Impacto da pastagem intensificada na bovinocultura de leite

Abstract

Pastures constitute the main component of the ruminants' diet, especially in tropical regions, where, except in regions of high population density, land is a low-cost and fully available factor. Even in areas where land use is intensive, rationally managed pastures have an important function in preserving the physical-chemical characteristics of the soil, recycling nutrients and controlling soil erosion (VILLAÇA et al., 1985). The dairy ability of the cow, the nutritional value of the pasture and the forage consumption determine the milk production of the cow. Under grazing, green dry matter consumption is affected mainly by forage availability, but also by vegetation structure: density, height, leaf-stalk ratio. (GOMIDE 1994). Pastures represent the most economical source for feeding livestock, and pasture-based milk production, in addition to the lower cost compared to conventional intensive systems, also helps in the preservation of renewable resources (HOLMES, 1996; OLIVEIRA et al., 2000). Aguiar (2001) considers that this type of production is more sustainable from all points of view, economic, social and environmental. Furthermore, this type of production, under more natural conditions, meets the current trend of consumer markets, which have started to demand products and production processes with differences in quality (VILELA et. al., 2006; MAGALHÃES et al., 2007). That said, the objective of this work is to report, in accordance with existing literature, the impacts of intensive grazing on dairy cattle farming.