Pastures and Landscape Conservation Beef Cattle Ranching in the Pantanal Pastures and Landscape Conservation › BEEF CATTLE RANCHING in the PANTANAL 1

THIS PUBLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN PARTNERSHIP BY © WWF-Brasil / A. Cambone, R. Isotti – Homo ambiens Cover photos: Embrapa Pantanal / Sandra Santos Raquel Brunelli This publication was printed on FSC-Certified paper

Pastures and landscape conservation Beef cattle ranching in the Pantanal

1st edition / October 2012 WWF-Brazil Embrapa Pantanal 2 Pastures and landscape conservation › BEEF CATTLE RANCHING IN THE PANTANAL

WWF-Brazil Embrapa Pantanal WWF-Brazil is a Brazilian non-governmental organization devoted to na- Embrapa Pantanal is one of the 47 units of Embrapa (Portuguese ac- ture conservation. Its goal is to harmonize human activity with biodiver- ronym for Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária), the Brazilian sity conservation and promote the sustainable use of natural resources, Agriculture Research Agency, which is linked to the Federal Ministry of in the benefit of citizens today and in future generation. WWF-Brazil was Agriculture, Cattle Breeding and Food Supply. Embrapa Pantanal was created in 1996 and its headquarters are in Brasilia. The organization created in 1975, as a small research unit to meet the demands from the develops projects throughout Brazil. WWF-Brazil is a member of WWF, extensive cattle ranching in the Pantanal region. In 1984, after identify- the largest independent nature conservation network, with actions in ing the region’s social, economic and environmental complexity, the over 100 countries worldwide, with the support of approximately 5 mil- organization expanded its mission and research approaches. Embrapa lion people, including its members and volunteers. Pantanal technical staff is presently composed of over 134 employees, including researchers, analysts and research support assistants. WWF-Brasil SHIS EQ QL 6/8 Embrapa Pantanal Conjunto E / Brasília – DF Rua 21 de Setembro, 1880 CEP 71.620-430 Bairro Nossa Senhora de Fátima Tel. +55 61 3364400 Caixa Postal 109 / Corumbá (MS) Fax+556133647474 CEP 79.320-900 www.wwf.org.br Tel. +55 67 3234-5800 / 5900 Fax +55 67 3234-5815 www.cpap.embrapa.br

Pasture and By WWF-Brazil Photos » Raquel Brunelli and Sandra Aparecida Santos, from landscape Embrapa Pantanal Embrapa Pantanal, and São Roque Agropecuária. A. Cambone, R. conservation 1st Edition / October 2012 Isotti – Homo ambiens (WWF-Brazil). Adriano Gambarini (WWF-Brazil). ISBN 978-85-86440-67-0 Gustavo Ybarra (WWF-Bolivia). Beef cattle ranching Graphic design » Márcio Duarte (m10 design) in the Pantanal WWF-Brazil Communications » Aldem Bourscheit ([email protected]) Summary

1 Introduction: pasture and landscape conservation 5 2 Soil use and conservation 8 3 Native rangelands conservation and management 11 4 Grown pastures management and formation 15 5 Grazing system productive features 19 6 Rural property sustainable management 23 7 Summary of good practices 26 Ecoregions Chaco Cerrado Pantanal Atlantic Forest Chiquitana Forest Andean Yungas Andean ecosystems

The Pantanal is located within the Paraguay River Basin, encompassing Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina. Map: WWF-Brazil Introduction: pasture and 1 landscape conservation

