Abstract
Elephant grass (EG) (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) have great importance in tropical and subtropical climates, especially on dairy farms. Normally, EG is established alone under high fertilization levels. EG in organic production system can improve low production costs and environmental issues, are still little known. The aim of this research was to evaluate the performance of herbage yield, nutritive value, extraction/ export nutrient and forage yield and animal responses. Three production systems of EG were analyzed: (i) EG mixed spontaneous-growing species (SGE) in warm-season and ryegrass (R) in cool-season under organic production; (ii) EG mixed SGE + R under conventional system (positive control); and (iii) EG based under conventional production (control). Holstein cows were used in a rotational stocking. Forage samples were collected to evaluate the pasture and animal responses. Seven grazing cycles were performed during the experimental period (312 days). Herbage yield, forage intake, and stocking rate were 12548; 10270; 19168 kg ha-1 and 2.5; 2.6; 2.7% and 3.3; 2.1; 4.5 AU ha-1 day-1, respectively. Crude protein of EG was 17.9; 15.4; 16.4%, respectively. Mixed pastures, in conventional and organic production, had a better forage distribution throughout the seasons. Highest forage yield and extraction/ export nutrient was reported in pure EG within the conventional system.
Highlights
Milk production is one of the predominating alternatives for small- and medium- sized farms in different regions of Brazil
Grazing cycles had a mean 27 days each when the period of greatest development of elephant grass is taken into account, between spring and autumn
Elephant grass mixed with other species adapts itself in organic and in conventional production
Summary
The main roughage source, is comprised of grass established in monoculture and with mineral fertilizers (Olivo et al 2006) Perennial pasture, such as elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.), are highly relevant due to their capacity in forage production and to their easy adaptation in tropical and subtropical regions, especially when used with rotational stocking (Pegoraro et al 2009). Their establishment in spaced rows in organic or conventional system favors the inclusion of annual winter crops, such as oats and ryegrass, forming an important strategy due to the usage of the same area throughout the year (Diehl et al 2014). The aim of this research was to evaluate elephant grass-based pasture under organic and conventional production systems on the botanical and morphological compositions, herbage yield, nutritive value, grazing efficiency, forage intake, extraction/ export nutrient (N) and forage yield, and stocking rate
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