A STUDY OF 2 GRAZING METHODS .2. EFFECT ON STAR GRASS PRODUCTION AND QUALITY

An experiment with star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis) established on a r ed ferrallitic soil was conducted. The grazing methods were: rational Voisin grazing (RVG) with 72 paddocks (36 paddocks/group) and 0.125 ha /paddock and an intensive pressure of 280 animals/ha and traditional g razing (RG-12) with 12 paddocks (6 paddocks/group) and 0.75 ha for eac h one and a grazing intensity of 110 animals/ha.?he objective of this study was to compare the grazing performance with two grazing methods. In both methods two groups of cows rotating in line were used. Pastur e availability per unit area per rotation favoured RVG (P < 0.001) in the rainy season (0.25 vs 0.19 kg DM/m(2) for RVG and RG-12, respectiv ely). The leaves in RG-12 showed a better crude protein percentage (P < 0.05) and no differences were found with the remaining quality indic es. Leaf percentage in the treatments surpassed 45% and no differences were found between them. Total pasture production did not differ betw een treatments, but both were reduced (P < 0.01) with time. Average an nual pasture availability per animal was higher with RG-12 (P < 0.05) (36.4 vs 47.6 kg DM/cow/day for RVG and RG-12, respectively. On conclu ding the trial after three years no advantages were observed with RVG since pasture productivity did not augment. However, regardless the me thod used, a reduction of pasture production was observed.