Pastos y Forrajes, Vol. 43, No. 4, 333-341, 2020 333 Productive performance of weaner cattle in rotational grazing Productive performance of weaner cattle in rotational grazing of Bothriochloa pertusa (L) A. Camus in Colombia Sergio Luís Mejía-Kerguelén https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2498-756X, Emiro Andrés Suárez-Paternina https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2271- 7160, Liliana Margarita Atencio-Solano https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8425-1621, José Jaime Tapia-Coronado https://orcid.org/0000- 0002-3621-5316, Yacerney Paternina-Paternina https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9046-5167, Hugo Ramón Cuadrado-Capella https://orcid. org/0000-0002-9607-9125 Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria (AGROSAVIA), CI Turipaná. Cereté, Colombia. E-mail: [email protected] Scientific Paper Scientific Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effect of the resting period and stocking rate on the productive response of weaner cattle in rotational grazing of Bothriochloa pertusa (L) A. Camus, on the savannas of Córdoba, Colombia. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight commercial Zebu cattle, were used with average weight of 200 ± 15 kg, in which three stocking rates were evaluated (2, 4 and 6 animals ha-1) and two resting periods (20 and 28 days), in a complete randomized block design, with 3 x 2 factorial arrangement, for six treatments in total. The yield, nutritional quality of the forages and daily weight gain of the animals, were evaluated. The direct and indirect costs were recorded, and from them the net profit, cost-effectiveness and balance point were determined. Results: The dry matter yield showed significant differences (p < 0,05), being higher in the treatments with stocking rate of 2 animals ha-1 and resting times of 20 (T1) and 28 (T2) days, with mean values of 1 055,4 and 1 265,4 kg DM ha-1, respectively. The nutritional composition of dry matter was not affected by the evaluated factors. The mean daily gain was significantly higher (p < 0,05) in treatment T1, for a value of 0,612 kg animal-1 day-1 as average. The treat- ments of the moderate stocking rate (4 animals ha-1) showed higher cost-effectiveness, which reduced the cost of the produced beef kilogram. Conclusion: From the productive and economic point of view, meat production through weaners on B. pertusa grass- lands is more cost-effective when a moderate stocking rate is used. Keywords: Bothriochloa pertusa, stocking rate, weight gain, cost-effectiveness Introduction developed show high degree of degradation, which In Colombia, ruminant feeding is constituted limits forage production and animal response (Me- mainly by tropical grasses, because it is the most jía-Kerguelén et al., 2019b). practical and economical way to do it (Mejía- Consequently, the productive indicators that Kerguelén et al., 2019a). At present, it is estimated are reported are not encouraging. Low stocking -1 that in the country there are about 20 988 289 ha rates (< 1 animal ha ), low production per animal -1 -1 established of pastures and forages. From them, (weight gain < 300 g animal day ) and per area -1 -1 the Caribbean region contributes 30 % of the total unit (< 300 kg beef ha year ), late age at slaughter established area (IGAC, 2014). In this region, (> 42 months) and carcass yields lower than 50 %, Bothriochloa pertusa (L) A. Camus is one of the are recorded (FEDEGAN, 2018). In the face of this most widely established grasses in animal husbandry problem, it is necessary to conduct studies aimed systems (Mujica-Rodríguez and Burbano-Erazo, at generating sustainable models of beef produc- 2020). Nevertheless, due to inefficient management tion, which link rotational systems, stocking rate practices and adverse climate conditions, this management and grassland renovation, in order to pasture shows low yields and nutritional quality improve the productivity and profitability of the an- (Tapia-Coronado et al., 2019), which are more imal husbandry systems of the region. evident during the dry seasons, when dry matter Some studies have proven that the renovation yields can be reduced by 30-80 % (Mejía-Kerguelén and establishment of rotational grassland systems et al., 2019a; Roncallo-Fandiño et al., 2020). have increased pasture yields and nutritional com- The cattle production systems of the region are position. Likewise, increases have been reported characterized by low adoption of technologies and in animal response (Roncallo-Fandiño et al., 2012; use of inputs. The soils where these systems are Mejía-Kerguelén et al., 2019b). Received: October 18, 2020 Accepted: December 20, 2020 How to cite this paper: Mejía-Kerguelén, S. L.; Suárez-Paternina, E. A.; Atencio-Solano, Liliana M.; Tapia-Coronado, J. J.; Paternina-Paternina, Y. & Cuadrado-Capella, H. R. Productive performance of weaner cattle in rotational grazing of Bothriochloa pertusa (L) A. Camus in Colombia. Pastos y Forrajes. 