ABSTRACT Grazing vs. soiling in the utilization of a red clover-ryegrass mixture for beef production
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Ignacio Ruiz N.1, Germán Klee G.2 |
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The mixture, seeded in September 1976, was used during three consecutive seasons. Two plots of 1.5 ha. were assigned to each of the following treatments: I. Soiling, daily harvesting with chopper; II. Daily rotational grazing. Each plot was subdivided in 30 paddocks, in order to use one per day. In both treatments, a variable stocking rate was maintained, depending on the availability of forage. No significant difference (P = 0.05) was found in the daily gains of steers. Stocking rete and live weight output per hectare were significantly higher for the grazing treatment during the second season; as an average, stocking rate was 9% higher (P 0.05) in grazing than in soiling. Mean live weight output per hectare was 12% higher in grazing. Profit (without land investment) was also superior for the grazing treatment. |
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1 Estación Experimental Quilamapu (INIA), Actualmente Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA), Casilla 5427, Santiago, Chile. 2 Subestación Experimental Humán (INIA), Casilla 767, Los Angeles, Chile. |
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