Effect of oat restricted grazing on milk production

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of oat (Avena sp. ) restricted grazing on milk production. Twelve crossbred dairy cows (holst ein-zebu) were used in a complete randomized block design. The cows were al located to two treatments: A. restricted grazing on oat (3 hours day(-1)) p lus 10 kg of corn silage; B. corn silage ad libitum as the only forage. All animals received 5.0 kg of concentrate head(-1) day(-1) with 19% crude pro tein (CP) and 75% total digestible nutrientes (TDN). There was no statistic al difference (P > 0.05) between A and B treatments in milk production (14. 6 vs. 13.3 kg cow(-1) day(-1)). Difference was found (P < 0.05) in fat cont ent (3.4 vs 3.8%), but this did not affect (P < 0.05) 4% milk corrected pro duction. Difference was found also in weight gain (P < 0.08). The cows that had access to restricted grazing on oat gained 0.53 kg day(-1) and the cow s that received corn silage as the only forage gained 0.25 kg day(-1). It w as concluded that restricted grazing on Sao Carlos oat cultivar allow high milk production with crossbred cows.