Studies made by the Brazilian federal govern- resources adequate management by the ment and NGOs – such as WWF-Brazil, Ecoa Pantanal cowboy, the so called ‘homem pan- (Ecologia e Ação), Conservation International, taneiro’ (Pantanal man). Avina Foundation and SOS Pantanal --, with In other words, the extensive cattle ran- technical support from Embrapa Pantanal, ching model has reached a balance between show that Pantanal is the best conserved cattle and nature. ecosystem in Brazil, with nearly 87% of its Nevertheless, this balance is threatened native vegetation still intact. It is also the by human activities. Deforestation and the largest continental floodplain on Earth, and inadequate land management for agriculture shelters a great many animals and plants, and ranching are some of the main threats to besides featuring unique landscapes. the Paraguay River Basin (see map on pre- In such an environment, regional charac- vious page), particularly in the higher part of teristics, particularly the upward and downward the Basin. As a result, there is erosion, silta- movement of the waters, has been modeling tion of rivers, and floods in areas which were cattle ranching for over 300 years now. The previously not flooded. Over 8 million people first official record for cattle breeding in the area are now dwelling within this hydrographic ba- dates from 1737. Today, 95% of the Pantanal sin, which also features 30 million cattle heads lands are private properties, and eight out of and nearly 7 million hectares of plantations. ten hectares are used for breeding beef cattle. Another important point to keep the ba- Without a doubt, the conservation of lance is the correct management of pastures those landscapes depends on the natural and herds. Native rangelands are the Pantanal 6 Pastures and landscape conservation › BEEF CATTLE RANCHING IN THE PANTANAL

chief natural resource, and they can be found One of the main problems faced by rural in practically every landscape. Native rangelan- producers in the Pantanal is degradation of both ds provide feed for the cattle and wildlife, be- native and exotic pastures by invasive species, sides playing an important environmental role: which decrease the pasture support capacity. they protect the soil, ensure nutrient cycling, Invasive species are often established due provide a freshwater reservoir, and so on and to inadequate management of pastures (throu- so forth. Embrapa data reveal that there are gh mowing, cutting, and so forth) and of herds 1,863 plant species in the Pantanal. (excessive or low live stocking rate). This stres- Grown pastures also require efficient ma- ses the relevance of good management practi- nagement and use. This means adjusting the ces to maintain the balance between livestock cattle stocking rate in order to avoid overgra- production and ecosystem conservation. zing, excessive trampling and pasture degra- Moreover, the voluntary implementation of dation, to ensure good vegetation cover and good practices by Pantanal ranchers may en- protect soil fertility. courage the use of instruments already in use Moreover, pasture formation in the Pan- in other parts of the country, such as the pay- tanal must be done mainly in areas which are ment for environmental services, which incre- already deforested or degraded, for this me- ases the activity productivity and profit while ans lower financial cost and a lower ecological having less negative impacts upon nature. impact. The major goal of pasture formation in Therefore, the good practices which are the plain should be to reinforce the herd feed. recommended in this booklet are presented Total replacement of native rangelands by in the spirit of increasing beef cattle ranching grown pastures is not recommended. The re- sustainability in the Pantanal and ensuring commendation is to replace part of the native cattle ranchers’ profit, while conserving the rangelands which occupy the areas which are natural wealth which sustains the economic not having much use for cattle feed. activities in this important Brazilian ecosystem. © WWF-Brasil / Adriano Gambarini © WWF-Bolívia / Gustavo Ybarra

Evaldo Luis Cardoso and Sandra Aparecida decomposition, and this ensures good soil Santos, researchers at Embrapa Pantanal and ecosystem conservation. Soil conservation in the Pantanal plains is Soil is a natural resource and its conservation directly linked to native vegetation adequate depends on management techniques which management. Contrary to what happens in are adequate to its suitability and can ensure conventional agriculture, native rangelands the quality and maintenance of its physical, are not impacted by intense upturning of the chemical and biological features. soil which increases the chances of erosion Unlike most Brazilian soils, in the Pan- and favors organic matter decomposition. tanal the main soil use is restricted to native Therefore, good soil conservation practi- vegetation for extensive beef cattle ranching. ces mean avoiding overgrazing by the adop- The vegetation basically consists of exten- tion of an adequate livestock stocking rate for sive native rangelands and tree formations, the various types of pastures, as well as kee- such as forest, tropical savannah (cerrado), ping a soil seedbank, together with restricting savannah forest (cerradão), rangeland fields grazing in native rangelands order to ensure (campo cerrado), and rangelands with shrubs the flowering and seed production. When fire (campo sujo), among several others. use is inevitable, it requires a license from the In those native environments, the vegeta- authority and strict compliance with required tion cover is harmoniously integrated with the criteria for fire control. soil, due to essential processes of nutrients Special attention must be paid to the cycling and organic matter accumulation and correct management of grown pastures to re- Pastures and landscape conservation › BEEF CATTLE RANCHING IN THE PANTANAL 9

