient reserves of Leymus chinensis in Northeast China

“…de Almeida et al. ( 2023 ) discovered that the herbage under continuous grazing exhibited a higher nutritive value compared to rational grazing, indicating a greater grassland renewal potential for continuous grazing. Moreover, after the removal of the apical meristem L .…”

“…The findings also revealed that lower grazing intensity led to higher contents of NDF, ADF, and ADL in the forage compared to higher grazing intensity. de Almeida et al (2023) discovered that the herbage under continuous grazing exhibited a higher nutritive value compared to rational grazing, indicating a greater grassland renewal potential for continuous grazing. Moreover, after the removal of the apical meristem L. chinensis, the rhizome buds located belowground tend to generate new tillers, whereas if the apical meristem is preserved, L. chinensis tends to continue growing and consequently exhibits low rates of tiller renewal (Liu et al, 2019).…”

Forage accumulation, nutritive value, and grazing efficiency on rotationally stocked ‘Zuri’ guineagrass pastures as affected by pre‐graze canopy height and N rate

“…The grass showed a similar average FA rate (100 kg DM ha À1 d À1 ) for both pre-graze treatments, but FA rate was greater under less intense defoliation (50 cm post-graze canopy height) (146 vs. 81 kg DM ha À1 d À1 , respectively). This indicates the importance of understanding the effect of grazing management when using the rotational stocking method (Almeida et al, 2023a).…”