Performance of calves receiving a by-product of the babassu oil palm during the dry season in an integrated pasture-forestry system in the pre-Amazon region of Brazil

Integration of farming, livestock and forestry constitutes a viable alternative for the advancement of sustainable agriculture through its effects on social and ecological processes. Silvopastoral systems are integrated systems characterized by the management of animals in an agriculture-forestry association. These systems aim to stabilize forage production for meat and/or milk production and provide forestry products as well as various environmental services, such as shade for animals (Mauricio et al. 2010). Despite the benefits mentioned, the seasonality in the production of tropical forages needs to be considered. An efficient way to avoid losses in animal production in the dry season is with the use of supplementation, e.g. soybean meal. However, other byproducts from agri-business with high nutritional value are often not recovered and rather discarded, sometimes harming the environment. The use of these residues in animal feed can reduce environmental impacts and the cost of animal feed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of cattle in a silvopastoral system in the dry season, supplemented with babassu meal, a by-product of the native oilpalm, babassu (Orbygnia phalerata, syn. Attaleia speciosa).