place part of the low quality native vegetation and grown pastures becomes even more (see chapter 3). This also requires a license important. from public authorities and must aim at main- Inadequate management may contri- taining satisfactory amounts of organic matter bute to deplete the soil organic matter and in the soil. fertility. This depletion may compromise the Considering that soil liming and fertili- ecosystems recovery and decrease the pro- zation are not used in the Pantanal, mostly duction capacity, the supply of environmen- due to the predominance of sandy soil, the tal services – such as water retention – and rational management of native rangelands the very cattle ranching sustainability. Altas taxas de lotação degradam a pastagens e o solo © Embrapa Pantanal / Sandra Santos

Inadequate management compromises the grown pastures High livestock stocking promote rangeland and soil degradation. productivity and may cause soil degradation.

Well managed pastures, as for instance the field with a predominance of Mimoso grass, allows the grass flowering, promotes soil conservation and favors good pasture productivity. Native rangelands conservation 3 and management

Sandra Aparecida Santos, Sandra Mara Araújo This will depend on the grazing system Crispim, José Comastri Filho, and Evaldo Luís (whether it is continuous, rotational, or restric- Cardoso, researchers at Embrapa Pantanal ted grazing), on the feed supplement (whether it is protein, energy, or mineral), and on Native rangelands are the basic feed for the invasive species control strategies. herds in the Pantanal. Together with forest Rangelands may be classed according to areas, rangelands have great ecological rele- the landscape, vegetation formation, dominant vance, protecting soils and providing essen- plant, and the key grass fodder in cattle diet. tial environmental services, such as carbon The dominant species is also the most abun- storage and water supply. Rangelands also dant one in a certain region, while the key provide feed for the deer, capybara, and fodder is the preferred grass for beef cattle. other large herbivores. Landscapes vary among forests, sa- The main challenge faced by technical staff vannas, and fields; they may be usually dry, and decision makers has to do with the mana- flooded or moist. The main feeding areas for gement and monitoring of native rangelands, the cattle are those in the open fields (refer- since their characteristics vary from one region red to as ‘clean’), dense savannah fields, bay to another and from one year to another. edges, and lowlands. Rangelands sustainable management should Few native grass species are considered take into consideration the type of grass to to be a key fodder; nevertheless, a greater be used for pasture, its availability and quality. effort is due for their maintenance, since 12 Pastures and landscape conservation › BEEF CATTLE RANCHING IN THE PANTANAL

besides enriching the animal feed, they are The native and exotic rangelands support relevant for biodiversity conservation. capacity is decreased due to the invasion of Therefore, the increased supply of key shrubs, trees, and herbs – such as ‘canji- species in the grazing areas should be the queira’ (Byrsonima orbignyana), ‘assa-peixe’ main goal of rangeland management in the (Vernonia Polysphaera), ‘cambará’ (Vochysia Pantanal. The better quality grass species are divergens), the sandpaper tree or ‘lixeira’ found in the flooded areas, requiring manage- (Curatella americana), ‘malva-branca’ (Wal- ment to adapt to the high and low pulses of teria albicans), ‘araxicum’ (Annona coria- freshwater. Pantanal biodiversity conservation cea), ‘guanxuma’ (Sida spp), and ‘pombeiro’ basically depends on keeping its landscape (Combretum spp). mosaic, which is composed of several native In areas with more fertile and clayey soils, fodder grasses. such as in Miranda and Nabile regions, one of Pantanal native rangelands sustainability the most aggressive invasive species is ‘aromi- occurs when the floristic diversity and reco- ta’ (Acacia farnesiana), which is largely found very capacity are maintained through time, alongside highways and other areas which even in the face of natural disorder or turmoil have been altered by human activity. To clean caused by mankind. grasslands in the Pantanal it is necessary to On the other hand, the intensity and fre- have a license from the competent authority. quency of droughts, forest fires, floods, and Invasive species (native or exotic ones) inadequate livestock stocking rate may alter the spread out in places where they do not natu- ecosystems and produce a favorable environ- rally occur and are harmful for the ecosystem ment for the dissemination of invasive plants. and rural production. The predominance of And that is one of the main problems such species depends on soil and climate faced by rural producers in the Pantanal. conditions, as well as on human actions, Pastures and landscape conservation › BEEF CATTLE RANCHING IN THE PANTANAL 13

