Abstract
The objective of this work was to determine the impact of cutting Tifton-85 grass at 14, 28, 42, 46, 70, and 80 days of regrowth on its production and nutritional characteristics during the rainy season. The study area of 238 m2 was divided into four sub-area, with 6 plots of 2 × 2 m spaced 1 m between plots and 2 m between sub-area. Random block design was used. The statistical analyses were performed following a randomized block design. Results were obtained as means from evaluations conducted in two consecutive years. The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) increased as the cutting age increased. However, crude protein, NDF nitrogen, ADF nitrogen and leaves/stem relationship decreased as the cutting age increased. The production of digestible dry matter increased linearly as the cutting age increased. Similarly, grass height, green matter and dry matter production (DMP) increased as the cutting age increased. The different cutting age did not influence the nitrogen A, B1 + B2, and B3 fractions of the grass. However, the C fraction increased as the cutting age increased. Longer intervals between cuts increased the grass productivity per cut, but compromised its nutritional composition and leaves/stem relationship. For Tifton -85, the regrowth age of 28 days allows greater production of dry matter and greater accumulated production of crude protein and digestive dry matter in the rainy season or over time.
Highlights
The efficiency of herbivore production is directly associated with the utilization of high-quality grass resources
Grass height had increased by a factor of 5.7 at 84 days of regrowth compared to the age of 14 days, whereas the green matter production per hectare (GMP/ha) had increased by a factor of 5.26
dry matter production (DMP)/ha and digestible dry matter per hectare (DDMP/ha) increased by a factor of 6 at 84 days of regrowth compared to the age of 14 days (Table 1)
Summary
The efficiency of herbivore production is directly associated with the utilization of high-quality grass resources. Optimization tifton-85 grass cutting for productivity and nutrient value conditions. Investigations conducted by Mislevy and Martin (1998) have shown that longer grass regrowth intervals increased Tifton-85 productivity at harvesting. (Campos et al 2010) observed that longer grass regrowth decreased Tifton-85 crude protein (CP, % DM), and increased neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF). These differences are related to characteristics of the plant and the nutritional value, by the content of nutrients such as crude protein, and by the characteristics of these nutrients. The understanding of good forage management practices is a key for better livestock productivity
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