The objective of this trial was to study the effect of three grazing intervals (T30 = 30 days, T36 = 36 days and T45 = 45 days) on milk yield and live weight changes of crossbred Holstein x Zebu cows grazing elephantgrass pasture rotationally managed. The experiment was conducted during the rainy season using 18 crossbred cows averaging 30 days of lactation and 488 kg of average live weight. The cows were allocated to experimental treatments according to a completely randomized block design, with six blocks, two series of paddocks and three cows/paddock, based on milk yield and body weight of cows at the beginning of lactation. The stocking rate was fixed at 4.5 cows/ha and no concentrate was fed. Each paddock was grazed for three days in each grazing cycle. The pasture was fertilized with 200 kg/ha of N and K2O, divided in three applications during the rainy season. It was also applied 40 kg of P2O5 and 1,000 kg of dolomite limestone at the same time of the first application of N and K. The average fat corrected (4%) milk yield was 11.4; 10.6 and 10.3 kg/cow. day and the average liveweight gain during the experimental period was 114, 160 and 116 g/cow. day for the T30, T36 and T45 treatments, respectively. No difference was observed either for milk yield or liveweight gain.
elephantgrass; grazing intervals; live weight; milk yield; rotational grazing
