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Tropical beef cattle production involving animals grazing in a shaded and biologically diverse environment, surrounded by high-quality edible biomass, is achievable through silvopastoral systems (SPSs). However, it is necessary to assess the effects of the presence of trees on forage and animal performance over time. In the Brazilian Cerrado, we evaluated the effects of 2 densities of eucalyptus trees in 2 SPSs (8 years of age - SPS22: 227 trees/ha; SPS14: 357 trees/ha) on forage morphology, production and nutritive value of Urochloa brizantha cv. BRS Piatã grass plus performance of Nellore heifers, compared with a grass-only pasture, over a year from 2015 to 2016. On the one hand, SPSs improved (P

Os sistemas silvipastoris são uma modalidade dos sistemas agroflorestais, onde a produção animal, forrageira e arbórea encontra-se em consórcio na mesma área, no mesmo tempo. Objetivo-se com este trabalho esclarecer as interações entre os fatores biótipos e abiótipos em sistemas silvipastoris. A maior parte da produção da pecuária bovina no Brasil baseia-se na utilização de pastagens. No Brasil, há mais de 100 milhões de hectares com pastagens cultivadas, cerca de 80% dessas pastagens encontram-se em algum grau de degradação. Uma alternativa para a recuperação dessas pastagens de forma sustentável é o uso de sistemas silvipastoris. Entretanto os sistemas sombreados são muito dinâmicos e podem modificar a estrutura do pasto de forma significativa quanto a quantidade e a qualidade da forrageira produzida com reflexos na produção animal, principalmente em razão da competição por luz, água e nutrientes. Made available in DSpace on 2020-01-08T00:42:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sistemassilvipastorisumaabordagemsobreainteracao.pdf: 300577 bytes, checksum: 3836ed964007f91440885160a39d7733 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2019

