A presente linha de pesquisa objetivou caracterizar a distribuição dos bolos fecais de bovinos depositados em uma pastagem de capim-braquiarão [(Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst ex A. Rich.) Stapf cv. Marandu], sob lotação rotacionada e intensidades de pastejo e verificar as alterações na fertilidade do solo e no acúmulo de foragem. O experimento foi conduzido na Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos - FZEA/USP em pastagem com 25,2 ha, dividida em 80 piquetes de 3150 m². O ciclo de pastejo foi de 35 dias, sendo a ocupação de 7 dias e o período de descanso de 28 dias durante o verão. Os piquetes avaliados eram aqueles utilizados com ofertas de forragem de 5 e 10 % (5 kg de massa de forragem para cada 100 kg de peso animal dia-1). Assim, foram dois tratamentos com quatro blocos (repetições). Em cada piquete avaliado houve a demarcação de três círculos de 12,5 metros de raio. Cada círculo recebeu uma letra (A, B, C) para identificação. Após o período de ocupação de 7 dias houve a contagem dos bolos fecais e o registro do respectivo circulo de ocorrência. Houve a amostragem de fezes para análise da composição em matéria seca, matéria orgânica, matéria mineral, macro e micronutrientes, além da coleta dos dados de peso e da área ocupada pelo bolo fecal. Houve a marcação de áreas em cada piquete, ao lado do bolo fecal, para avaliação de acúmulo de forragem, da fertilidade solo quanto aos nutrientes que retornam ao solo nas profundidades de 0-5, 5-10, 10-15,15-20, 20-25 cm abaixo do bolo fecal. As porcentagens de bolos fecais presentes nas áreas de descanso foram de 33,5 e 18,9% para 5 e 10% OF e de 4,2 e 13,8% para as áreas de rejeição. As áreas cobertas pelos bolos fecais por dia para cada unidade animal nos tratamentos de 5 e 10% OF foram 0,248 e 0,214 m² respectivamente, e que uma unidade animal defeca em média 5,63 e 4,84 vezes ao dia para as OF de 5 e 10%. Os valores de densidade de bolos fecais presentes na pastagem foram de 0,100 e 0,065 bolos fecais por m², nos tratamentos 5 e 10% de OF. Sendo que os valores da porção da pastagem coberta sem e com a sobreposição da pastagem indicando que ao final de um ano a pastagem pode ser coberta de 5,7 a 10,6%. O acúmulo de forragem na pastagem, para os pontos com a presença do bolo fecal, foi da ordem de 685,62 kg de MS/ha e de 242,87kg de MS/ha sem a presença do bolo fecal, portanto, cerca de 2,8 vezes superiores. O número de bolos fecais presentes nas áreas de avaliação é determinado pela taxa de lotação. A sua deposição na área de descanso e de rejeição foi de maneira inversa. Nas ofertas de forragem estudadas durante os anos de 2003-2004, o modelo de distribuição espacial dos bolos fecais foi o agregado e sua contribuição para a fertilidade é concentrada em pequenas áreas. O bolo fecal na oferta de forragem de 5% apresenta maior contato com o solo, portanto teve participação significativa no aumento de pH em superfície, o que contribuiu com a disponibilidade de macro e micronutrientes e com a indisponibilidade de Al. Os macronutrientes primários fósforo e potássio apresentaram-se mais disponíveis no tempo e nas camadas superficiais do solo devido às alterações de pH pela presença do bolo fecal. A área de influência do bolo fecal (fertilidade) teve papel importante para melhorar o acúmulo de forragem na pastagem. No entanto, essa área é concentrada e pontual. / The objective of research was characterize the distribution of bovines dung pats deposited in a palisadegrass pasture [(Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst ex A. Rich.) Stapf cv. Marandu], under rotational stocking and grazing intensities and the influence of dung pats in fertility of soil and the herbage accumulation. The experiment was carried out at Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos - FZEA/USP in a pasture with 25,2 ha, divided in 80 plots with 3150 m². In the grazing cycle of 35 days, 7 days of grazing and 28 days of rest, during the summer. The evaluated plots was the used two levels of herbage allowance 5 and 10% (5 kg of dry matter per 100 kg live weight per day). Them, two treatments with four blocks (repetitions). Each evaluated plots, the ground was located three circles of 12.5 meters of ray. Each circle received a letter (A, B, C) for identification. After 7 days of occupation, dung pats was counting and register in the respective circulate of occurrence. Samples of feces was collected to analysis to determine the dry matter, organic matter, mineral matter, macro and microminerals and data of weight and the area covered by dung pats. Each plots, areas was located the side of the dung pats, to evaluation of the herbage accumulation, and the fertility of soil and nutrients that return in the depths of 0-5; 5-10; 10-15;15-20; 20-25 