Grazing management strategies for massaigrass-forage peanut pastures: 3. definition of sward targets and carrying capacity

Abstract

This study was carried out to define sward management targets for mixed Massaigrass (Panicum maximum x P. infestum, cv. Massai) and forage peanut (Arachis pintoi Ac 01) pastures in the Western Brazilian Amazon. Seasonal variation in the pasture carrying capacity was also analyzed. Pastures were intermittently stocked at three daily herbage allowance levels (9.0, 14.5 and 18.4% of live weight) from October 2002 to December 2003. Sward targets were defined in terms of the sward condition that best conciliated the grass-legume balance, the maintenance of the structure of Massaigrass tussocks and the equilibrium between forage production and utilization. For the Western Brazilian Amazon conditions, the following sward management targets can be recommended for mixed Massaigrass and forage peanut pastures under intermittent stocking: pre-grazing height ranging from 50-55 cm (June to September) to 65-70 cm (October to May), and post-grazing height from 30-35 cm (June to September) to 35-40 cm (October to May). Annual carrying capacity of this mixed pasture in 2003 was 2.7 AU/ha. The average carrying capacity during the dry season (1.8 AU/ha) was 50% lower than that observed during the rainy season (3.6 AU/ha).