Productivity and Composition of Two Improved Native Pastures under Different Grazing Managements in Uruguay

Two improved native pastures were established by phosphoric (P) fertilisation and oversowing of: white clover (Trifolium repens) mixed with birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) (TbL) and annual lotus (Lotus subbiflorus) (Rin). Such pastures were evaluated during 5 years with steers at two stocking rates (High and Low) and two grazing managements (Rotational and Alternate). Presence of legumes was high and botanical changes were favourable in both pastures that evidenced good persistence. Daily liveweight gains of steers and total animal production were high in both pastures, but significantly (P≤ 0.05) higher in TbL. No significant differences were found due to grazing management. High stocking rate resulted in superior (P≤ 0.05) animal production per hectare than Low. No significant interactions were detected