Finishing system of lambs grazing on Tifton-85 submitted by the intensity of rotational grazing

Abstract

Sheep farming in the country is still rooted in the extensive system of production, based on the use of poorly managed pastures and with no concern for providing supplements to the animals. Thus, techniques that aim at improving the sustainability of the system must be treated with more attention, so this work will be done in the sector of Forage in the area belonging to FCAV UNESP - Jaboticabal from november 2010 to october 2011 in order to evaluate the effects of grazing intensity through four levels of the residual leaf area (IAFr) in pastures of Tifton-85 together with the effects of supplementation strategies on the structural characteristics and growth, quality and productive grassland, as well as on behavior, intake, and performance of sheep Santa Ines. Treatments will consist of four IAFr, 2.6, 2.0, 1.4 and 0.8, maintained by rotational grazing system, and two supplementation strategies variables throughout the experimental period. As a criterion for interrupting regrowth of the pasture is assumed to light interception (LI) of 95% by the canopy. Does the experimental design used in a randomized complete block in factorial arrangement 4x2 being considered the effects of treatments, grazing cycles and their possible interactions as fixed effects. Will be used six replicates (blocks) for a total of 48 experimental units or paddocks. Will be assessed the structure and growth patterns of grasses, nutritional value, production and herbage intake, ingestive behavior of grazing animals and animal performance.