Potential of silvopastoral systems for rearing of dairy heifers: pasture traits, forage intake, enteric methane production and animal performance

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Photo: PACIULLO, Domingos Sávio Campos

In dairy livestock systems, heifers are an important component to insure the productive endurance of the herd. Feeding dairy heifers has been based on the use of grass pastures, which undergo degradation process shortly after their establishment. As a result, it has been observed low daily weight gain in heifers. Currently, silvopastoral systems have been suggested as alternative to animal production, in view of their potential benefits such as increased soil fertility, improved forage quality, thermal comfort for animals and the possibility of ameliorating animal performance and reducing enteric methane emission. However, the adoption of these systems still depends on research on some factors that may influence their efficiency and on technology trials that demonstrate their advantages. This project aims to compare the performance of two types of systems: 1) silvopastoral system consisting of leguminous trees and eucalyptus and 2) conventional system of Brachiaria decumbens pasture in monoculture. The performance of the systems is being evaluated based on sward characteristics, potential enteric methane emission by heifers on pasture, forage intake, and especially on weight gain of dairy heifers managed under continuous stocking grazing regime. Grazing is performed by Holstein x Gir heifers, with initial body weight of 200 kg. It is expected to reduce the heifer’s production costs in the growing phase, with the acceleration of growth development of animals and lowering the age at first calving. The results may support the recommendation of the strategy of rearing Holstein x Gir heifers in silvopastoral systems, based on agronomic, zootechnical and environmental aspects.

Ecosystem: Atlantic Forest

Status: Completed Start date: Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2014 Conclusion date: Tue Jan 31 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2017

Head Unit: Embrapa Dairy Cattle

Project leader: Domingos Sávio Campos Paciullo

Contact: domingos.paciullo@embrapa.br

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