such as management and control. Inadequa- become unfeasible due to the high costs of te livestock stocking rate and management manual and mechanic controls. may favor the invasive plant dissemination. Due to Pantanal landscape complexity, it In the Pantanal, the progress or retreat of is important to stress that there are no single many species follow the flood and drought rules for managing and controlling the various cycles; this can either promote grassland invasive species. In order to ensure an effecti- clearing, or allow for higher or lower degree ve control, it is necessary to be aware of each of infestation in the fields. In a sequence native species’ invasion threshold (its density) in of very dry years, several trees move on to the various phytophysiognomies or landscapes. lower regions – this is the case of ‘lixeira’ In the case of an invasion by ‘canjiqueira’ (Curatella americana), ‘maminha’ (Zantho- (Byrsonima orbignyana) on an open field, this xylum rigidum) and ‘canjiqueira’ (Byrsonima species must be removed when the plant orbignyana). With the exception of canji- density exceeds approximately 600 speci- queira, which does not tolerate floods, the mens by hectares. In flooded areas, the plant other species retreat when the water is back. should be cut at the trunk base and this must Therefore, their control is desired, as their be done before the flood. In other places, a high density in sandy fields decreases the tooth blade can be used to extract the whole occurrence of fodder plants and renders cat- plant, and the remains should not be left in tle management more difficult. piles on the pasture. When natural recovery is still possible, Annex 1 presents a table of the main the recovery capacity of rangeland ecosys- grass species in the Pantanal, as well as tips tems depends on the invasive plant density for controlling the invasive species. It may be or coverage levels. Otherwise, recovery may accessed at wwf.org.br/cartilha_pantanal USUALLY DRY LANDSCAPE © Embrapa Pantanal / Sandra Santos

Phytophysiognomy: Clean field in sandy Pantanal. Dominant Phytophysiognomy: Savanna. Dominant species : lixeira / and key species: grama-do-cerrado (Mesosetum chaseae). fura-buxo. Key species: Gymnopogon sp.

SEASONALLY FLOODED LANDSCAPE USUALLY HUMID LANDSCAPE

Phytophysiognomy: Inland and bay edge.Dominant species: Phytophysiognomy: lowland in sandy Pantanal. Key and camalote (Pontederia cordata). Key species: capim-de-capivara dominant species: capim-mimosinho (Reimarochloa spp.). (Hymenachne amplexicaulis) and capim-arroz (Luziola subintegra). Grown pastures 4 management and formation

José Anibal Comastri Filho and Sandra Mara Good practices for grown pastures for- Araújo Crispim, researchers at Embrapa Pantanal mation and management include the following: choosing areas with savannah fields The purpose of grown pasture formation and (campo-cerrado) with low quality grass spe- management in sandy Pantanal areas, such as cies; analyze soils to determine its soaking Nhecolândia and Paiaguás, is to increase the degree and time; harrow and plow twice the animal feed availability. In practice, a joint mana- land (once at the peak of the drought and a gement of grown pastures and native rangelan- second time just before sowing); use techni- ds is necessary in order to ensure the required cal assistance to identify the best seed and quantity and quality of fodder throughout the grass species for that plantation; sow in an year. This measure should meet the needs of adequate way and at the beginning of the beef cattle development and raise herd pro- rain season; only allow animals to enter the ductivity, thus decreasing production costs. formed area after 90-120 days; determine the It is important to point out that pasture ideal livestock stocking rate for the pasture, formation in the Pantanal does not, whatsoe- based on the amount of grass, among other ver, mean to completely replace native grass considerations. by grown species, but rather to replace part Those techniques ensure cheaper pastu- of the coarse grass occupying areas which re formation and less environmental impact. are little used by herds. They are an option for periods when feed 16 Pastures and landscape conservation › BEEF CATTLE RANCHING IN THE PANTANAL

