The Mombaca grass (Panicum maximum cv. Mombaca) is gaining ground across Brazilian pastures, Embrapa researchers reported this week. The cultivar now reaches producers in at least 26 states and shows measurable gains in animal production and farm income since its release in 1993.
Adopted mainly in dairy and integrated crop-livestock systems, Mombaca increases liveweight gains and dry matter yield compared with degraded Brachiaria pastures. The shift has prompted producers to intensify systems, with economic and social ripple effects for seed companies, fertilizer suppliers and local labor markets.
Average Animal Production of 15 Arrobas/ha/year and Six-year Persistence
Embrapa data indicate that Mombaca produces on average 15 arrobas per hectare per year in animal production, while presenting a mean persistence of six years under proper management. The 15 @/ha/year metric translates into a sustained biomass yield that supports more frequent stocking and higher daily gains.
Persistence around six years positions Mombaca as a medium-duration cultivar suited for rotational and integrated systems. Producers must maintain soil fertility and rotational discipline to preserve stand longevity and reach the reported production levels.
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Leaves Deliver 130% More Dry Matter Than Panicum Colonião
Comparative trials show Mombaca generates 130% more foliar dry matter than Panicum colonião under similar conditions. This increase in leaf biomass directly raises the forage available per animal and supports higher stocking rates without immediate pasture expansion.
Higher foliar dry matter also improves the balance between maintenance and productive intake in cattle diets. For systems transitioning from low-biomass grasses, the relative increase accelerates the recovery of productive capacity and shortens the payback period for pasture renovation.
Beef Gain: Average 700 Kg Live Weight/ha/year in Finishing Systems
In beef systems, Mombaca has delivered average gains of 700 kilograms of live weight per hectare per year according to Embrapa trials. That performance contrasts with degraded brachiaria stands, which often produce around 100 kg of live weight/ha/year in comparable regions.
The 600 kg/ha/year differential underlines why some producers replace low-yielding grasses despite higher input costs. Greater per-hectare finishing capacity increases turnover and can raise profitability when market and input prices align favorably.
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Average Incremental Gain of 350 Kg Live Weight/ha Equals 178.5 Kg Carcass
Embrapa calculated an average incremental liveweight gain of 350 kg/ha/year when replacing degraded brachiaria with Mombaca. Using a carcass yield of 51%, that additional liveweight corresponds to roughly 178.5 kg of carcass per hectare annually.
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Translating biological gains into marketed product helps farmers and advisors measure return on investment. Carcass gain metrics facilitate pricing, logistics planning and assessment of downstream capacity such as slaughter and transport.
Economic Return of R$1,343.20/ha Considering 2015 Cattle Prices and R$300 Input Cost
Using the 2015 average beef price of R$138.08 per arroba and an added production cost of R$300/ha for Mombaca establishment and maintenance, Embrapa estimates a net gain of R$1,343.20 per hectare. The calculation contrasts additional revenue from higher carcass output against the reported incremental cost.
This unit profit highlights how biological efficiency converts to farm income under specific price scenarios. However, the result is sensitive to cattle market prices, input inflation and regional cost structures; producers must recalculate returns with current data before large-scale adoption.
Adoption Across Regions: Presence in 26 States and Benefits to Seed and Fertilizer Markets
Mombaca is available across Brazil, with confirmed use in Central-West, North, Northeast, Southeast and South regions and presence in at least 26 states. Embrapa and partner institutions list distribution through UNIPASTO associates, seed companies and agro stores.
Wider adoption stimulated demand for certified seed and soil fertility inputs, benefiting agribusiness suppliers. The requirement for higher soil fertility to unlock Mombaca’s potential increases sales of fertilizers and corrective products and prompts extension services to advise on nutrient management.
Social Impact: Employment, Smallholder Gains and Supply-chain Effects
Embrapa reports that Mombaca adoption has social impacts across production chains. Small and medium dairy producers benefit from replacing elephant grass for improved feed quality and labor efficiency, while intensification in beef systems increases demand for seasonal labor.
On the industry side, the cultivar’s popularity contributed to growth in the seed production sector and in markets for machinery and equipment tailored to improved pastures. Embrapa links these dynamics to gains in rural employment, training needs and capacity building among producers and technicians.
Edvânia Almeida. Formada em Ciências Contábeis e Pós-graduada em Gestão Financeira: Auditoria e Controladoria pela FGV. Pequena pecuarista e apaixonada pelo Agronegócio e Gestão Estratégica.
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