ABSTRACT: South Brazil produces colonial cheese based on Italian immigration recipes. This study characterized colonial cheese produced in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The sampling method was by conglomerate. A total of 293 rural producers were interviewed; they also provided cheeses for physicochemical and microbiologicanalyses. For the characterization of colonial cheese, parameters related to milk, processes, social aspects, physical aspects and ingredients were selected and cluster analysis was performed. Results showed that the colonial cheese is made with whole milk, rennet and salt, with a round shape, weighing an average of 1.22 kg, with an average maturation of 9.4 days, high moisture, fat, using raw or pasteurized milk. The recipe is familiar, passed down through generations and the sale is made directly to the consumer.

RESUMO: O Sul do Brasil produz queijo colonial com base nas receitas da imigração italiana. O objetivo deste estudo foi promover a valorização do queijo colonial produzido no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, por meio de sua caracterização. O método de amostragem foi por conglomerado. Foram entrevistados 293 produtores rurais; também forneceram queijos para análises físico-químicas. Para a caracterização do queijo colonial, foram selecionados parâmetros relacionados ao leite, processos, aspectos sociais, aspectos físicos e ingredientes e realizada análise de agrupamento. Os resultados mostram que o queijo colonial é feito com leite integral, coalho e sal, de formato redondo, pesando em média 1,22 kg, com maturação média de 9,4 dias, de alta umidade, gordo, utilizando leite cru ou pasteurizado. A receita é familiar, passada de geração em geração e a venda é feita diretamente ao consumidor.

ABSTRACT: The extension of the area occupied by the inter tussock stratum and tussock stratum in natural pastures is essential for the productive performance of grazing animals. Images obtained from unmanned remote sensors can provide useful information, especially because they have a high spatial resolution. Thus, this study evaluated the performance of the supervised adaptive classification applied to aerial images obtained from an onboard drone camera to map the area covered by tussocks in a natural pasture of the Pampa biome. The study was carried out in a natural pasture area managed since 1986 under different forage allowances, considering treatments of 8, 12, and 16 kg of dry matter per 100 kg live weight (% LW). An aerial image from September 2017, obtained with a Canon S100 camera onboard a drone at an altitude of 120 m, with a spatial resolution of 5 cm, was used. The random forest and support vector machine classifiers were tested associated with specific classification rules. False-color images showed considerable visual similarity in the large patterns of the vegetation distribution and the validation performed with independent samples when compared to the classified images. The tested classifiers were able to measure the area covered by the tussock stratum, which could be an indicator of the quality vegetation in a natural grassland of the Pampa biome.

RESUMO: A quantidade de área ocupada por estrato inferior e superior em pastagens naturais tem grande importância sobre o desempenho produtivo dos animais em pastejo. Imagens obtidas de sensores remotos não tripulados podem fornecer informações úteis, especialmente por possuírem alta resolução espacial. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de classificação supervisionada adaptativa aplicada a imagem aérea obtida por câmera a bordo de drone, no mapeamento da área coberta por touceiras em pastagem natural do bioma Pampa. O estudo foi realizado em área de pastagem natural, manejada desde 1986 sob diferentes ofertas de forragem, tendo sido considerados os tratamentos 8, 12 e 16 kg de matéria seca por 100 kg de peso vivo (% PV). Foi utilizada uma imagem aérea, de setembro de 2017, obtida com uma câmera Canon S100, a bordo de um drone a 120 m de altitude, correspondendo a resolução espacial de 5 cm. Foram testados dois classificadores, Random Forest e Support Vector Machine associados a regras específicas de classificação. As imagens de falsa cor, quando comparadas às imagens classificadas, apresentaram considerável semelhança visual nos grandes padrões de distribuição da vegetação, bem como na validação feita com amostras independentes. Os classificadores testados foram capazes de mensurar a área coberta por estrato superior, podendo ser um indicador da qualidade da vegetação, em pastagem natural do bioma Pampa.