availability is critical, particularly during flood. the following Brachiaria species: Urocloa hu- They also prepare for calf weaning, decrease midicola or U. dictyoneura, mixing with 50% the break between births, and support the of U. brizantha or U. decumbens. This mix recovery of riding bulls and of the cows after quickly provides good soil cover, preparing for lactation. Furthermore, they prepare for the the entrance of animals upon the pasture. reproducing period of heifers used to recom- In any Pantanal property, pasture for- pose the herd. mation depends on social, economic, and Embrapa Pantanal recommends, for environmental impact studies. In order to instance, to grow pasture in sandy wetlands, contemplate those necessary conditions with 30-50% in areas of dense field campo( - while ensuring sustainable economic re- -cerrado) with a predominance of coarse turn (rentability), it is necessary to adjust the grasses – such as ‘carona’ (Elyonurus muti- amount of animals according to the pasture cus), ‘vermelho’ (Andropogon glaucescens), support capacity. ‘rabo-de-burro’ (Andropogon bicornis), and For instance, in areas which are subject ‘fura-bucho’(Paspalum sp.); and in the are- to great flooding, the livestock stocking rate as of sparse savannah (cerrado ralo), where should be 0.5 animal per hectare. In areas there is a predominance of species such as where flooding is scarce, stocking may reach ‘guaranazinho’ (Copaifera martii), ‘cajuzinho’ 0.8 per hectare. (Anacardium humile), and ‘pata-de-vaca’ In livestock stocking calculation, it is (Bauhinia forficata). necessary to take into account the mosaic In order to increase the fodder supply for composed of native rangelands and grown the animals in those environments, the re- pastures, and their quality, which depends commendation is to form grown pastures with on factors like the land altitude and the soil Pastures and landscape conservation › BEEF CATTLE RANCHING IN THE PANTANAL 17

humidity. The fact that vegetation variety is may be overcome with well managed gro- also a source of feed for wildlife must not wn pastures. be overlooked. This fact is encouraged by well marked In the past 30 years, due to the low dry periods (from July to September), when availability and quality of native rangelands the intake of native grass decreases due to in some areas, farmers are introducing exo- the grass aging; and in the rain periods (from tic grass species in some Pantanal regions. December to April), when there is a decrease This means that native rangeland deficiency in grazing areas. Tropical savannah (Cerradão) and forest

Savanna ﬁeld (campo-cerrado)

Dry area

Andropogon Caronal © Embrapa Pantanal / Sandra Santos © Embrapa Pantanal / Sandra Santos © Embrapa Pantanal / Raquel Brunelli © Embrapa Pantanal / Raquel Brunelli

Phytophysiognomies preferably fit for the introduction of pastures in the Pantanal: flood fields with andropogon and dense fields withcaronal . Source: Embrapa Pantanal. Grazing system 5 productive features

Urbano Gomes Pinto de Abreu, and an integrated management is performed, researcher at Embrapa Pantanal including the Cerraldo plateau surrounding the Pantanal. Breeding and re-breeding beef cattle on na- Therefore, there are two critical periods in tive rangelands are the main economic acti- cattle feeding: one is at the end of the flood vities in the Pantanal. The herd in Pantanal is season (February to May) and the other one estimated as 4 million cattle heads and it is is in the middle to late dry season (August distributed in large properties. Looking at the and September). historical human and economic occupation The support capacity of the cattle’s pre- in the Pantanal, the conclusion is that beef ferred pastures varies through the months cattle ranching helped conservation in that and the years and depends mostly on the region. Therefore, the Pantanal conservation rain distribution and the flood intensity and target includes strengthening sustainable duration. In general, regarding the dry matter practices for beef cattle breeding. availability, the support capacity in those are- Beef cattle feed is almost exclusively as has decreased in August and September based on native grass, such as ‘capim mimo- and also during the flood season. Regarding so’ (Axonopus purpusii), ‘grama do cerrado’ the quality (protein), the support capacity has (Mesosetum chaseae), and ‘grama do caran- decreased in April-June. dazal’ (Panicum laxum). In the flood season, The assessment of native grass sup- the animals are taken to the higher areas, port capacity by farmers in the Pantanal is a 20 Pastures and landscape conservation › BEEF CATTLE RANCHING IN THE PANTANAL

