Management to minimize nutrient loss and enhance recycling in grazed grasslands

• Grant number: 02/13135-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: June 01, 2004
• End date: August 31, 2004
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Pastures and Forage Crops
• Principal Investigator: Ana Cláudia Ruggieri
• Grantee: Ana Cláudia Ruggieri
• Host Investigator: Lynn E. Sollenberger
• Host Institution: Instituto de Zootecnia. Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA). Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento (São Paulo - Estado). Nova Odessa , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Florida, Gainesville (UF), United States

Abstract

Determine the effect of pasture management (combinations of stocking rate and N fertilizer rate) and grazing method (continuous vs. rotational) on behavior of grazing livestock, the spatial distribution of dung and urine deposits on pasture. Relate spatial distribution of dung and urine in defined pasture zones (based on distance from shade and water) with % cover by grass, plant root mass, plant growth rate, plant nutrient conc., and magnitude of changes in soil nutrient concentrations in those zones. Quantify the role of grazing environments in determining livestock behavior and spatial distribution of dung and urine through observations across a range of temp, and solar radiation conditions. Under continuous stocking quantify the effect of pasture management intensity on forage allowance, weight gain of grazing. (AU)