ABSTRACT In an integrated crop-livestock system (ICLS), system fertilization exploits the nutrient cycling imposed by animal grazing and increases the system efficiency. An increasingly popular approach to fertilization in southern Brazil is anticipating P and K requirements for soybeans into the pasture phase. This can increase the use efficiency of these nutrients in ICLS based on meat production in winter and soybean in summer. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fertilization strategy, grazing and soil acidity correction on herbage and animal production, soybean yield, P and K contents in soil and plant tissue, and P and K use and economic efficiency. In 2017, a field experiment was established on an Acrisol ( Argissolo Vermelho distrófico ) double-cropped with soybean and Italian ryegrass under no-tillage. Herbage and animal production, soybean yield, available P and K contents, and P and K plant tissue status were determined. Available P and K in the soil were unaffected by grazing and fertilization strategy. Conversely, system fertilization and liming increased the P and K contents of aboveground Italian ryegrass biomass. Additionally, the available K budget in the soil was 2.7 times smaller in the integrated system with system fertilization than in the specialized system with conventional fertilization, possibly due to K fixation in non-exchangeable forms. By contrast, the available P budget in the soil was not affected by treatments and was positive with all systems. The use of ICLS increased economic return, and P and K use efficiency for protein production. System fertilization did not affect soybean yield, but it increased the total herbage production of Italian ryegrass. Despite this, sheep live weight did not increase. Using ICLS in combination with system fertilization provides an effective nutrient management strategy with a higher potential for sustainable food production when compared with conventional fertilization.

ABSTRACT Studies on lability of soil phosphorus (P) under integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) are still scarce, especially for deep soil layers (more than 0.20 m depth) and different managements in the crop and livestock phase. Distinct management in these phases may lead to a different distribution of soil P pools according to its lability (labile, moderately labile, less labile and residual) and, consequently, the P availability for plant nutrition. This study aimed to determine the soil P pools, by P fractionation and its distribution in lability classes. In a long-term ICLS experiment of grain and sheep production established in 2003, in Southern Brazil, we sampled in 2017 the 0.00-0.05, 0.05-0.10, 0.10-0.20, 0.20-0.26, 0.26-0.30 and 0.30-0.40 m layers of a Red Dystrophic Acrisol ( Argissolo Vermelho distrófico ) under two cropping systems in the summer (soybean/corn rotation and soybean/soybean succession), two grazing intensities (moderate and low) and two methods (continuous and rotational) in winter. Fractionation of P consisted of sequential extractions with anionic exchange resin, NaHCO 3 0.5 mol L -1 , NaOH 0.1 mol L -1 , HCl 1 mol L -1 , and NaOH 0.5 mol L -1 . The fractions were grouped in four different pools: labile, moderated labile, less labile and residual P. The soybean/soybean succession increased the labile pool of soil P in the 0.00-0.10 m layer compared to the soybean/corn rotation, regardless of the management of the livestock phase. Meanwhile, the management of the livestock phase also influenced soil P lability, regardless of the management of the crop phase. Low grazing intensity increased the levels of labile soil P in the 0.00-0.05 m layer, in comparison with the moderate grazing intensity and regardless of the grazing method. Grazing methods did not impact the soil P lability or content. The greater soil P availability in the soybean/soybean succession can be attributed to the higher quality (low carbon/nitrogen ratio) of the residue, while in the low grazing intensity to the higher forage dry matter production. Such management benefits nutrient cycling and consequently the P availability to the plants, being important to decrease production costs with the reduction and/or greater use efficiency of phosphate fertilizers.

