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Agrociencia
On-line version ISSN 2521-9766Print version ISSN 1405-3195
Agrociencia vol.41 n.4 Texcoco May./Jun. 2007
Animal science
Effect of mixed and single grazing on an alfalfa-orchard pasture
1Departamento de Zootecnia. Universidad Autónoma Chapingo. 56230. Chapingo, Estado de México. (pedroarturo@correo.chapingo.mx)
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.
Key words: Alfalfa; heifers; ewe lambs; orchard grass; mixed grazing
El presente estudio se realizó para evaluar forraje ofrecido y residual de una pradera mixta de alfalfa (Medicago sativa) con ovillo (Dactylis glomerata) en la época verano-otoño, y sujeta a tres tipos de pastoreo rotacional: a) mixto con becerras-borregas; b) con becerras; c) con borregas. El diseño experimental fue completamente al azar con arreglo de parcelas divididas y cuatro repeticiones; la unidad experimental fue un potrero. La parcela mayor fue tipo de pastoreo y la menor el periodo de pastoreo. La carga animal fue igual en los tres tipos de pastoreo, con 1 d de ocupación y 30 de descanso, evaluándose tres periodos de pastoreo. Las cantidades de forraje ofrecido y residual variaron (p≤0.05) por tipo y periodo de pastoreo; el pastoreo con borregas mostró los menores valores y el mixto valores intermedios. El pastoreo mixto presentó 24% menos (p≤0.05) forraje residual en áreas contaminadas por heces de becerras que el pastoreo con becerras. Se concluyó que el tipo de pastoreo influyó en algunas características de la pradera alfalfa-ovillo y que el pastoreo mixto promovió una cosecha más homogénea que el pastoreo con becerras, al reducir el rechazo del forraje contaminado por heces.
Palabras clave: Alfalfa; becerras; borregas; ovillo; pastoreo mixto
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Received: November 2005; Accepted: February 2007