Management of pasture based on dmpd. review

The aim of this study is to discuss the management of pasture based on potentially digestible dry matter (DMpd). Tropical forage species are used in the extensive system as the main source of roughage for cattle. Tropical forages have nutritional deficiencies, mainly in the dry season, due to the low rainfall and climatic adversities, and it is interesting to use alternatives to supply this deficit or management that help in production of good quality roughage. Research shows it is necessary to conceptualize and quantify the potentially digestible dry matter (DMpd), since the availability of total dry matter (TDM) does not qualitatively characterize pastures, but higher potentially digestible dry matter content guarantee better animal performance. There is a correlation between the quality of forage, DMpd and indigestible neutral detergent fiber, which should be evaluated in each forage species to assist the management of pastures in relation to total forage masses, green forage masses, green leaf blades, dead forage and stem dead.