Abstract

MENDIOLA-GONZALEZ, Antonio; MARTINEZ-HERNANDEZ, Pedro Arturo; CORTES-DIAZ, Enrique  and  SANCHEZ-DEL REAL, Carlos. Effect of mixed and single grazing on an alfalfa-orchard pasture. Agrociencia [online]. 2007, vol.41, n.4, pp.395-403. ISSN 2521-9766.

The present study was carried out in order to evaluate on-offer and residual forage of alfalfa (Medicago sativa)-orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata) pasture in the summer-fall period, subjected to three types of rotational grazing: a) mixed with heifers and ewe-lambs; b) heifers only; c) ewe lambs. The experimental design was completely randomized with an arrangement of split plots and four replications; the experimental unit was a pasture. The main plot was grazing type and the sub-plot grazing period. Stocking rate was equal in the three grazing types, with 1 d of occupation and 30 d rest; three grazing periods were evaluated. The amount of on-offer and residual forage varied (p≤0.05) with grazing type and period; ewe lambs grazing had the lowest values and mixed grazing showed intermediate values. The latter presented 24% less (p≤0.05) residual forage in areas contaminated with heifer feces than grazing with heifers only. It was concluded that the grazing type influenced on some characteristics of alfalfaorchard grass pasture, and mixed grazing promoted a more homogenous harvest than grazing with heifer only, due to lower rejection of dung-contaminated forage.

Keywords : Alfalfa; heifers; ewe lambs; orchard grass; mixed grazing.