Maize stover in the relationship of maize-growing and cattle raising in the dry tropics of Chiapas, Mexico

Abstract

An approximation study was conducted using a socio-agricultural approach to determine the current status of maize stover production and use in the Frailesca region of Chiapas. Field work conducted in 2012 consisted of semi-structured interviews to gather information from all stakeholders involved in the maizelivestock farming relationship. Three classes of maize-livestock farmers by scale were identified in the region depending on the criteria of crop surface and maize yield. All three classes of farmers were found to be energy efficient, with balances above 9 Mcal produced per Mcal consumed. The primary form of using maize stover at all stages of cattle raising except fattending was direct grazing, due to low yields that make mechanical operations hardly feasible.