Resumo Condenações durante o abate são importantes fontes de informação sobre a sanidade dos rebanhos. Ainda são altas as incidências de doenças parasitárias, as quais trazem consequências à saúde dos animais, são zoonoses e têm sua importância negligenciada em diversos países. O estudo objetivou quantificar não apenas as perdas encontradas, mas o prejuízo econômico resultante das condenações ao abate por causas parasitárias. Para isso foram analisados dados de abate de bovinos do Ministério da Agricultura Pecuária e Abastecimento, no período de 2012 a 2015, e dados da Secretaria da Agricultura Pecuária e Irrigação, do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, no período de 2014 a 2018. A quantidade de órgãos e carcaças condenados foi multiplicada pelos respectivos valores (em Reais), obtidos da indústria frigorífica e, posteriormente, convertidos para dólar. A análise brasileira de estabelecimentos com SIF (Serviço de Inspeção Federal) mostrou que mais de 1,2 milhão de órgãos (3.884.505 kg) e 20 mil carcaças (4.547.718 kg) foram condenados devido a causas parasitárias durante a inspeção. No estado do Rio Grande do Sul, nos estabelecimentos de inspeção estadual, foram condenados mais de 1,7 milhão de órgãos (8.210.559 kg) e 5 mil carcaças (1.243.200 kg). Os dados são alarmantes e ressaltam a necessidade de políticas públicas para controlar estas parasitoses.

Abstract Slaughter condemnations are important sources of information on cattle health. The incidence of bovine parasitic diseases is still very high in Brazil. These diseases, in addition to causing harm to the animals health, are neglected zoonotic diseases in several parts of world. The study analysed not only the Carcass losses, but also the economic damage resulting from slaughter condemnations due to parasitic causes. Cattle slaughter data from the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), over the period of 2012 to 2015 and data from the Secretary of Livestock and Irrigation of the state of Rio Grande do Sul (SEAPI-RS) were analyzed between 2014 and 2018.The number of organs and carcasses condemned was multiplied by the respective values (in Brazilian Real) obtained from slaughterhouses and subsequently converted into dollars. Brazilian analysis in SIF (Federal Inspection System) establishments showed that more than 1.2 million organs (3,884,505 kg) and 20,000 carcasses (4,547,718 kg) were condemned only due to parasitic causes during post-mortem inspection. In Rio Grande do Sul, in state inspection establishments, more than 1.7 million organs (8,210,559 kg) and 5,000 carcasses (1,243,200 kg) were condemned. These data are alarming and support the need for public policies to control these parasitic diseases.

Resumo O objetivo do estudo foi analisar a variabilidade no TVDI (Temperature-Vegetation Dryness Index) obtido de sensores orbitais com resoluções distintas, em região agrícola no sul do Brasil. Utilizou-se três imagens OLI/TIRS (Operational Land Imager/Thermal Infrared Sensor) do satélite Landsat 8, e 12 imagens MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) do satélite Terra. Dados coletados em campo serviram como base para classificação de imagem OLI/TIRS e mapeamento de áreas de arroz, soja, campos naturais, mata ciliar e solo exposto. O TVDI foi obtido por duas parametrizações em períodos distintos, utilizando as dispersões entre Temperatura de Superfície (TS) e NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index). O TVDI obtido para ambos sensores apresentou padrão similar possibilitando diferenciar os alvos. Na média de todas as datas e classes, o TVDI obtido das imagens MODIS foi superior em 0,128 unidades ao TVDI obtido com o OLI/TIRS. Quando utilizado OLI/TIRS há um melhor detalhamento espacial das condições hídricas, mas com menor repetição ao longo da safra; já utilizando o TVDI-MODIS é possível monitorar as condições hídricas em escala regional, com menor detalhamento espacial, mas com maior repetitividade no tempo. O TVDI estimado pelos sensores OLI/TIRS e MODIS, pode ser utilizado de forma conjunta, trazendo informações complementares.

Abstract The aim of the study was to analyze the variability in the TVDI (Temperature-Vegetation Dryness Index) obtained from orbital sensors with distinct resolution in an agricultural region in southern Brazil. Three images of the Landsat 8 satellite OLI/TIRS (Operational Land Imager/Thermal Infrared Sensor) and 12 of Terra’s MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer), were used. Data collected in the field served as a basis for OLI/TIRS image classification and mapping of rice, soybean, grasslands, gallery forest and bare soil areas. The TVDI obtained by two parameterizations at different periods was evaluated, using the dispersions between Surface Temperature (TS) and NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index). The TVDI obtained for both sensors presented a similar pattern allowing differentiation of the targets. The average of all dates and classes, TVDI obtained from MODIS was 0.128 units higher than the obtained with the OLI/TIRS. When used OLI/TIRS there is a better detail in the representation of the moisture, but with less repetition throughout the crop cycle. Using TVDI-MODIS, it is possible to monitor moisture conditions on a regional scale, with less spatial detail, but in a continuous way over time. The TVDI estimated by the OLI/TIRS and MODIS can be used together, providing complementary information.

