Hectares Of Pasture Research Articles

On increase of land tax in Kazakhstan

Land tax is one of the sources of formation of local budgets, filling their revenue part. The aim is to analyze the legal framework of the existing system of land taxation, to substantiate the need to increase mandatory payments for land. The following methods were used - monographic - to study the foreign experience of land taxation, statistical - to collect data on tax revenues, the state of the land fund, analytical - in the study of methods of tax payment, on the basis of abstract-logical method problems were identified and ways of their solution were proposed. Results - foreign experience of tax regulation has shown that fiscal policy is aimed at creating favorable preferential conditions for agricultural producers and improving soil quality. The existing domestic methodology of tax payments depending on the purposes of application is considered. The analysis of tax payments in dynamics for 7 years is presented. Land tax rates and rent in the context of target use are calculated. It is revealed that the tax for peasant (farm) farms in accordance with the income from the sale of agricultural products is not quite acceptable, as the costs of its production are not taken into account. Conclusions - it is established that a 40-fold increase in the land tax is premature, since to date such a measure is legislatively approved in the amount of 20-fold. It is recommended to increase the tax burden on residential lands for individual residential construction, shopping and entertainment centers and industrial facilities. Involvement in agricultural turnover of 62.5 million hectares of pastures, concentrated in the category of reserve lands, will make it possible to improve their quality level and receive additional money for the state budget.

Achieving wheat self-sufficiency in Brazil

Abstract Brazil is a major global grain exporter yet imports about 40% of the wheat it consumes every year. To meet domestic demand, Brazilian wheat production could be expanded into the vast areas of the Cerrado. Self-sufficiency would require transforming at least 0.5 million hectares of pasture into irrigated crop land or 2 million hectares if rainfed. Larger areas would need to be cultivated to cope with population growth, commodity price variation and climate change impacts.

PSVIII-27 Beef Cattle Body Weight Forecast Monitored on Pasture Through Artificial Intelligence

Abstract The use of artificial intelligence through forecasting models for the weight of beef cattle allows decision-making regarding the production chain, which makes it more efficient and respects social, environmental and economic aspects, with ever-increasing predictions. Approaches adopting separately stochastic and deterministic components were adopted. Thus, this work, based on deterministic dynamic systems, aims to forecast the body weight of cattle simultaneously with the variables temperature, atmospheric pressure and global radiation, for the first time being monitored on pasture. Data were collected on a commercial farm located in Britânia/GO/Brazil, 158 male animals of crossbread origin,kept in 101 hectares of pasture, in a rotational system, receiving 0.3% BW day-1 of protein supplement and water ad libitum were weighed. Based on Takens' embedding theorem, it was possible to represent the phase spaces and facilitate data entry into the regression model. The models used were Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), LightGBM, Support Vector Machine (SVM), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Echo State Network (ESN). To fit the models, the dataset was separated into 110 animals for K-fold cross-validation with 5 subsets and 48 animals for validation. Bayesian optimization was implemented to find the best hyperparameter values for each model. Three scenarios were evaluated: 7, 14 and 28 days of forecast horizon (fp), respectively. The evaluation metric used was the mean squared error (MSE), which verifies the accuracy of the models. As result, we verified according to Table 1 that the SVM presented the least MSE values for the 3 scenarios. After this step, the best model was selected, and the model was adjusted with the 110 animals and validated with the validation data. The result obtained from the MSE was 0.000071 kg². 0.000176 kg² and 0.000478 kg² for 7, 14 and 28 days of fh, respectively. According to Figure 1, the predicted values in relation to the observed values showed good results for the 3 scenarios; however, for the scenarios of 14 and 28 days, a small overestimation was observed for the body weights with the greatest values. The adjusted SMV model demonstrated that it was possible to predict meat production with deterministic models. Thus, the use of artificial intelligence methods is efficient to assist in decision making on the beef cattle production chain.