Some events in recent years have weakened consumers’ trust regarding food safety in a number of countries, including bird flu, hormones and residue of veterinary medicine in meat and, more recently, Operation Weak Flesh. COVID-19 also led to a focus on the urgent need to seek strict production standards that ensure food safety. In this scenario of uncertainty, traceability and certification could be useful tools to improve the perception of trust and safety in production processes. Thus, the aim of this study is to analyze the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the purchase intention of certified beef. A quantitative study was conducted with 862 Brazilian consumers. The data were treated using structural equation modeling. The results show that the level of subjective knowledge of certification is related to the importance attributed to traceability and purchase intention. The concern towards legality of slaughterhouses and to traceability was shown to be related to purchase intention. Furthermore, the higher the level of concern over COVID-19, the more important the influence of traceability becomes with regard to meat purchase intention.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics, chemical composition and in vitro gas production of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) cultivars used in ruminant feed. The experimental design was a randomized block containing seven treatments and three replications totaling 21 plots. The cultivars RB835436, RB925211, RB925345, RB937570, RB945961, RB955970 e SP91-1049 was evaluated for dry matter, dry matter yield, stalk percentage, stalk tons per hectare, plant height, stalk diameter, number of tillers per linear meter, mass per stem, soluble solids content (BRIX), NDF/BRIX ratio and tons of sucrose/ha, total digestible nutrients, digestible energy, metabolizable energy, net energy and in vitro digestibility of organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent, of digestion and In vitro gas production of non-fibrous carbohydrates, latency time, digestion rate and gas production of fibrous carbohydrates, and in vitro digestibility of organic matter. There was a significant difference between the cultivars regarding the neutral detergent fiber content, in vitro digestibility of organic matter, total digestible nutrients, digestible energy, net energy, degradation rates of fibrous and non-fibrous carbohydrates and latency period. There was a negative correlation between stem percentage and NDF/BRIX and positive correlation between in vitro digestibility of organic matter and total digestible nutrients. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and mean test by Scott-Knott and Pearson's correlation analysis. The statistical program used was SAEG 2000. The RB835486 variety was superior to the other cultivars, as it presented 93.28% of stem, 57.5% of in vitro digestibility of organic matter, NDF / BRIX ratio of 2.68, 43.78% NDF, latency period 2.86h and fibrous carbohydrate degradation rate of 2.26% per hour. Therefore, this cultivar was better indicated for animal feeding between May and July in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Integrated-crop-livestock-forestry (ICLF) systems are currently promoted as a measure for sustainable intensification of agricultural production. However, due to complex interactions among ICLF components, we are still lacking evidence about the system’s resilience regarding water availability, especially for regions characterized by pronounced wet and dry seasons and frequent droughts. For a mature ICLF system in the Cerrado biome of central-west Brazil comprising rows of eucalyptus trees (Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla, H13 clone) at a spacing of 22 m in combination with Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Piatã pasture we continuously measured soil moisture (SM) until 1 m depth and supported this data with measurements of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and aboveground green grass biomass (AGBM) across transects between the tree rows for almost two years. Across the seasons a distinct gradient was observed with SM being lower close to the tree rows than in the space between them. During winter SM decreased to critical values near the tree lines in the topsoil. During spring and summer, incident PAR was 72% and 86% lower close to the trees than at the center point. For autumn and winter PAR was more evenly distributed between the tree rows due to inclination with notably up to four times more radiation input near the tree lines compared to spring and summer. AGBM showed a clear distribution with maximum values in the center and about half of the biomass close to the tree rows. Our data suggest that, restrictions in AGBM accumulation shifted among seasons between water limitations in winter and light limitations during summer. Interestingly, SM changes during wetting and drying events were most pronounced in subsoils near the tree rows, while the topsoil showed much less fluctuations. The subsoil in central position showed the lowest SM dynamics in response to drought maintaining a relative high and constant SM content, therefore functioning as important water reservoirs likely improving the resilience of the system to drought stress. Results of this study could help to improve management and the design of ICLF systems in view of sustainability and resistance to (water) crises but should be further supported by in depth analysis of soil water dynamics as affected by climate gradients, soil types and different management practices.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior of forage sorghum when intercropped with piatã grass and cultivated in eucalyptus sub-forest. The experiment was carried out at the Embrapa Gado de Corte, in Campo Grande - MS. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with three replications. The main treatments were: monoculture (single sorghum); intercropping (simultaneous sowing of sorghum + piatã grass). The secondary treatments were composed by the sampling sites, with five sites equidistant between the rows of eucalyptus trees (CLFI), with full sun as a control (CLI). The percentage of shading was always higher than 30% in the sub-forest, and the overall average of the system with 63% shade, even after 50% thinning of eucalyptus trees. The intercropping with the grass, an interesting fact, did not affect sorghum grain yield, since it validates the potential of forage sorghum for use in intercropping with perennial grasses, with average grain yield of 2,404.63 kg ha-1. Regarding the sampling sites, it was observed a higher yield in the full sun with 3,283 kg ha-1. The weight of 100 grains was higher for sorghum in monoculture. On the other hand, the upper W1000 was observed at sites A and C. The weight of 1000 grains is considered stable, being affected only under conditions of stress during grain formation. The sorghum intercropped with the piatã grass did not influence the harvest index (HI), while in the shaded environment there was an increase in the harvest index in relation to the full sun. Made available in DSpace on 2020-01-11T00:41:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 SorghumIntercroppedwithPiataGrass.pdf: 226154 bytes, checksum: ed642bb6781e275accc485298dc1ff14 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2019

The objective was to evaluate vaginal temperature as a thermoregulatory response of Nellore heifers under different microclimatic conditions. The study was conducted during one year in an experimental area located at 54?370W, 20?270S, and 530 m of altitude in Brazil. Twenty-four Nellore females were reared in integrated crop-livestock-forestry systems with different shading patterns. The randomized complete block experimental design was utilized with a sub subdivided plots scheme, with plot corresponding to the production systems, the subplot to the season of the year, and the sub subplot, the hours of the day. To characterize the microclimate, data regarding air and black globe temperatures, and air relative humidity were collected and from them, temperature-humidity index was calculated. Vaginal temperature was obtained by using a bottom-type temperature logger (i-button) attached to an adapted intravaginal device. The black-globe temperature explained the variation on vaginal temperature. Increases on vaginal temperature were only observed, on average, two hours after the increase of black-globe temperature. The microclimatic conditions found in the systems, resulting from the various tree densities, modify the vaginal temperature in different degrees, demonstrating that the shading effect is not always accompanied by improvements in thermal comfort. The system with intermediate density showed a better microclimatic condition and, consequently, a lower increase in vaginal temperature. The interaction between air temperature, humidity and solar radiation resulted in adverse environmental conditions, however, Nellore heifers showed good adaptation to the environment. In conclusion, vaginal temperature is a good indicator to evaluate the thermoregulatory response in Nellore heifers. Made available in DSpace on 2020-01-08T18:20:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Vaginaltemperatureasindicative.pdf: 1296009 bytes, checksum: 10bf99cb04ab7f975e9c80292e682fc4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2019

