Abstract
Simple SummaryA common challenge for most livestock industries is to identify more productive, efficient and sustainable pasture-based production systems that have a positive effect on animal welfare, biodiversity and long-term operation profitability without negatively influencing the environment. Implementing best management practices allows producers to achieve profitability and environmental goals. Maintaining an appropriate ground cover, minimizing the use of external inputs as fertilizers and pesticides and adopting agroecological approaches are key for sustainable pasture management. Pasture-based pig production systems are considered animal welfare and environmentally friendly. However, the number of animals grazing can influence the vegetation ground cover and the amount of nutrients imported to the systems. This study compared the effects of four different pig stocking rates (37, 74, 111 or 148 pigs ha−1) over two 14-week grazing periods, on the vegetation ground cover and soil properties of bermudagrass paddocks. Increasing the number of animals aggravated the damage to the vegetative ground cover and raised the amount of nutrients deposited on the soil. For conservation purposes, the number of pigs grazing bermudagrass should be equal to or less than 37 pigs ha−1.This study compares four stocking rates (37, 74, 111 and 148 pigs ha−1) for growing to finishing pigs (18.4 ± 0.5 kg and 118.5 ± 2.0 kg and 35.7 ± 2.1 kg and 125.7 ± 2.3 kg initial and final BW for grazing periods 1 and 2, respectively) and their effect on ground cover and soil traits in bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers) pastures, over two 14-week grazing periods (July–September and May–August). The study was conducted at the Center for Environmental Farming systems at the Cherry Research Station, Goldsboro North Carolina. A continuous stocking method was implemented to manage the pasture. The percent ground cover was estimated with a modified step point technique. Soil samples were collected in three sampling positions (center, inner and outer areas of the paddocks) and two soil sampling depths (0–30 and 30–90 cm). The experimental design was a completely randomized block with three field replicates. Data were analyzed using the PROC GLIMMIX procedure of SAS/STAT ® Version 9.4. Greater ground cover and lesser soil nutrient concentrations were registered in bermudagrass paddocks managed with 37 pigs ha−1. The results of this study also validated the existence of a spatial pattern of soil properties, which differed among sampling positions and depths.
Highlights
A common challenge for most livestock industries is to identify more productive, efficient and sustainable pasture-based production systems that have a positive impact on animal welfare, biodiversity and long-term operation profitability without negatively affecting soil health
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of growing to finishing pig stocking rates on the vegetative ground cover, the soil properties and to establish the existence of a spatial pattern of soil properties in bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers) paddocks grazed with pigs during two 14-week periods, providing for a better understanding of soil nutrient dynamics, leading to the improvement of the management practices
The importance of the presence of ground cover in pasture pig systems is associated with its role of trapping and recycling the nutrients deposited through manure [19] and avoiding their losses to the system via runoff and leaching [20]
Summary
A common challenge for most livestock industries is to identify more productive, efficient and sustainable pasture-based production systems that have a positive impact on animal welfare, biodiversity and long-term operation profitability without negatively affecting soil health. Franzluebbers et al [1] listed the traits that describe well managed pasture systems. They include: maintaining an appropriate ground cover, minimizing the use of external inputs as fertilizers and pesticides and adopting agroecological approaches. Production systems having these characteristics could provide a profit to farmers while maintaining diverse ecosystem services to the community. A renewed interest in pasture-based production systems has been observed [2]
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