PSX-15 Precision Beef Dry Matter Intake Estimation on Extensive Rangelands

Abstract Predicting dry matter intake (DMI) for beef cattle on extensive rangelands presents a significant challenge to determining stocking rates. Traditionally, DMI is estimated by taking full body weight (BW) multiplied by a percentage selected based on animal class, production phase, and forage quality, which introduces tremendous levels of accumulated error at the herd level. Animal Unit Months (AUMs) are utilized to simplify the determination of stocking rate (animal units per area per a specific period of time) of pastures. This challenge represents a tremendous opportunity to leverage precision technology to account for individual animal variation in BW and growth, with subsequent impacts on herd-level decisions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to utilize precision livestock technology (PLT) collected data to build a precision system model (PSM) to evaluate the differences in predicted DMI using either initial BW, expected mid-season BW, or PLT measured BW. The PSM model was built utilizing BW data measured using SmartScale (C-Lock Inc.) for 60 days during the summers of 2021 and 2022 on Angus yearling steers (average initial BW 393.71 ± 39.01 and 315.23 ± 53.91 kg, n = 130 and 124, for year 2021 and 2022, respectively) on native pastures at the South Dakota State University Cottonwood Field Station. The PSM evaluated total forage consumption and deterministically estimated hectares of pasture required to meet the herd forage demands relative to available biomass (kg/ha). the PSM estimated 4.49% and 6.94% more DMI at the herd level compared with using initial BW for years 2021 and 22, respectively, and 1.64% less DMI than mid-season BW in 2021. This resulted in an additional 14.03 and 17.95 ha required for years 2021 and 22, respectively, according to PSM estimates compared with initial BW, while animals were understocked by 5 and 0.3 ha for 2021 and 2022, respectively, using mid-season BW. Individuals expressed a divergent growth rate, resulting in greater misalignment between static and PSM predicted DMI as the grazing period progressed (Menendez et al., 2023), indicating greater opportunities for targeted grazing management in long grazing periods. Therefore, applying precision data provides more precise DMI estimates and demonstrates the advantages and disadvantages of herd-level estimates. The use of PSM helps to identify high-leverage precision tools to minimize a performance gap like overgrazing extensive rangeland systems and demonstrates the critical need to develop robust data-collection and processing steps to leverage continuously collected PLT data.

THE CONTRIBUTION OF GRASSLANDS IN THE MANNER OF LAND USE FROM THE HILL AREA OF BANAT IN RELATION TO LIVESTOCK

The meadows in the hill area of Banat can be defined as resources with multidimensional significance. In another context, grasslands can be considered one of the defining elements in livestock activities in rural areas. In this respect, the purpose of the research was to quantify the grassland resources in the area of interest and assess their potential in forage cover of local animals. The analysis of the area of interest was done by geospatial methods, applied with ArcGIS 10.4 software. Geospatial data, statistical and bibliographic data from the literature were used. The area of interest is characterized by complex and variable environmental conditions, which is also reflected in the use of the territory. In the five analyzed administrative units, grasslands occupy surfaces between 16.65% (UAT Balinţ) and 52.14% (UAT Secaş), these being interspersed with other categories of land use, respectively with arable land in the low areas and with forests in the areas located at higher altitudes. As far as animals are concerned, it was found that the largest herds were in ATU Brestovăţ, where per hectare of pasture has 0.72 LSU. Through the economic benefits offered, the meadows in the analyzed hill area constitute important natural resources for local and regional communities.

Climate Change Effects upon Pasture in the Alps: The Case of Valtellina Valley, Italy

In this study, we assessed the potential effects of climate change upon the productivity of mountain pastures in the Valtellina valley of Italy. Two species, Trisetum flavescens and Nardus stricta, among the most abundant in Italian pastures, were chosen for the simulation of low- and high-altitude pastures, respectively. We introduced some agroclimatic indices, related to growing season parameters, climate, and water availability, to evaluate the impacts of climate change upon pasture production. First, the dynamic of the pasture species was evaluated for the present period using the climate-driven, hydrologically based model Poli-Hydro, nesting the Poli-Pasture module simulating plants growth. Poli-Pasture was validated against yield data, at province scale, and at local scale. Then, agroclimatic indices were calculated. Subsequently, IPCC scenarios of the Fifth and Sixth Assessment Reports (AR5 and AR6) were used to project species production and agroclimatic indices until the end of the 21st century. In response to increased temperature under all scenarios, a large potential for an increased growing season length and species yield overall (between +30% and +180% for AR5 at 2100) was found. Potential for decreased yield (until −31% for AR5) is seen below 1100 m asl in response to heat stress; however, it is compensated by a large increase higher up (between +50% and +140% for AR5 above 2000 m asl). Larger evapotranspiration is foreseen and larger water demand expected. However, specific (for hectares of pasture) water use would decrease visibly, and no significant water limitations would be seen. Results provide preliminary evidence of potential livestock, and thereby economic development in the valley at higher altitudes than now.