cm under of the dung pats. The dung pats percentage in resting areas was 33.5 and 18.9% to 5 end 10% HA and the 4.2 and 13.8% to reject areas. Covered areas by animal unit dung pats by day was 0.248 and 0.214 m² to treatments of 5 and 10% HA respectively, a animal unit deposit feces 5.63 and 4.84 times by day to the HA of 5 and 10%. The values of density in the pasture was 0.100 and 0.065 dung pats by m², in the treatments of 5 e 10% of HA. And the portion of pasture covered in one year can be 5.7 to 10.6%. The herbage accumulation in the pasture, in area with the dung pats was 685.62 de DM/ha and the 242.87 kg DM/ha without the dung pats. The number of dung pats presents in areas of evaluation is determinates by stocking rate. Its deposition in resting areas and the reject areas are different. In the herbage allowance studded during the years 2003-2004, the spatial model distribution of dung pats was aggregate, and contribution to the soil fertility is concentrated in small areas. The dung pats in herbage allowance of 5% had more contact with the soil, had participation in the increase of pH in surface, change the available of micro and macronutrients. The primary macronutrients phosphorus and potassium more available in the time and the layer of the soil due the alteration of the pH. The influence area to the dung pats (fertility) had important contribution to the herbage accumulation in the pasture, but this area is concentrated and small.

As pesquisas com métodos de pastejo têm culminado em divergência de resultados no desempenho de plantas e animais. As diferenças quantitativas e qualitativas entre métodos de pastejo poderiam ser elucidadas se estes fossem comparados, considerando o manejo ideal proposto para cada método. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi comparar métodos de pastejo, manejados com diferentes estratégias. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos completos e casualizados com 3 tratamentos e 3 repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram em três métodos de pastejo: lotação rotativa, utilizando altura do dossel como critério de manejo (AL); lotação rotativa, utilizando oferta de forragem como critério de manejo (OF); lotação contínua, mantida a 18 cm de altura (CO). O experimento foi realizado em área total de 25,2 hectares, formada com Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu localizada na Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos da Universidade de São Paulo, em Pirassununga-SP. O período experimental de 93 dias, compreendido entre 15 de dezembro de 2011 e 15 de março de 2012 foi dividido em 3 períodos de avaliações. As variáveis foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 10% de significância. Foram observadas interações entre tratamentos e períodos de avaliação para a maioria das respostas relacionadas à planta forrageira bem como para desempenho e taxa de lotação. O teor de proteína bruta não foi afetado pelos métodos de pastejo, porém, o teor de fibra em detergente neutro foi maior para o tratamento AL. A produtividade não foi afetada pelos métodos de pastejo. Assim, o método de lotação contínua é o mais atrativo com produtividade semelhante aos demais. / Research comparing grazing methods have resulted in conflicting findings on forage and animal performance. Quantitative and qualitative differences between grazing methods could be elucidated whether the methods are compared considering the ideal management proposed for each method. The objective of this study was to compare grazing methods, managed with different strategies. The experimental design was randomized complete blocks, with three treatments and three replications. Treatments consisted in three grazing methods: rotational stocking using canopy height as a management criteria (AL), rotational stocking using forage allowance as a management criteria (OF), continuous stocking held at 18 cm height (CO).The experiment was conducted in a total area of 25.2 hectares, planted with Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, located at the Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, in Pirassununga - SP. The 93 days experimental period, from December 15th of 2011 to March 15th of 2012, was divided into three assessment periods. The variables were compared by the Tukey test at 10% significance. Interaction between treatments and assessment periods were observed in the most of the variables related to forage plant as well as animal performance and stocking rate. Crude protein concentration was not affected by grazing methods, although the neuter detergent fiber was greater to AL treatment. Productivity was not affected by grazing methods. Thus, continuous stocking method is the most attractive, with similar productivity to the others.

