Work

The potential of silvopastoral systems for cattle production in Cuba

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: This paper presents a review of relevant literature and research on the potential of silvopastoral systems for milk and meat production in Cuba. This work emphasizes the contribution of trees in pasture systems, which are known to improve the plant community as well as increase the productive efficiency of steers, reproductive females and dairy cattle. Results from this research suggest that, due to the association effect, both the availability of dry matter and the total protein content of gramineous plants is increased in pastoral systems that incorporate trees while also maintaining pasture. In systems of gramineous plants that have been mixed with Leucaena leucocephala and that support cows of average potential, it is possible to obtain milk production of 10 kg/cow/day in addition to live-weight gains of 0.500–0.600 kg/animal day–1 in Cebú cattle. This work concludes that the use of silvopastoral systems is a viable option for the production of milk and meat under low-input conditions, such as those in Cuba. Please refer to Supplementary Materials, Full text Spanish version of this article, for a full text Spanish version of this article.

Source: Elementa Science of the Anthropocene

DOI: 10.1525/elementa.334

Authors: Tania Sánchez-Santana, Onel López-Vigoa, Jesús Manuel Iglesias-Gómez, Luis Lamela-López, Mildrey Soca-Perez

Institutions: University of Matanzas, Estación Experimental de Pastos y Forrajes Indio Hatuey

Language: English

Topic: Agroforestry and silvopastoral systems

Subfield: Forestry

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,450