MEP-2®: Programa de computador para manejo de praderas con bovinos en el trópico colombiano II. Evaluación en campo del programa

A simulation model for predicting pasture use by cattle was evaluated with different grazing systems from four different Colombian areas and climates. Grass biomass availability, grazing days and pasture restoration predictions were compared on four cattle farms. One was located in Valle del Cesar, using dual purpose cows and rotational grazing with guinea grass, and another in Pie de Monte del Meta with finishing steers and two paddocks in Brachiaria decumbens. One farm employing growing steers and rotational grazing with Brachiaria humidicola from the middle Magdalena valley and another with dairy cows kept on rotational grazing with kikuyo grass from the Sabana de Bogota sub-region were also used. Predicted values cf  observed values were compared by "t" test (a = 0.05) during two grazing cycles and during the dry and rainy season. Predictions for days of grazing were close to that observed during the rainy season (F>0.05), but predictions for days of rest were far from that observed (P<0.05). Both predictions were different from that observed during the dry season for days of grazing and rest on all farms. Regression analysis for feed intake as a function of grass quality was well correlated. It was concluded that the software can be of great help in decision making on pasture management during the rainy season but care should be taken on results from the dry season, performing carefully measurements on DM yield from the paddock.