The herbage growth dynamics, plant community competition and grazing animal behaviour on grasslands can be affected by sward structure. This study was aimed at evaluating contrasting pre-grazing sward heights on milk production of cows and some morphophysiological characteristics of mombaça grass (Panicum maximum Jacq. Cv Mombaça) submitted to grazing. The experiment was carried out in a complete randomized design with two treatments (sward surface heights of 90cm and 140cm on pre-grazing) and four repilitions. Each plot was grazed by six Holstein-friesian cows with similar milk production and lactation time. The grazing method used was intermittent with a three days occupation period and six grazing cows were used as tester per treatment. The higher sward surface height presented greater tiller mass, leaf length and area, and tiller population density (P<0.10). Milk production was greater to the shortest sward height (P<0.10). Mombaça grass should be grazed at sward heights lower than 100cm.
Panicum maximum; sward height; dairy cows