subjective one. In farms with an area of over Embrapa Pantanal assessed the birth 4,000 hectares, the livestock stocking rate is rates, weaning, and other production indi- 3.4 to 4.2 hectares per head, whereas in the cators, as well as cash flows. Those asses- farms up to 2,000 hectares the rate is around sments were used to evaluate the economic 2.5 hectares per head. revenue from this modified production sys- The overall rate was estimated at appro- tem, during the good practices implementa- ximately one animal (a cow with a calf) per tion process. 3.6 hectares in the central part of the Panta- In a property located in Paiaguás region, nal, and 5 hectares in the eastern part of the where 1,973 matrix animals were monitored, region, where the quality of soils and grass- with no calf replacement taking place during lands is poorer. the monitoring, one of the main results was Herd production rates are low in the re- that 17% of the cows were deemed to be gion, and birth and weaning rates are around unproductive. In spite of a decrease in the 45-60% and 35-50%, respectively. number of breeding cows (from 1,973 to Such performance is linked to the ir- 1,535 matrix animals), four years later the regular supply of native grass, which does number of weaned calves increased from not provide sufficient fodder for the bree- 525 to 857 animals. ding herd. That is why it is recommended to This shows that the technical discard has use grown pastures for the female breeding not caused a decrease in calf production, sin- cattle, in the first or secondary pregnancy, as ce the matrix cows were actually unproduc- well as for the young bulls which will be used tive. The weaning rate was increased by the for riding, and for the bulls which are put to adoption of technologies providing the matrix rest (time out from sex). animals with a higher chance of reconception. Pastures and landscape conservation › BEEF CATTLE RANCHING IN THE PANTANAL 21

The economic data analysis showed that It is important to point out that when new the greatest cost of new technology stems technologies are introduced, the response from the use of mineral salt (75%), and the obtained in the production indicators occurs cost for differentiated management for cows in the short run, while the economic results and bulls accounts for 9 and 10%, respecti- only occur in a longer term. Furthermore, in vely. See Annex 4 for the main results at order for the system to be economically via- wwf.org.br/cartilha_pantanal ble, it is necessary to continuously increase the production system efficiency. ©WWF-Brasil / Adriano Gambarini Pantanal conservation includesthestrengthening ofsustainable practices forbeefcattleranching. Extensive breedingandrebreedingofbeefcattleuponnativerangelands arethemaineconomicactivitiesinPantanal. Rural property sustainable 6 management

André Steffens Moraes, researcher opportunities. First of all, there are technolo- at Embrapa Pantanal gies, practices and simple processes providing an increase in productivity with minimum In the Pantanal, extensive ranching of beef environmental damage. The investment in cattle is developed in harmony with nature rangeland and pasture recovery and in the conservation. In other regions of the country, adoption of best management practices are however, the breeding of beef cattle is gene- good examples of that. rally seen as an activity having great negative It is also possible to implement an envi- environmental impact. Due to these and other ronmental management system in the pro- factors, society is pushing the rural sector perty. The farmer can count on producer as- and calling for production with environmental sociations and rural organizations to help him responsibility. identify the environmental problems linked to There are several tools available to mea- cattle ranching, as well as the solutions and sure agriculture and cattle ranching negative cost reduction strategies. Such management impacts, such as the carbon footprint and systems can facilitate obtaining certificates of the ecological efficiency. Some of them have agribusiness sustainability. even been incorporated in global trade and Cattle ranchers may also be financially become non-commercial barriers. compensated through the payment for envi- Nevertheless, the rural producer can ronment services and the voluntary adoption convert those market obligations into profit of practices, such as maintaining the Panta- 24 Pastures and landscape conservation › BEEF CATTLE RANCHING IN THE PANTANAL