43 (4):333-341, 2020. This is an open access article distributed in Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by- nc/4.0/ The use, distribution or reproduction is allowed citing the original source and authors. Pastos y Forrajes, Vol. 43, No. 4, 333-341, 2020 334 Sergio Luis Mejía-Kerguelén Considering that animal husbandry is the Experimental area and animal management. main economic activity of the Córdoba department The area utilized for grazing was 12 ha, established and that, especially, the hilly savannas of this with B. pertusa. It was divided into 12 modules of 1 department are developed on B. pertusa grasslands, ha. In six of these modules six divisions were estab- studies are needed which combine different lished, in order to establish a 24-day grazing cycle management practices to increase the productive (four days of occupation and 20 resting days); while and economic indicators of the animal husbandry in the six remaining modules a 32-day grazing cy- system. In this context, the objective of this research cle was implemented (four days of occupation and was to evaluate the effect of the resting period and 28 resting days), in eight divisions. stocking rate on the productive response of weaners Before introducing the animals in the pad- on B. pertusa grasslands in the Córdoba savannas, docks, a mechanical cut was done for pasture ho- Colombia. mogenization. Afterwards, the land was chiseled at Materials and Methods a depth between 30 and 40 cm, in order to decom- pact and allow higher aeration and water infiltration Location. The trial was conducted in a farm located in the soil. Considering the low organic matter con- in the Chinú municipality, Córdoba department, in tent, and with the purpose of promoting the pasture Colombia, with predominance of tropical subhumid recovery in the high and moderate stocking rates, climate, moderate- to low-fertility soils, slightly it was fertilized with 100 and 50 kg of nitrogen ha-1 undulated relief, average rainfall of 1 334 mm/year, year-1 in the grasslands under high and moderate average temperature of 28 ºC, and relative humidity of stocking rate, respectively, without fertilizing in 75 %. The dry season begins in December and extends the low stocking rate. The fertilization was carried from four to five months. out during the rainy season, after each grazing. The Experimental animals. Forty eight commer- animals were daily provided with mineralized salt cial Zebu animals were used, with average initial at a rate of 80 g animal-1 d-1. During the dry season, weight of 200 ± 15 kg, from cattle auctions. They the stocking rates were reduced in half and 1 kg were evaluated during eight months, which com- day-1 of cotton (Gossypium herbaceum L.) seed was prised a rainy season and a dry season. supplied. Soil chemical characteristics. The farm shows The sanitary management consisted in applying soils with clayey texture, acid pH, very low phos- the vaccines, demanded by the Colombian Agricul- phorus content, moderate sulfur content, high cat- tural Institute ICA, as well drugs for the control of ion exchange capacity, high potassium deficiency, endoparasites and ectoparasites. The water supply normal Ca/Mg ratio, high Ca and Mg content, and was performed through an internal aqueduct sys- low content of minor elements, such as Fe, Cu, Zn tem, provided with a PVC drinking trough, with and B (table 1). capacity of 500 L, connected to a hydrant through Treatment and experimental design. Three a bayonet. stocking rates were evaluated: low stocking rate (LSR), moderate stocking rate (MSR) and high Studied variables stocking rate (HSR), which consisted in 2, 4 and 6 Forage yield. To determine the forage yield and animals ha-1, respectively, and two resting periods floristic composition the availability by frequency (20 and 28 days); distributed in a complete random- method was used in the next paddock to be grazed. ized design, with 3 x 2 factorial arrangement, for For such purpose, the methodology proposed by a total of six treatments: T1) LSR and 20 resting Franco-Quintero et al. (2006) was applied. Five days, T2) LSR and 28 resting days, T3) MSR and spots were identified on the biomass, with the uti- 20 resting days, T4) MSR and 28 resting days, T5) lization of a 0,25-m2 frame. To each spot a qualifi- HSR and 20 resting days and T6) HSR and 28 rest- cation of 1-5 was assigned, where one corresponds to ing days. low biomass availability and five to higher availability. Table 1. Soil physical and chemical characteristics. OM Ca P Mg K Na CEC S Cu Fe Zn Mn Indicator pH g/100g cmol(+)/kg mg/kg cmol(+)/kg mg/kg Value 5,39 1,32 32,5 5,3 11,0 0,27 0,35 15,8 0,4 1,2 0,4 24,8 Pastos y Forrajes, Vol. 43, No. 4, 333-341, 2020 335 Productive performance of weaner cattle in rotational grazing Each spot was cut and weighed with a digital scale Profitability (Prof): Relation between net in- (Ohaus model CS 5000), and 40 launchings were come and total cost production, carried out per hectare for identifying the species GI - TC Prof = *100 present inside each frame.