The objective of this study was to evaluate Cynodon species 'Tifton 85' at different hay production phases (harvest, baling, and storage) and different (N) rates. Dehydration of the first crop was carried out in the field, while the second crop was in the shed. Dry matter and protein content increased linearly with the N rates. Dehydration in the shed was not effective for hay production, since dry matter did not reach the desired level of 850 g kg -1. During the hay production period (harvest, baling, and storage), the content of acid detergent fiber of the first crop and the second crop increased by 25.32 and 7.38%, respectively, and that of lignin increased by 21.33 and 32.27%, respectively. Forage digestibility decreased by 4.55%, when dehydration occurred in the field, whereas it decreased by 14.68% when dehydration occurred in the shed, a difference higher than 300% due to the loss of soluble carbohydrates. Overall, the findings of this study indicate that forage dehydration for hay production needs to be carried out in the field under appropriate environmental conditions to prevent nutritional losses. Additionally, dry matter of Tifton 85 increased by 20.40% and protein content increased by 18.65%, which equals 514.27 kg of soybean meal at 100 kg ha -1 of N.

This study was aimed to evaluate the production of forage and residual straw, structural characteristics and nutritional value of white oat under different soil use in an integrated crop-livestock system. The experiment was conducted in the autumn-winter seasons of 2009, 2010 and 2011 using a randomized block design in a scheme of tracks. Six forms of soil were distributed in tracks and were used to cultivate oats: residue grazing with a height of 10 or 20 cm (G10 and G20); cutting for haymaking with a residue height of 10 or 20 cm (C10 and C20); without grazing or cutting of oat plants with subsequent direct sowing of the summer crop (NC -TS) and without grazing or cutting with subsequent conventional tillage of the soil for sowing of the crop summer (NC -CS). In 2009, 2010 and 2011 three, one and two evaluations were accomplished each year, respectively. We studied the production of forage and residual straw, structural characteristics and nutritional quality of the forage produced. The total forage production in 2009 and 2011 did not differ between soil uses; however, it was higher in the uses with a residue height of 10 cm in 2010. The white oat under cuts or grazing gave high forage dry matter, while straw production was reduced with cuts or grazing. Forage of superior quality and with better production distributed throughout the autumn-winter was obtained when the white oat was managed with grazing or cuttings.