Feeding Systems with Legumes to Intensify Dairy Farms - cgiar

Effect on Milk Yield of the Association of
Brachiaria brizantha with Arachis pintoi in the
Alto Mayo Region of the Peruvian Amazon
Deysy Lara and Keneth Reategui
FUNDAAM and DEPAAM, Peru
The inclusion of legumes in pastures of Brachiaria decumbens and B.
brizantha in the Alto Mayo region is a feasible alternative to increase animal
productivity. This study therefore aimed to evaluate the effect of Arachis
pintoi cv. Maní forrajero associated with Brachiaria on milk production and
stocking rate of grazing cows.
Materials and Methods
The treatments evaluated were: T1, B. brizantha in monoculture; and
T2, A. pintoi associated with several species of Brachiaria.
Plots of the associated pasture, 4 ha in size, were established on a small
farm in Soritor. Initial availability of forage, milk production, and stocking
rate were recorded. Crossbred Gyr x Holstein cows were used in this
evaluation. These same animals grazed both types of pastures.
Each pasture was divided into two equivalent paddocks and animals
grazed each paddock for 7 days. Milk production was measured in each
paddock as of Day 3, during maximum precipitation. Forage availability
and botanical composition were measured with random samplings in each
paddock at the beginning of the grazing cycle.
Results
During the experimental period the producer controlled the
rest/occupation periods and the number of animals grazing. The stocking
rate of each pasture was calculated on the basis of these indicators: 2.07
AU/ha on pastures of B. brizantha and 4.13 AU/ha in the associated
pasture.
Forage availability and components of evaluated pastures indicated that
total available DM in the associated pasture B. brizantha/A. pintoi was 7.59
t/ha at the beginning of grazing, with legumes accounting for 6% and weeds
for 11% of the botanical composition of the pasture. The pasture of B.
brizantha alone produced 6.29 t DM/ha, with 9% weeds.
70