Objetivou-se, neste estudo, avaliar diferentes sistemas de recuperação e/ou renovação de pastagens sobre o desempenho de novilhos da raça Nelore. Foi adotado o delineamento em blocos casualizados com os quatro tratamentos em esquema de parcela subdividida, com quatro repetições. No qual o tratamento principal foram os sistemas de recuperação de pastagem (sete tratamentos) e tratamento secundário (tempo). Os tratamentos foram denominados: Recuperação de pastagem através da aplicação de calcário e adubação superficial a lanço sem incorporação; II- Recuperação de pastagens por meio de subsolagem mais a aplicação de calcário e adubação a lanço sem incorporação; III - Plantio direto de Stylozantes guianensis cv. Campo grande com Brachiaria brizantha; IV - Renovação de pastagens através da implantação do arroz (Oriza sativa L.) e braquiária (B. brizantha); V - Renovação de pastagens através cultivo convencional de soja e posterior implantação de pastagem pelo sistema de plantio direto com B. Brizantha. Para avaliar a produção por animal e por área, os bovinos foram pesados a cada 60 dias, após o jejum prévio de 18 horas. Para o sistema de recuperação de pastagem através da aplicação de calcário e adubação superficial a lanço sem incorporação promoveu maior capacidade de suporte da braquiária e maior ganho de peso dos animais.

SUMMARY This study aimed to evaluate the pasture productive and nutritional characteristics of Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Piatã in integrated systems with different densities of trees. Considering as plot the systems: integrated crop-livestock-forest with rows of trees (eucalyptus) spaced at 14 m and 357 trees ha-1 (ICLF-14m), ICLF with rows of trees spaced at 22 m and 227 trees ha-1 (ICLF-22m) and the integrated crop-livestock (ICL) with five remaining native trees ha-1; period of the year as subplots, and sampling points as subsubplots (A, B C, D, and E) arranged perpendicular to trees alleys. It was evaluated the production of forage and leaf blade dry mass, leaf:stem ratio, soil coverage, radiation photosynthetically active interception, canopy height, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), in vitro digestibility of organic matter (IVDOM) of the leaf blade, and stem associated with the leaf sheath. There was a significant difference (P

One of the challenges for cattle management under extensive grazing systems is understanding how time spent in different individual activities is affected by factors like microclimate and forage quality and availability. The goal of this study is to understand how different tree densities and grazing management can influence the daytime behaviour of Nellore heifers (Bos indicus) kept in silvopastoral systems over a period of 12 months, covering one dry and one rainy season in Central Brazil. Eighty heifers were distributed between three silvopastoral systems with 357, 227 and 5 trees/ha, respectively, each divided into four 1.5 ha paddocks, grazing Piata grass with low (27 ± 4.6 cm) or high (39 ± 5.8 cm) sward heights, and with constant microclimate monitoring. Temperatures recorded were similar between seasons, characterizing an atypical dry period. The use of shade for grazing occurs preferably in the afternoon (72.0 min) and rumination in the morning (47.5 min). The effect of period of the day (P

The aim of the current study is to assess three integrated systems presenting different eucalyptus tree densities due to animal and forage production. The following integrated systems were assessed: crop-livestock-forest with 357 eucalyptus trees ha-1 (ICLF1); crop-livestock-forest with 227 eucalyptus trees ha-1 (ICLF2); and crop-livestock with 5 remnant native trees ha-1 (ICL). The randomized block experimental design was applied in a split-plot scheme with four replicates. The Average Daily Gain (ADG, g animal-1day-1) and the live-weight gain per area (LWG, kg ha-1) were applied to analyze animal performance, which was set by weighing the animals every 28 days (the animals previously fasted for 16h). Forage yield was higher in ICL during fall and winter; in summer, it did not differ from ICLF2. There was no forage yield difference between the ICL and ICLF2 systems in any of the assessed seasons; summer was more productive in ILPF1 than other seasons. The highest leaf crude protein contents (CP) in summer was recorded in systems ICLF1 and ICLF2, and the highest value recorded in fall was found in ILPF1; the lowest was found in ILP. On the other hand, the highest leaf NDF contents in summer were found in ILP. The highest ADG were found in summer. The highest LWG values recorded for the ICL and ICLF2 systems were collected in summer and fall; there was no difference in any of the three systems in winter. The LWG was higher in all system in summer. The ICLF2 emerged as the system (with trees) most appropriate for beef cattle production. Despite the shading interference on forage production, such condition is compensated by the best nutritional contents such as CP. The ICLF2 system allowing an annual LWG of 83% in relation to the ICL system during the fifth year of establishment of the systems.

