Desempenho animal em pastagens de Megathyrsus maximus (syn. Panicum spp.) submetidas a roçada

Abstract

Animal performance is a crucial factor to consider in beef cattle farming, as it indicates whether the utilization of forage by the animal is effective in achieving weight gain. The significance of this project lies in its focus on pasture-based beef cattle production, using a hybrid forage derived from Panicum spp. cultivars. This forage is widely used in Brazilian properties that opt for this production method. Given that pasture-based livestock farming is predominant in Brazil, any means of optimizing intensive animal production on pasture is highly valuable. The objective was to assess whether we could enhance animal performance through mowing and whether this management approach leads to an increase in stocking rate, meaning weight gain in kilograms and animal units per hectare. The experiment was conducted at the Forage Sector of the Federal University of Uberlândia in the year 2021/2022, encompassing six two-hectare modules divided into four paddocks of approximately 5000 m2 each. Two mowings were carried out on the forage, one at the beginning of the dry season and another at the onset of the rainy season, before the animals entered the paddock, in addition to rotational grazing. Two fixed paddocks were designated for forage assessments, and four Nelore heifers named "testers" were placed in each module. Animal weighing occurred every two months over a one-year period. In addition to the "tester" animals, seventy-two others of the same category and breed were included for stocking rate adjustments as needed for each paddock. Using a height measurement stick, adjustments to stocking rates were made to analyze performance in kilograms and arrobas, average daily weight gain, stocking rate in animal units, and animal units per hectare. However, under these circumstances, not mowing the pasture proves to be the most effective choice for optimizing animal production, promoting a higher stocking rate and performance without negatively impacting forage production.