ABSTRACT
Grazing vs. soiling in the utilization of a red clover-ryegrass mixture for beef production

Ignacio Ruiz N.1, Germán Klee G.2
 

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.

Keywords:
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.