The objective was to evaluate the animal thermal comfort indices from two integrated crop-livestock-forestry (ICLF) systems. For this, temperature–humidity index (THI), black globe temperature and humidity index (BGHI), and the radiant thermal load (RTL) were assessed. Two ICLF (ICLF-1 and ICLF-2) systems and one control system were established. On the ICLF systems, the arboreal component was the eucalyptus tree (Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla; H13 clone), planted in simple wide-spaced rows. The ICLF-1 system had a tree spacing of 14 × 2 m with 357 trees per hectare, and the ICLF-2 had a tree spacing of 22 × 2 m with 227 trees per hectare. The control system had five scattered native trees per hectare, pertaining to Gochnatia and Dipteryx species. The forage component in all three systems was piata-grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Piata). The experimental design was a randomized block in a sub-subplot design scheme with four replications. The presence of shade provided by the trees offered better conditions of animal comfort when compared with the condition of full sun. The ICLF-1 system, with higher tree density, provided better indicators for thermal comfort, THI, BGHI, and RTL when compared with the condition of full sun, while ICLF-2 was no different than ICLF-1 for BGHI.

Agrosilvopastoral system is a type of production that involves the soil-forage-animal interface, both of which are benefited by the system. Hence, the present study evaluated the effects of agrosilvopastoral system on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics from pasture, and the animal performance during the feeding period of Nellore heifers. The treatments included: Soil-forage-animal – 357 eucalyptus trees per hectare (LFA14x2m); Soil-forage-animal – 227 eucalyptus trees per hectare (LFA22x2m); and Soil-animal – Five native trees remaining per hectare (CON). The forage used was Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Piatã and having as trees planted the Eucalyptus urograndis clones H 13. Treatment effects (P 0.05) for average daily gain, while in November period, LFA14x2m treatment showed the lowest value (P 0,05) para la ganancia diaria promedio, mientras que, en noviembre, el tratamiento LFA14x2m tuvo el valor más bajo (P0,05) para ganho médio diário, enquanto no período de novembro, o tratamento LFA14x2m apresentou o menor valor (P

There is a concern about the growing population and limitation in natural resources which are taking the population to direct its agricultural systems into a more productive and efficient activity, looking to avoid a negative impact on the surrounding environment. The industry energy expended to produce nitrogen (N)-fertilizer is considered an indirect consumption of energy in agriculture, which is higher with an increasing forage yield. Nitrogen is the key nutrient associated with high-yielding production in forage grass and grain crops. The aim of this chapter is to introduce the best management practices (BMPs) for N-fertilizer application in forage grasses to improve N-use efficiency, since the most economical way to feed livestock is forage plants where its potential biomass production is not well explored. The BMPs basically follow three management practices: (1) soil nutrient availability and forage requirement, (2) fertilizer application, and (3) decrease in nutrient losses from soil. In order to take a decision on applying N-fertilizer to accomplish forage grasses production with social, economic, and environmental benefits, the N-fertilizer use in forage grasses is going to follow the ?Right rate, Right source, Right place, and Right time (4R) nutrient stewardship.? The application of the 4R?s nutrients stewardship is directly associated with economic, social, and environmental impact. The capacity of the 4R?s implementation worldwide turns into a best guide to improve the striving of better N-use efficiency in forage grass. The 4R?s are interrelated; thus, the recommendation of N-fertilizer rates cannot be prescribed without the combination of the 4R?s where a whole system to be followed should be considered to decide about N-fertilizer in pasture. Consequently, any decision in one of the 4R?s is going to affect the expected N-fertilizer results and dry matter production.

Peltophorum dubium can be an alternative of forestry species to be included in integrated crop-livestock-forestry systems in tropical region. The aim of this research was to evaluate the performance of P. dubium under intraspecific tree competition and cardinal directions to measure the possibility of introduction in integrated livestock-forestry systems. The experiment was performed in a Nelder Wheel competition, which is used in forestry research to test tree competition. The experimental design was factorial (10×2×5) with 12 replicates. The treatments were accomplished by ten tree competitions (159, 201, 255, 322, 408, 516, 653, 827, 1,046 and 1,324 trees ha-1), two cardinal directions (North-South and East-West) and five times after planting (12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months). The highest tree competition (1,342 trees ha-1) in 36 months after planting, promoted increase in the cylindrical volume of the tree in both North-South and East-West cardinal directions. Nevertheless, the cardinal direction East-West was profitable to increase tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH), cylindrical volume per tree and cylindrical volume per hectare. The DBH measured in 24 months after planting was 5.0 cm, which is considered the minimum DBH to introduce livestock into the integrated system without significant damage on trees. Regarding these preliminary results in the first three years, P. dubium was promising as Brazilian native species to be inserted in integrated livestock-forestry system or single forestry as an option for Eucalyptus spp. Key words: Forestry, dendrometry, Nelder Wheel, integrated systems, agroforestry