Atmospheric CO2, soil carbon stock and control variables in managed and degraded pastures in central Brazil

Brazil has 166 million hectares of pastures, 58.8% (97.6 million hectares) of which are in some degree of degradation. Besides the low animal support capacity and vegetative yield, degraded pastures also contribute significantly to soil carbon losses, through CO2 emission. This study aimed to understand the temporal dynamics of atmospheric CO2 in contrast between degraded pastures (DP) and managed pastures (MP) in the Cerrado Brazil biome. Using the Pasture Atlas and 6-year time series, the variables were collected under the pasture classes: column-average concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (xCO2), Soil Carbon Stock (SCS), as well as Solar-induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence (SIF), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Leaf Area Index (LAI) as vegetative characteristics, and Land Surface Temperature Amplitude (LST Amplitude) and Precipitation as climatic aspects. Except for xCO2, MP was significantly different from DP with higher SIF, NDVI, LAI, Precipitation, and SCS, but smaller LST Amplitude. The hypothesis test (Student t-test p < 0.05) results indicate higher Precipitation and SCS in MP when compared to DP due to its positive effect of higher vegetative values. Linear regression and Pearson's correlation analysis indicate that xCO2 negatively relates to the precipitation and vegetative variables (NDVI, LAI, and SIF), but positively with LST Amplitude and SCS. Soil carbon stock obtained a significant xCO2 relationship (p < 0.001) only in the DP, suggesting that the environmental stress experienced by degraded pastures impacts soil carbon losses as a source of CO2. Therefore, this study concludes that DP with carbon stored in the soil is the main source of CO2 for the atmosphere when compared to MP. So, if the necessary care is not taken, the organic carbon from these degraded pastures will be lost to the atmosphere as CO2. These findings may favor nature-based solutions indicating that proper pasture management is an important aspect to mitigate emissions and improving soil carbon content helping to mitigate atmospheric CO2.

Effect of reduced age at first calving and an increased weaning rate on CO2 equivalent emissions in a cow-calf system

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of using technology to reduce the age at first calving (AFC; from 48 to 24 months) and increase the weaning rate (WR; from 60% to 80%) in beef herds. The need for pasture area (hectares) and the CO2 equivalent emissions (CO2eq.) of animals present in the production system were analyzed. Data from a livestock breeding system were used to produce 400 male calves per year: System 1) using reproductive biotechnology (fixed-time artificial insemination [FTAI] and System 2) without the use of reproductive biotechnology (only natural mating). System 1, which used reproductive biotechnology (FTAI; composed of 1,540 AU of animals in 1,540 hectares), presented a lower AFC (24 months), a higher WR (80%), and lower CO2eq. emissions per year (2,311.3 tons). System 2, which did not employ reproductive technology (composed of 2,475 AU [450 kg of animals] on 2,475 hectares), had the highest AFC (48 months) and lowest WR (60%) and emitted 3,714.5 tons of CO2eq. per year. The reduction in CO2eq. emissions per year was 1,403.3 tons in the system that used reproductive biotechnology, corresponding to gains of US$ 135,920.42 (US$ 96.86 per ton of CO2eq.). It is estimated that the adoption of the FTAI increases the reproductive efficiency of a cow-calf operation system, which can produce the same number of male calves (400) on 935 fewer hectares of pasture (-37.3%) and with a reduction of 1,403.3 tons of CO2eq. produced per year.

The Role Of Pasture Agrophytocenoses In The Optimization Of The Ecological Situation

In the desert regions of our country there are large farms specializing in astrakhan fur farming. It is known that karakul is one of the most important branches of animal husbandry in the republic. In Karakul agriculture, the natural cover of deserts and hills serves as the main source of food. Of the 23.1 million hectares of pastures and hayfields in Uzbekistan, 17.5 million hectares are used as desert pastures. Of these, 37.1% are still in crisis, with 1 million. Harmful and poisonous plants on an area of more than 0.5 million hectares. Under the influence of these weeds, which are not eaten by weeds, the productivity of pastures is sharply reduced.

