Producción de forraje y carne en pastizales resembrados con gramíneas introducidas

Abstract

Esqueda CMH, Carrillo RRL. Tec Pecu Mex 2001,39(2):139-152. Weeping (Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees) and Wilman lovegrass (Eragrostis Lehmanniana) are introduced grasses from South Africa, that have been well adapted to northern Mexico. The potential for forage production of these grasses is good. Due to these characteristics in addition to others, these species are an alternative for the livestock industry. The objective of this study was to compare animal response on (1) a short grass prairie, (2) seeded weeping lovegrass, and (3) seeded Wilman lovegrass. The research was conducted during the summer in three years. In 1998 and 1999, 220 kg heifers and lactating Hereford cows were used. While in 2000, heifers with an average weight of 150 kg were used. The average daily gains for heifers was 0.6 kg on seeded areas, while in the shortgrass prairie, the average daily gain was 0.45 kg. Lactating cows showed daily gains of 0.3 kg and their calves 0.7 kg on the seeded areas. While on the shortgrass prairie daily gains were 0.1 kg for cows and 0.5 kg for calves. Higher weight gains on the seeded areas are due to more forage production of these sites, with an average 2500 kg ha-1 of dry matter on the seeded areas vs 600 kg ha-1 of dry mater on native grassland. Weight gain for heifers on introduced grasslands, were 30 to 40% higher than on native grassland. Forage production by introduced species was nearly 400% higher than on native grassland, even though the precipitation during the period was below historical average.