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-01T13:08:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-04-01Bitstream added on 2014-10-01T14:03:42Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 S0100-06832014000200025.pdf: 219526 bytes, checksum: adcc63e9025bd50fb92e9b58f640e555 (MD5) A qualidade física do solo é um importante fator para a sustentabilidade dos sistemas agrícolas. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar as propriedades físicas do solo e o carbono orgânico em um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, sob sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária-floresta. O experimento foi conduzido no Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Os tratamentos consistiram de sete sistemas: integração lavoura-pecuária-floresta, com 357 árvores ha-1 e altura de pastejo de 30 cm (CLF357-30); integração lavoura-pecuária-floresta, com 357 árvores ha-1 e altura do pastejo de 45 cm (CLF357-45); integração lavoura-pecuária-floresta, com 227 árvores ha-1 e altura do pastejo de 30 cm (CLF227-30); integração lavoura-pecuária-floresta, com 227 árvores ha-1 e altura do pastejo de 45 cm (CLF227-45); integração lavoura-pecuária, com a altura do pastejo de 30 cm (CL30); integração lavoura-pecuária, com a altura do pastejo de 45 cm (CL45); e vegetação nativa (NV). As propriedades do solo foram avaliadas nas profundidades de 0-10 e 10-20 cm. Todos os tratamentos com pastagem aumentaram a densidade do solo (r b) e resistência à penetração (RP) e diminuíram a porosidade total (¦t) e macroporosidade (¦ma), em comparação com a NV. Os valores de r b (1,18-1,47 Mg m-3), ¦ma (0,14-0,17 m³ m-3) e PR (0,62-0,81 MPa) na profundidade de 0-10 cm não foram restritivos ao crescimento de plantas. A mudança de uso do solo a partir NV para CL ou CLF diminuiu o carbono orgânico (SOC) e o estoque de carbono orgânico (SOCpool). Todos os tratamentos com pastagem apresentaram SOCpool similar na profundidade de 0-10 cm e foram menores em comparação à NV (17,58 Mg ha-1). Soil physical quality is an important factor for the sustainability of agricultural systems. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate soil physical properties and soil organic carbon in a Typic Acrudox under an integrated crop-livestock-forest system. The experiment was carried out in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Treatments consisted of seven systems: integrated crop-livestock-forest, with 357 trees ha-1 and pasture height of 30 cm (CLF357-30); integrated crop-livestock-forest with 357 trees ha-1 and pasture height of 45 cm (CLF357-45); integrated crop-livestock-forest with 227 trees ha-1 and pasture height of 30 cm (CLF227-30); integrated crop-livestock-forest with 227 trees ha-1 and pasture height of 45 cm (CLF227-45); integrated crop-livestock with pasture height of 30 cm (CL30); integrated crop-livestock with pasture height of 45 cm (CL45) and native vegetation (NV). Soil properties were evaluated for the depths of 0-10 and 10-20 cm. All grazing treatments increased bulk density (r b) and penetration resistance (PR), and decreased total porosity (¦t) and macroporosity (¦ma), compared to NV. The values of r b (1.18-1.47 Mg m-3), ¦ma (0.14-0.17 m³ m-3) and PR (0.62-0.81 MPa) at the 0-10 cm depth were not restrictive to plant growth. The change in land use from NV to CL or CLF decreased soil organic carbon (SOC) and the soil organic carbon pool (SOCpool). All grazing treatments had a similar SOCpool at the 0-10 cm depth and were lower than that for NV (17.58 Mg ha-1). Universidade do Estado do Mato Grosso Department of Animal Science Universidade Estadual Paulista Department of Soil and Fertilizer Embrapa - Gado de Corte Centro Nacional de Pesquisa Gado de Corte Ohio State University Carbon Management and Sequestration Center Universidade Estadual Paulista Department of Soil and Fertilizer

Os sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária-floresta são sustentáveis e a escolha do sistema adequado à determinada localidade depende das condições edafo-climáticas e da existência de infraestrutura para suprimento de insumos, armazenagem e escoamento da produção. A produtividade e a rentabilidade são três vezes maiores para a pecuária de corte e de 10 a 30% para as lavouras de grãos em relação aos sistemas tradicionais de produção. Por outro lado, observa-se nos sistemas mais complexos (com uso de componente arbóreo) o aumento do bem-estar animal e a mitigação de gases de efeito estufa.