O uso de aditivos alimentares promotores de crescimento em bovinos de corte tem aumentado, porém, existem relativamente poucos estudos sobre uso de aditivos para bovinos em pastagem. Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de flavomicina (FL) e uma mistura de ureia comum e ureia protegida no desempenho (GMD), produtividade (GA) e consumo de suplemento (CS) por novilhas em pastagem diferida de capim-marandu (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu), de julho a novembro de 2010. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos completos casualizados, com cinco tratamentos e três repetições, arranjados num fatorial 2x2, mais um tratamento controle (suplemento mineral). Os fatores foram a inclusão de FL e a fonte de nitrogênio não proteico (NNP), adicionados a um suplemento proteico. O fator FL foi avaliado nos níveis de inclusão 0 e 100 mg kg-1 de suplemento. Foram avaliadas duas fontes de NNP: ureia comum (U) e uma mistura (M) de ureia comum (2/3 do NNP) e ureia protegida (1/3 do NNP), ambas fornecendo 365 g kg-1 de equivalente proteico ao suplemento. Foram utilizadas 120 novilhas da raça Nelore, peso médio de 206 kg, distribuídas em 15 unidades experimentais. As variáveis resposta da forragem foram massa de forragem, oferta de forragem, composição morfológica e concentração de PB, FDN e FDA. Os animais foram manejados em lotação rotativa, com 7 dias de ocupação e 28 dias de descanso, usando taxa de lotação variável para se chegar a ofertas de forragem semelhante entre tratamentos. Os animais do tratamento controle tiveram o menor GMD (-0,054 kg de peso vivo animal-1 dia-1) e tiveram o menor GA (-29,1 kg de peso vivo ha-1), enquanto ocorreu interação entre FL e fonte de NNP para as mesmas variáveis. No desdobramento da interação, o uso de FL aumentou o GMD e GA apenas na presença de U (0,055 vs. 0,116 kg animal-1 dia-1 e 29,4 vs. 59,4 kg ha-1). O uso de M no suplemento não amento GMD e GA quando comparado com U. CS não foi afetado pelos tratamentos, com médias de 0,184, 0,289 e 0,104 kg animal-1 dia-1 para os ciclos de pastejo 1, 2 e 3, respectivamente, todas diferentes entre si. A forragem não apresentou variação entre tratamentos para a maioria das variáveis estudadas. A lotação não variou entre tratamentos nem entre ciclos de pastejo (media = 2.24 AU ha-1). A inclusão de FL tem o potencial de melhorar desempenho e produtividade de novilhas e a fonte de NNP e FL não afetam o CS. / The use of growth promoter feed additives in beef cattle has increased, however, there are relatively few studies about using additives in grazing cattle. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of flavomycin (FL) and a mix of common and coated urea on average daily gain (ADG), gain per area (GA) and supplement intake (SI) of heifers grazing stockpiled palisadegrass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu), from July to November of 2010. The experimental design was randomized complete block, with five treatments and three replicates, arranged on a 2x2 factorial plus control (mineral supplement). The factors were the inclusion of FL and the source of non protein nitrogen (NPN), added to a protein supplement. The FL factor was assessed at the inclusion levels 0 and 100 mg kg-1 of supplement. Two sources of NPN were assessed: common urea (U) or a mix (M) of common urea (2/3 of NPN) and coated urea (1/3 of NPN), both providing 365 g kg-1 of protein equivalent to the supplement. A hundred and twenty Nellore heifers weighting 206 kg were distributed 15 experimental units. Forage response variables were herbage mass, herbage allowance, morphological composition and CP, NDF and ADF concentrations. The animals were managed in a rotational stocking, with 7 d grazing and 28 d resting period using a variable stocking rate to achieve similar herbage allowance among treatments. The animals receiving control treatment had the least ADG (-0,054 kg animal-1 day-1) and GA (-29.1 kg ha-1), while there was significant interaction between FL and source of NPN. In the interaction unfolding, the ADG and GA were greater in animals receiving FL in the presence of U (0.055 vs. 0.116 kg anim.-1 day-1 and 29.4 vs. 59.4 kg ha-1). The use of M in the supplement did not increase ADG and GA when compared to supplement with U. SI wasn\'t affected by treatments, with averages of 0,184, 0,289 and 0,104 kg animal-1 day-1 to grazing cycles 1, 2 and 3, respectively, all different among themselves. In general, the forage characteristics were similar among treatments. Stocking rate wasn\'t affected by both treatments and grazing cycles (mean = 2.24 AU ha-1). The inclusion of FL in the supplement has potential to improve performance and productivity of heifers and source of NPN and FL did not affect SI.

