New research frameworks that simultaneously address production and environmental goals are required to identify promising sustainable intensification options in high-yielding cereal systems. Here we estimated potential changes in environmental footprint associated with crop management practices aimed at breaking the yield ceiling for rice production in Uruguay. Results from a regional survey were combined with field experiments to integrate impacts on productivity and sustainability at two different intensification levels (average-yielding and high-yielding).

The number of samples is a major issue when estimating the mean herbage mass of grazed paddocks. The aim of this study was to assess the number of samples required for accurate visual estimation of mean herbage mass in relation to the herbage mass heterogeneity and size of paddocks. Data were collected across scales of space and time (273 sampling events) from paddocks on Campos grasslands in Uruguay, using the visual estimation technique. The mean herbage mass of the paddocks ranged from 270 to 6350 kg DM ha−1 with coefficient of variation (CV) of 0.13 to 1.26.

ABSTRACT. Heat stress negatively impacts the reproductive performance of dairy cows. The main objective of this study was to dissect the genetic basis underlying dairy cow fertility under heat stress conditions. Our first goal was to estimate genetic components of cow conception across lactations considering heat stress. Our second goal was to reveal individual genes and functional gene-sets that explain a cow?s ability to conceive under thermal stress. Data consisted of 74 221 insemination records on 13 704 Holstein cows.

Abstract: South American countries are important agricultural players worldwide. Pesticides are key components of their production systems and, in some cases, complement environmentally sound systems, such as no-till, which contributes to preserving soil productivity. In this review, presented in the symposium Global Perspective on Herbicides Being Banned during the 2019 Weed Science Society of America meeting, we describe the regulatory framework and current situation of restricted and banned herbicides in South America.

Abstract:Land leveling is used to correct soil surface irregularities to improve surface drainage and irrigation. It also makes the area more manageable for an array of agricultural activities such as planting and harvesting. The objective of this work was to evaluate two designs of land forming, one aimed at optimizing drainage and the other at optimizing surface irrigation, using fields with reliefs typical of the lowlands of southern Brazil. Seven commercial rice fields, ranging in size from 7 to 26 ha, were randomly selected and digital elevation designs generated for each.

Abstract: Land leveling is used to correct soil surface irregularities to improve surface drainage and irrigation. It also makes the area more manageable for an array of agricultural activities such as planting and harvesting. The objective of this work was to evaluate two designs of land forming, one aimed at optimizing drainage and the other at optimizing surface irrigation, using fields with reliefs typical of the lowlands of southern Brazil. Seven commercial rice fields, ranging in size from 7 to 26 ha, were randomly selected and digital elevation designs generated for each.

Abstract: Weeds are host and multipliers of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.). The status quo of the knowledge of the ability of Meloidogyne arenaria to reproduce in weeds is a little unknown. The present study aimed to evaluate the ability of M. arenaria to parasitize and reproduce in different weeds found in Brazil. Thirty-eight weed species were individually inoculated with 5000 eggs and second stage juveniles. Inoculated plants were kept in a greenhouse for 60 days. The design was completely randomized with twelve repetitions.

Abstract Management of native weeds in natural grasslands is a challenging task. Often, recommendations are based on short?term studies of the response of weed cover and density to different control methods. However, perennial species well adapted to disturbances typically recover from commonly used control techniques. In this long?term study, we focused on a rosette native to the South American Campos :Eryngium horridum Malme (Apiaceae). This plant is strongly avoided by cattle due to its spiny leaves and tends to form dense patches, reducing the available grazing area.

Abstract Management of native weeds in natural grasslands is a challenging task. Often, recommendations are based on short?term studies of the response of weed cover and density to different control methods. However, perennial species well adapted to disturbances typically recover from commonly used control techniques. In this long?term study, we focused on a rosette native to the South American Campos : Eryngium horridum Malme (Apiaceae). This plant is strongly avoided by cattle due to its spiny leaves and tends to form dense patches, reducing the available grazing area.

ABSTRACT: Fifty-seven primiparous Angus, Hereford, and crossbred cows were used to study the effect of strategic supplementation on metabolic, productive, and reproductive responses. The experiment had two periods including four phases:prepartum supplementation (phase I; 52 days), early postpartum (phase II; 43 days), pre-mating supplementation (phase III; 21 days), and the last phase including mating, gestation, and lactation until weaning (phase IV; 103 days). Phases I and II were considered as period 1, and phases III and IV were considered as period 2.