RESUMO Objetivou-se nesse trabalho caracterizar climaticamente a precipitação pluvial, analisar a influência de eventos El Niño Oscilação Sul (ENOS) e a tendência temporal na série de dados 1956-2015 de Veranópolis, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Para caracterização climática foram definidas estatísticas descritivas da precipitação pluvial anual, mensal e estacional. Para identificação de diferenças entre estações e influência de eventos ENOS, os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e teste de Duncan. Tendências foram avaliadas pelo teste de Mann Kendall. Os resultados indicaram que a precipitação pluvial anual média é de 1.683 mm e a mensal 140 mm, variando entre 109 (maio) e 182 mm (setembro). Há elevada variabilidade interanual na precipitação pluvial anual (desvio-padrão de 327 mm), mensal (60-100 mm) e estacional (124-183 mm), a qual deve ser considerada especialmente em sistemas agrícolas não irrigados nos quais a chuva é o principal mecanismo de aporte de água às plantas. Embora a precipitação pluvial média do outono (346 mm) seja inferior à das demais estações, os percentuais médios em relação ao total anual são semelhantes (21-28%) e a chuva é bem distribuída nas estações. Diferenças entre eventos ENOS ocorreram na primavera, sendo que chove menos em eventos La Niña (385 mm) do que em El Niño (549 mm) e neutros (481 mm). Há tendência climática de aumento da precipitação pluvial anual em 6,3 mm ao ano (p < 0,01), assim como na primavera (2,5 mm) e inverno (1,9 mm) (p < 0,10) na série analisada.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to characterize the rainfall climatology in Veranópolis, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, through analyses of means, variabilities related to El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and temporal trends, using a 60-year data series (1956-2015). Descriptive statistics of annual, monthly and seasonal rainfall were used to characterize the rainfall climatology. The differences between seasons, and influence of ENSO were evaluated using analysis of variance and the Duncan’s test. Rainfall trends were evaluated by the Mann Kendall test. The local average annual rainfall is 1,683 mm and the average monthly rainfall is 140 mm, varying from 109 (May) to 182 mm (September). The annual rainfall has high interannual (standard deviation of 327 mm), monthly (60-100 mm) and seasonal (124-183 mm) variabilities, which should be considered in non-irrigated agricultural systems using rainfall as the main source of water supply to plants. Although autumn presents lower average rainfall (346 mm) than the other seasons, its average percentages were similar to the total annual rainfall (21-28%), and the rainfalls are well-distributed in the seasons. Differences between ENSO events occurred in the spring; La Niña years showed lower rainfall (385 mm) than El Niño (549 mm) and neutral (481 mm) years. The annual rainfall tended to increase by 6.3 mm per year (p < 0.01), with increases of 2.5 mm in spring and 1.9 mm in winter (p < 0.10) in the period analyzed.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to characterize the average seasonal pattern of the vegetation in southern grassland in Brazil, and the variability found in the time series of vegetation indices. It also sought to identify similarities in the seasonal pattern of different grassland typologies. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) images from Feb to Dec, 2000 to 2014 were analyzed for ten regions. The grassland typologies studied showed EVI and NDVI profiles consistent with the seasonal dynamics of grassland vegetation under the influence of a subtropical climate, with highest values in the indices during the warm seasons of the year (spring and summer) and lowest in the colder seasons (autumn and winter). Considering the values of EVI and NDVI, grassland typologies were allocated to four groups with similar temporal profiles. Among the groups formed from the EVI index it is possible to identify differences between grassland typologies during the autumn and winter, while the NDVI showed differences only in winter as compared to the other seasons.

