Description

The key problem in the reduction of production and availability of forage is the presence of the grass bug (Collaria scenica), considered the main pest in dairy farming in the Cundiboyacense region, which affects the quality, pasture load capacity and dairy productivity by 34.4 %.

The proposed recommendations focus on the integrated management of the grass bug that can occur together with other Miridae family species to maintain low populations and reduce damage levels.

The description includes efficient practices such as the recovery and renewal of meadows, intercropping with mixed forage species, adequate fertilization, measurements to determine forage availability, the use and adequate rotation of the meadows, and irrigation. It is suggested to complement these with the use of forage crops and their conservation through silages and haylage in critical times during droughts.

To effectively control these pests and minimize damage, integrated management has been implemented based on the following key strategies:

1. Detailed monitoring:

• Identification of various biological states of the bug.
• Accurate monitoring of initial damage for timely interventions.

2. Rational use of insecticides:

• Preference for categories III: Moderately toxic and IV: Slightly toxic.
• Reduction to 1 insecticide application per rotation.

3. Efficient management practices:

• Recovery and renewal of grasslands.
• Intercropping with mixed forage species.
• Adequate fertilization and strategic rotation of pastures.

4. Conservation and renovation technology:

• Use of silage and haylage in critical times.
• Implementation of silvopastoral systems.

With these practices, impressive results and benefits are achieved related to an 80 % improvement in forage quality, the animal load per hectare is doubled from 1.5 to 3.2 animals, and there is a 60 % increase in the availability of forage in dry matter terms.

At the same time, a significant increase in forage biomass is achieved in Kikuyu grass meadows, reaching 67 % (87 % with intercropping) and soil aeration, promoting dormant plant species' growth.

There is also an improvement in nutritional quality and livestock production, which allows the accumulation of crude protein that reaches 790 kilograms per hectare, the intercropping of high productivity grazing species which brings the accumulation of protein to 910 kilograms per hectare and reduces the cell wall to 48.3 %, 4.2 % less than in traditionally managed pastures.

It prevents the reduction of dry matter by 25 %, avoids the decrease in digestibility by 10 %, prevents a drop in milk production by up to 5 liters per animal per day, reduces rotation periods from 35 to 40 days for Kikuyu or when it has between 5-7 leaves, depending on the pasture management of each farm, which breaks the life cycle of C. scenica.

Grazing or cutting height of less than 10 cm decreases the availability of food for the bug and destroys egg-laying sites.

As economic and environmental impacts, economic losses are avoided for producers given the reduction in the use of agrochemicals to less than one application per rotation, an increase in load capacity is promoted, and the population of C. scenica is reduced by up to 50 %, there is greater diversity of beneficial fauna and less damage in pastures. Finally, the diversity of the meadow (grasses + legumes) favors the pasture from pest attack, with minimal levels of damage.

Its use is recommended in the departments of Cundinamarca and Boyacá.

Associated publications

• Manual: Recuperación de suelo y renovación de praderas en sistemas de producción de leche especializada de trópico alto. 
• Manual: Manual Renovación y manejo de praderas en sistemas de producción de leche especializada en el trópico alto colombiano.

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