CATTLE HYPODERMATOSIS IN SOUTH TAJIKISTAN

The article presents data on the infestation of cattle by subcutaneous gadflies in the southern regions of Tajikistan. It has been established that two species of subcutaneous gadfly parasitize in cattle – Hypoderma bovis and Hypoderma lineatum. The prevalence of gadfly larva in cattle is 11.4–31.1% and the intensity of infection is 2–21 specimens, and Hypoderma lineatum larva is 4.6–11.3% and the intensity of infection is 5–15 specimens of connective tissue capsules per animal, respectively. Connective tissue capsules Hypoderma bovis in the back area of animals appeared in late January and early February, and Hypoderma lineatum in late December and early January. Development of larvae under the skin of animals lasted on average 50–55 days. The release of the Hypoderma lineatum larva was noted in the second and third decades of February, and the gadfly in mid-March. The flying of the Hypoderma lineatum imago is from mid-April to the second decade of June, and the gadfly from the second decade of May to early July at an optimal air temperature of 18–25°C. This is due to the fact that there are favorable natural and climatic conditions in these areas for the development of larvae in the pupation stage and a fairly dense population of animals (cattle) per a hectare of pasture.

Evaluation of grasslands consumed by mother alpacas and tuis (vicugna pacos) in wetlands in the dry season, Yauyos, Peru

The research was carried out in the alpaca production unit of the Tomas Peasant Community, of the Lima Region, with the aim of identifying the floristic component of the pasture of a wetland area in the dry season of the year and the species that were most consumed by alpacas. Previously, the floristic inventory of 5 hectares of pasture was carried out and 10 mother alpacas and 10 tuis alpacas were assigned. During the study period, stool samples were taken to evaluate the diet by the microhistological method. The chemical components of the six main species of grasses most consumed were analyzed. In the initial inventory 36 species were found, of which the most consumed were 10 that made up approximately 80% of the diet. Chemical analysis shows a crude fiber content in a range between 66,23 to 77,24%, crude protein between 2.49 to 5,21% and vitamin A between 0,08 to 0,37 mg / 100g. The contribution of the present is to identify the species of pasture most consumed by alpacas tuis and mothers, in order to take care in their conservation.

METHODS OF TILLAGE INCREASING THE YIELD OF REED HAYFIELDS

In Kazakhstan, there is a large disproportion between the areas of pastures and hayfields. Currently, there are only 5.8 million hectares of hayfields, which is only 3% of the total area of natural lands, or for every 30.1 hectares of pastures there is only 1 hectare of hayfields. This makes it necessary to mow 12-15 million hectares of pastures for hay production, and in dry years up to 25 million hectares. In some regions of the republic, there is a shortage of winter feed for public livestock every year. The yield of natural lands is low: hayfields - 5 - 7 c/ha, mown pastures - 1.5 - 3.0 c/ha of hay. This is especially noticeable in the dry steppe zone of the Kyzylorda region. According to the Kazgiprozem Institute, in Kazakhstan there are about 10% of downed pastures, and on 50% of the pasture area, fodder vegetation is degraded. The productivity of flooded meadows in the republic is still not high. In its natural state, it does not exceed 10 - 14 centners of hay per hectare. Meanwhile, by purposefully improving natural meadows, productivity can be increased several times. One of the important reserves for increasing the production of forage, especially on the saline soils of the Aral Sea region, is the study of the potentials of the reed plant and the development of rational methods of use in ecologically unfavorable conditions of the region.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF PASTURE LAND QUALITY

In the Message of the President to the people of the Republic of Kazakhstan N. A. Nazarbayev "the Third modernization of Kazakhstan: global from January 2017, it is said "the agro-industrial complex of Kazakhstan has a promising future", "we will help to be one of the largest producers of agricultural export products" [1]. Kazakhstan ranks sixth in the world in terms of its grass resources. Pasture land is 189.0 million hectares, historically being the driving force in the country's economy, as a source of feed resources for the development of livestock [2]. According to the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan, there are 27.1 million hectares of pastures that were shot down in an average and severe degree. In the zonal aspect, the destruction of pasture ecosystems is mostly observed in the flat part, where more than 95% of all downed pastures are located, including the desert and semi – desert zones-16.1 million hectares or 60% of their area. Downed pastures are the main consequence of changing environmental conditions and irrational human economic activity. It is manifested in the loss of valuable forage plant species from the herbage and their replacement with weeds, non-edible and annual species [3,4].

