cording to him, it is important to charac-
terize the species that will compose the
system jointly with the corn, once one of
the major factors for successful integrated
cultivations is based on the complementa-
tion between the species involved.
The forage grasses, provided they occu-
py a moderately shaded area, are capable
of maintaining their productivity rates simi-
lar to monoculture systems. In the Integrat-
ed Crop-Livestock System, besides ensur-
ing livestock production, these grasses act
as nutrient recyclers after the annual crop,
in their physical structure and in the sup-
ply of organic matter for the soil, and in the
production of mulch for the coming crop,
which relies on a quality direct planting sys-
tem. They also contribute towards the man-
agement of weeds and diseases, reduc-
ing the production costs, and bringing in
monthly and annual revenue until the for-
estry component has reached maturity.
According to researcher Emerson Borghi,
the Integrated System with the cultivation of
corn or sorghum has the potential to per-
form a fundamental role in the incorpora-
tion of degraded areas into the productive
process. This happens because it is widely
used in livestock operations, either in the
form of grains or for manufacturing ani-
mal feed or for silage. Furthermore, it is the
most used crop that is associated with grass.
“Therefore, the recovery or the renewal of
degraded pastureland through the Inte-
grated Crop-Livestock System takes advan-
tage of the amortization of input and servic-
es costs through annual corn or sorghum
crops, resulting into more productive and
better quality pastureland”, he ponders.
Integrated crop-livestock concept
Researcher Álvaro Vilela Resende, from Embrapa Corn and Sorghum, explains that Integrated Crop-Livestock, more than a technology
or technological package, should be viewed as a strategy aimed at sustainable production through the integration of farming and livestock
operations, carried out in the same area, in associated cultivation, in succession or rotation. The method seeks synergetic effects among the
components of the agroecosystem, contemplating the environmental adjustment, the value of the human being, and economic viability.
“Integrated Crop-Livestock is a production strategy that does not encompass any limits as to the size of the property or the technologi-
cal level of the farmer”, he says. “The chances for combinations among the components of the system are numerous and adjustments are
needed, depending on the interests of the farmer and the edaphoclimatic and market aspects”. The specialist has it that the successful im-
plementation of the system requires accurate planning, whilst defining actions for the short, medium and long term.
