It was aimed to study the effects of nitrogen and sulphur combinations on the concentrations of nitrogen and sulphur and on the relationship of nutrients in diagnostic leaves and in degrading roots of signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens Stapf.) before fertilizations. It was collected cylinders with plant + soil from a degrading pasture in an area of typic Quartzpsamment soil. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse from November 2003 to March 2004. Five levels of nitrogen (0; 100; 200; […]

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of including legumes (clover) and the application of nitrogen on oat forage structural composition and production and the animal production in crop-live stocking integration system. It was used a random block experimental design with three replications. The factors were arranged in split-plots, so the plots were composed of evaluation periods and the split-plots were composed of the combination of clover with nitrogen fertilization(200 kg of N/ha using urea). The pasture […]

Sheep and cattle farmers need pastoral systems that are more productive and environmentally sustainable. The role that high feeding value herb and legume forage species can play in the farms of the future is highlighted. It is shown that species such as chicory (Cichorium intybus), plantain (Plantago lanceolata), red clover (Trifolium pratense) and white clover (T.repens) can provide live weight gains in lambs that are 70% greater than those from perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) based pastures. A case for replicated […]

Chemical treatment of roughage has been the aim of studies for a long time. However, until nowadays, many questions are arisen due to the efficiency of additives used in relation to the variation of answers, either in nutritive value of treated roughage or in performance of animals feed with diet containing such roughage. This revision will approach the main and most used products, which are anhydrous ammonia, urea, sodium hydroxide and calcium oxide. It has been noticed that ammonization (both […]

This study aimed to verify the existence of genetic variation among guineagrass cultivars regarding the effect of maturity on chemical composition and digestibility, and to classify the genotypes according to productive characteristics and nutritional quality. A randomized block design, with split- plots and three replications, was used. Dates of the cuts were considered as the plots, and the genotypes were considered as the sub- plots. Dry matter yield differed among the genotypes only at 90 days of growth, but the […]

This paper aims to discuss the scientific progress obtained in the past ten years in genetics and plant breeding, soil fertility and plant nutrition and the importance of target sward conditions for planning, controlling and recommending management grazing of tropical grasses. In addition, progress in crop-livestock integration systems and management alternatives for mitigation of greenhouse gas emission by beef cattle production systems, two very important areas related to sustainable production systems, will also be discussed.

It was evaluated in this work, crop yield, fermentative quality and nutritional value of the silage of cultivars of white (Avena Sativa L.) and black (Avena Strigosa Schreb) oats cut at two development stages. It was used an experimental randomized block design in a 4 x 2 factorial scheme, consisting of four oat cultivars (two cultivars of black oats: Aveia Preta Comum and UTFP 971; and two cultivars of white oats: ER 91156- 1- 2- 1 and SI 98105- b), […]

It was evaluated the addition of calcium oxide (0; 0.5; 1.0; 1.5; and 2.0% of dry matter) effect on the chemical composition and ruminal degradability of the dry matter and neutral detergent fiber, on the losses of dry matter, and on the microbial population in sugar cane silages. A design with five levels of calcium oxide and three replications was used. All the variables were influenced by the addition of calcium oxide in the silages, except the composition in acid […]

Human activities are contributing to Global Climate Change through the production of Green House Gases (GHG), which result in increased air, land and ocean temperatures and extreme changes in precipitation in regions of low and high rainfall. The most important GHG’s are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). It is estimated that 18 % of the annual GHG emissions come from different types of livestock and that 37% of CH4, with higher global warming potential (23) relative […]

Caatinga is the most important biome for the livestock in the Brazilian semi-arid region. This review paper aimed to present information on different forage aspects of caatinga vegetation for ruminant feeding. Caatinga vegetation is formed mainly by shrubs and small trees, usually presenting thorns, deciduous leaves, and leaf abscission occurring frequently at the onset of the dry season. Additional components of the botanical composition in this biome includes the families cactaceae, bromeliaceae, and a herbaceous component formed by grasses, legumes, […]