Ewes production in a pasture of star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis) fertilized with swine lagoon effluent

A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of fertilizing star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis) with effluents from swine lagoon on weight gain of Pelibuey ewes. Two stocking rates (69.4 ewes ha-1 versus 97.2 ewes ha-1) and two rest periods (21 days versus 28 days), were compared using eight paddocks of 720 m2 each (two replicates per treatment). The paddocks were fertilized with 300 kg ha-1 of N, divided in three applications and were irrigated during the dry season. Ewes were allowed to graze for 24 h per day, with water and a mineral supplement freely available. Live weight was recorded at 28 day intervals. Herbage mass, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentration were evaluated in plots (2 m×1 m) with 300 and 450 kg ha-1 of N, cutting every 21 or 28 days, in four replicates. Weight gains were higher (P<0.01) at medium than at high stocking rates (53.4 g per day versus 40.5 g per day). Weight gain per hectare was higher (P<0.01) for the resting interval of 21 days as compared with 28 days (3.7 kg ha-1 per day versus 3.2 kg ha-1 per day). The application of swine lagoon effluent on star grass increase dry matter production and allows an increase in stocking rate.