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to characterize the dynamics of NDVI and meteorological conditions, relating both to the annual dynamics of biomass accumulation in natural pastures of the Pampa biome as a way of subsidizing growth modeling. Forage accumulation rate data from a long-term experiment, NDVI data from the MODIS images, and meteorological data measured at the surface were used. We verify that the agrometeorological element associated to the accumulation of forage in the natural grasslands is different according to the season, which is typical of the subtropical climate. Winter is the critical season for livestock production due to the lower forage accumulation rate and lower values of NDVI, conditioned by the decrease of solar radiation and air temperature. In the summer, the limiting factor to forage accumulation is the hydric condition. It was also verified that the variability in the growth of grasslands can be associated with the ENSO phenomenon, being the El Niño favorable and the La Niña unfavorable, especially in the spring-summer period. Considering the verified associations, spectral indices combined with agrometeorological elements are recommended to the adjustment of models of forage accumulation in the Pampa biome natural grasslands.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi a identificação das bandas espectrais, dos índices de vegetação e dos períodos do ciclo da canola em que a correlação entre os dados espectrais e os indicadores biofísicos (matéria seca total da parte aérea e rendimento de grãos) é mais significativa. Os experimentos foram conduzidos nas safras de 2013 e 2014, na Embrapa Trigo, no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições, e os tratamentos foram cinco doses de nitrogênio em cobertura. Foram determinados a matéria seca das plantas, o rendimento de grãos e a fenologia. A resposta espectral da canola foi avaliada por medições de reflectância do dossel, com espectrorradiômetro, e, a partir desses dados, foram calculados os índices de vegetação SR, NDVI, EVI, SAVI e GNDVI. As correlações de Pearson entre as variáveis espectrais e biofísicas da canola mostraram que as melhores bandas para estimativa da matéria seca são as do vermelho (620 a 670 nm) e do infravermelho próximo (841 a 876 nm). O período vegetativo é o mais indicado para obtenção de correlações mais significativas para a canola. Todos os índices de vegetação utilizados são adequados para estimativas da matéria seca e do rendimento de grãos da canola.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to identify the spectral bands, vegetation indices, and periods of the canola crop season in which the correlation between spectral data and biophysical indicators (total shoot dry matter and grain yield) is most significant. The experiment was carried out during the 2013 and 2014 crop seasons at Embrapa Trigo, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A randomized complete block design was used, with four replicates, and the treatments consisted of five doses of nitrogen topdressing. Plant dry matter, grain yield, and phenology were measured. The canola spectral response was evaluated by measuring the canola canopy reflectance using a spectroradiometer, and, with this data, the SR, NDVI, EVI, SAVI, and GNDVI vegetation indices were determined. Pearson’s correlations between the spectral and biophysical variables of canola showed that the red (620 to 670 nm) and near-infrared (841 to 876 nm) bands were the best to estimate the dry matter. The vegetative period is the most indicated to obtain the most significant correlations for canola. All the used vegetation indices are adequate for estimating the dry matter and grain yield of canola.

ABSTRACT Foliar diseases impose severe restrictions on the persistence and productivity of Medicago sativa, both of which may be increased by developing disease resistant and more competitive genotypes that can improve pasture quality. We found Curvularia geniculata as the principal alfalfa foliar pathogen in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS). Growth chamber experiments evaluated the resistance of alfalfa genotypes ‘E1C4’, ‘CPPSul’, ‘ABT 805’ and ‘CUF-101’ to C. geniculata as compared the control ‘Crioula’ genotype. These genotypes were also evaluated in field trials at a sea level site in Eldorado do Sul in central RS and at two sites £200 m above sea level, one in Bagé municipality in south west RS and the other at a farm near the town of Alto Feliz in north east RS. Plants were spray-inoculated with 1.6 x 106 ml-1 of C. geniculata spores and visually evaluated for leaf damage 14 days later. The C. geniculata infection rates varied from zero to 100%. Alfalfa persistence and forage mean dry mass (DM) production at the Eldorado site were measured during different seasons from November 2013 to January 2015 by calculating the incidence of invasive plants and morphologically separating leaves from stems and calculating both leaf and stem DM. Data were analysed using mixed statistical models. The best results for persistence and forage DM were shown by the ‘CPPSul’ genotypes (DM = 16,600 kg ha-1) and ‘Crioula’ (DM = 15,750 kg ha-1). These two genotypes will be used for subsequent investigations and selection cycles.

