Cow-Calf Production on Perennial Pastures in the Central Semi-Arid Region of Argentina

In cow-calf production systems in San Luis, the annual crops are heavily used (eastern region) or the natural pastures are over-used (western region). Both cases constitute unsustainable systems. In the present study, the possibility of structuring an efficient and stable stockbreeding agroecosystem based exclusively on perennial summer grasses was tested. The objectives were: 1) to test a cow-calf production system based on perennial pastures: Digitaria (Digitaria eriantha Steudel subsp. eriantha cv Irene), without protein supplement during winter, and 2) to determine the physical and economical efficiency of the production system and sustainability of such indicators in the short-term (6 years of performance)