Grazing management of Panicum maximum cvv. Mombaça and Tanzania pastures for beef cattle: a meta-analytic study

Abstract

Context The future of livestock farming is based on grazing management practices that balance using natural resources and forage technical efficiency for cattle. Aims This study aimed to investigate the bromatological characteristics and cattle performance under continuous and intermittent stocking systems in Panicum maximum cvv. Mombaça and Tanzania pastures, as well as identify the appropriate height for managing these forages. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis were used from selecting studies available in scientific article format in electronic databases: Google Scholar, ISI Web of Science, and PubMed. We identified 4691 documents, of which 13 were submitted to meta-analysis. Key results Tanzania pasture presented 564.25 ± 38.56 g kg−1 of leaf biomass dry matter (DM) and 3.09 ± 0.34 of leaf stem−1 ratio in intermittent stocking system, which was higher than continuous system, with values of 313.10 ± 38.56 g kg−1 DM (P = 0.0380) and 1.04 ± 0.34 (P = 0.0216), respectively. Animals’ average daily gain was greater in continuous stocking system than intermittent system, with values of 0.91 kg day−1 and 0.67 kg day−1, respectively. Additionally, post-grazing height ≥31 cm for Tanzania increased average daily gain by 28.3% (P = 0.0263), and height ≥39 cm for Mombaça increased average daily gain by 38.1% (P = 0.0002). Conclusions Post-grazing residues from the intermittent method or constant pasture height from the continuous method are the main indicators for adapting pasture management. Therefore, grazing management at heights between ≥31 and 39 cm for Tanzania and Mombaça is promising for animal performance. Implications Results provide subsidies for decision making regarding grazing management to maximise animal productivity.