Abstract

IGLESIAS, J.M; SIMON, L  and  GARCIA, R. Raising replacement heifers of the 5/8 Holstein x 3/8 Zebu genotype in an associated system of pastures and trees. Pastos y Forrajes [online]. 2009, vol.32, n.1, pp.1-1. ISSN 0864-0394.

The potential of a grass-leucaena associated system for raising crossbred 5/8 H x 3/8 Z heifers, since 12 months of age until incorporation to reproduction, was evaluated under production conditions. The live weight gains and yield and pasture and tree quality were measured. Grazing was carried out with 36 animals, in an area of the dairy unit of the EEPF¨Indio Hatuey¨(12 ha). Leucaena and the pastures had been established in previous years. The density of the tree was 555 trees/ha and the pruning in the dry season was performed leaving the plants 150 cm high. A global stocking rate of 3 animals/ha was used; rotation lasted 50 days in the dry season and 40 days in the rainy season. The animals were supplied water and mineral salts 24 hours-a-day. Neither energetic nor protein supplementation was provided. The daily supply of pastures in the dry season was around 11 kg DM/100 kg LW/day at the beginning, and it was higher than 7 kg at the end; because of tree pruning and browsing the values oscillated between 0,295 and 0,133 kg DM/100 kg LW/day. In the rainy season the pasture offer was 16,85 kg DM/100 kg LW/day; while the availability of leucaena under browsing conditions exceeded 0,285 kg DM/100 kg LW/day. The daily gain of average live weight was 455 g, which allowed a weight of incorporation to reproduction of 286 kg, at 24 months of age. The average incorporation mating interval was 43 days. It is concluded that with this silvopastoral system it is possible to obtain adequate gains under grazing conditions and acceptable weights-ages at incorporation for the current conditions of Cuban cattle production.

Keywords : Breeding animal; silvopastoral system.

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