Voisin Rational Grazing: An Agroecological Alternative to Achieve Sustainable Livestock in Ecuador

Abstract

Abstract Voisin Rational Grazing (VRG) is an agroecological pasture management procedure that minimizes the work in the soil, eliminates chemical fertilization, and reduces the use of antiparasitics and antibiotics. The current study was conducted at the La Simona farm in the Pedernales canton of Manabí province, Ecuador. The VRG was evaluated productively and economically. Using a non-experimental research design with a quantitative approach and descriptive scope, retrospective data from 2014 to 2016 were analyzed. It was found that the progressive actions of the VRG increased forage production by 0.1 kg/m2/year; the animal load also increased from 0.7 to 2.4 UGG/ha as a result of a greater rest of the pastures for up to 67 days, during which the soil biocenosis and the mineralization rate of organic matter improved, milk production also increased by 506.8 L/ha/year, while, as a consequence, the milk production cost decreased to 0.34 USD/L due to the decrease in the costs of the livestock system. The authors conclude that the VRG in the La Simona farm, far from being a panacea that solves the problems of livestock, is an agroecological alternative that allows having a sustainable company based on the integral management of the biotic and abiotic resources of the livestock ecosystem.

Keywords

• cows, production, milk, pasture.