PSVI-16 Essential fatty acids and bio-surfactants can improve de bovine production in tropical pasture

Abstract Improving the efficiency of production of beef cattle on tropical pasture is a challenge. So, new technologies need be tested. Essential fatty acids (EFA) are essential for cell structure, regulation and can improve the immune response. Bio-surfactants (BS) can increase the interaction between microorganisms and substrates in the rumen (Liu et al., 2013). The aim of this work was to test a blend of EFA and BS in the performance of beef cattle in tropical pasture. This study was conducted in the Premix’s Research Center, Patrocínio Paulista, São Paulo State, Brazil. The area used had 6 hectares of pasture of Urochloa brizantha (syn. Brachiaria brizantha). Twenty-four Nellore steers were evaluated for 313 days. The initial weight was 253 ±10.9 kg. The diet was pasture and protein-energy supplements (0.4% of live weight) with (test) or not (control) additives. The additive was the blend of EFA (14.02g/kg-linolenic) and BS (57.5g/kg-phosphatidylcholine) including 0.3% in the supplement. The parameters used were daily average gain, carcass yield and carcass daily gain. The rumen degradability of dry matter of the forage was analyzed with cannulated animals (72, 48, 36, 24, 12, 6, 0 hours; Orskov &amp; McDonald,1979). The analysis of variance was used with 5% significance. The daily average gain was 680 g/day for the control and 735 g/day for the test (P = 0.02). The carcass yield is not different (mean=55.48). The carcass daily gain was 429 g/day for the control and 456 g/day for the test (P = 0.06). The degradation potential of dry matter was 54.25% for the control and 56.71% for the test (P = 0.03). This is 4.5% more degradation of dry matter for the test. It can explain the 8% more of daily average gain and 8.45 kg of carcass in the period. The blend of EFA and BS can take additive effect improving the bovine production on tropical pasture and can be an environmentally friendly alternative.

Estimating Pasture Biomass and Canopy Height in Brazilian Savanna Using UAV Photogrammetry

The Brazilian territory contains approximately 160 million hectares of pastures, and it is necessary to develop techniques to automate their management and increase their production. This technical note has two objectives: First, to estimate the canopy height using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry; second, to propose an equation for the estimation of biomass of Brazilian savanna (Cerrado) pastures based on UAV canopy height. Four experimental units of Panicum maximum cv. BRS Tamani were evaluated. Herbage mass sampling, height measurements, and UAV image collection were simultaneously performed. The UAVs were flown at a height of 50 m, and images were generated with a mean ground sample distance (GSD) of approximately 1.55 cm. The forage canopy height estimated by UAVs was calculated as the difference between the digital surface model (DSM) and the digital terrain model (DTM). The R2 between ruler height and UAV height was 0.80; between biomass (kg ha−1 GB—green biomass) and ruler height, 0.81; and between biomass (kg ha−1 GB) and UAV height, 0.74. UAV photogrammetry proved to be a potential technique to estimate height and biomass in Brazilian Panicum maximum cv. BRS Tamani pastures located in the endangered Brazilian savanna (Cerrado) biome.

Emission of methane in livestock: cause-effect relationship and modulatory mechanisms