The aim of this study was to model the individual height and volume of eucalyptus wood in two integrated crop-livestock-forest systems (ICLF1 and ICLF2) in Campo Grande, a city in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Classic nonlinear growth models were adjusted for height (Logistic, Gompertz, Richards, Weibull, Van Bertalanffy, Brody, Mitscherlich, and Chapman and Richards) and volume (Shumacher-hall nonlinear, Takata, Honner, Logistic, Gompertz, and Weibull) in two structural arrangements: ICLF1, with a spacing of 14 x 2 m and density of 357 trees ha-1, and ICLF2, with a spacing of 22 x 2 m and density of 227 trees ha-1. Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) measurements were performed in 100% of trees, with measurements of the total height of some individuals and a rigorous scaling procedure in diameter classes. According to the calculated value of Student's t-test, there was no significant evidence that DBH and the average height of the trees were different between ICLF1 and ICLF2. Based on the Akaike information criterion (AIC), the corrected Akaike information criterion (AICC) and the Bayesian information criterion (BIC), the Richards model was selected to estimate heights and the Takata model was selected to estimate the volume.

Our objective was to evaluate production, nutritive value and carrying capacity of piatã grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Piatã), and performance of Nellore heifers in agrosilvopastoral systems (ASPS) with three eucalyptus (Eucalyptus urograndis) tree densities, during winter, spring, summer, and fall. Three integrated systems were evaluated: ASPS-1 (357 trees ha(-1)), ASPS-2 (227 trees ha(-1)), and CON (5 trees ha(-1)). In each system, two sward heights were evaluated: short and tall. A total of 80 11-month-old Nellore heifers were randomly allocated in a randomized split-plot block, 3 × 2 factorial. Greater dry matter availability was observed on CON pastures during the fall season. Greater percentage of leaf lamina was detected on ASPS-1 with short sward height and greater during summer, compared with other seasons. A greater forage production was observed between tree rows and for tall sward height. Spring was the season with less forage nutritive value. Average daily gain was greater during summer and fall. Gain per hectare and stocking rate were greater on CON system and on ASPS-2. Pastures with short sward height had greater gain per hectare and stocking rate. Agrosilvopastoral systems with intermediate tree density seem to be a good choice for producers willing to diversify their revenue sources without decreasing animal production.

O experimento foi conduzido em Cáceres, Estado do Mato Grosso, com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de doses de nitrogênio sobre a produção de forragem e a composição química do capim-tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.). Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos completos casualizados com cinco tratamentos (0, 60, 120, 180 e 240 kg há-1 de N) e quatro repetições, em parcelas de 4,0 x 5,0 m. Foram realizados quatro cortes a intervalos de 30 dias, na altura de 5 cm do nível do solo, sendo as doses de N parceladas em quatro aplicações após cada corte, sob a forma de ureia, em cobertura. Foi observado, para cada kg ha-1 de N aplicado, aumento, na produção de matéria seca total de 22,67 kg ha-1, na produção de lâmina foliar verde de 11,37 kg ha-1, na altura do relvado de 0,052 cm e no teor de proteína bruta da forragem de 0,00955 dag kg-1, e diminuição no teor de FDN de 0,0142 dag kg-1. Observou-se aumento na extração de N a uma taxa de 0,537 kg kg-1 de N e diminuição acentuada da eficiência de utilização do N a partir da dose estimada de 155 kg ha-1 de N.The experiment was carried out in Cáceres, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, aiming to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) on forage production and chemical composition of Tifton 85 bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.). A randomized complete block design was used, with five treatments (0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 kg ha-1) and four replications in 4.0 x 5.0 m plots. Four cuts were made at intervals of 30 days, at the height of 5 cm above ground level. N was applied after each cut, in the form of urea. For each kg ha-1 of N applied, we observed increases of 22.67 kg ha-1 in the production of total dry mass, 11.37 kg ha-1 in the production of green leaf blade, 0.052 cm in sward height, and 0.00955 dag kg-1 in crude protein content, and a reduction of 0.0142 dag kg-1 in NDF content. There was an increase in the extraction of N at a rate of 0.537 kg kg-1 of N, and sharp decline in the efficiency of N utilization from the estimated dose of 155 kg ha-1 of N.

Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar a produtividade e o valor nutritivo das gramíneas forrageiras tropicais: Brachiaria brizantha cvs. Piatã, Xaraés e Marandu, Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça e B. ruziziensis cv. Kennedy, em sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária (ILP), na segunda safra, buscando novas alternativas de produção de forragem para alimentação animal no outono-inverno. Utilizou-se delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso em esquema de parcelas subsubdivididas, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos das parcelas corresponderam às cinco forrageiras, às subparcelas corrresponderam a três sistemas de cultivo (monocultivo, consórcio com milho sem supressão e consórcio com milho com supressão), e às sub-subparcelas, quatro intervalos de corte das forrageiras (50, 90, 125 e 195 dias após a emergência, DAE). O experimento foi conduzido no período de fevereiro a setembro de 2014. As produtividades de matéria seca, obtidas aos 195 DAE, referentes aos três sistemas de cultivo (monocultivo, consórcio sem supressão e com supressão), foram de 18,45; 7,15 e 3,05 t ha-1, respectivamente, e os teores de proteína bruta da lâmina foliar das forrageiras decresceram linearmente entre os intervalos de corte, de 50 a 195 DAE, de 19,95 % para 9,70%. O cultivo de forrageiras tropicais em sistemas integrados na segunda safra produz forragem de alta qualidade e quantidade para o outono-inverno. As gramíneas tropicais Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça e Brachiaria brizantha cvs. Xaraés e Piatã apresentaram maior produtividade de folhas e proteína bruta, em comparação às demais forrageiras em estudo. Em termos de valor nutritivo, Brachiaria ruziziensis cv. Kennedy foi superior aos capins Mombaça e Xaraés, porém apresentou menores produtividades de matéria seca total, folha e proteína bruta. De maneira geral, os capins Xaraés, Piatã e Mombaça são os mais indicados para o cultivo na segunda safra em sistema de ILP visando a produção de forragem para alimentação animal.

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de períodos de pré-emurchecimento das gramíneas Estrela- Africana-Branca [Cynodon plectostachyus (K. Schum.) Pilg.] e Tifton 85 (Cynodon sp.) sobre algumas características de suas silagens. Utilizou-se delineamento inteiramente casualizado com dez tratamentos e três repetições. Os tratamentos foram dispostos em esquema fatorial 2x5, sendo duas gramíneas (Estrela-Africana-Branca e Tifton 85) e cinco períodos de pré-emurchecimento da forragem (0, 1, 2, 3 e 4 h). As gramíneas foram cortadas aos 50 dias de rebrotação e permaneceram ensiladas por 55 dias em silos experimentais. O pré-emurchecimento promoveu aumento no teor de matéria seca da forragem cortada e da silagem das gramíneas Tifton 85 e Estrela Africana Branca. Houve diminuição nos teores de N-amoniacal (N-NH3/N-total) da silagem do capim-estrela-africana-branca, a uma taxa de 1,66 unidade percentual por hora de pré-emurchecimento, mas não houve alteração nessa variável da silagem do capim-tifton 85. A silagem do capim-tifton 85 apresentou maior recuperação de matéria seca, maior teor de FDN e menor teor de proteína bruta do que a silagem do capim-estrela-africana-branca. O pH e o teor de FDA das silagens não foram influenciados pelo pré-emurchecimento. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of periods of pre-wilting of stargrass [Cynodon plectostachyus (K. Schum.) Pilg.] and Tifton 85 bermudagrass (Cynodon sp.) on some characteristics of their silage. Arandomized design with ten treatments and three replications was used. The treatments were arranged in a 2x5 factorial, two grasses (stargrass and Tifton 85) and five periods of pre-wilting of forage (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 h). The grasses were harvested at 50 days regrowth and stored for 55 days in experimental silos. The pre-wilting caused an increase in dry matter content of forage and silage of both, Tifton 85 and stargrass. There was a decrease in the levels of ammonia-N (N-NH3/N-total) of the stargrass silage at a rate of 1.66 percentage unit per hour of pre-wilting, but there was no change in this variable of Tifton 85 silage. The Tifton 85 silage presented higher dry matter recovery and content of NDF and lower protein content than the silage stargrass. The pH and ADF content of the silage were not affected by pre-wilting.

