Productivity and reproductive performance of grazing beef heifers bred at 18 months of age
Motta de Souza, A.N.; da Rocha, M.G.; Roso, D.; Poetter, L.; Nunes da Rosa, A.T.; Ilha, G.F.; Cerato Confortin, A.C.
Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia-Brazilian Journal of Animal Science 41(2): 306-313
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 1806-9290 Accession: 070673661
The experiment was carried out to evaluate the performance and body development of beef heifers reared from 15 to 18 months of age on Pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum), Alexandergrass pasture (Urochloa plantaginea) or native pasture invaded by Annoni-2 grass (Eragrostis plana Nees). The experimental design was completely randomized following a repeated measure arrangement, with three treatments and two replications. The grazing method was continuous with variable stocking rate in order to maintain the sward height at 40 cm. Masses of leaf, stem and dead material, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber were similar between Pearl millet and Alexandergrass. Average daily gain, stocking rate, live weight gain per hectare, body weight, body condition score, weight-to-height ratio and reproductive tract score of the heifers kept on annual summer pastures (Pearl millet or Alexandergrass) were superior, compared with the heifers on Annoni-2 grass pasture.