The aim of this thesis was to investigate contrasting pasture management strategies on the foraging behaviour, pasture production, carcass characteristics, herbage intake, faecal gas emissions and methane emission by sheep grazing Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) pastures. The experiment was carried out in 2014 and 2015. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replicates and two grazing strategy treatments (traditional rotational stocking method – RT meaning pre- and post-grazing target heights of 25 and 5 cm, respectively and, “rotatinuous stocking” – RN with pre- and post-grazing target heights of 18 and 11 cm, respectively). The grazing management was based on a 1-day strip-grazing regime. Male castrated sheep were used. The actual average sward heights for the RN treatment were 17.9 and 11.1 cm (pre- and post-grazing, respectively) and 27.1 and 7.8 cm for the RT (pre- and post-grazing, respectively). The stocking period in 2014 was 146 and 140 days (RN and RT, respectively) and in 2015 it was 155 and 146 days (RN and RT, respectively). The diurnal animal activities (grazing, ruminating and resting time) did not differ between treatments, with average of 439.6, 166.9 and 85.0 minutes, respectively. The bite rate, feeding station per min and steps per min were greater at the RN than the RT treatment. Grazing time and bite rate were greater in the afternoon than morning in both treatments. Therefore, the daily herbage intake by sheep grazing Italian ryegrass was greater for the RN than the RT treatment (CHAPTER II). The herbage production in the RN was 28% higher than the RT treatment. Individual average daily gain and live weight gain per hectare were greater in the RN than the RT treatment (CHAPTER III). RN treatment presented greater final live weight, carcass and commercial cut weights from grazing sheep than RT treatment (CHAPTER IV). RN treatment had a faecal chemical quality greater than RT treatment, resulting in a greater daily nitrogen excretion per animal and greater faecal CH4 and N2O emissions (CHAPTER VI). The “rotatinuous stocking” (RN) was the better grazing management strategy for mitigation of CH4 emissions by sheep grazing Italian ryegrass, emitting 64% less CH4 per unit area and 170% less CH4 per unit of animal product than the traditional rotational stocking method (RT) (CHAPTER V).

A utilização de plantas forrageiras em pastagens sem considerar os aspectos básicos relacionados com o crescimento e desenvolvimento das plantas leva ao desconhecimento de seus requerimentos em termos de ambiente e limites de resistência ao pastejo e, consequentemente, ao processo de degradação de grandes áreas de pastagens cultivadas. Dentro desse contexto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o padrão de crescimento de pastos de capim-mulato submetidos a estratégias de pastejo rotativo, buscando gerar interpretações fisiológicas importantes para o planejamento e idealização de práticas de manejo do pastejo. Os tratamentos corresponderam às combinações entre duas severidades (alturas pós-pastejo de 15 e 20 cm) e dois intervalos de pastejo (tempo necessário para o dossel atingir 95 e 100% de interceptação de luz durante a rebrotação IL) e foram alocados às unidades experimentais (piquetes de 1200 m2) segundo um delineamento de blocos completos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Foram avaliadas as seguintes variáveis-resposta de janeiro de 2008 a abril de 2009:índice de área foliar (IAF), taxa de crescimento da cultura (TCC), taxa assimilatória líquida (TAL), taxa de crescimento relativo (TCR), razão de área foliar (RAF), área foliar específica (AFE) e razão de peso foliar (RPF). No verão 1 o tratamento 100/20 foi o que proporcionou maior TCC relativamente aos demais tratamentos, resultado da combinação entre alto IAF residual da altura pós-pastejo de 20 cm e maior intervalo de pastejo correspondente à meta de 100% de IL. Foi registrada redução na TCC do outono/inverno/início de primavera ao final de primavera. Já no verão 2 o tratamento 95/15 apresentou maiores valores de TCC relativamente aos tratamentos 100/15 e 100/20, resultado da maior TCR e maior IAF residual dos pastos mantidos a 95% de IL. Para os componentes TAL e RPF foi observado apenas efeito de época do ano, imprimindo as variações sazonais no padrão de respostas das plantas ao longo do ano. Com exceção do verão 1, os pastos manejados a 95% apresentaram maior RAF que pastos manejados a 100% de IL, resultado de ajustes morfológicos determinados principalmente em AFE. De forma geral, o intervalo de pastejo foi mais efetivo que a severidade de pastejo na expressão das variáveis-resposta estudadas. Assim, a estratégia de manejo mais efetiva e eficiente para o pastejo rotativo do capim-mulato corresponde ao uso de período de descanso equivalente ao tempo necessário para que o dossel