Livestock farming has great importance in the Brazilian economic scenario, developed in all states and ecosystems of the country, and the Brazilian sector presents a wide range of production systems. Brazilian beef production is mainly from pasture production systems, with Brazil having an area of 180 million hectares of pasture, where more than half of this total presents some degree of soil degradation and pasture, mainly in stages advanced. The emission of methane by ruminants accounts for 22% of this gas in the atmosphere, making it the third largest source on a global scale. Methane gas (CH4) has a significant participation of 15% in global warming, but Brazil has a great potential to reduce the emission of methane gas by improving the productivity indexes of its livestock. Improvements in animal feeding and genetics result in less CH4 emission during the animal's life cycle. In addition, these improvements result in increased meat production resulting in a double benefit: the environmental and the economic. CH4 is considered to be the second largest contributor to the earth's heating by absorbing infrared radiation into atmosphere behind only carbon dioxide (CO2). The increase in its concentration in the atmosphere is closely linked to the worldwide expansion of the human population, since the main sources of emissions, besides enteric fermentation are landfills, fossil fuel use and agricultural practices. Thus, the objective of this review was to present the scientific literature about the production of methane bound to ruminants and to design modulatory mechanisms that allow the production of these animals with high production levels and low emission of this gas.

Degraded pastures and recovery techniques: Review

The degradation of pastures has been a great problem for the Brazilian livestock, in which the use of them in the production of ruminants is the most economic form of feeding. These, when well managed and used respecting their physiologic al characteristics and climatic requirements and soil fertility, remain productive for a long time. However, it is estimated that 80% of the 50-60 million hectares of pasture grown in Central Brazil are degradated, which means that they are unable to sustain the production levels and quality required by the animals. This degradation is due to several factors acting in isolation or together, from the forage species, its implantation and the management. Thus, it is necessary to use techniques for the recovery of pastures, in order to optimize the utilization of the area to recover the chemical, physical and biological properties of the soil and to enable the production of animal protein, due to increased pasture support capacity. The present review aims to present some aspects related to the degradation of pastures and the main techniques used to recover these pastures

Energy Analysis and Measurement of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Livestock Systems. A Comparison of Different Livestock Systems in the Eastern Brazilian Amazon

Energy Analysis and Measurement of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Livestock Systems. A Comparison of Different Livestock Systems in the Eastern Brazilian Amazon Carine Pachoud, René Poccard-Chapuis, Thierry Bonaudo, Jean-François Tourrand, Rogério Martins Mauricio Abstract This paper introduces an assessment method based on the Planet method (2002). It aims to measure the energy inputs and outputs, their conversion efficiencies and the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in agricultural systems at the farm level. The method was applied to compare smallholder mixed dairy-beef livestock systems (SM) with two extensive and highly technical beef breeding-fattening (BB) and fattening (BF) systems, in the Eastern part of the Brazilian Amazon. It appears that SM farms are the lowest-level input system (13 koe ha-1 of pasture); therefore, they do not require substantial amounts of fossil-energy to produce the outputs. The BF system is the highest level inputs user (60 koe ha-1 of pasture). No significant difference was found for the BB system when compared to the BF and SM systems (38 koe ha-1 of pasture). In regards to the energy outputs, the SM system had the lowest production per hectare of pasture (30 koe ha-1 of pasture), while the BB system had an intermediate amount of energy production (68 koe ha-1 of pasture), and the BF system had the highest production (129 koe ha-1 of pasture). The only output from the BB and BF systems is beef, while the SM system produces beef obtained from the sale of male calves to the BF farms and also dairy products on the local market (essentially cheese). No significant difference was found between the three systems in terms of energy efficiency (average of 2.3). Finally, the GHG emissions were the highest for the BF system (7814 kg CO2 ha-1 of pasture), intermediate for the BB system (2619 kg of CO2 ha-1 of pasture), and the lowest for the SM system (1702 kg of CO2 ha-1 of pasture). The major source of emissions differed for the three systems - burning practices for the SM farms; enteric fermentation for the BB farms; and the purchase of calves and burning practices for two-thirds and one-third of the BF farms, respectively. The energy inputs and outputs and GHG emissions expressed per ton of live weight produced were compared between the BB and the BF systems. No significant differences were found for the four indicators. According to other analyses, the three systems studied are low-level fossil energy users. Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/jaes.v6n1a3

