A note comparing Cuba CT-115 (Pennisetum purpureum) and star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis)as basal feeds for dairy cattle production

Twenty four Holstein cows with an average of 3 calvings and 135 +/- 20 days of lactation were selected to study the effect of using Cuba CT-115 (Penni setum purpureum) or star grass (Cynodon nlemruensis) under grazing conditio ns as basal feeds for milk production during the dry season. A completely r andomized design in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement was used where these fact ors were the pastures (Cuba CT-115 and star grass) and the of production (N ov.-Dec., Jan-Feb. amd March-April). There was an interaction (P < 0.05) be tween the factors understudy. Milk production expressed in kg/cow/day was h igher and did not vary between star grass (9.2) and CT-115 (8.6), in the fi rst bimester (Nov.-Dec.). However, it was higher with CT-115 (7.2) during J anuary-February acid did not differ in March-April. It is concluded that hi gher milk yields are possible with CT-115 compared to star grass in January -February. Further studies are suggested on the management of the grassland system with the inclusion of CT-115 to assess its potential productivity, especially in the dry season.