2024-01-25 14:17:27
Pasture formation requires attention so that there is no room for error
According to the most recent Municipal Livestock Production Survey released by IBGE, the Brazilian cattle herd reached a new record of 234.4 million animals in 2022, an increase of 4.3% compared to the previous year. Another fact is that around 95% of Brazilian beef is produced on pastures, with a total area of around 167 million hectares. cheap and healthy.
Specialist guides livestock farmers on the correct management of pasture formation, in order to guarantee quality pasture for cattle with greater longevity
The first point that livestock farmers need to pay attention to is the formation of the pasture, following all, everything needs to be done according to their real needs. According to zootechnician Wayron Castro, technician at Soesp – Semente Oeste Paulista, the producer needs to have defined the objective of his property. “I see many people make mistakes because they are not clear regarding the real objective of their business, they end up copying their neighbors, and this often goes wrong, as each property is a reality”, he said.
The next step is to analyze soil fertility. Chemical and physical analyses, for example, make it possible to know the amount of nutrients available and the composition of the soil in terms of sand, clay and silt content. The results of the analyzes will also be used to choose the forage. At Soesp, for example, there are 18 forage options available.
Still with this data, the next step will be to invest in corrections and fertilizers, at the ideal period and quantity:
1 Liming: is the supply of limestone in order to neutralize the acidity of the soil, if the pH is low.
2 Plastering: for better conditioning of nutrient distribution in the soil profile.
3 Phosphating, used to increase phosphorus levels, is an element that is very little available in Brazilian soils. (You can find videos regarding these three contents on Soesp’s YouTube channel)
There may still be a need to replace potassium, a nutrient responsible for cell expansion and plant growth, in addition to nitrogen. “It is necessary to always maintain fertility to consequently have a greater supply of quality food for cattle in the pasture”, says the zootechnician.
The soil harrowing process also needs attention, as there is no standard formula, each location has different physical aspects. Regions with lots of rocks require more processes, while sandier places quickly become level. Therefore, it is essential to carry out this analysis and remember that poorly prepared soil will generate pasture with low longevity. “Care is needed at this stage so that there is uniformity in planting, whether broadcast or in a row. It needs to be level, without clods so that the seeds have the best possible contact with the soil, this will even impact the formation time of this area”, highlights the professional.
Pasture size and water supply
Pastures in Brazil have large extensions and this makes management difficult for producers. The recommendation, according to the Soesp professional, is to shorten these areas and work in a rotation format.
The quality of the water available to the animals should also not be neglected. “It is necessary to have smaller pastures with more clean water supply, whether through an artesian well, boxes or with drinking fountains”, says Castro.
According to the expert, cattle that have clean water available gain up to one arroba per year. This means increments of 50 grams more per day, only with the supply of quality water. “A producer, for example, who has a thousand animals, that means an extra thousand arrobas per year. In this aspect alone, with this gain, he already pays for the entire investment in drinking fountains in a short time”, he explains. Furthermore, “we have to make a lot of progress in relation to pasture management and water quality for the animals”.
Pay attention to seed quality
Today, the total cost of seed when establishing pasture is around 3.4%, that is, it is the cheapest in the process, but even so, many producers opt for cheaper inputs, without thinking regarding the longevity of the pasture.
When purchasing a seed that is not processed, the producer runs the risk of placing weeds on the property. There are two types of invasives that can cause a big headache: those with broad leaves and those with narrow leaves.
Pasture herbicides can adequately control broad-leaf weeds, but in the case of an infestation of narrow-leaf weeds, there is not much that can be done. “Panicuns and Brachiarias are also narrow-leaved plants. Therefore, there is no selective herbicide to control weeds of this variety. And this is what happens most with illegal seeds, they cause infestation of this invader, causing serious problems”, explains the specialist.
Purity and protection once morest pests
And on the other side of the market there is SOESP’s Advanced seed, which receives industrial treatment to promote high purity and shielding with two fungicides and an insecticide. This protection reduces the attack of ants in the field. The company’s quality control includes several laboratory tests. “The treatment indicates greater reliability in planting, reducing the chances of losses in the field, helping to form a homogeneous pasture and consequently increasing the productivity of the herd”, concludes Castro.
About – Sementes Oeste Paulista
It is headquartered in Presidente Prudente (SP) and has been in the market offering pasture seeds for 38 years. Its headquarters has infrastructure focused on production, processing, commercialization and development of new technologies, both for livestock and low-carbon agriculture. The company developed the Soesp Advanced technology, which revolutionized the forage seed market in countries with a tropical climate, by bringing several benefits in planting and establishing pastures, and perfectly adapting to the Crop-Livestock-Forest Integration (ILPF) system.
Fonte: RuralPress
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