Tecnologias utilizadas no manejo do pastejo de ruminantes

Abstract

The objective was to synthesize the main technologies used in the management of ruminant grazing and its application in tropical pastures as a guarantee of better performance and productivity of beef cattle. The first chapter aimed to identify the main technologies used in the management of ruminant grazing through an integrative literature review. To elaborate the guiding question, the PVO strategy was used, where the population (P) was represented by ruminants; the variables of interest (V) were grazing management technologies and, as an outcome (O), animal consumption, performance and productivity. The research considered 43 eligible articles that were included due to their methodological robustness for data extraction. The most used species were Lolium multiflorum and Lolium perenne (25.6%), Panicum maximum (20.9%) and Brachiaria brizantha (16.3%). The most used grazing methods were continuous stocking (53.5%) and intermittent stocking (39.5%). The most used technologies were: height (55.8%) and fodder supply (14%). The most used sampling methods were: ruler (37.2%) and measuring stick (14%) to measure height and cut with a frame (18.6%) to measure forage supply. In the second chapter, the objective was to evaluate the effect of grazing intensity in tropical pastures on the performance and productivity of beef cattle, through a meta-analytic approach. The systematic review was based on the PICOS strategy to elaborate the guiding question, when beef cattle constituted the population (P); the high intensities of grazing the intervention (I); low grazing intensities compared (C); animal performance and productivity the results (O); and the design (S) of the included studies was experimental. 13 manuscripts were selected for their solidity methodology and data extraction. The means for continuous stocking were 0.67 kg animal/day of average daily gain (DMG), 518.12 kg/ha of weight gain per area (GPH) and 4.19 AU/ha of stocking rate (SR). For intermittent stocking, they were 0.62 kg animal/day of ADG, 980.18 kg/ha of GPH and 5.10 AU/ha of SR, respectively. The heights of 20 to 40 cm for pastures under continuous stocking and defoliation intensities of 40 to 50% for those under Intermittent stocking for tropical forages resulted in higher individual performance and animal productivity per area. Therefore, integrative and systematic reviews showed a high potential of use to assist in decision making in the production of ruminants in pasture, when they are able to synthesize and provide the best knowledge produced on a given research problem, with a high degree of recommendation of the most current available scientific evidence.