How lamb production systems can affect the characteristics and sward structure of Tifton 85 pasture?

• DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2020.106124
• Publication Date: 2020-04-30T17:06:40Z
• Authors: Cláudio José Araú...; Alda Lúcia Gomes ...; Marina Gabriela B...; Sergio Rodrigo Fe...; Amanda Moser Coel...; Cesar Henrique Es...
• Keywords: Tifton; Cynodon

Aimed at understanding how lamb production systems can affect sward structure in tropical grass pastures, the productive, structural and morphological characteristics of Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) pasture were evaluated four systems: non-weaned non-supplemented lambs (NW); receiving concentrate supplementation creep feeding (CF); early-weaned not supplemented (W); with (WS). The trial lasted 105 days was set out a randomized block design treatments (systems), three replications (paddocks) five per replication. In weaning, weaned 46 ± 6 age immediately allocated to paddocks; supplementation, received daily protein–energy 2% body weight (BW) on dry matter (DM) basis. Continuous stocking management used forage allowance kept 12% BW DM/day all systems. Changes more intense up 63 grazing. Sward height mass higher WS compared NW CF systems, accumulation rate also other leaves stems system than NW. Higher heterogeneity observed when weaning performed. Forage concentrated 20 cm without stem 0–10 stratum leaf highly exposed grazing 10–20 stratum. presented greatest dispersion strata, which increased provided lambs. Independent lambs, resulted better structure, leaf/stem ratio for animals pasture. addition, had deleterious effect structure.