Animal performance and sward characteristics of two cultivars of Brachiaria brizantha (BRS Paiaguas and BRS Piata)

The objective of the present study was to evaluate live weight gain per animal and per area and its relationship with the characteristics of pastures of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Paiaguas and Piata. A randomized blocks experimental design was used, with two treatments and six replicates. The experimental area was 8.0 ha, divided into twelve paddocks of 0.67 ha. The grazing method used was continuous stocking, with variable stocking rate. Three tester steers were used per paddock. Sward heights were measured once a week, and the stocking rate (SR) was adjusted using regulator steers to maintain the sward height at 30 cm. Pasture samples were collected once a month, and herbage accumulation rate (HAR), percentage of leaves (PL), leaf: stem ratio (LSR), and nutritive value (NV) were determined. Animals were weighed every 28 days. No differences between the two cultivars were observed during the wet season for any of the evaluated parameters. However, cv. Paiaguas presented higher HAR and, consequently, higher SR than cv. Piata during the dry season. As a result of its higher regrowth, cv. Paiaguas pastures presented significantly higher PL, LSR, and NV and, consequently, significantly higher average daily live weight gain. These differences resulted in higher live weight gain per area for Paiaguas grass (695 kg/ha per year) than for Piata grass (645 kg/ha per year). Thus, Brachiaria brizantha cv. Paiaguas is a good alternative to decrease the temporary forage shortage and for the diversification of pastures in the Cerrado biome region.