Nutritional status and reproductive performance of silvopastoral livestock in the Andean region of Ecuador
Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of silvopastoral systems with the inclusion of Alnus acuminata H.B.K (Aliso) and Acacia melanoxylon R.Br. (Acacia), in association with the herbaceous stratum, on the nutritional status and reproductive performance of cattle in silvopastoral systems in the Andean region of Ecuador. Agroecosystems 1 and 2 included Aliso and Acacia, respectively, and the agroecosystem 3 included only grasses. Using a multifactorial analysis of variance with interaction, the effect of the agroecosystem and year on body condition at calving and reproductive indicators was determined. Energy deficits were present in the second year of the agroecosystem 1 and 3, and in all three years of the agroecosystem 2. Crude protein levels were excessive in all three agroecosystems in all three years. The calving–first insemination interval was lower (P<0.05) in cows from the agroecosystem 1 and years 2 and 3. The body condition at calving and services per pregnancy were higher (P<0.05) in the agroecosystem 1 and the first year, respectively. The calving–to– conception intervals and calving–to–parturition were shorter in the agroecosystem 1 and in years 2 and 3. It is concluded that in the agroecosystem 1 and 2, alder and acacia favored nutrient balance. In the agroecosystem 1, body condition at calving was higher and the calving–first insemination interval was lower; the interaction between the agroecosystem and year benefited the calving–to–conception intervals and the calving–to–parturition, which were better in the agroecosystem 1, in the third year.
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