RESUMO O índice de vegetação por diferença normalizada (NDVI), obtido por sensoriamento remoto, tem sido amplamente empregado no monitoramento de culturas agrícolas produtoras de grãos, porém poucos são os estudos em fruticultura. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar a evolução temporal do NDVI obtido por sensor remoto de superfície ao longo do ciclo de videiras em sistemas horizontais de condução do dossel vegetativo. Dados de NDVI foram obtidos com sensor remoto Greenseeker em vinhedos na região da Serra Gaúcha, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, de setembro a junho nas safras 2014/2015 e 2015/2016. Os vinhedos das cultivares Chardonnay e Cabernet Sauvignon eram conduzidos em sistema horizontal (latada e lira). Os resultados indicaram que houve variabilidade temporal do NDVI ao longo do ciclo (de 0,33 a 0,85), a qual refletiu as alterações no acúmulo de biomassa e vigor vegetativo decorrentes das principais etapas fenológicas e práticas de manejo. A evolução temporal do NDVI foi semelhante nos sistemas latada e lira, ambos caracterizados pela condução horizontal do dossel vegetativo. Os valores de NDVI para ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ foram superiores aos de ‘Chardonnay’ ao longo do ciclo, independe da safra avaliada e do sistema de condução, indicando ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ como a cultivar de maior vigor vegetativo. O NDVI, obtido por sensor remoto de superfície, é uma forma rápida e não destrutiva de monitoramento e caracterização do dossel vegetativo em tempo real, compilando em uma única informação o desenvolvimento da videira, o qual é resultado de diversos fatores, edafo-climáticos e de manejo, dificilmente quantificados conjuntamente.

ABSTRACT The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) obtained by remote sensing is widely used to monitor annual crops but few studies have investigated its use in perennial fruit crops. The aim of this study was to determine the temporal NDVI profile during grapevine cycle in vineyards established in horizontal training systems. NDVI data were obtained by the ground-based remote sensing Greenseeker in Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards located in the Serra Gaúcha region, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from September to June in the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 vegetative seasons. The grapevine canopies were managed in horizontal training systems (T-trellis and Y-trellis). The results indicated that the temporal NDVI values varied during the grapevine cycle (0.33 to 0.85), reflecting the changing in vigor and biomass accumulation that resulted from the phenological stages and management practices. The temporal NDVI profiles were similar to both horizontal training systems. The NDVI values were higher throughout the cycle for Cabernet Sauvignon compared to Chardonnay indicating Cabernet Sauvignon as the cultivar with greater vegetative vigor. The NDVI obtained by ground-based remote sensing is a fast and non-destructive tool to monitor and characterize the canopy in real time, compiling into a single data several parameters related to vine development, like meteorological conditions and management practices that are difficult to be quantified together.

ABSTRACT The Pampa biome is an important ecosystem in Brazil that is highly relevant to livestock production. The objective of this study was to analyze the potential use of vegetation indices to discriminate grazing intensities on natural grasslands in the Pampa biome. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) images from Jan to Dec, 2000 to 2013 series, were analyzed for natural grassland experimental units managed under high (forage allowance of 5 ± 2 % live weight – LW), moderate (13 ± 5 % LW) and low grazing intensity (19 ± 7 % LW). Regardless of intensity, the temporal profiles showed lower NDVI and EVI during winter, increased values in spring because of summer species regrowth, slightly decreased values in summer, especially in years when there is a water deficit, and increased values in the fall associated with the beginning of winter forage development. The average temporal profiles of moderate grazing intensity exhibited greater vegetation index values compared with low and high grazing intensities. The temporal profiles of less vegetation index were associated with lower green biomass accumulation caused by the negative impact of stocking rates on the leaf area index under high grazing intensity and a floristic composition with a predominance of tussocks under low grazing intensity. Vegetation indices can be used for distinguishing moderate grazing intensity from low and high intensities. The average EVI values can discriminate moderate grazing intensity during any season, and the NDVI values can discriminate moderate grazing intensity during spring and winter.

