ESTUDIO DEL EFECTO DE LA CARGA Y LA ESPECIE DE PASTO SOBRE EL COMPORTAMIENTO DE TOROS EN PASTOREO. III. CEBA FINAL

Abstract

Fifty four bulls of 278,5 kg initial live weight were totally randomized in order to access Andropogon gayanus cv. CIAT 621, Digitaria decumbens cv. PA-32 and Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk under stocking rate of 2, 3 and 4 animals/ha. The experiment lasted 10 months and not other food (but herbage) was given. Significative effect of the stocking rate (P<0,001) and herbage species (P<0,001) upon live weight gains was detected. The best behaviour (592 g/animal/day) was recorded using 2 animals/ha; while PA-32 and Brachiaria (514 and 470 g/animal/day respectively) were the best species. The greatest effect upon availability was found with the stocking rate in the dry season and the herbage species in the wet season, although that of the stocking rate was greater in the whole year. It is concluded that live weight higher than 440 kg after 28 months of age may be obtained, using these pastures as the single feeding when stocking rates of 2 animals/hectare are used.