Productivity, utilization efficiency and sward targets for mixed pastures of marandugrass, forage peanut and tropical kudzu

Andrade, C. M. S. de; García, Rasmo; Valentim, J. F.; Pereira, Odilon Gomes

doi:10.1590/s1516-35982012000300006

Cited by 17 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 14 publications

(16 reference statements)

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“…The introduction of a forage legume such as Stylosanthes spp. or forage groundnut (Arachis pintoi) into these pastures has been shown to be very effective in increasing pasture yields and animal weight gains (Vilela and Ayarza, 2002;Andrade et al, 2012) although adoption has been poor, as very careful management is required for the legume to persist in the sward. The great advantage of the legume is the complete elimination of the GHG emissions (fossil CO 2 from natural gas) associated with the manufacture and application of N fertilizer (Robertson and Grace, 2004) and possibly lower N 2 O emissions.…”

Section: Scenariomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In tropical regions, most production is on unfertilized pastures of grasses of African origin, mainly Brachiaria spp. Large responses in animal live weight gain (LWG) can be obtained with applications of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizer or with the introduction of forage legumes (Euclides Filho et al, 2002;Andrade et al, 2012). The manufacture of fertilizers, especially N, requires significant fossil fuel inputs and hence increases the overall GHG emissions of the production systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact of the intensification of beef production in Brazil on greenhouse gas emissions and land use

Cardoso

Berndt

Leytem

et al. 2016

Agricultural Systems

169

109

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Brazil has the largest herd of beef cattle in the world, estimated at approximately 200 million animals. Production is predominantly pasture-based and low input and hence time to slaughter is long, which promotes high methane (CH 4) emissions per kg of product. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of increasing animal productivity using fertilizers, forage legumes, supplements and concentrates, on the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in five scenarios for beef production in Brazil. A life cycle analysis (LCA) approach, from birth of calves to mature animals ready for slaughter at the farm gate, was utilized using Tier 2 methodologies of the IPCC and the results expressed in equivalents of carbon dioxide (CO 2 eq) per kg of carcass produced. Fossil CO 2 emitted in the production of supplements, feeds and fertilizers was included using standard LCA techniques. The first four scenarios were based solely on cattle production on pasture, ranging from degraded Brachiaria pastures, through to a mixed legume/Brachiaria pasture and improved N-fertilized pastures of Guinea grass (Panicum maximum). Scenario 5 was the most intensive and was also based on an N-fertilized Guinea grass pasture, but with a 75-day finishing period in confinement with total mixed ration (TMR). Across the scenarios from 1 to 5 the increase in digestibility promoted a reduction in the forage intake per unit of animal weight gain and a concomitant reduction in CH 4 emissions. For the estimation of nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions from animal excreta, emission factors from a study in the Cerrado region were utilized which postulated lower emission from dung than from urine and much lower emissions in the long dry season in this region. The greatest impact of intensification of the beef production systems was a 7-fold reduction of the area necessary for production from 320 to 45 m 2 /kg carcass. Carcass production increased from 43 to 65 Mg per herd across the scenarios from 1 to 5, and total emissions per kg carcass were estimated to be reduced from 58.3 to 29.4 kg CO 2 eq/kg carcass. Even though animal weight gain was lower in the mixed grass-legume scenario (3) than for the N-fertilized Guinea grass pastures (scenarios 4 and 5) GHG emissions per kg carcass were similar as the legume N 2 fixation input had no fossil-fuel cost. A large source of uncertainty for the construction of such LCAs was the lack of data for enteric CH 4 emissions from cattle grazing tropical forages.

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Section: Scenariomentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the intensification of beef production in Brazil on greenhouse gas emissions and land use

Cardoso

Berndt

Leytem

et al. 2016

Agricultural Systems

169

109

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…In Acre state (Amazon biome), improved grass-legume pastures of Massai grass-forage peanut managed under rotational stocking had an average carrying capacity of 3.6 AU/ha during the rainy season and 1.8 AU/ha during the dry season (Andrade et al, 2006). Rotationally grazed pastures of Marandu grass mixed with forage peanut and tropical kudzu had an average annual carrying capacity of 2.5 AU/ha (Andrade et al, 2012), which is also higher than the state average (Valentim and Andrade, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intensification of cattle ranching production systems: socioeconomic and environmental synergies and risks in Brazil

Latawiec

Strassburg

Valentim

et al. 2014

Animal

116

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Intensification of Brazilian cattle ranching systems has attracted both national and international attention due to its direct relation with Amazon deforestation on the one hand and increasing demand of the global population for meat on the other. Since Brazilian cattle ranching is predominantly pasture-based, we particularly focus on pasture management. We summarize the most recurrent opportunities and risks associated with pasture intensification that are brought up within scientific and political dialogues, and discuss them within the Brazilian context. We argue that sustainable intensification of pasturelands in Brazil is a viable way to increase agricultural output while simultaneously sparing land for nature. Since environmental degradation is often associated with low-yield extensive systems in Brazil, it is possible to obtain higher yields, while reversing degradation, by adopting practices like rotational grazing, incorporation of legumes and integrated crop-livestock-forestry systems. Technical assistance is however essential, particularly for small-and medium-scale farmers. Sound complementary policies and good governance must accompany these measures so that a 'rebound effect' does not lead to increased deforestation and other adverse social and environmental impacts. It is also important that animal welfare is not compromised. Although the discussion is presented with respect to Brazil, some aspects are relevant to other developing countries.

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“…Assis et al (2008) evaluated 21 genotypes of pinto peanut and observed that the dry matter production varied from 1,609 to 4,132 kg/ha.year, and the Belmonte cultivar was a highlight among all genotypes. It is worthy to note that the mix between Belmonte cultivar and the forage grasses has increased the productivity and profitability of the systems where it is already in use (Andrade et al, 2012;Oliveira, 2007). Fialho (2015) studying the characteristics of A. pintoi cv.…”

Section: Pinto Peanut (A Pintoi)mentioning

confidence: 99%

The utilization of tropical legumes to provide nitrogen to pastures: A review

Gimenes¹,

Barbosa²,

Gerdes³

et al. 2017

Afr. J. Agric. Res.

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. In this context, the introduction of forage legumes in the pasture system is fundamental to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and supply it to grasses, increasing its production and persistence, enhancing animal nutrition as it grazes, at the same time. Still, the use of plant mixes in the system brings further benefits to it, such as better utilization of fertilizers as well as enhances the nutrient cycle and soil coverage. However, there are still many gaps in our knowledge regarding intercropping legumes and grasses, especially the use of tropical legumes. The purpose of this review is compiles data about forage legumes as well as analyses them to find new tendencies and gaps on the knowledge to shed some lights on researches in this area. We also expect that this review will help researchers and producers to understand the role of forage legumes in a pasture system and that there will be an increase in its utilization worldwide, especially in the tropics, where nitrogen is easily leached and lost from the pastures. With emphasis on description of promising tropical legumes but still little used Arachis pintoi, Macrotyloma and Neonotonia whightii.

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Productivity, utilization efficiency and sward targets for mixed pastures of marandugrass, forage peanut and tropical kudzu

Cited by 17 publications

References 14 publications

Impact of the intensification of beef production in Brazil on greenhouse gas emissions and land use

Impact of the intensification of beef production in Brazil on greenhouse gas emissions and land use

Intensification of cattle ranching production systems: socioeconomic and environmental synergies and risks in Brazil

The utilization of tropical legumes to provide nitrogen to pastures: A review

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