RESUMO: O trabalho teve como objetivo i) quantificar a incerteza de medição nos ensaios físicos de arroz e feijão para um defeito hipotético; ii) verificar se a homogeneização e redução da amostra nos ensaios de classificação física de arroz e feijão são eficazes para reduzir a incerteza do processo; iii) analisar se o aumento do tamanho da amostra de grãos de feijão aumenta a precisão e reduz a incerteza de medição de forma considerável. Defeitos hipotéticos em arroz e feijão com diferentes níveis de danos foram simulados de acordo com a metodologia de ensaio da Instrução Normativa de cada produto. A homogeneização e redução da amostra na classificação física de arroz e feijão não são eficazes, transferindo para o resultado final do ensaio uma elevada incerteza de medição. O tamanho da amostra indicado pela instrução normativa não permite uma adequada homogeneização e deveria ser aumentado.

ABSTRACT: The study aimed to i) quantify the measurement uncertainty in the physical tests of rice and beans for a hypothetical defect, ii) verify whether homogenization and sample reduction in the physical classification tests of rice and beans is effective to reduce the measurement uncertainty of the process and iii) determine whether the increase in size of beans sample increases accuracy and reduces measurement uncertainty in a significant way. Hypothetical defects in rice and beans with different damage levels were simulated according to the testing methodology determined by the Normative Ruling of each product. The homogenization and sample reduction in the physical classification of rice and beans are not effective, transferring to the final test result a high measurement uncertainty. The sample size indicated by the Normative Ruling did not allow an appropriate homogenization and should be increased.

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes intensidades de pastejo sob a produção de forragem e o desempenho animal de novilhos superprecoces mantidos sob pastejo contínuo em sistema integrado de produção agropecuária. Os tratamentos consistiram das alturas de manejo de pasto de 10; 20; 30 e 40 cm; e de um tratamento sem pastejo. Os pastos eram constituídos de aveia-preta (Avena strigosa Schreb.) e azevém anual (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) em sucessão a cultura da soja (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). As variáveis massa de forragem, oferta de forragem e palhada residual se ajustaram de forma positiva e linear ao incremento da altura do pasto (P≤0,0001). O desempenho individual de novilhos apresentou resposta quadrática (P = 0,0017) e foi otimizado com o incremento na altura do pasto até valores próximos a 30 cm, com ganho de peso por animal de aproximadamente 1,0 kg dia-1. O mesmo foi observado para o peso vivo ao abate e as características de carcaça (P≤0,0305). Os resultados sugerem que alturas próximas a 30 cm permitem maiores ganhos individuais, devido ao aumento da quantidade de forragem disponível por animal e a melhor qualidade da forragem consumida, não havendo comprometimento da palhada residual destinada à cultura subsequente.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different grazing intensities on forage production and animal performance of yearling steers kept under permanent grazing in an integrated crop-livestock system. The treatments consisted of areas with sward heights of 10; 20; 30 and 40 cm, and one treatment with no grazing. The pastures were of bristle oat (Avena strigosa Schreb.) and annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) following soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). The variables forage mass, forage allowance and residual straw showed a positive and linear fit to the increasing sward height (P≤0.0001). Average daily gain of steers displayed a quadratic response (P = 0.0017), being optimal with increases in grazing height up to values of near 30 cm, showing a weight gain per animal of approximately 1.0 kg day-1. A similar response was seen for live weight at slaughter and carcass characteristics (P≤0.0305). The results suggest that sward heights close to 30 cm provide greater individual gains, due to the increase in forage available to each animal and the better quality of the consumed forage without compromising the residual straw destined for the following crop.