Last Resorts

Last Resorts Neil Shepard (bio) Finifugal Finifugal: shunning the end of anything.Yes, there’s a word for what makes us human.When we gaze in the mirror, we approve ourselvessix nanoseconds ago, the time light requires to bouncefrom the glass’s dark underside to our eyes. I see blacklight, said Victor Hugo, dying. And every evening,we advesperate. The sun’s guillotined from the sky,and we think of the tricoteuse in France, knitting, unknittingas the heads rolled. We think of the old apricity,the warmth of sun in winter. And some of us miss the full lightof language, the archaic and the obsolete. What if we usedits full lexical range? All twenty volumes of the oed,130 pounds, 59 million words. What if we had timefor the research? Would it matter if we knew“that girl is hot” because fornicate comes from fornus,an oven, a furnace? Would that put people off? Would it hurtto know earth’s magma will, finally, blast pyroclastsin trails of broken fire when it’s hot enough, or worse, to knowearth’s flirting with the moon, its fickle push and pull,impels her from us a few millimeters more each year,and the planet slows its rotation one nanominute. In the timeof hot-blooded dinosaurs, each day clocked twenty-three hours.Does that give people pause? Does it matter the meter’s ticking faster?That meter and measure are one; meter and moon and mensesare one; meter and month and meal do the same work, measuring time?And we’re back to shunning the end of anything: finifugal. [End Page 17] Staigue Fort —Ireland, fifth century a.d. One hell of a world—so circle stones five-men highin Caherdaniel. Let stones curve between usand the sun. Pile them far up a cirquecupped in the hard hand of the mountain—for we’re all hard at it, bludgeoning each otherfor a hectare of pasture carved from Gaelic rock.Circle stones three-men wide. Wider than longspears can pierce. If we survive, we can sail to stonechurches just off the coast, live a few peaceable yearspast twenty-five, those final years when a spear’s heftno longer pleases the hand. When a spearand an arm become separate things.One hell of a world on any knocknarea,any hill of execution, in this country.So pile stones high up a hillside.Look down on invaders swarmingup the rocky valley, behind thema foaming sea. Ready the spear-points.Cross-currents pull the eye out, away,swirling ten miles to the Skelligswhere one-eyed Saint Finian, the leper monk,has built from stone the last resortof men, beehive huts, stony oratory,and one great round-church in a monasteryhigh up on that high island, up among the nestsof storm-birds, gannet and petrel—but I knowof one bird, the shearwater, that builds no nest,makes its egg pear-shaped and simply leaves iton a ledge to balance in the wind. It’s allin the shape of the protection, the proportionbetween the living thing and the stoneon which it suffers its siege. [End Page 18] Neil Shepard Neil Shepard’s sixth and seventh books of poetry were published in 2015: Hominid Up and Vermont Exit Ramps II. He teaches in the low-residency M.F.A. Writing Program at Wilkes University and at Poets House in nyc and edited for a quarter-century the literary magazine Green Mountains Review. Copyright © 2016 Neil Shepard

English

In Brazil, about 80% of the 60 million hectares of pasture are in some state of degradation. Among the causes of this degradation is the lack of investment in liming and fertilization at the time of planting. Phosphorus is especially critical because it stimulates root growth in the establishment phase of forage growth. The objective of the study was to evaluate different sources of phosphorus in the formation of Marandu and Xaraes forages. An experimental design of randomized blocks in a factorial arrangement, 2 x 4, with 5 repetitions was used. Treatments consisted of two cultivars of Urochloa brizantha: Marandu and Xaraes and three sources of phosphorus: triple superphosphate (41% P2O5), natural reactive phosphate (28% P2O5) and organic mineral (4- 14-8) plus the absence of phosphate fertilizer (control). Plant height, stem diameter, chlorophyll A and B content and fresh and dry matter mass were evaluated 60 days after germination. Leaf content was also examined for the following mineral nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn). The Marandu cultivar was superior to the Xaraes cultivar in terms of height. Among the sources of phosphorus examined, there were no significant differences among organic mineral, triple superphosphate and reactive phosphate, for any of the characteristics considered. All the sources, however, differed from the control. The maximum extraction of soil macronutrients by Urochloa brizantha was, in descending order: the macronutrients K>N>Ca>Mg>P>S and micronutrients Mn>Fe>Zn>Cu. These nutrients, thus, needed to be replaced as they were removed through grazing, to replenish the soil. The sources of phosphorus evaluated were not associated with differences in the leaf contents of Cu, Zn and S. The leaf content of the Xaraes cultivar had higher values of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Mn and Zn in relation to Marandu. Key words: Forage, degraded area, mineral nutrients, fertilization.