Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the viability of pasture with high production capacity and the potential for production of silage using different sources and doses of nitrogen (N) by quantifying the productivity of dry matter (DM), some qualitative characteristics, the total cost of production (TC) and total operating cost (TOC) of silage production. The experimental design was randomized block in a factorial scheme with four replications including two sources of nitrogen (urea and ammonium nitrate) and five N doses (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha-1 by cutting). The increase in N provided greater DM and crude protein content and reduced the fiber content in neutral detergent. The source of N did not affect the chemical composition, and therefore, it is recommended to use urea due to the ease of acquisition and higher economic return. The production of Mombasa silage can be economically viable due to high DM and crude protein content combined with low production costs. The smallest TC and TOC were obtained in the absence of nitrogen fertilization; however, the proper management of N ensures high productivity in cattle feed with higher total profit when using 100 kg ha-1 N by cutting with ammonium nitrate.
Highlights
Brazil has approximately 180 million hectares of pastures and is one of the largest global commercial producers of cattle, which are dependent on pastures (Silva et al, 2009a)
In addition to the TOC, in this work, we considered other expenses and costs of interest (5% of effective operational cost (EOC)) (Matsunaga et al, 1976), resulting in a total operating cost (TOC) that was extrapolated to one hectare, which increased the compensation to the fixed capital, being considered 5% of the TOC; from the remuneration of the land, we obtained the total cost of production (CT) according to the methodology proposed by Martin, Serra, Oliveira, Ângelo, and Okawa (1998)
Buzetti, Silva, Bergamaschine, and Fabricio (2008) found that the NDF decreased with increasing N doses, and according to the authors higher doses of N applied at certain times, depending on environmental conditions, can change the NDF content of the forage, since the magnitude of the effect on NDF is related to climate and soil conditions, management of species used and achieved productivity
Summary
Brazil has approximately 180 million hectares of pastures and is one of the largest global commercial producers of cattle, which are dependent on pastures (Silva et al, 2009a). Pastures are considered the base of cattle feed, since they are a less costly means to produce animal protein for human consumption (Fernandes, Buzetti, Dupas, Teixeira Filho, & Andreotti, 2015). This low cost is possible because of climatic factors favoring the production of fodder in different locations and periods of the year. 40, e36395, 2018 developmental potential, reducing quality and productivity (Bennett, Buzetti, Silva, Bergamaschine, and Fabricio, 2008); pasture degradation occurs after a few years (Silveira et al, 2010) V. 40, e36395, 2018 developmental potential, reducing quality and productivity (Bennett, Buzetti, Silva, Bergamaschine, and Fabricio, 2008); pasture degradation occurs after a few years (Silveira et al, 2010)
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