Characterization of livestock systems in six municipalities in the regions of Rivas and Carazo, Nicaragua

Abstract

Nicaragua is a country with agricultural characteristics, highlighting livestock production. We studied 153 double-purpose livestock systems in the departments of Rivas (Belén, Rivas and Tola) and Carazo (Santa Teresa, Diriamba and La Conquista). The characteristics of the system were evaluated (areas and distribution of the system, ownership of the property and availability of water), Characteristics of the herd (Race, Number of animals, mortality among others), nutritional characteristics (type of feeding), sanitary management and infrastructure productive The objective of this study was to characterize livestock systems in the departments of Carazo and Rivas, Nicaragua. It was found that the owners predominated, over 50 years old, the level of education that prevails is primary, and followed by secondary education. With average areas between 20 and 50 hectares. During the year there are times with high production of pastures mainly in the rainy season accessible to livestock, however in the dry season there is scarcity so that minerals must be supplied to meet the nutritional demands. In the herd they predominated: Swiss Brown and Brahman. Annual mortality in off spring and adults was lower than 10%. The dominant grass species correspond to Hyparrhenia rufa Nees (38.11%), Andropogon gayanus kunth (23.42%). The presence of corrals and galleys constitute the main productive infrastructures. The epizootiological management is dewormed, vitamin and cattle vaccine against the main diseases present in the departments under study, being the aff ectations by spiders the most common, followed by the presence of internal and external parasites. We identifi ed the existence of producers (28 of 153) that have areas with established forage banks and some agroecological practices that favor productivity.