PARÁMETROS PRODUCTIVOS Y REPRODUCTIVOS EN UN REBAÑO DE OVINO TALAVERANO DURANTE LA TRANSFORMACIÓN EN PASTOS DE UN CULTIVO

The aim of the present paper is to evalúate the effects of phosphate fertilization on animal performance in a trial of pasture regeneration on an abandoned oat culture in a dehesa system at NW of Toledo province (Spain), during four consecutive years. Fertility, prolificacy and other productive features (meat production, flock live weight evolution , stocking rate, etc.) were compared between an abandoned culture with or without fertilisation and a semi-natural pasture. Reproductive Índices were similar between treatments across experimental period. Live weight variations and body condition were affected by years through the different pasture production; the results of fertilized pastures were better than natural pasture, especially in wet springs. Although the stocking rate was higher in fertilised pasture than in natural pasture, meat production (kg lamb/ha) was similar for both treatments. If higher stocking rates had been established meat production (kg/ha) could have been increased according to the results of pasture production, live weight and body condition. The low number of weaned lambs per ewe at tupping and the difficulties to adjust the stocking rates, limited the positive effects of fertilization. Key