ORBi: Benvenutti Marcelo - The effect of pasture utilization on the defoliation of grass species by steers grazing a tropical savanna woodland during the dry season

Reference : The effect of pasture utilization on the defoliation of grass species by steers grazing ...


	Document type :	Scientific congresses and symposiums : Paper published in a journal
	Discipline(s) :	Life sciences : Environmental sciences & ecology Life sciences : Animal production & animal husbandry
	To cite this reference:	http://hdl.handle.net/2268/79492

Title :	The effect of pasture utilization on the defoliation of grass species by steers grazing a tropical savanna woodland during the dry season
Language :	English
Author, co-author :	Benvenutti, Marcelo [INTA EEA Cerro Azul, Argentina > > > >]
	Bindelle, Jérôme [Université de Liège - ULg > Sciences agronomiques > Zootechnie >]
	O'Reagain, Peter [AgriScience Queensland, DEEDI, Australia > > > >]
	Gordon, Iain [Sustainable Ecosystems, CSIRO – Davies Laboratory, Australia > > > >]
	Mortimore, Christina [Sustainable Ecosystems, CSIRO – Davies Laboratory, Australia > > > >]
	Isherwood, Peter [Schools of Animal Studies and Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Australia > > > >]
	Poppi, Dennis [Schools of Animal Studies and Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Australia > > > >]
Publication date :	2010
Journal title :	Advances in Animal Biosciences
Volume :	1
Pages :	433-434
Peer reviewed :	Yes
On invitation :	No
Audience :	International
ISSN :	2040-4700
Event name :	International Symposium on Sustainable Animal Production in the Tropics: Farming in a Changing World
Event date :	from 15-11-2010 to 18-11-2010
Event organizer :	INRA-Antilles
Event place (city) :	Le Gosier
Event country :	Guadeloupe
Keywords :	[en] pasture utilization ; grazing ; selectivity
Abstract :	[en] The relationship between grazing pressure and differences in the defoliation rate of grass species is not well understood for tropical savannas even though it is likely to have a substantial influence on the persistence of preferred species, pasture condition and sustainability of the grazing system. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between grass species characteristics and their defoliation rate in a paddock under increasing levels of utilization. Nine steers grazed a Eucalyptus savanna woodland for 14 days. Total pasture utilization reached 70% on day 13. The results confirm that with increasing pasture utilization, the defoliation rate of grasses varied among species. Bothriochloa pertusa (Bp) was the preferred species, with the highest levels of utilization after 5, 7 and 13 days. This species had the highest leaf/stem ratio and basal area (P<0.05), and intermediate stem tensile resistance, stem density, bulk density and plant height. These characteristics probably allowed the steers to achieve high nutrient intake rates. The steers avoided B. ewartiana possibly due to its tough stems and low leaf/stem ratio. In this tropical pasture the steers heavily grazed the preferred species at low to intermediate levels of overall pasture utilization (10 to 38%). In order to increase the utilization of less preferred species it was necessary to achieve high levels of pasture utilization (60 to 70%).
Funders :	Meat & Livestock Australia - MLA
Target :	Researchers ; Professionals
Permalink :	http://hdl.handle.net/2268/79492
DOI :	10.1017/S2040470010000580

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