Effect of pasture recovery period on dry matter present, weight gain and the presence of Rhipicephalus microplus in Holstein x Zebu and Brahman calves in the humid tropics

Epigmenio Castillo-Gallegos, Miguel Ángel Alonso-Díaz, Agustín Fernández-Salas, Gabriel Cruz-González, Jesús Jarillo-Rodríguez

Abstract


Background. High temperatures, humidity, dietary changes, pests, and diseases affect animal performance, but intensive rotational grazing (RG) optimizes livestock profitability. Objective: To evaluate the effect of RG on dry matter present (DMP), pasture height and cover, average daily gain (ADG), and the presence of Rhipicephalus microplus in F1 Holstein × Zebu and Brahman calves. Methodology. The study was conducted from March 2021 to March 2023 in Tlapacoyan, Veracruz, and evaluated three grazing treatments on 2 ha each: C00 (continuous grazing), R30, and R45, both with 3 days of grazing and 30 or 45 days of recovery. In each treatment, ten F1 heifers (170.33±40.98 kg, 4-7 months) grazed in the first year and ten Brahman heifers (143.7±33.6 kg) in the second. Measurements: Dry matter storage (DMS), pasture height, and cover were determined every 28 days in C00; in R30 and R45, measurements were taken before and after three days of grazing. The animals were weighed monthly, and ticks were counted every 14 days. Analysis: A mixed model was used with treatment as the fixed effect and season as the repeated measure. The least squares means were compared using a student’s t-test. Results. There was no difference between treatments in MSP (P>0.05). Height and cover differed between treatments (P<0.05). Average daily gain (ADG) was similar between treatments (0.435±0.18, 0.415±0.15, and 0.471±0.07 kg for C00, R30, and R45, respectively). The average accumulated weight over the two years was 156.8±51.7, 149.7±49.2, and 169.8±55.2 kg for C00, R30, and R45, respectively. Stocking rate, MSP present, and season were determinants of live weight accumulation and tick population. Treatment, season, and their interaction were significant (P<0.0001, P<0.0001, P<0.0002) for tick counts. Implications: The amount of MSP allowed for modest and similar GDP across treatments, implying that recovery can increase pasture yield. Conclusion: Management and environment affected tick counts but did not impact animal performance. Animals in R45 accumulated fewer ticks, demonstrating that long recovery periods affect ticks by reducing the number of hosts.

Keywords


Grasslands; tropics; ectoparasites; intensive grazing; integrated management.

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References


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URN: http://www.revista.ccba.uady.mx/urn:ISSN:1870-0462-tsaes.v29i2.64093

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.56369/tsaes.6409

Copyright (c) 2026 Epigmenio Castillo-Gallegos, Miguel Ángel Alonso-Díaz, Agustín Fernández-Salas, Gabriel Cruz-González, Jesús Jarillo-Rodríguez

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