Productivity of dwarf elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Mott) and tifton 85 (Cynodon dactylon x Cynodon nlemfuensis) pastures was evaluated under continuous grazing, in the Northwest area of Rio Grande do Sul. Twelve multiparous Holstein cows, at 100 days of lactation were evaluated and the put-and-take technique was used to regulate the stocking rate to maintain 4% of leaf lamina on offer. In the first year, dwarf elephantgrass and tifton 85 were different in leaf accumulation rates (31.2 vs 22.6kg/ha/day) and animal production (17.4 vs 20kg of milk/cow/day). In the second year, tifton 85 had higher leaf accumulation rates (38.8 vs 21.9kg/ha/day), stocking rate (2,157 vs 1,084kg of live weight/ha), and production per area (70 vs 41.3kg of milk/ha/day) than dwarf elephantgrass. Comparing the second to the first years, tifton 85 maintained 88% of stocking rate and 80% of production per area, while dwarf elephantgrass only 46% and 56%, respectively. Average individual production of 17kg of milk/cow/day indicates an unexplored potential of tropical grasses in dairy production systems, especially in the South of Brazil.
Pennisetum purpureum; Cynodon dactylon; milk production; forage on offer
