<b>Forage systems in the semiarid of Ceará State: structural typology</b> - doi: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v32i4.9549

Abstract

The objective of this study was to establish a structural typology of forage systems for 57 rural households in the semiarid region of Ceará state, Brazil. Eighteen variables regarding surface distribution, animal units and stocking rates, buildings and labor availability were submitted to PCA and Cluster analysis. Ten structural forage groups were differentiated based on Caatinga autochthonous forage resources and by goat and sheep pasturing. Only the structural types of Groups 2, 5 and 10 (52.30% of the rural households) could stabilize a lesser pasturing intensity of their areas – as they enjoy specific hydric and dry land forage cultivations, in addition to Caatinga and stubbles – and would therefore cause minor potential impact in the structure of their forage systems. The improving conditions for low Caatinga Importance and no-Caatinga systems (G4 and G3) must be based on optimum exploitation of their stubble surfaces and on specific hydric forage cultivation.