Improved forage management can support increased production in smallholder beef systems. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of mineral nitrogen (urea) and composted cattle manure on Brachiaria cv. Mulato II yield and nutritive value in south-central coastal Vietnam. Study design was a randomized complete block on six farms (blocks), with treatments derived from the factorial combination of five rates of composted cattle manure (0, 4, 8, 12 and 24 Mg DM ha^-1 year^-1) and three urea rates (0, 60 and 120 kg N ha^-1 year^-1), split into six yearly applications. Yield was measured from 2011 to 2013 with 36-day average harvest intervals. Forage nutritive value was measured in September 2011 and December 2012. Highest yields were achieved when both compost and urea were applied at high rates. The initial yield and tiller responses to urea application were not sustained over the duration of the study when no compost was applied. Compost applied in isolation did not increase yield. Compost application increased ash concentration. Urea increased nutrient yield for all forage nutritive value parameters measured. Composted cattle manure combined with urea benefits grass yield, but high application rates are needed for sustained high yields on sandy soils.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	composted cattle manure, cultivated forage yield, fertilization, smallholder crop-livestock system, tropical grass nutritive value, urea
Research Division:	Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences
Research Group:	Agriculture, land and farm management
Research Field:	Agricultural land management
Objective Division:	Animal Production and Animal Primary Products
Objective Group:	Livestock raising
Objective Field:	Beef cattle
UTAS Author:	Parsons, D (Dr David Parsons)
ID Code:	118497
Year Published:	2018 (online first 2017)
Web of Science® Times Cited:	12
Deposited By:	Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture
Deposited On:	2017-07-13
Last Modified:	2018-07-18
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