atinja 95% de IL durante a rebrotação, condição que corresponde a uma altura pré-pastejo de 30 cm, e altura pós-pastejo de 15 a 20 cm. / Use of forage grasses on pastures without taking into account basic information related to their pattern of growth and development results in lack of knowledge regarding their morphophysiological limits to grazing, which may result in degradation of large areas of cultivated grasslands. Against that background, the objective of this study was to evaluate the growth patterns of mulato grass subjected to strategies of rotational stocking management, aiming at providing important physiological interpretations for planning and structuring grazing management practices. Treatments corresponded to combinations between two grazing severities (post-grazing heights of 15 and 20 cm) and two grazing intervals (time necessary for swards to intercept 95 or 100% of the incident light during regrowth LI), and were allocated to experimental units (1200m2 paddocks) according to a 2x2 factorial arrangement and a randomised complete block design, with four replications, from January 2008 until April 2009. The following response variables were studied: sward leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), net assimilatory rate (NAR), relative growth rate (RGR), leaf area ratio (LAR), specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf weight ratio (LWR). During summer 1, treatment 100/20 resulted in the largest value of CGR, consequence of large remaining LAI associated with the post-grazing height of 20 cm and of the long grazing interval associated with the pre-grazing target of 100% LI. CGR decreased throughout autumun/winter/early spring and late spring. During summer 2, treatment 95/15 showed larger values of CGR than treatments 100/15 and 100/20, consequence of larger values of RGR and residual LAI of swards managed at 95 relative to those managed at 100% LI. NAR and LWR varied only with season of the year. Except during summer 1, swards managed at 95% LI showed larger values of LAR than those managed at 100% LI, a result of morphological adjustments mainly characterised by variations in SLA. Overall, grazing interval was more effective than grazing severity in interfering with most of the response variables studied. Therefore, adequate management of mulato grass under rotational stocking conditions correspond to a pre-grazing height of 30 cm (equivalent to the pre-grazing target of 95% LI) and post-grazing height of 15 to 20 cm.

The aim of this thesis was to investigate contrasting pasture management strategies on the foraging behaviour, pasture production, carcass characteristics, herbage intake, faecal gas emissions and methane emission by sheep grazing Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) pastures. The experiment was carried out in 2014 and 2015. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replicates and two grazing strategy treatments (traditional rotational stocking method – RT meaning pre- and post-grazing target heights of 25 and 5 cm, respectively and, “rotatinuous stocking” – RN with pre- and post-grazing target heights of 18 and 11 cm, respectively). The grazing management was based on a 1-day strip-grazing regime. Male castrated sheep were used. The actual average sward heights for the RN treatment were 17.9 and 11.1 cm (pre- and post-grazing, respectively) and 27.1 and 7.8 cm for the RT (pre- and post-grazing, respectively). The stocking period in 2014 was 146 and 140 days (RN and RT, respectively) and in 2015 it was 155 and 146 days (RN and RT, respectively). The diurnal animal activities (grazing, ruminating and resting time) did not differ between treatments, with average of 439.6, 166.9 and 85.0 minutes, respectively. The bite rate, feeding station per min and steps per min were greater at the RN than the RT treatment. Grazing time and bite rate were greater in the afternoon than morning in both treatments. Therefore, the daily herbage intake by sheep grazing Italian ryegrass was greater for the RN than the RT treatment (CHAPTER II). The herbage production in the RN was 28% higher than the RT treatment. Individual average daily gain and live weight gain per hectare were greater in the RN than the RT treatment (CHAPTER III). RN treatment presented greater final live weight, carcass and commercial cut weights from grazing sheep than RT treatment (CHAPTER IV). RN treatment had a faecal chemical quality greater than RT treatment, resulting in a greater daily nitrogen excretion per animal and greater faecal CH4 and N2O emissions (CHAPTER VI). The “rotatinuous stocking” (RN) was the better grazing management strategy for mitigation of CH4 emissions by sheep grazing Italian ryegrass, emitting 64% less CH4 per unit area and 170% less CH4 per unit of animal product than the traditional rotational stocking method (RT) (CHAPTER V).