The objective of this paper was to perform a microclimate evaluation and determine the indexes of thermal comfort indexes, in sun and shade, in integrated crop-livestock-forest systems with different arrangements of eucalyptus and native trees, in the Brazilian Midwest. The experiment was conducted at Embrapa Beef Cattle in Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, from July to September 2013. The evaluations were conducted on four consecutive days, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., local time (GMT -4:00), with 1 hour intervals, recording the microclimate parameters: air temperature (°C), black globe temperature (°C), wet bulb temperature (°C), relative humidity (%), and wind speed (m.s-1), for the subsequent calculation of the Temperature and Humidity Index, the Black Globe Temperature and Humidity Index, and the Radiant Thermal Load. The largest changes in microclimate parameters were found in the full sun, between 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m., in less dense eucalyptus system, followed by the scattered native trees system, resulting in a maximum Temperature and Humidity Index of 81, Black Globe Temperature and Humidity Index of 88 and Radiant Thermal Load of 794 W m-2. Therefore, it is observed that with the presence of trees in pastures were possible reductions of up to 3.7 % in Temperature and Humidity Index, 10.2 % in the Black Globe Temperature and Humidity Index, and 28.3 % of the Radiant Thermal Load in the shade. Thus, one can conclude that the presence of trees and their arrangement in the systems provide better microclimate conditions and animal thermal comfort in pastures.

Três cultivares de Panicum maximum Jacq. submetidas a pastejo rotativo foram avaliadas ao longo do ano quanto aos componentes do comportamento ingestivo (tamanho de bocados, tempo de pastejo e taxa de bocados). Os tratamentos constituíram em: 1) cv. Tanzânia + 50 kg/ha de N, 2) cv. Tanzânia + 100 kg/ha de N, 3) cv. Mombaça + 50 kg/ha de N, e 4) cv. Massai + 50 kg/ha de N. Os valores do tamanho de bocados foram provavelmente superestimados, mas valores abaixo de 0,300 g MS/bocado foram observados, considerado crítico, no período seco. Houve tendência a menores bocados na cv. Massai no período seco, provavelmente em função da distribuição de folhas e material morto ao longo do perfil do relvado. Não houve diferenças no tempo de pastejo entre tratamentos e entre épocas de avaliação, mas o padrão de distribuição do tempo gasto pastejando ao longo do dia modificou nas diferentes épocas. Poucas diferenças nas taxas de bocado foram observadas entre cultivares, e no decorrer do período de ocupação dos piquetes, as taxas de bocado tenderam a aumentar. Entre os componentes do comportamento ingestivo observou-se apenas correlação negativa entre tempo de pastejo e tamanho de bocados (r = –0,45). Three varieties of Panicum maximum Jacq. were evaluated by measuring ingestive behavior components (bite size, grazing time, and rate of eating) for one year under rotational grazing. The treatments were: 1) v. Tanzânia + 50 kg N/ha, 2) v. Tanzânia + 100 kg N/ha, 3) v. Mombaça + 50 kg N/ha, and 4) v. Massai + 50 kg N/ha. The values for bite size were probably overestimated, even so, values lower than 300 g DM/bite size were observed, a critical consideration, in the dry period. There was a tendency for smaller size bites with v. Massai during the dry period, probably due to distribution of leaves and dead material present in the pasture. There were no differences in time of pasturing among treatments and between seasons of evaluation, but the standard of distribution for time spent grazing along with the day was modified by the different seasons. Few differences in rate of eating were observed among the varieties. The rate of eating tended to increase with the length of time in the plots. Among the components of ingestive behavior the only significant correlation observed was between time of pasturing and bite size (r = -0.45).

The influence of cutting age on production and nutritive value of piata grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Piata) and hybrid sorghum (Sorghum spp. cv. BRS 801) under an integrated crop- livestock system was evaluated. The trial was carried out at the Embrapa Beef Cattle (2027 S; 5437 W) in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, between April and October 2009. Experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with four replicates. Treatments were distributed across a split-plot design, which included three production systems (single piata grass; single hybrid sorghum; mixed cultivation of sorghum and piata grass). Half-plots consisted of three forage ages at harvest (with 70, 90 and 110 days after seeding). Variables included agronomical characteristics, productivity and nutrition value. Regardless of the evaluated systems, cutting age affected agronomical characteristics and in vitro digestibility of organic matter (IVDOM). Production was highest (4,048 kg ha -1 ) within the integrated system. Regardless of cutting age, monoculture sorghum had the highest crude protein level. Results showed that integrated sorghum and piata grasses were an asset for forage productivity. Forages had higher values in crude protein and in in vitro digestibility of organic matter on the 70 th day after seeding.