Utilisation des céréales d'hiver pour l'alimentation des ruminants au Brésil

Utilization of winter cereals for the feeding of ruminants in Brazil

Temperate perennial forage crops can only be grown in a few areas in southern Brazil. Winter-growing cereals constitute an interesting asset for the feeding of ruminants. They are utilized in various ways, sometimes as dual purpose crops.
The main winter cereals grown in Brazil are oats, triticale, wheat and, to a lesser extent, barley and rye. The utilization of these cereals on farms varies much with the area and the animal-rearing system concerned. Oats are primarily grown for ruminant feeding, and are mostly grazed, especially the cultivars of black oats (Avena strigosa). White oats (Avena sativa) and triticale are grown approximately half for fodder (silage, hay and grazing) and half for industrial purposes. Wheat, barley and rye are utilized almost exclusively by industries making human foodstuffs (breweries, flour mills...). The residues of these transforming industries, and sometimes the grains themselves, are often incorporated into animals feeds (for ruminants and for monogastrics). Dual-purpose cereal crops, cut once or twice for forage before the grain harvest, appear to be a very interesting prospect. In this way animal and plant performances may be improved, while the farmers' income may also be increased and made safer. An example of such a dual-purpose utilization, operated by the Agricultural Co-operative of Entre-Rios (State of Parana) and by the Federal University of Parana, is presented here ; its prospects seem interesting.