Estimación de la intensidad de pastoreo de diferentes pastos o gramíneas forrajeras.

Abstract

Savoy grass (Megathyrsus maximus), formerly known as (Panicum maximum), native to Africa, is a species widely spread in tropical and subtropical areas of Ecuador, where it is also called "chilena", "guinea" or "cauca". The objective of the present study was to determine the grazing intensity, the trial was carried out in areas established with star grass and savoy. Gauging was carried out before and after entering the grazing, which estimated the consumption of biomass consumed during the grazing days in the area under study. In addition, the height of the plant at the entrance and exit of the grazing was evaluated. The results indicate that there is a consumption of between 64 and 27% for pasture (Megathyrsus maximus), and between 26 and 35% for pasture (Cynodon nlemfuensis), the variation in consumption is linked to the abundance of biomass and quality of the pasture. These data indicate how selective cattle are in pasture consumption. This causes a high loss of biomass in grazing that accumulates in the form of dry matter that is not suitable for consumption. It is necessary to develop strategies that allow optimizing pasture consumption through pasture management techniques and correct estimation of the animal load, as well as grazing time.