Daily intake of lactating crossbred cows grazing elephant grass rotationally

The goal of this trial was to estimate the total dry matter (TDMI) and dail y pasture dry matter intakes (PDMI) by lactating crossbred Holstein - Zebu cows grazing elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) paddocks submitte d to different rest periods. Three groups of 24 cows were used during two y ears. The paddocks were grazed during three days at the stocking rate of 4. 5 cows/ha. Treatments consisted of resting periods of 30 days without conce ntrate and resting periods of 30, 37.5 and 45 days with 2 kg/cow/day of 20. 6% crude protein concentrate. From July to October, pasture was supplemente d with chopped sugarcane plus I % urea. Total daily dry matter intake was e stimated using the extrusa in vitro dry matter digestibility and the fecal output with chron-dum oxide. Regardless of the treatment the estimated aver age TDMI was 2.7, 2.9 and 2.9 +/-0.03% and the mean PDMI was 1.9, 2.1 and 2 .1 +/-0.03% of body weight in the first, second and third grazing day, resp ectively (P <0.05). Only during the summer pasture quality was the same whi chever the grazing day. Sugarcane effectively replaced grazing pasture, mai nly in the first day when pasture dry matter intake was lowest.