Orientadora: Ana Cláudia Ruggieri / Banca: André Fischer Sbrissia / Banca: Kleber Tomás de Resende / Resumo: A produção de forragem é influenciada pelas estratégias de manejo impostas a ela, desta maneira, as técnicas para identificação do melhor momento para início e término do pastejo, aliadas aos estudos das características morfogênicas e estruturais das plantas, tornam-se úteis para direcionamento do manejo, pois buscam auxiliar no melhor entendimento do crescimento vegetal, e por conseqüência, da produção forrageira. O experimento foi realizado no setor de Forragicultura, em área pertencente à FCAV da UNESP - Jaboticabal no período de dezembro de 2008 a abril de 2009, com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de índices de área foliar residual (IAFr) sobre as características morfogênicas e estruturais, além do acúmulo de forragem em pastos de Cynodon spp cv Tifton-85 sob regime de lotação rotacionada com ovinos. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por três IAFr, 2,4, 1,6 e 0,8, mantidos por regime de lotação rotacionada com ovinos. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos completos casualizados em arranjo de parcelas subdivididas no tempo com sete repetições, totalizando 21 unidades experimentais. Foram avaliadas nas condições de pré e pós-pastejo, as alturas do dossel, os IAF e a massa de forragem, além da taxa de acúmulo de forragem e as características morfogênicas e estruturais dos pastos. No pré e pós-pastejo as alturas médias e o IAF do dossel se comportaram de forma análoga, decrescendo com a diminuição dos IAFr. O maior valor de interceptação luminosa no pós-pastejo (68,19%), foi verificado para o IAFr 2,4 e o menor valor (35,57%) para o IAFr 0,8. A taxa de aparecimento de folhas foi maior para o dossel mantido sob IAFr 0,8 em função da sua menor taxa de alongamento de colmos (0,51 cm/perfilho.dia). Os pastos mantidos sob IAFr 0,8 apresentaram maior densidade populacional de perfilhos. A massa de forragem seca... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The production of forage is influenced by handling strategies imposed on the techniques to identify the best moment for the beginning and ending of grazing, linked to the studies of morphogenetic and structural characteristics of plants, become useful tools for the directing of management for they aim to aid the best understanding of vegetal growth, and as consequence, forage plants. The experiment was conducted at Setor de Forragicultura at Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias de Jaboticabal, at UNESP - Jaboticabal from December 2008 to April 2009, and aimed to evaluate the effect of residual leaf area index (LAIr) about the morphogenical and structural characteristics, and forage accumulation in pastures of Cynodon spp cv Tifton-85 in a rotational stocking system with sheep. The treatments were constituted by three LAIr, 2,4, 1,6 e 0,8, maintained by rotational stocking with sheep. A complete randomized block design was used arranged in sub-divided parcels with seven replications, totaling 21 experimental units. They were evaluated in pre and post-grazing conditions, the height of the sward, LAI and forage mass, besides the accumulation of forage rate and the morphogenetic and structural characteristics. In the pre and post-grazing, the average height and the LAI of sward, decreasing with the diminishing of LAIr. The biggest value of light interception in post-grazing (68,19%), was verified by LAIr 2,4 and the smallest value (35,57%) for LAIr 0,8. The stem elongation rate (0,51 cm/tiller.day). The grazing maintained by LAIr 0,8 had higher tiller population density. The total dry forage mass was 27,1% superior for LAIr 2,4 regarding to LAIr 0,8 in pre-grazing conditions, being this total production, 72,0% was composed by stem fractions and dead material. The biggest rates of dry matter accumulation were observed with LAIr 2.4, in the second and third grazing cycles... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

The aim of this thesis was to investigate contrasting pasture management strategies on the foraging behaviour, pasture production, carcass characteristics, herbage intake, faecal gas emissions and methane emission by sheep grazing Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) pastures. The experiment was carried out in 2014 and 2015. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replicates and two grazing strategy treatments (traditional rotational stocking method – RT meaning pre- and post-grazing target heights of 25 and 5 cm, respectively and, “rotatinuous stocking” – RN with pre- and post-grazing target heights of 18 and 11 cm, respectively). The grazing management was based on a 1-day strip-grazing regime. Male castrated sheep were used. The actual average sward heights for the RN treatment were 17.9 and 11.1 cm (pre- and post-grazing, respectively) and 27.1 and 7.8 cm for the RT (pre- and post-grazing, respectively). The stocking period in 2014 was 146 and 140 days (RN and RT, respectively) and in 2015 it was 155 and 146 days (RN and RT, respectively). The diurnal animal activities (grazing, ruminating and resting time) did not differ between treatments, with average of 439.6, 166.9 and 85.0 minutes, respectively. The bite rate, feeding station per min and steps per min were greater at the RN than the RT treatment. Grazing time and bite rate were greater in the afternoon than morning in both treatments. Therefore, the daily herbage intake by sheep grazing Italian ryegrass was greater for the RN than the RT treatment (CHAPTER II). The herbage production in the RN was 28% higher than the RT treatment. Individual average daily gain and live weight gain per hectare were greater in the RN than the RT treatment (CHAPTER III). RN treatment presented greater final live weight, carcass and commercial cut weights from grazing sheep than RT treatment (CHAPTER IV). RN treatment had a faecal chemical quality greater than RT treatment, resulting in a greater daily nitrogen excretion per animal and greater faecal CH4 and N2O emissions (CHAPTER VI). The “rotatinuous stocking” (RN) was the better grazing management strategy for mitigation of CH4 emissions by sheep grazing Italian ryegrass, emitting 64% less CH4 per unit area and 170% less CH4 per unit of animal product than the traditional rotational stocking method (RT) (CHAPTER V).

As pesquisas com métodos de pastejo têm culminado em divergência de resultados no desempenho de plantas e animais. As diferenças quantitativas e qualitativas entre métodos de pastejo poderiam ser elucidadas se estes fossem comparados, considerando o manejo ideal proposto para cada método. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi comparar métodos de pastejo, manejados com diferentes estratégias. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos completos e casualizados com 3 tratamentos e 3 repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram em três métodos de pastejo: lotação rotativa, utilizando altura do dossel como critério de manejo (AL); lotação rotativa, utilizando oferta de forragem como critério de manejo (OF); lotação contínua, mantida a 18 cm de altura (CO). O experimento foi realizado em área total de 25,2 hectares, formada com Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu localizada na Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos da Universidade de São Paulo, em Pirassununga-SP. O período experimental de 93 dias, compreendido entre 15 de dezembro de 2011 e 15 de março de 2012 foi dividido em 3 períodos de avaliações. As variáveis foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 10% de significância. Foram observadas interações entre tratamentos e períodos de avaliação para a maioria das respostas relacionadas à planta forrageira bem como para desempenho e taxa de lotação. O teor de proteína bruta não foi afetado pelos métodos de pastejo, porém, o teor de fibra em detergente neutro foi maior para o tratamento AL. A produtividade não foi afetada pelos métodos de pastejo. Assim, o método de lotação contínua é o mais atrativo com produtividade semelhante aos demais. / Research comparing grazing methods have resulted in conflicting findings on forage and animal performance. Quantitative and qualitative differences between grazing methods could be elucidated whether the methods are compared considering the ideal management proposed for each method. The objective of this study was to compare grazing methods, managed with different strategies. The experimental design was randomized complete blocks, with three treatments and three replications. Treatments consisted in three grazing methods: rotational stocking using canopy height as a management criteria (AL), rotational stocking using forage allowance as a management criteria (OF), continuous stocking held at 18 cm height (CO).The experiment was conducted in a total area of 25.2 hectares, planted with Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, located at the Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, in Pirassununga - SP. The 93 days experimental period, from December 15th of 2011 to March 15th of 2012, was divided into three assessment periods. The variables were compared by the Tukey test at 10% significance. Interaction between treatments and assessment periods were observed in the most of the variables related to forage plant as well as animal performance and stocking rate. Crude protein concentration was not affected by grazing methods, although the neuter detergent fiber was greater to AL treatment. Productivity was not affected by grazing methods. Thus, continuous stocking method is the most attractive, with similar productivity to the others.