nal native vegetation and biodiversity. interested in obtaining an additional source of The payment for environmental services revenue through the implementation of sus- is an economic instrument which is now a tainable practices in their farms. highlight in conservation public policy, due The payment for environmental services to its potential for introducing changes in the already appears in the legislation of eight traditional practices of land use. In the Brazilian states; and since 2007 there are se- Pantanal, there are great possibilities veral projects-of-law in this theme channeling for this tool among cattle ranchers who are through the Federal Congress. © Embrapa Pantanal / Raquel Brunelli

The sustainability tripod takes into account the interactions among the economic (the cattle), environmental (the forest, the animals and the freshwater), and social (mankind) aspects.

7 Summary of good practices

Native rangelands and grown pastures • In order to avoid pasture degradation, do not lower plants down to the soil level. Soil use and conservation • In grown pastures in areas with high flood • Use the soil according to its aptitude, com- rate, the livestock stocking rate should be plying with legislation, and avoiding indiscri- 0.5 animal (breeding cows) per hectare (see minate deforestation. chapter 4). • Adjust the livestock stocking rate based on • In grown pastures in areas with low flood the fodder availability, ensuring good vegeta- rate, the livestock stocking rate may go up tion cover, and avoiding overgrazing, exces- to 0.8 animals (breeding cow) per hectare sive trampling, pasture and soil degradation. (see chapter 4). • Livestock stocking rates on the pasture • In native pastures (rangeland), livestock may vary from one year to another, due to stocking rate should be adequate to the negative climate conditions, such as long pasture type and condition (see chapter 5). periods of drought or flood. • Comply with the law and follow technical re- Grown pastures commendations for the use of controlled fire. • Pay attention to maintaining the needed or- Choosing the area ganic matter in the soil, particularly in grown • Prefer savannah field campo-cerrado( ) are- pastures. as, having low quality, coarse grasses Pastures and landscape conservation › BEEF CATTLE RANCHING IN THE PANTANAL 27

Soil analysis Seed choice and sowing • ‌Perform physical and chemical analyses of • ‌Always use good quality seeds from good the soils. origin. Their planting value should be equal or • ‌Determine the area’s flood degree and above 40%. duration. • ‌Sowing should be done in the beginning of • ‌Harrowing and plowing should be done the rain season (October-March), in order to twice: once at the peak of the drought, ensure good sprouting and establishing of the after the lowering of native vegetation; and pasture. a second time just before sowing. • ‌In lower areas, where flooding occurs, sowing should be done following the first rainfall. Fodder identification • ‌Seeds should be planted 4 centimeters down • ‌Fodder from Urocloa /Brachiaria genus is into the soil. The ideal depth is 2 centimeters. the most suitable one for planting in Nhe- • ‌When sowing at the soil level, use a compac- colândia and Paiguás sandy soils. The tor roller. highlights are: Humidicola, dictyoneura, decumbens and brizantha species. Preliminary management • ‌In areas where the soil presents a medium • ‌Only after 90 to 120 days should animals be or high humidity degree, only humidicola allowed in the pasture formation. should be used. • ‌During this phase, avoid intense grazing in or- • ‌In sandy and slightly moist soils, humidicola der to ensure good tiller and flourishing, high or dictyoneura should be grown, mixed with seed productivity and good soil cover. decumbens or brizantha. © Embrapa Pantanal / Raquel Brunelli THIS PUBLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN PARTNERSHIP BY © WWF-Brasil / A. Cambone, R. Isotti – Homo ambiens Cover photos: Embrapa Pantanal / Sandra Santos Raquel Brunelli This publication was printed on FSC-Certified paper