Spatiotemporal Distribution of Cattle Dung Patches in a Subtropical Soybean-Beef System under Different Grazing Intensities in Winter
, Christian Bredemeier 3, Monica Cadenazzi 4, Lúcio P. Amaral 5, Fernando M. Pfeifer 6, Ibanor Anghinoni 7 and Paulo C. de F. Carvalho 2Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The study is stated to be "Random Complete block design with 3 replicates. I did not see the 3 replicates. The map indicates just 4 paddocks, one of each stocking intensity. If the paddocks/grazing intensity areas were not replicated, I am concerned about whether or not the data should be published.
Also the authors had a large number of citations. This means, and I am familiar with some of the work, that much has already been published in this area. What did the authors learn that is new?
Author Response
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Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
This work aligned with the international effort on integrated agricultural system research. The work should be interesting to the readers of the journal. The work is interesting to the readers of the journal. It is well prepared and English writing is acceptable. Even though, there is still improving room for clarity and greater impacts.
- Is it clear with the term “beef dung” than “cattle dung” throughout the manuscript? Sometimes I wonder if it is beef dung or cow dung even though the term “beef” is occasionally mentioned
- LL79-80. The two citations are published three decades ago. Better to have some recent publications. Indeed, the book (2020, Animal Manure: Production, Characteristics, Environmental Concerns and Management. ASA Special Publication 67. ASA and SSSA, Madison, WI. 430 PP) may be citable. Authors may point out that there is no coverage in the book on the spatiotemporal distribution of animal excreta in grazing field to justify the significance of your research.
- L114 and other place. Is your integrated crop-livestock systems considered a organic farming system or not? Better to elaborate a little more on the concern in Introduction as well as Discussion. Refer to the chapter “Organic animal farming and comparative studies of conventional and organic manures” (p. 165-182, In Animal Manure: Production, Characteristics, Environmental Concerns and Management. ASA Special Publication 67. ASA and SSSA, Madison, WI.
- L144. Should the growth stages of these cattle is also a factor to affect your observations? Also
- Conclusion. From your research, any suggestion or expectation on better management practices? Or any out look of future research?
6. LL418-419. Fill in the information on the authors, title etc.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
The article is interesting and relevant. Same small remarks in the text. Recommendation for the future. The quality of the material will increase significantly if you use dry mass of dang or (the best) NPK content in the dang. This is due to differences in the digestion of livestock with abundance and lack of food.
Comments for author File: Comments.pdf
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
The Methodology states that "the experiment was established as a randomized complete block design with three replicates". From the description all I see are 4 unreplicated grazing rates. Thus you can define the spatial distribution of dung in each but cannot compare among grazing intensities. This issue was raised last time and not addressed in the revision.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
