Applied research on dairy cattle feeding systems in Colombian high tropics

Abstract

<jats:p>Sustainable intensification of dairy production is a strategy to consolidate a competitive sector. However, technologies adoption is limited due to the difficulty to accessing to research results. The objective of this document was to review a compilation of research works carried out mainly by the Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation (Agrosavia) in specialized dairy feeding systems of Colombian high tropics. In soils issue, research has been carried out on soil recovery and grassland renewal. Recently, the growth of grasses has been evaluated under different environmental conditions to generate efficient forage management schemes. In 2018 was registered Altoandina oat to forage use, but, in Colombian high tropic, there is a limited offer to forages due to absence of breeding program and evaluation of germplasm. Integrated management of Collaria scenica has been developed. Characterization and use of tree and shrub species have been carried out to silvopastoral systems (SSPs). In feeding systems, Agrosavia has been working on determining chemical and nutritional compositional of feed resources and design of supplementation schemes to improve animal response. Methane production increases when mature forage species are used, contrary a balanced diet or grazing in SSPs reduces methane emissions. Finally, research developments must incorporate and recognize the production costs of the system to ensure the adoption of technologies.</jats:p>

Avena sativa AV25-T (Altoandina) Supplementation as Alternative for Colombia's High-Altitude Dairy Systems: An Economic Analysis

“…In the specialized dairy systems of Colombia, the predominant feed base is grazing of Kikuyu grass (Cenchrus clandestinus) and the use of supplementation with commercial concentrates, the latter representing a significant percentage of the total production costs (∼37%) (Cárdenas, 2003;Campuzano et al, 2018;Castillo et al, 2019). Kikuyu grass, although with good characteristics in terms of adaptability and productivity (biomass production), is affected by frost and grass bugs (Collaria scenica) (Campuzano et al, 2018).…”

“…In this sense, the Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation (ICA and CORPOICA before, now Agrosavia) has conducted forage research to improve the efficiency and reduce the seasonality of milk production in the higher tropics of Colombia. These studies have focused on seeking strategies for soil recovery and renovation of pastures, establishment and management of forage grazing systems, and production of forage crops for ruminant feeding systems (Castillo et al, 2019). Although there is no germplasm improvement and evaluation program specifically for the higher tropics, the research processes carried out by Agrosavia have led to the release of six oat cultivars in the country since the 1960s: ICA Bacatá (Avena fauta) (1963), ICA Soracá (Avena byzantina) (1965), ICA Gualcalá (Avena byzantina) (1968), ICA Cajicá (Avena sativa) (1976), Avena Obonuco Avenar (Avena sativa) (2003) and Avena Altoandina (AV25; High-Andean Oat) (2018) (Bustamante, 1965;Arias et al, 1972;Bolaños-Alomía et al, 2003;Campuzano et al, 2018).…”

Calidad composicional del ensilaje de tres cultivares de maíz (Zea mays) del trópico alto colombiano

“…Lo anterior hace que entre el 37 y 53 % de los costos de producción por litro de leche lo representa el rubro de alimentación (Federación Colombiana de Ganaderos et al, 2013). Por lo cual, para optimizar la calidad y producción de leche y/o carne, es necesario evaluar estrategias de alimentación viables a nivel económico (Castillo et al, 2019).…”