O uso de aditivos alimentares promotores de crescimento em bovinos de corte tem aumentado, porém, existem relativamente poucos estudos sobre uso de aditivos para bovinos em pastagem. Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de flavomicina (FL) e uma mistura de ureia comum e ureia protegida no desempenho (GMD), produtividade (GA) e consumo de suplemento (CS) por novilhas em pastagem diferida de capim-marandu (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu), de julho a novembro de 2010. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos completos casualizados, com cinco tratamentos e três repetições, arranjados num fatorial 2x2, mais um tratamento controle (suplemento mineral). Os fatores foram a inclusão de FL e a fonte de nitrogênio não proteico (NNP), adicionados a um suplemento proteico. O fator FL foi avaliado nos níveis de inclusão 0 e 100 mg kg-1 de suplemento. Foram avaliadas duas fontes de NNP: ureia comum (U) e uma mistura (M) de ureia comum (2/3 do NNP) e ureia protegida (1/3 do NNP), ambas fornecendo 365 g kg-1 de equivalente proteico ao suplemento. Foram utilizadas 120 novilhas da raça Nelore, peso médio de 206 kg, distribuídas em 15 unidades experimentais. As variáveis resposta da forragem foram massa de forragem, oferta de forragem, composição morfológica e concentração de PB, FDN e FDA. Os animais foram manejados em lotação rotativa, com 7 dias de ocupação e 28 dias de descanso, usando taxa de lotação variável para se chegar a ofertas de forragem semelhante entre tratamentos. Os animais do tratamento controle tiveram o menor GMD (-0,054 kg de peso vivo animal-1 dia-1) e tiveram o menor GA (-29,1 kg de peso vivo ha-1), enquanto ocorreu interação entre FL e fonte de NNP para as mesmas variáveis. No desdobramento da interação, o uso de FL aumentou o GMD e GA apenas na presença de U (0,055 vs. 0,116 kg animal-1 dia-1 e 29,4 vs. 59,4 kg ha-1). O uso de M no suplemento não amento GMD e GA quando comparado com U. CS não foi afetado pelos tratamentos, com médias de 0,184, 0,289 e 0,104 kg animal-1 dia-1 para os ciclos de pastejo 1, 2 e 3, respectivamente, todas diferentes entre si. A forragem não apresentou variação entre tratamentos para a maioria das variáveis estudadas. A lotação não variou entre tratamentos nem entre ciclos de pastejo (media = 2.24 AU ha-1). A inclusão de FL tem o potencial de melhorar desempenho e produtividade de novilhas e a fonte de NNP e FL não afetam o CS. / The use of growth promoter feed additives in beef cattle has increased, however, there are relatively few studies about using additives in grazing cattle. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of flavomycin (FL) and a mix of common and coated urea on average daily gain (ADG), gain per area (GA) and supplement intake (SI) of heifers grazing stockpiled palisadegrass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu), from July to November of 2010. The experimental design was randomized complete block, with five treatments and three replicates, arranged on a 2x2 factorial plus control (mineral supplement). The factors were the inclusion of FL and the source of non protein nitrogen (NPN), added to a protein supplement. The FL factor was assessed at the inclusion levels 0 and 100 mg kg-1 of supplement. Two sources of NPN were assessed: common urea (U) or a mix (M) of common urea (2/3 of NPN) and coated urea (1/3 of NPN), both providing 365 g kg-1 of protein equivalent to the supplement. A hundred and twenty Nellore heifers weighting 206 kg were distributed 15 experimental units. Forage response variables were herbage mass, herbage allowance, morphological composition and CP, NDF and ADF concentrations. The animals were managed in a rotational stocking, with 7 d grazing and 28 d resting period using a variable stocking rate to achieve similar herbage allowance among treatments. The animals receiving control treatment had the least ADG (-0,054 kg animal-1 day-1) and GA (-29.1 kg ha-1), while there was significant interaction between FL and source of NPN. In the interaction unfolding, the ADG and GA were greater in animals receiving FL in the presence of U (0.055 vs. 0.116 kg anim.-1 day-1 and 29.4 vs. 59.4 kg ha-1). The use of M in the supplement did not increase ADG and GA when compared to supplement with U. SI wasn\'t affected by treatments, with averages of 0,184, 0,289 and 0,104 kg animal-1 day-1 to grazing cycles 1, 2 and 3, respectively, all different among themselves. In general, the forage characteristics were similar among treatments. Stocking rate wasn\'t affected by both treatments and grazing cycles (mean = 2.24 AU ha-1). The inclusion of FL in the supplement has potential to improve performance and productivity of heifers and source of NPN and FL did not affect SI.