ABSTRACT
Beef production potential from irrigated pastures evaluated with Overo Negro young bulls in the IX Region

Norberto Butendieck B.1 , Sergio Hazard T.1 y Horacio Miranda V.1
 

Potential meat production from irrigated ryegrass white c1aver pastures was evaluated during three growing seasons (1979-1982). A 4 ha area splitted in 8 plots 010.5 ha each, and fertilized with 48 kg of N, 26.2 kg of P and 25 kg of K/ha per year was used. Meat production was evaluated by using 'Overo Negro' young bulls of 209 - 258 kg initial live weight kept on a rotational grazing system. The stocking rate was adjusted according to grass allowance and the animal were taken out of the trial when a live weight of about 428 kg was reached. With this king of pasture plus a mineral supply it is possible to get a nat live weight gain of 1,000 1,200 kg/ha, with an average gain 013.9 kg/ha/day, and stocking rates of 2.8 - 3.7 animal units/ ha. According to these results and lhe potential milk production evaluated on the same king of pastures, a relationship between potential milk and meat production of 11.9 to 13.7: 1 can be estimated.

Keywords: beef production, production potential, permanent pastures.
1 Estación Experimental Carillanca (INlA), Casilla 58-D, Temuco, Chile.